Lot 121: 1965 Ferrari 275GTB Coupe

�The 275 GTB is� a superlatively vigorous, very agile and quick automobile. Its comfort, the quality of its finish, the original lines of its bodywork all justify its exceptionally high price, for it is an exceptional automobile. It is a thoroughbred, with luxury devoid of excess, and a fiery temperament� � Jose Roskinski, Sport Auto, July 1965.

When Ferrari�s highly successful �250� series was superseded in 1964 by the �275�, Pininfarina was once again called upon to work his magic for the Maranello concern, creating a true classic of sports car design for the 275GTB. Penetrative nose, long bonnet, purposeful side vents, high waistline and short be-spoilered tail: these were all ingredients of the recipe, yet the result was so much more than merely the sum of its parts. The tail spoiler and cast-alloy wheels echoed developments first seen on Ferrari competition cars, while beneath the skin there was further evidence of racing improving the breed, the independent rear suspension - seen for the first time on a road-going Ferrari - employing a double wishbone and coil-spring arrangement similar to that of the 250LM racer. The adoption of a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle combining the gearbox and differential in a single unit helped improve weight distribution, and this feature would characterise future generations of front-engined Ferrari road cars.

Now enlarged to 3.3 litres, the 60-degree V12 engine remained the familiar Colombo type, in standard form producing 280bhp at 7,600rpm. A higher - 300bhp - state of tune employing six Weber carburettors was available, and this was used for the handful of aluminium-alloy bodied 275GTB/C (Competizione) models built, though customers purchasing a 275GTB for road use could also specify aluminium coachwork and/or the six-carburettor engine.

Despite its near-perfect appearance, revisions to the original 275GTB were not long in coming: a longer nose, enlarged rear window and external boot hinges being introduced towards the end of 1965. Mechanically the only major change was the adoption of torque tube enclosure for the prop shaft. The model�s ultimate incarnation - the 275GTB/4 - appeared in October 1966, the �/4� suffix denoting the presence of four, rather than the original�s two, overhead camshafts. Sadly, by 1968 the progress of automobile emissions legislation had effectively outlawed the 275GTB and its like from Ferrari�s most lucrative export market, the United States, and the model was phased out later that same year.

Finished in grigio metallizzato (grey metallic) with black leather interior, 275GTB chassis number �07855� was invoiced on 11th October 1965 to US Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti Motors of New York. The last car produced in the model�s original �short nose� configuration, �07855� was supplied with the optional Borrani wire wheels and front and rear body protection. In November 1965 the car was invoiced by Chinetti Motors to Mac Han Import Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts together with two other Ferraris, and between 1966 and 1988 was owned by Conrad M Semler of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

In 1988 Semler sold the GTB, which was imported into Switzerland and purchased by Garage Karl Fiotek AG of Zurich, Switzerland. At this time the car had covered only some 30,000 miles. Sold by Foitek at the Loews Hotel auction in Monaco in May 1991 (Lot 134), it went to a French buyer and was then completely restored by Pozzi (Ferrari France) at a cost of 300,000 francs. The Ferrari�s next owner (from June 1999) was Jean Guikas/GTC Sarl, who in turn sold it to Jonas Liden of Stocksund, Sweden in December that year. Liden traded the GTB back to Guikas in February 2000 and it was advertised in October that same year with 30,600 miles recorded. In 2005 the car was owned by Jacques Dufau in Biarritz, France.
�07855� is presented today fresh from a total rebuild entrusted to some of the finest marque specialists in Italy: Toni Franco, of Maranello, being responsible for the mechanical overhaul, Carrozzeria Bacchelli & Villa the bodywork and Fratelli Luppi the interior. Offered with French Carte Grise, this beautiful car represents a rare opportunity to acquire an example of what many consider to be the finest road-going Gran Turismo ever produced by Ferrari, presented in superbly restored condition.




De couleur gris m�tallis� avec int�rieur en cuir noir, la Ferrari 275 GTB ch�ssis n� 07855 fut factur�e le 11 octobre 1965 � l�importateur Ferrari am�ricain, Luigi Chinetti Motors � New York. Derni�re voiture produite avec la configuration � nez court �initiale,
� 07855 � fut livr�e avec des roues Borrani et des protections de caisse avant et arri�re optionnelles. En novembre 1965, la voiture fut vendue par Chinetti Motors � Mac Han Import Corporation de Bedford (Massachusetts) avec deux autres Ferrari. Entre 1966 et 1988, elle fut la propri�t� de Conrad M. Semler de Latrobe (Pennsylvanie).

En 1988, Semler vendit la GTB au Garage Karl Fiotek AG de Z�rich (Suisse). Elle n�avait parcouru � cette date que 30 000 miles (48 000 km). Vendue par Fiotek � la vente aux ench�res de l�H�tel Loews � Monaco en mai 1991 (Lot 134), elle fut acquise par un Fran�ais puis totalement restaur�e par Pozzi (Ferrari France) pour un montant de 300 000 francs. Le propri�taire suivant (� partir de juin 1999) fut Jean Guikas (GTC) Sarl qui la vendit � Jonas Liden de Stocksund (Su�de) en d�cembre. Le proprietaire actuel l�a achete aupres de Liden fin 2004 et l�a confie aux meilleurs restaurateurs italiens pour une refection complete. � 07855 � se pr�sente aujourd�hui au sortir d�une totale reconstruction confi�e aux meilleurs sp�cialistes de la marque en Italie : Toni Franco de Maranello assura la partie m�canique, la Carrozzeria Bacchelli & Villa, la carrosserie et Fratelli Luppi l�int�rieur. Offerte avec sa carte grise fran�aise, cette superbe automobile est une rare occasion d�acqu�rir un exemplaire de ce que d�aucuns consid�rent comme la plus belle Gran Turismo de route jamais produite par Ferrari et, qui plus est, apr�s une restauration exceptionnelle.