Lot 134: 1962 Ferrari 250SWB Berlinetta Reproduction

While the 250GTE 2+2 offered at least the promise of ‘family’ accommodation in a road-going Ferrari, its stablemate the two-seater 250GT SWB was an uncompromising ‘racer-on-the-road’. Launched at the 1959 Paris Salon, the SWB in its competition form proved well nigh unbeatable in GT racing in the early 1960s, taking the 1961 Championship for the Maranello concern by a huge margin. Cars were built for road or track use as customers required, lightweight competition versions boasting aluminium-alloy bodywork instead of steel and up to 280bhp from the Tipo 168 engine. The 2400mm wheelbase chassis greatly enhanced both balance and handling, making the SWB a delight to drive. In all, just 93 road-going Lusso and 73 competition examples were made.

As with so many of Ferrari's rarer models, enthusiasts unable to acquire an original (and, frequently, owners of originals not willing to risk them) have often resorted to modifying a more numerous type to attain their goal, and 250GTE chassis number ‘2835’ features aluminium-alloy coachwork faithfully crafted in competition SWB style. The car was originally bodied by Pininfarina as a 250GTE 2+2 Coupé and sold new in Italy to a Mr Nicola. It was subsequently owned in the USA by Donald Norman of Tucson, Arizona (1976), Paul Forbes of Malibu, California (1977) and then Tom Zat of Aniwa, Wisconsin, who commissioned its conversion into an ‘SWB’ replica in the mid-to-late 1990s.

We are advised that the chassis and body rebuild was carried out by Mark Gerisch, of M & L Auto Specialists, of Wisconsin, a craftsman renowned for his skill in recreating alloy bodywork for exotica such as Cobras, GTOs, SWBs, etc and the man responsible for Joe Marchetti’s cars. Interior, paint and detailing are the work of Wayne Obry, also of Wisconsin. Wayne’s body shop is renowned in Ferrari circles at the highest level for the quality of its work, and has many concours awards to its credit. The metallic silver/blue stripe finish was copied from a famous SWB racer, and ‘2835’s other competition features include sliding Plexiglass windows, outside filler cap and rear window roof vent. Trimmed in blue-grey leather with matching carpets, the interior is equipped with removable roll bar.

The car’s original GTE engine and gearbox were rebuilt by engineer Andy Greene, of Savannah, Georgia, a veteran of many Ferrari mechanical rebuilds. More powerful even than the standard SWB, the engine features ported and polished cylinder heads, larger valves, high-lift (275GTB specification) camshafts, and Borgo high-compression pistons. It is equipped with re-jetted triple-Weber carburettors of larger-than-standard 30mm choke equipped with velocity stacks. The gearbox is the GTE original with overdrive deleted; all synchros, slides, etc have been replaced and the car's other mechanical systems fully restored. 2835’s other noteworthy features include aluminium fuel tank with integral cell, large-capacity radiator cooled by two electric fans, Girling dual brake master cylinder, polished Borrani wire wheels, and adjustable shock absorbers enabling the car to be set up for road or track.

‘2835’ was sold by us (when known as Brooks) at our Gstaad Sale on 18th December 1999 (Lot 434). It was imported into the UK and subsequently owned by a Mr Guy Goodman, of Richmond, Surrey in the UK, where it was registered ‘OSL 872’. Exciting and fully road legal, this highly desirable and versatile Ferrari represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire an attractive facsimile of the much sought after and legendary 250GT SWB Competizione at a fraction of the price.




Comme souvent dans le cas des modèles Ferrari les plus rares, les amateurs dans l’incapacité d’acquérir une voiture originale (comme les propriétaires d’originales qui ne veulent pas prendre trop de risques) ont souvent eu recours à la modification d’un type plus courant pour satisfaire leur envie. Ainsi la 250 GTE n° de châssis 2835 a-t-elle reçu une carrosserie en aluminium fidèlement traduite dans le style de la 250 châssis court de compétition. Cette voiture carrossée à l’origine comme une 250 GTE (2+2) par Pininfarina fut vendue neuve en Italie à M. Nicola. Elle fut ensuite la propriété de Donald Norman de Tucson (Arizona) en 1976, de Paul Forbes à Malibu (Californie) en 1977 puis de Tom Zat d’Aniwa (Wisconsin) qui fit réaliser cette transformation en « SWB replica » dans la seconde moitié des années 1990.

Nous savons que la reconstruction du châssis et de la caisse fut confiés à Mark Gerish de M & L Auto Specialists dans le Wisconsin, professionnel réputé pour ses recréations de carrosserie sur des Cobra, GTO, SWB, etc, et responsable des voitures de Joe Marchetti. L’intérieur, la peinture et les détails d’équipement furent l’œuvre de Wayne Obry. L’atelier de ce dernier est réputé dans les milieux ferraristes pour la qualité de son travail sanctionnée par de nombreuses récompenses en concours. La peinture argent métallisée à bande bleu fut copiée d’une célèbre SWB de compétition. « 2835 » comporte d’autres détails « compétition » tels que des glaces coulissantes en Plexiglas, un remplissage d’essence extérieur et un extracteur d’air à l’arrière du toit. Garni en cuir gris-bleu avec moquettes assorties, l’intérieur est équipé d’un arceau démontable.