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Considered
by many to be the finest road-going Gran Turismo ever
produced by Ferrari, a rare 275GTB/2 presented in
effectively ‘as new’ condition, will be to starring lot at
Bonhams
Ferrari et les Prestigieuses Italiennes auction
in Gstaad next week.
Lot No: 219; One
of only 30 examples, with its Ferrari certification; 1966
Ferrari 275GTB/2 6C Berlinetta long nose; Coachwork by
Pininfarina; Chassis no. 08557; Engine no. 08557; Estimate:
CHF1,000,000 - 1,100,000.
'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highly successful ‘250’ series was superseded in 1964 by the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.
Offered fresh from a total ‘frame off’ restoration, this
Ferrari 275GTB/6C chassis number ‘08557’ is a long nose,
steel-bodied example with torque tube transmission, and was
delivered new from the factory in the ultra-desirable,
six-carburettor ‘6C’ specification. The car spent nearly all
of its life in Switzerland, in the hands of only one owner
there between 1972 and 2004, before being sold. It then
resided briefly in the UK before being bought by the current
owner and restored. Completed in 2006, the rebuild was
entrusted to some of the finest marque specialists in Italy:
Tony Franco, of Maranello, being responsible for the
mechanical overhaul, Carrozzeria Brandoli the bodywork,
Bacchelli & Villa the paintwork and Fratelli Luppi the
interior. Repainted in Rosso Rubino livery with beige
leather interior, ‘08557’ 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 effectively ‘as new’ condition. It is offered with a
photographic record of the restoration; Ferrari Certificate
of Authenticity (number ‘289F’) issued to the current owner
in November 2006; and UK Swansea V5 registration document
for the number ‘MCH 951D’. More competitive than a GTB/4 and
eligible to many events, this car is the one to own.
Text &
Photos: Bonhams
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