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| Chassis No. | ||||
| 09363 | ||||
| Estimate: | ||||
| $700,000-$900,000 US | ||||
| Est. 300bhp, 3,286 cc four overhead cam V12 engine, five-speed manual rear-mounted transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension with upper and lower wishbones, coil springs and tubular shocks, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 94.5" (2,400 mm) 1964 was an important year for Ferrari. John Surtees became Formula 1 World Champion and the team won the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, the International GT Constructors’ Championship, and the International Speed and Endurance Challenge. Racing improves the breed and Ferrari’s incredible success would heavily influence its latest production models. Unveiled at the Paris Salon in October 1964, Ferrari’s new berlinetta, the 275 GTB was an evolution of the preceding 250 GT cars such as the 250 GT “Lusso”. The 275 GTB was launched alongside its sister car, a spyder, which shared the same chassis and engine, the 275 GTS. The aggressive styling of the 275 GTB is often regarded as being among the purest and most beautiful of any Ferrari built. Certainly, Pininfarina had created a true, timeless classic of sports car design, which was beautifully executed by Scaglietti. In October 1966 at the Paris Salon, Ferrari introduced the next evolution of the 275 GTB, the 275 GTB/4. Other than an increase in track by 24mm, the chassis was unchanged. Outwardly the new car was the same other than a full-length bulge down the bonnet to clear the six downdraft Webers. The change in model designation simply reflected the single substantial difference between the GTB/4 and its predecessor; the V12 engine was fitted with four overhead camshafts, two per cylinder bank. This revised powerplant, known as Tipo 226, was directly derived from the 3.3- and 4.0-liter engines which powered the 275 and 330 P2 prototypes of the 1965 racing season. With remarkable mid-range torque and flexibility, this formidable powerplant was capable of propelling the new 275 GTB/4 to a top speed of 160 miles per hour. Competition power levels had been made available to Ferrari’s clients right off the showroom floor. Ferrari had produced a car with perfect weight distribution that handled superbly. Perhaps one of the best summations of the GTB/4’s driving manners and performance abilities came from Grand Prix-winning, French racing driver, Jean-Pierre Beltoise. In a road test published in 1967 in L’Auto Journal he said, “I covered in complete safety and the greatest comfort… and while carrying on a normal conversation with my passenger, the 46 miles which separate the Pont d’Orléans from Nemours in a little less than 23 minutes…at an average speed of more than 121 mph – which is remarkable enough without noting that I had to stop for the toll gates.” The stunning 275 GTB/4 offered here was sold new in January 1967 through Franco Britannic Autos in Paris to its first owner, Mr. Sorlin in France. Thereafter, it was sold to the girlfriend of one Mr. Krembs in Meudon, France, who soon re-sold it to Mr. Krembs himself. Unfortunately, 09363 was involved in a serious accident while in his ownership and was restored at that time. In the course of these repairs in the late sixties or early seventies, the car was given a decidedly more sporting and competition-oriented appearance, which it retains to this day, over three decades later. It has been suggested that these modifications were carried out by Carrozzeria Fiorenzo Fantuzzi of Modena although no evidence is currently available to support these claims. Finished in red, the car received sliding Plexiglas side windows, GTO-style door handles, an additional outside fuel filler cap, slotted vents behind the rear wheel arches, parallel wiper posts and very attractive 275 GTB/C wire wheels. It was also slightly lowered and fitted with stiffer springs, a cold air box, and competition camshafts – an ideal setup for the vintage racing events in which it would partake in the future. Following this work, the Ferrari was eventually exported via Genova, Italy to the United States before being owned in 1979 by Dr. Stephen L. Tillim of Atherton, California. In the 1970s, the car reportedly appeared at many events, competed in various club races and attracted a great deal of attention. Tillim showed the car in 1980 at the Monterey historic automobile races at Laguna Seca. It was sold in August 1986 to Albrecht G. Guggisberg’s Oldtimer-Garage, Ltd. of Berne, Switzerland and changed ownership once more the following year at Rich Cole’s auction in Monterey, California, as it was acquired by Engelbert E. Stieger of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Stieger, a noted enthusiast and collector in his own right, raced the car in 1995 at the Ferrari Historic Meeting at the famed Nürgburgring in Germany. In 2000, this car was sold through the Auto-Salon Singen in Germany to Gerd Petrik of Osprey, Florida. It was acquired shortly thereafter by its current owner in Connecticut who sent the car to the marque specialists at Peter Markowski’s shop, RPM in Vermont. While the bodywork was in good shape, the engine, brakes, suspension and various other mechanical components were rebuilt by RPM, as evidenced by a large assortment of bills. The owner reports the only other changes are larger front brake calipers and the re-installation of the chrome trim, the former of which was a beneficial addition to this very powerful car and is visually unnoticeable. As presented, the car is reportedly very well sorted and runs, drives and brakes superbly. While the modifications conducted on the car – specifically, the louvers, second filler and Plexiglas windows – could very easily be filled-in or replaced to return the car to its factory appearance, the owner has elected to leave the car untouched as it is part of its storied history and it has remained in this sporting form for most of its life. It should also be noted that at the time of the rebuild in the late sixties or early seventies, the timing cover and heads of the original engine were re-used and remain with the car to this day. The crankcase was replaced, however, presumably because of damage it incurred, and therefore bears a different number. It was also during these repairs that the front upright was repaired with a part from chassis 10195, although the frame itself is original, as evidenced by the original stamping 09363. Chassis 09363 is eligible for a variety of historic motoring events and is eminently usable, at once possessing spectacular performance with fantastic looks. Perhaps Jean-Pierre Beltoise said it best: “It is, first and foremost, a serious and comfortable gran turismo, but it retains the lineage of a race car in the response of the engine and the quality of the handling. The 275 GTB/4 is one of the greatest automobiles created in our times.” |
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