1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Coupe

The 12-cylinder Ferrari dates back to the Tipo 166 of 1947. The breed and the product continued to evolve over the years, with a remarkable variety of purpose-built models introduced throughout the 1950s, including the Touring-bodied 212 Exports and the Pinin Farina-bodied 375 MMs. In 1953, the 250 MM was introduced followed by the 250 GT Tour de France, built between 1956 and 1959.

During the 1960s, one of the greatest sports cars of all time was introduced, the alloy-bodied 275 GTB. Around 24 and 30 of these lightweight examples were built for the company's most important clients.

This 'long nose' example is chassis number 8057 and is a second-series 275 GTB chassis with the improved CV-joint driveshaft and standard three-carburetor arrangement. The coachwork was handled by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Originally calling for Argento and black upholstery, the order was changed prior to being executed, and this Ferrari was finished in the color scheme of Amaranto Roma Italver, a rich earthy red, with beige upholstery.

The Certificate of Origin was issued on January 4th of 1966 and the car was sold new to Officine Romanazzi ICAR S.p.A. in Rome. Registered as 'Roma 904271,' the 275 returned to Ferrari's Assistenza Clienti at Viale Trento Trieste in Modena, Italy, for service. At this time, the car was upgraded to the desirable six-carburetor arrangement and the original transaxle was substituted for a new unit, internal number 142.

On July 3rd of 1970, the 275 GTB was sold to its second owner, Mario Gastone Giulio Sorrentino, a 22-year-old who lived at Via Micheli 45 in Rome. Less than a year after purchasing the car, Sig. Sorrentino sold the car to Riccardo Billi Di Sandorno who, in turn, sold it to Mario Terrevoli on May 26. In October 1973, Sig. Terrevoli sold the Ferrari to Bruce Vincent Madden, an American who had residence at the Hotel Excelsior in Rome.

After coming state-side, it was sold to Sam Drummy, a record producer living in Los Angeles. Mr. Drummy retained the car into the early 1980s. After a decade in the United States, the 275 GTB returned to continental Europe when it was sold - via Jean-Jacques Bally - to Bernard Comte of Vaucresson, France. In September of 1983, the car took part in Ferrari Days, a four-day track and concours event organized by the Automobile Club Modena for pre-1970 Ferrari models. In 1987 it participated at the Club Ferrari France meeting at Mas du Clos.

In 1988, Swiss Ferrari enthusiast Carlo Perego purchased the 275 GTB and, during his four-year ownership, oversaw a comprehensive restoration. During the restoration, the Ferrari was refinished in Fly Yellow with black upholstery.

In 1992, it was sold to Jacques Levet of Paris and eventually received the Club Ferrari France Trophy for Best Restoration. The car remained in French ownership until 2005, when it was sold to Oliver Franz, a German collector living in St. Prex, Switzerland. In 2006, it was inspected and certified by the Ferrari Classiche department.

Recently, in the care of an English collector, 8057 participated in the 2010 Sudsteiermark Classic in Germany and, as recently as 2012, received a thorough detailing and service that addressed the engine, transaxle, suspension, exhaust, and braking system.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2013