1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Coupe

One of the highest-grossing films of 1966, a winner of three Oscars and widely considered one of the greatest motor racing films of all time, Grand Prix was one of the most influential films in John Frankenheimer's film-making history. It was only fitting then he had a car befitting his stimulating style.

Released in late December of 1966, Grand Prix would be an incredible film-making achievement. Taking the viewer closer into the action than ever before, and all across the globe, the movie really did offer that rare glimpse into the world of Formula One during the 1960s.

Only a couple of months before the film was to be released in theaters, Ferrari would unveil a dramatic piece of mechanical artwork. An evolution of the 275GTB, the GTB/4 was nearly identical, but it would offer a rather important upgrade. Producing around 20hp more than its predecessor, the 275 GTB/4 was its own sweeping epic on the back roads. Sadly, the showing would come with mixed emotions as it would bid farewell to the venerable front-engine V12 designs that had come to define Ferrari for years.

No doubt inspired during the shooting, John Frankenheimer would inquire of Ferrari for a left-hand drive version of the upcoming GTB/4. In mid-August, the director would be notified there would be one available. A month earlier, chassis 10451 had made the trip to Modena to Carrozzerria Scaglietti to be fitted to its elegant body. When completed, the car would come complete with a beige leather interior and a Blue Sera exterior finish. In October of that year, the sale would be finalized. Frankenheimer would be at a hotel in Budapest at the time when the transaction took place.

Frankenheimer would use the car frequently during the harsh Hungarian winter and would soon have trouble with unbalanced fuel mixtures that would lead to him suffering a rather embarrassing failure right in the middle of a street. It was already a busy street, and now, there would be this beautiful Ferrari to further bring the flow to a stand-still.

Misaligned carburetors would be found to be the source of the problem and Frankenheimer would soon have his car back in his possession. In spite of the troubles, the car would continue to occupy a special place within the director's heart. The car would travel to the United States to remain in his care until he made the decision to sell it in 1971.

Karl Fekete would become the next to own 10451. Fekete lived in Inglewood, California, and would find the Ferrari perfect as he would retain the car until 1986. Following the long spell with Fekete, the car would bounce around a bit. Paul Forbes would own the car for a time and the car would also make its way to Japan where it would remain for a few years passing among a couple of owners.

Although the car would pass back and forth between owners, it provenance was irresistible. Hans Thulin, famous for his Consolidator Collection based in Sweden, would own the car, as well as, Chris Cox and Bruce Male.

Male would end up being the longest-serving owner of the 275 GTB/4. For two decades the car remained in his possession. During that time the car would undergo some changes. It would be during this time the Blue Sera paint would be replaced with the Fly Giallo the car still retains to this very day. More work has been completed recently. This would include a complete rebuild of the brakes and suspension, re-chroming the brightwork, all-new leather and carpeting and even a complete detail of the motor and transmission.

In spite of the work, 10451 remains highly original, and its ownership history makes it among the elite 275 GTB/4s. Bright and dignified, 10451 remains a highly sought-after example of Ferrari's perhaps most definitive front-engine V-12 design.

This chassis, 10451, would be offered via RM Auctions during their 2015 Scottsdale event. Pre-auction estimates ranged between $3,500,000 to $4,500,000.

By Jeremy McMullen