1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano Coupe

This Ferrari has a type 508 chassis that is shared with a 250 Europa GT. The engine is from the original Colombo series V-12 'inside-plug' engine (tipo 112) that was first installed in the Europa GT model. The engine is essentially a lightly detuned variation of the competition-proven 250 MM and featured two front-mounted distributors. Along with its race-bred engine, it has a type 513 gearbox with Porsche-type synchromesh, making this example, chassis 0429 GT, one of the first Ferrari road cars to benefit from this market improvement. This body possesses a number of distinguishing features and served as the original prototype for the production Boano-built 250 GTs. One of the most prominent details include the use of alloy in the doors, hood and trunk lid. There is an upswept kink in the beltline just behind the door and there is a ridge atop the front fenders. It was originally finished in gray with a red section on the roof, over a green leather interior.

In 1956, the car was put on display as a Pinin Farina show car at the Geneva Motor Show. After the event, it was sold to its first owner, Roberto Federici in Rome, Italy. Sometime later, Giorgio di Sant'Andrea of Milan acquired the Ferrari and, in 1959, it was exported to the US.

When this Berlientta arrived in the US, it was repainted green with the egg crate grille finished in metallic gold. In 1960, George Inouye of Los Angeles, California, purchased the car through the Pacific Finance Company. Two years later, he sold it to the Samson Auto Salvage, an automotive wholesaler. In September of that year, it was acquired by Edwin K. Niles for the sum of $2,700 and registered it on yellow California plates. In June of 1963, it was acquired by Antonio Nuccio. After painting the car red and dying the original upholstery black, Mr. Nuccio ran short of funds and his newly acquired Berlinetta was repossessed and subsequently sold to Samson Auto Salvage. For $200 less than his previous purchase price, Mr. Niles bought the car again. In 1964, the car was advertised in Road & Track and the Los Angeles times before being bought by Dave Sheriff of Altadena in February of 1965.

For the next quarter-of-a-century, the car disappeared. When it finally reappeared, it was in the care of Steve Barney in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1981, it was sold to Paul and Dorre Tavilla of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 1995, it was purchased by Tokyo resident Mr. Nakao. In 2000, it returned to Southern California and sold to its current caretaker.

The car is a prototype and former Geneva show car, a repeated Platinum Award winner and a four-time Mille Miglia storica veteran. It has been certified by the Ferrari Classiche program with a carefully documented history.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction where it was estimated to sell for $ 650000-$800000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $715000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011