1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider Convertible Coupe

The Ferrari 275 GTS was built in Turin by Pininfarina. Most were assembled from steel with alloy doors, bonnets and boot lids. The open coach-built 275 GTS served as a replacement for the 250 GT PF Series II Cabriolet. It was introduced simultaneously at the 1964 Paris Auto Salon and both were markedly different in their respective designs. The 275 GTS had a muscular appearance and a clean design. There were open headlights, an egg crate grille and wing vents. The inside featured Connolly leather hides and power was from a 3.3-liter version of Ferrari's proven V12 engine design, named after its original designer, Gioacchino Colombo. Redline was reached at 7,000 RPM and produced 260 horsepower.

This vehicle, chassis 07227, was originally scheduled to be shipped to Chinetti Motors in New York. Instead, it was sold new through official dealer Garage La Rotonda of Renato Nocentini in Prato-Florence to Mrs. Mariagrazia Lencioni of Lucca, Italy on June 28th of 1965. She paid 5,750,000 lire. The second owner was Wilbur Henry Adams who purchased it through Lencioni on May 20th of 1967. Mr. Adams was an Ohioan who resided in Rome and was a member of the Automobile Club of Italy. Mr. Adams retained the car for three years before traded-in at FAF Motorcars in Tucker, Georgia by McDavid, who was being re-stationed to Panama City, Florida.

Prior to its importation to the United States, the car traded hands several times. It was eventually bought in North Carolina by a private collector from New York in 1992. It has been in that family's ownership since that time, passing down to the gentleman's nephew in recent years.

The car has had a recent and complete, engine-out restoration by the Ferrari factory in Italy. The restoration work took two years to complete. During the work, the original records were found that confirmed the engine was replaced in period and by the factory, following engine damage sustained by a prior owner in the early 1970s. Despite not having its original, matching-numbers engine, the car received the Ferrari Classiche certification.

Since the restoration, the car has been used sparingly. It is painted in red with a tan leather interior, red carpets and a black top. It is the 52nd example of just 200 units built.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $445,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2010