1962 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet

By the late 1950s, Ferrari had a worldwide dealership network and was represented in seventeen countries by forty-one dealers including twelve in Italy alone. This success was due, in part, to the Ferrari 250 GT family of models. By 1958 the 250 GT coupes, designed for touring, were being produced alongside the dual-purpose race/road 250 GT Berlienttas. A cabriolet was the next logical evolution to extend the range and expand the market potential.

The first 250 Cabriolet bodied by Pinin Faraina was known as the ‘Ariowitch' cabriolet after the vehicle's first owner. It was produced in 1953 and based on one of the short run of Lampredi-engined 250 Europas. When the 250 Europa GTs with their Colombo-designed engine came out, not one was a cabriolet, so the one-off did not inspire immediate production. This would change with the Bonna/Ellena cars which were built between 1956 and 1958. At the 1956 Geneva Motor Show, the first 250 GT Cabriolet was introduced and it would the work of Felice Mario Boano. A Pinin Farina-designed cabriolet appeared at Geneva a year later. It was again based on the 250 GT platform. This vehicle later became the property of Ferrari racing driver, Peter Collins and was the first of four Pinin farina Cabriolet prototypes. A short time later, the vehicle became even more 'special' when the driver fitted Dunlop disc brakes, making it the first Ferari to be equipped with them.

The second prototype had a cut down windscreen and a faired in headrest, in similar fashion to the Scaglietti-built racing cars. Pinin Farina called it the 'Spyder Competitizone.' The third example was built for the 1957 Paris Salon and the fourth was sold to Aga Khan.

From 1957 through August of 1959, Ferrari built 36 examples of the 250 GT Cabriolet. These vehicles would later be known as Series I.

The Ferrari 250 GT coupe was launched in 1958. These were very important to both Ferrari and Pinin Farina as it was a standard production vehicle aided at increasing output. Pininfarina prepared for this by moving into a new factory. Ferrari set up its first assembly line.

The first planned series of two hundred cars were sold well in advance and were well received. An open variant was planned, and at the 1959 Paris Salon, the Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II was launched. By this point in history, the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder was in production and had an exterior appearance similar to the Series I Cabriolet. Ferrari wanted to the Series II cars to have significant changes so they could be easily distinguished from the California models.

Using the lessons learned from the Series I, the Series II were more accommodating and luxurious with a larger boot; in all, a more practical grand touring car. Power came from the latest Colombo V12 engine with outside plugs, coil valve springs and 12-port cylinder heads. They had disc brakes and a four-speed gearbox with overdrive. Production began in late 1959 and lasted until 1962. The most expensive car in the 250 GT range was the Series II Cabriolet. In total, just 201 examples of the Series II Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolets were produced.

Chassis number 3807 GT is the very last of the Series II Pininfarina Cabriolets built. It was delivered as a bare chassis to Pininfarina on June 1st of 1962 and was returned to Maranello on October 17th of that year. The car was finished in Marrone Italver over a Pelle Naturale interior, the same livery it wears today.

Just after completion, the car was sent to Jacques Swaters' Garage Francorchamps in Brussels, Belgium. From there it was sold to Mr. Albinus on November 17th of 1962. It was traded back to Garage Francorchamps a few years later. In 1968, they sold it to Mr. Von Rudjisch. It was later traded back and subsequently sold in 1969 to Mr. Bouvier before finally being re-acquired by the Brussels dealership for a sale to America. It was exported to the United States in 1972. In 1973, it was acquired by Bob Pellkofer of Santa Barbara, California. By this point in history, it was painted black. Mrs. Pellkofer sold the car to her father-in-law, Ernest M. Pellkofer, after her husband passed away in 1977.

In 1991, after nearly 2 decades in the Pellkofer family, the car was sold to Mansour Ojjeh. In May of 1994, the car was treated to an engine rebuild. Detailing and minor paintwork was also performed at the time. At the time, the odometer showed 06071 KM, most likely representing 106,071 km total mileage.

Earle Ady purchased the car in 2001, selling it a short time later to Dr. Joel Stein of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Stein began a restoration that brought it back to its original glory. When the work was completed, it won a Platinum Award at the 2002 Cavallino Classic in Palm beach, Florida. By June of 2008, it was in the care of the present owner.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $550,000-$650,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $709,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011