1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet

In 1957 the 250-range of Ferraris was graced with a number of cabriolets designed by Pinin Farina. The Turin firm managed to imbue an ingenious sense of style that was at the same time assertive yet elegant. The car quickly became one of the most sought-after by the elite of the 1950s and remains so among today's most astute collectors of the Prancing Horse. It appeared for the first time at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show with the production of customer cars commencing during the second half of that year. Production continued through the summer of 1959 when an upgraded Series II model was introduced.

This car was delivered new by the Ferrari factory to Georges Filipinetti in Geneva, Switzerland in March 1959. It was on the Ferrari stand at the Geneva Motor Show just prior to delivery. It functioned as Mr. Filipinetti's personal transportation while also participating as Car #25 in the Rallye de Geneve organized by the Ecurie la Meute, a racing club founded in 1950 and still in existence today. Filipinetti was exported to the United States in the late-1960's and has remained here ever since. It is powered by a 2953cc SOHC Columbo V-12 producing 240 horsepower. A total of 40 Series One cars were produced including 4 prototypes and 36 production cars. Remarkably, 39 of the 40 survive today, including this car which is the 35th of the Series One cars produced. Painted Giallo Fly (Fly Yellow) it was restored in 1990-91.