1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spyder

The all-new 275GTB was launched by Ferrari at the Paris Auto Show in late-1964. It was the start of a whole new generation of Ferraris that offered the dual-purpose nature of the earlier cars, but with a bit more comfort and a few less ragged edges. The GTB, designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, placed a new emphasis on aerodynamics. More importantly, it offered independent suspension front and rear, disc brakes, and oddly, it was the first Ferrari not to come standard with wire wheels. Power is supplied by a 3.3-liter, 300 horsepower Colombo quad cam V-12 mated to a five-speed transaxle, capable of a top speed of 155 mph.

This is the 9th of 10 N.A.R.T. (North American Racing Team) factory convertibles commissioned by U.S. Ferrari distributor Chinetti Motors of New York City at a cost of $10,749. The N.A.R.T. spyders are considered by many to be the Holy Grail of Ferraris.

To meet the demand for a successor to the 250 GT Spyder California, Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari's distributor in North America, ordered a series of Spyders based on the 275 GTB/4 Berlinettas from Scaglietti. The Ferrari factory approved 10 cars; the result was the 275 GTB/4S NART Spyder, named for Chinetti's racing team. The first car delivered was entered in the 1967 Sebring 12 Hours. Driven by Denise McCluggage and Marianne 'Pinky' Rollo, it finished second in class. It was also driven by actor Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair. The second-to-last Spyder built, this car (and the only one painted silver), was delivered to its first owner in New York. After a series of United States owners, it was bought by philanthropist and Ferrari collector John Moores of Santa Fe. He had it restored to its original Argento Silver and then made an extraordinary gesture by auctioning the car in 1998 to raise money for charity. It won Best of Show at the Salon Prive Concours in London.

In 2014, it was on display in front of Enzo Ferrari's desk at the Ferrari museum in Modena, Italy.

In 1967, these cars were expensive at $14,400 and sales were difficult, resulting in very low production. This Scaglietti bodied car utilizes the 4 cam V12 engine developing 300 horsepower and the rear mounted 5-speed transmission. It has a top speed of 155 mph. These 275 GTB cars are still considered to be the best balanced front engine Ferraris.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018