1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider Convertible Coupe

This Ferrari 275 GTS (#06805) left the factory in Maranello on 14 January 1965 and delivered to Belgium for the the 1965 Brussels Motor Show. Then it was delivered to the USA to Luigi Chinetti Motors Inc. in New York in May 1965. After multiple US ownerships, it was bought by the current owner during the Amelia Concours week in 2019 and it returned to its Belgian roots. In 2019, this Ferrari 275 GTS participated at the Zoute Rally. It has been completely restored by Ferrari Classiche during 2020-2022 In October 2022, it was presented at the Zoute Concours d'Elegance and has participated to the prestigious Rallye des Légendes in France.

The Ferrari 275 GTS replaced the 250 GT PF Series II Cabriolet and was designed and built by Pininfarina. Introduced simultaneously with the 275 GTB at the 1964 Paris Auto Salon, the GTS and GTB were markedly different in their respective designs. The open Spyder had open headlights, an egg crate grille, a muscular stance, and was clearly intended for the American market and California in particular. They were built in Turin with the bodies assembled from steel with alloy doors, bonnets, and boot lids to form a rather conservative and attractive design.

Powering the 275 GTS was a 3.3-liter version of Ferrari's Colombo V-12 engine, named after its designer, Gioacchino Colombo. Redlining at 7,000 rpm and developing 260 brake horsepower, the Tipo 213 powerplant was capable of propelling the drophead to 100 kilometers per hour in just under seven seconds, en route to top speeds in excess of 220 kilometers per hour, depending upon rear-end gearing. The chassis had identical front and rear suspension, with upper and lower wishbones and coil springs all around. Four-wheel disc brakes were standard. The transmission was a new five-speed rear-mounted transaxle, which improved interior space while giving the car much better balance and a more favourable weight distribution.

Production of the 275 GTS was brief, and continued only until early 1966, when the 330 GTS superseded the 275 GTS. Just 200 examples of the 275 GTS were produced with many destined for American shores.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2019