1958 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena Coupe

The 1958 Ellena was built by Carrozzeria Ellena, previously called Carrozzeria Boano. The 1958 Ellena was the successor of the Boano car, resulting in three major design changes: a raised roofline, elimination of the vent windows, and an improved synchromesh transmission. Just 39 'High Roof' Ellenas were manufactured, and it is believed 27 exist, with only 18 still sporting their original engines.

According to the factory build sheet, this example was built with special options - a dual-brake master-cylinder peddle box and vented/racing brake drums - and is possibly the only one thus ordered. In the 1970s this Ellena was completely disassembled, but all work was halted until 2015 when the car was acquired by the current caretaker. The car was then meticulously restored to factory specifications, with the original drivetrain.

Vignale had been the most popular carrozzeria with Maranello's customers until the arrival of the 250 Europa. From that point forward, Pinin Farina (later Pininfarina) would be the preferred coachbuilder, creating bodies for no fewer than 48 out of 53 Europa/Europa GTs built. After designing and building a new Ferrari 250 GT road car that was first displayed publicly at the Geneva Salon in March 1956, they were forced to hand production to Carrozzeria Boano. Pinin Farina was not yet in a position to cope with the increased workload and was building larger facilities to facilitate the growth. After a handful of prototypes were built, Carrozzeria Boano took over body construction.

Carrozzeria Boano was founded in 1954 by ex-Farina and Ghia designer Mario Felice Boano together with his son Gian Paolo and business partner Luciano Pollo. Father and son later went to work for Fiat, so Pollo was joined by Boano's son-in-law, Ezio Ellena, and the company changed its name to Carrozzeria Ellena. Approximately 130-or-so examples of the Boano and Boano/Ellena 250 GTs (all left-hand drive) were made between 1956 and 1958. Of those, approximately 80 were built by Boano and the remaining 50 by Ellena. Although hand-built, the Ellena cars were generally distinguished by having a higher roofline and were devoid of quarter-lights in the side windows.

This 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe has been restored with approximately 3,500 manhours worth of labor. It is believed that the car was delivered new to the East Coast and owned by Henry Gibson from New York City. This is a rather unique example as it is the only one delivered with a dual brake master cylinder pedal box and vented racing brake drums, items that suggest that Mr. Gibson may have had sporting intentions for it, although no known racing history exists.

In 1971, the car was owned by Mike Curley of Pittsburgh, PA. It later was sent to San Francisco and into the ownership of Bradley E. Balles, who owned it briefly before selling it to long-term custodian Candance Daniels of Mountain View, California. It remained in Mr. Daniel's care until 2014 when it changed hands and the restoration work began. The car now wears an Azzurro Metallizzato exterior with a dark blue hue. The interior is done in Pelle Rossa leather.

Upon the completion of its restoration, the Ferrari was shown at the 2020 Cavallino Concours in Palm Beach where it received a Platinum Level Score as well as 'Excellence in Class' and 'Most Elegant' at the Sunday Mar-A-Lago gathering. In 2021, the Ferrari was chosen to represent its era at the Casa Ferrari event at Pebble Beach. In 2022, it was shown on the 18th Fairway at Pebble Beach in the Concours d'Elegance. Other awards achieved post-restoration have included 'Best V12 Ferrari' at the Ferrari Club of America Fountain Hills 'Concours at the Hills' in 2022 and Best in Class at the Arizona Concours d'Elegance in January 2023.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023