1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider Convertible Coupe

Open-top Ferraris existed before the arrival of the 250 Series, but it was (mostly) Pininfarina's coachwork on the later chassis that helped it become a fixture within the Ferrari range. The arrival of the 275 in 1964 continued to follow Ferrari's established practice of a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, and for the first time on a road-going Ferrari, there was independent rear suspension. The double wishbone and coil-spring arrangement were similar to that of the 250LM sports-racer. The rear-mounted five-speed transaxle combined the now all-synchromesh gearbox and differential in a single unit, helping to improve weight distribution.

The 3,286cc single-overhead-camshaft, all-alloy V-12 engine used six Weber twin-choke carburetors to produce 260 horsepower at 7,000 RPM. Hydraulic disc brakes at all four corners helped keep the vehicle in the driver's control.

The bodywork, manufactured by Pininfarina, was formed from steel, with aluminum used for the doors, hood, and trunk lid. The spider's design featured rougher edges, uncovered headlamps, triple-louvered fenders, a tapered rear end, and standard Borrani wire wheels which were eventually carried over to the 330 and 365 GTS variants that followed.

Over an 18-month period of production, a total of 200 examples of the 275 GTS were built.

Chassis number 06923
This Ferrari was finished on April 14, 1965, and was the 19th example of its kind to be completed. It left the factory wearing Giallo Solare (sunny yellow) over a Nero interior of Franzi leather and entered the care of its first owner that June via Luigi Chinetti Motors of New York, New York. At some point by the close of the 1970s, the car's exterior was refinished in black with a tan interior.

California resident John Collins Rector owned the 275 GTS by 1976, and he would sell it to fellow Californian Stephen E. Macie by early 1978. It remained with Mr. Macie until fall 1987, when it was listed for sale by Shelton Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The red paint scheme that the car currently wears was applied in the late 1990s. In 2000, it was awarded Best Ferrari at the Auto Italia held at the Portofino Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Walter Medlin purchased the Ferrari in 2003, and it has not been publicly exhibited since that time. It continues to wear its older red paint job and tan interior with a black convertible top. It rides on four Borrani wire wheels, and there is a trunk-stowed spare. The numbers-matching engine resting in the bay has three Weber carburetors. The interior contains a distinctively modern wood-faced dashboard carrying a suite of Veglia gauges, including an Imperial speedometer/odometer. There is a later Blaupunkt AM/FM radio with a cassette deck, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a footrest for passenger comfort, and race-style lap belts.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024