1958 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena Coupe

Ferrari customers preferred Vignale's coachwork, but this would change as the years progressed, eventually Pinin Farina (later Pininfarina) being bestowed with that honor. Their experiments led to designs for the 250 GT road car that was first displayed publicly at the Geneva Salon in March 1956. While the Turin carrozzeria was expanding its facilities to cope with increased production, Carrozzeria Boano was tasked with the coachbuilding duties after Pinin Farina had completed a handful of prototypes.

Carrozzeria Boano was founded in 1954 by ex-Farina and Ghia designer Mario Felice Boano, along with his son Gian Paolo and business partner Luciano Pollo. Father and son soon left for FIAT, leaving Pollo in need of assistance. Boano's son-in-law, Ezio Ellena, filled the void, and the company changed its name to Carrozzeria Ellena. Between 1956 and 1958, approximately 130 examples of the Boano/Ellena 250 GTs (all left-hand drive) were constructed, with approximately 80 bodied by Boano and 50 by Ellena. Visual differences, albeit not exclusively, are primarily with rooflines. The later Boano/Ellena cars had a higher roofline and were devoid of quarter-lights in the side windows (again, not exclusive styling traits).

This particular example is the 34th Ellena-bodied 250 GT Coupe built. It was a U.S.-destined automobile that was sent to Luigi Chinetti Motors of New York in March 1958, finished in the color combination of Camoscio (Chamois) over light beige leather upholstery. By the early 1960s, the Ferrari resided in the Midwest and was acquired by RRR Motors Inc. in Homewood, Illinois.

RRR Motors Inc. owned 0837 GT and another Ellena Coupe, chassis 0755 GT. For reasons unknown, the dealership swapped the cars' identities and even removed the serial numbers from the engine pads. When RRR Motors Inc. sold this Ellena Coupe on October 23, 1964, it was identified as 0755 GT. The car's new owner was Gerald S. Krupa of Palatine, Illinois.

Mr. Krupa drove the Ellena Coupe for about a year before it was parked after encountering engine trouble. Mr. Krupa attempted repairs, but the task of rebuilding the V-12 engine became too great. It was then put into his home garage, under cover, where it would remain sitting static. After four decades (in 2023), the car was rediscovered after he passed away.

The current owner purchased the Ferrari from Mr. Krupa's estate and has uncovered its original identity. The original '0837 GT' chassis stamping was found on the frame rail. Its engine (original to the car) has internal number (0168C), and remains intact and undisturbed.

This Ferrari was repainted red many years ago, however, the dashboard and door caps are still finished in the original Camoscio paint. The light beige leather upholstery, carpeting, and headliner remain in original condition. The odometer showed 40,381 miles.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2024