Description
Ferrari announced the launch of the 275 series in October 1964 at the Salon de L’Automobile in Paris. The series consisted of a hard-top Berlinetta, dubbed the “GTB”, and cabriolet spider, from which the GTS takes its name. Both bodies were designed by Pininfarina. While the chassis and engines for the two models were essentially identical, the similarities ended there. The GTB body was fabricated by Maranello’s preferred competition coachbuilder Scaglietti, while the more luxuriously appointed GTS was constructed at Pininfarina’s Grugliasco factory.
The Ferrari 275 GTS was completely different in appearance and proportions to its closed-roof sibling, while the cabriolet car was constructed of steel with aluminium bonnet, boot lit, and doors. Uncovered headlamps, triple-louvered wings, a tapered rear end, and standard Borrani wire wheels were the spider’s key visual identifiers, and those features were eventually carried over to the 330 and 365 GTS variants that followed. Just 200 examples of the 275 GTS were built over an 18-month production period, making the model far rarer than the 275 GTB, of which over twice the amount were made. Prized by Ferrari enthusiasts today as the luxurious grand touring expression of the celebrated 3. 3-litre Colombo platform, the 275 GTS has evolved into one of the era’s most collectable open-top Ferraris.
The example we are pleased to offer for sale was completed November, 1965 and was the 148th of 200 to be produced. It was specified from new in the beautiful and lesser-seen shade of Blu Celeste over a Grigio leather interior and featured a Grey soft top and instruments in miles. In December, 1965 the car was delivered to Luigi Chinetti Motors, New York, USA before being sold to the first owner, a Mr. Lewis, resident in New York.
It remained in the United States for the majority of its life save for a brief visit to Hong Kong in the early 1990s when then owner Andrew Turner had the car shipped out to him. It returned to the states in 1994 and was sold to a doctor in Colorado via Symbolic Motor Car Co. of La Jolla, CA. More recently, the car resided on the east side of the U. S. in Miami, Florida before being transported over to ourselves earlier this year. Since arriving in the U. K., the car has been subject to a full check over and service with Joe Macari Classics.
It sits today in beautiful condition and retains its factory correct colour combination of Blu Celeste over Grigio leather. The car has been awarded red book Classiche Certification from the Ferrari factory, confirming its original colour scheme, as well as its matching numbers engine and gearbox. One of only 200 examples built, this stunning 60’s V12 convertible would make a fantastic addition to any Ferrari collection. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.
