1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 Alloy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

The 1960s formed a golden decade for Ferrari, during which it not only enjoyed considerable competition success in Formula 1 and sports-car racing, but also produced some of its most coveted road cars. Many marque enthusiasts consider the 275 GTB to be the best of those, and one of the finest Grand Tourers ever built by this revered marque. 

The Ferrari 275 GTB being offered for sale is a particularly special example of the ‘long nose’ Series 2. It’s thought that fewer than 60 were specified with all-alloy bodywork, and chassis number 08069 is one of them. Completed in late 1965, it was finished in Argento Metallizzato with a Pelle Nera leather interior, and its 3.3-litre V12 engine was fitted with the standard triple Weber carburettors.

Ferrari historian Marcel Massini has confirmed that ‘08069’ was supplied new to the well-known dealer Gastone Crepaldi in Milan, who sold it in January 1966 to its first owner, a Signor Zanaboni. It was later acquired by Signor Ghisa, who lived in Trieste in the north-east corner of Italy.

By mid-1974, the Ferrari had been exported to the US and was advertised for sale in Road & Track magazine. Its owner at that time was Ronald De Lorenzo, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, and the advertisement stated that the 275 GTB was still in its original colour, that it was in ‘concours’ condition, and that De Lorenzo was its first US owner. 

The car was duly sold to Dr Raymond Boniface of Poland, Ohio, and he would end up keeping his treasured Ferrari for 40 years. At some point during his ownership, it was repainted red, and as well as taking it to local shows in Ohio, Dr Boniface also attended larger events such as the Ferrari Club of America’s annual meet at Watkins Glen. 

Only in 2014 did this 275 GTB change hands again, when it was sold by RM at its Monterey auction. It was then brought to the UK and given a full restoration by marque specialist GTO Engineering. The entire process is painstakingly documented in the car’s history file and included stripping the alloy bodywork to bare metal, at which point it was noted how solid and original this Ferrari was. 

It was then resprayed in its original colour of Argento Metallizzato and all of the mechanical components were rebuilt to original specification. Such was the quality of the restoration that the Ferrari won its class at the 2015 Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace. 

Its current owner used the 275 GTB on the 2024 Tour Auto, and this exceptional matching-numbers car is now being offered for sale complete with Ferrari Classiche Certification. From the beautiful Pininfarina styling to the robust and sonorous Colombo-designed V12 engine, the 275 GTB is much sought-after by marque enthusiasts, but this represents an even more special opportunity to acquire a rare alloy-bodied example of this legendary Grand Tourer.

MODEL HISTORY

Blending motorsport pedigree with muscular, elegant styling, the Ferrari 275 GTB offered a considerable step forward over its predecessor – the illustrious 250 GT – when it was introduced in 1964. Technical developments included a five-speed transaxle and all-round independent suspension, the latter being achieved via double wishbones and marking a ‘first’ for Ferrari road cars, which had previously used a live rear axle. 

Disc brakes were employed all round and Borrani wire wheels fitted, while underneath the bonnet was an updated 3.3-litre version of Gioachino Colombo’s famous V12 engine. As standard, it ran on a trio of Weber carburettors and produced a claimed 280bhp, but a six-carb set-up was offered as a factory option and was said to boost output to well over 300bhp. 

As per Ferrari tradition, the model name came from the capacity of each individual cylinder, the 77mm bore and 58.8mm stroke adding up to 275cc.

The 275 was offered in both GTB coupé form and as the GTS convertible, and for 1966 Ferrari introduced various updates on the Series 2 model. These included revised ‘long nose’ styling for the Pininfarina-designed, Scaglietti-built bodywork, which was made from steel with alloy doors, bonnet and boot lid. The factory also offered the option of a lightweight, all-aluminium body.

Although it was initially refused GT-class homologation for 1965, the 275 had a successful motorsport career. A Competizione Speciale model – ostensibly based on the road car’s Tipo 563 chassis but heavily modified in almost every respect – was developed under Mauro Forghieri and finished third overall at Le Mans in 1965. 

For the 1966 season, a short run of 275 GTB/C cars was produced and the Maranello Concessionaires entry of Piers Courage and Roy Pike won its class in that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

In late 1966, the roadgoing 275 gained a new four-cam version of the 3.3-litre V12 in order to create the GTB/4. That car lived on until 1968, when it was replaced by the 365 GTB/4 – better known as the Daytona.