44-Years-Owned 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS

This 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS is the 199^th of 200 examples built between 1964 and 1966 and was sold new in the US via Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York to its first owner in November 1966. In 1974, chassis 08631 was sold to a US Air Force Major who was stationed in Soesterburg in the Netherlands, where the car joined him before it was moved into storage in Switzerland after his 1975 return to the US. It was again relocated by the USAF Major to Denmark, then back to Soesterburg, and finally to the US in 1979. The car then moved from New Mexico to Florida before being sold in 1980 to its next New Mexican owner, from whom it was purchased by its current owner in 1982. Between 2000 and 2001, the car won Platinum awards in its class at the Ferrari Club of America Annual Meet in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Dallas, Texas, as well as at the Concorso Italiano and Cavallino Classic. A refurbishment performed by Bob Smith Coachworks in Gainesville, Texas, that was completed in 2016 included a repaint in the original shade of Rosso Cordoba, a re-trim of the interior in black leather, and an overhaul of the 3.3-liter Colombo V12. Following completion of the project, the car won Platinum awards at the 2016 Cavallino Classic and the 2016 Ferrari Club of America International Meet in Columbus, Ohio, where it also achieved a Coppa Bella Machina award. Additional features include triple Weber 40 DCZ6 carburetors, a five-speed manual transaxle, servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension, 14” Borrani wire wheels, and a black convertible top. This 275 GTS is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner with a Marcel Massini report, invoices dating back to 1980, owner’s manuals, a tool kit, and a clean Missouri title in the owner’s name describing the car as a 1967 model.

The 275 GTS debuted alongside the fixed-roof 275 GTB at the 1964 Paris Motor Show as Ferrari’s first open-roof offering since production of the 250 GT California ended in early 1963. While riding on the same 2,400mm-wheelbase underpinnings as the GTB, the Pininfarina-designed and -built bodywork of the GTS featured styling cues distinct from its coupe counterpart including open headlights, a full-width front bumper with guards, a rounded rear profile with wraparound taillights, and split rear bumpers with rubber-lined guards.

This example left the factory finished in Rosso Cordoba (106-R-7) and was repainted in its original shade after being stripped to bare metal during the refurbishment that was completed by Bob Smith Coachworks in 2016. The second-to-last 275 GTS built, the car features the revised fender-louver design that was introduced in 1965 and incorporates three louvers outlined on three sides by a bright trim strip. The black convertible top can be stowed beneath a matching boot.

Bright Borrani wire wheels are secured by three-eared knock-offs and are wrapped in 185R14 Michelin MXV tires that were mounted along with replacement tubes during a 2022 service by Bob Smith Coachworks. Stopping is handled by servo-assisted Dunlop disc brakes all around.

The cabin was re-trimmed during the 2016 refurbishment in Nero Franzi leather, which is listed on the Marcel Massini report as the factory trim specification. Features include color-matched carpeting, shoulder belts, roll-up windows, a passenger-side footrest, a gated shifter, and a lockable glovebox.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel sits ahead of a wood-trimmed dashboard fascia housing Veglia instrumentation including a 300-km/h speedometer, a tachometer with an 8k-rpm redline, and gauges monitoring oil pressure and oil temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 53k kilometers (~33k miles), approximately 13k of which have been added under current ownership. Instruments to the driver’s right include a clock and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, amperage, and fuel level.

The 3.3-liter Tipo 213 Colombo V12 incorporates a 60º angle between cylinder banks, single overhead camshafts, and triple Weber 40 DCZ6 carburetors. The engine was overhauled during the 2016 refurbishment. Service by Bob Smith Coachworks in 2022 included fluid changes and replacement of the rear fuel filter, spark plugs, and battery.

Chassis number 08631 is shown stamped on the engine block above.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle. Four-wheel independent suspension incorporates double wishbones, coil springs, tubular shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars at front and rear.

The Marcel Massini report lists the original colors as well as delivery via Luigi Chinetti Motors.

Photos from the refurbishment completed in 2016 can be viewed in the photo gallery below, as can the collection of invoices dating back to 1980 included in the sale.