Ferrari 275 GTB (1965)

The Ferrari 275 was first unveiled at the Paris motor show of 1964 and was hailed as the successor to the legendary Ferrari 250 GT. The car had excellent balance, poise and weight distribution thanks to independent rear suspension and a rear-mounted 5-speed transaxle. In addition, the engine was shifted backwards in order to bring as much weight as possible towards the centre of the car. Ferrari eventually released a redesigned nose for the model, which was longer and aimed to enhance the aerodynamic abilities of the car at high speed. Therefore, only 239 Short Nose examples were produced and their rarity and undoubted stunning looks have made these cars highly collectible and they are now considered the prized assets of many collections. The original form is often regarded as the purest form.

This Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta “shortnose”, was finished on May 18th 1965 destined for Lombardo, Italy. The car was finished in the fantastic colour of Nero Salchi with a Blu interior and was first sold to a Gentleman racing driver, Mr Galluzzi who was the former president of the Milanese Scuderia Sant’Ambroeus. He would race at the VII Mobil Economy Run at Monza in 1965, where it placed 3rd in class. Records name the four subsequent Italian owners who all used the car sparingly; in 1972 it was exported to the USA with a mileage of just over 10,000km. It spent an extensive period in America, living first in Pennsylvania until 1976 when it was sold to Mr Butler of Utah would keep the car for around 9 years.

In 1989, the car was fully restored by Blake Middleton of Portland, Oregon where it was refinished in Rosso over tan. It was purchased by Mr Farrey in 1992 who would only keep the car for a year. The next owner, Mr Littel purchased the car the following year and once more commissioned a bare metal respray in Red over tan, this time the work was renowned USA-based specialist Wayne Carini. He would retain the car until 2003 at which it was exported to Europe.

It lived first in France before moving on to Belgium, where it was refurbished by Piet Roelofs in Holland. April 2008 saw the car driven at the Ardenne Roads Rallye in Spa, Belgium. More recently, it has been returned to its original colour combination of Nero Salchi during another thorough overhaul.

Sold by ourselves to its current owner in 2015, In 2016 we handled a retrim of the vehicle through world-renowned O’Rourke Coachtrimmers. The interior was amended to feature period VM3104 ‘Ochre’ trim leaving the factory-colour, dark blue carpets. A wonderful colour combination with the as-delivered Nero Salchi. The car is accompanied by full “Red Book” Classiche Certification where all its numbered components are confirmed as being the original factory and matching items.

Since then, the car has been used occasionally and serviced regularly and presents superbly. A delightful 275 ‘shortnose’ with ‘starburst’ alloy wheels, rare period competition history and well-documented ownership (making it more eligible for many exclusive events than other 275 GTBs). Very few 275 GTBs can, unlike this car, boast period history, but more importantly, race history from pre-1966; making this car a very interesting proposition. Available to view at our showrooms just outside London immediately.