2,953cc V-12 Engine
240bhp @ 7,000 rpm
Three Weber Twin-Choke Carburetors
Four-Speed Manual Gearbox
Independent Front Suspension and Live Rear Axles with Lever-Type Dampers
Four-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*One of Two Built to Order for Preferred Ferrari Clients Wax and Vitale
*Replete With Numerous Fascinating and Special Original Features
*Exhibited at 1959 Chicago Auto Show by U.S. Ferrari Importer, Luigi Chinetti
*Recently Serviced and Detailed by Noted Marque Expert, Patrick Ottis
*Complete restoration performed in the early 2000's

Previewing at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

During the early 1950s, Ferrari's low-production road models were in essence thinly disguised racing chassis, albeit cloaked in a bewildering array of body styles by Italy's top coach builders including Allemano, Ghia, Stabilimenti Farina, Touring, and Vignale. Accordingly, production for the road was far from standardized, with no two cars truly identical. While the design house of Battista "Pinin" Farina had bodied only a handful of Ferrari road-car chassis through 1952, his Turinese firm enjoyed virtual exclusivity from 1953 forward. Despite Pinin Farina's well-deserved new status as Ferrari's principal road-car body builder, its existing facilities were already crowded, necessitating expansion to new quarters, with construction not anticipated to be complete until late 1957. Accordingly, Pinin Farina entrusted production of the new 250 GT coupes to Carrozzeria Boano, and then Ellena, while design work and production preparations were completed for what would truly stand the test of time as Ferrari's definitive Grand Touring model of 1958-60.

Debuted at the influential 1958 Paris Salon, Ferrari's latest 250 GT-based coupe model retained the 2,600mm wheelbase chassis of its immediate predecessors, the 250 GT Europa and 250 GT Boano/Ellena. Coachwork of the new 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe was at restrained, tasteful, and elegant, yet left no doubt as to the competition-derived mechanicals underneath. Powering Ferrari's dashing new coupe for 1958-59 was the latest development of the Colombo short-block V-12 engine, designated Tipo 128 D. Rated 240 BHP at 7,000 engine revolution, it was a flexible, high-torque power unit equipped with a single distributor, single inside-mounted spark plugs, and hairpin-type valve springs, shared with the 250 Testa Rossa sports racer and 250 GT California Spider. This engine specification typifies the 1958-59 'Series I' cars, while 1960 cars utilized single outside spark plugs and twin distributors.

Endowed with a fashionably long hood line and short rear deck with no extraneous elements, Pinin Farina's new road-car for Ferrari remains a design triumph. Depending upon the source quoted, 353-355 examples of the 'PF Coupe' were built through late 1960. Recently, astute Ferrari collectors have gravitated to this rare early "series production" Ferrari model, which helped generate the funds required to support the increasingly costly and far-flung racing commitments of Scuderia Ferrari. Blessed with Ferrari's renowned V-12 soundtrack and performance, combined with uncanny sophistication, the 1958-60 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe remains one of the most influential and important classic Ferrari Grand Touring models.

Featuring a host of fascinating detail features, this beautifully presented 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina coupe is numbered 1007 GT. Accompanied by history compiled by noted Ferrari specialist Marcel Massini, 1007 GT was the 31st example produced; however, Hilary A. Raab's Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I lists the car as the 27th built. Since the cars were still built to order, it is reasonable to expect that some later-numbered chassis were completed sooner than others and not necessarily in numerical order. The subject vehicle was ordered new by none other than Guido Vitale, co-owner of Wax & Vitale S.a.S., the famed Genoese importer of luxury goods and premium liquors, which continues in operation today. Well-known to Ferrari collectors and historians, Vitale and his partner Dr. Enrico Wax were preferred Ferrari clients who owned a succession of the most interesting Ferrari models produced in period. Chassis 1007 GT was one of two such 'PF' coupes ordered by Vitale and Wax, with each equipped new with numerous bespoke features setting them apart from the rest of the production run.

An original left-hand drive example, 1007 GT was handsomely finished in Grigio Conchiglia paintwork over Pelle Blu Connolly leather upholstery. Distinctive exterior features included special chromed exhaust-outlet guards and chromed headlamp bezels incorporating small air inlets, plus unique badging, with the customary yellow hood insignia replaced with large chromed Ferrari lettering and a chromed prancing horse. Body weight was minimized with experimental fiberglass hood and rear-deck panels. Underhood lighting was also added by the factory on this specially built vehicle. Seldomly seen on Ferrari's of this era, these bespoke custom touches truly complement the exterior, while the interior also benefited from some special ordered details. The interior of 1007 GT was enhanced by Grey carpeting, an offset shifter, and Blue leather-covered dash housing multiple switches and special competition-type instruments. Dual chrome lower bodyside moldings, under-hood lighting, special rear badging, and a single 12-plug distributor rounded out the many special features of 1007 GT.

Soon after completion during October 1958 and delivery to Mr. Vitale, 1007 GT sold to American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti, who exhibited the special Ferrari GT at the January 1959 Chicago Auto Show. The following year, Chinetti sold the coupe to William Jennings Bryan of Munhall, Pennsylvania, the noted businessman, WW II veteran, and ardent motoring enthusiast. Interestingly, Mr. Bryan notably showed 1007 GT at the inaugural FCA (Ferrari Club of America) Annual Meet held at Notre Dame University in April 1965. In the latter 1980s, 1007 GT was displayed by Mr. Bryan at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, and in the early 1990s, it was acquired by Peter Markowski of RPM Vintage Racecar Services of Vermont, who displayed 1007 GT at the Palm Beach FCA National Concours d'Elegance. In 1994, 1007 GT passed to Susan De Felice, who showed it at the 1995 FCA National Concours d'Elegance at Mid-Ohio and the 1997 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance.

By 1999, 1007 GT was acquired by Stephen Bacen of Hollywood, Florida, who drove the car in the June 2000 Northeast Ferrari Rally in June 2000 and then commissioned a restoration by RPM, including comprehensive mechanical work, rebuilding of the original engine, a bare-metal repaint, brightwork restoration, and interior reupholstery. Following completion, Mr. Bacen displayed 1007 GT at the January 2003 Cavallino Classic, as well as the April 2003 FCA North American Field and Driving Concours at Sebring. Following re-acquisition of 1007 GT by Mr. Markowski circa 2010s, it was inspected by Ferrari marque expert Marcel Massini before being shown at the September 2010 FCA National Concours at New Jersey Motorsports Park. In 2011, the 250 GT was sold to Peter Hosmer of New Hampshire, who received a Gold Award with it at the 2013 Cavallino Classic. The next owner acquired 1007 GT in early 2015 and had it serviced and cosmetically elevated, including engine work by marque expert Patrick Ottis and refinishing and detailing of the engine compartment.

As offered, 1007 GT comes with history compiled by marque expert Marcel Massini, restoration documents and prior ownership records, and correct spare Borrani wire wheel. As an early and singular 'Series I' example of the elegant 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe, the offering of 1007 GT marks a truly special opportunity for astute Ferrari collectors everywhere. Ordered new by one of Ferrari's most important early clients and displayed in period by none other than Luigi Chinetti, it continues to benefit from an award-winning restoration and the caring stewardship of its prior owners. Undoubtedly, it will make a wonderful and fascinating addition to any worthy collection.