1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe

2,953cc SOHC V12 Engine
Triple Weber Carburetors
240bhp at 7,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Delivered new to New York City, unique technical specifications
*One of the finest examples of the model in existence
*Classiche Red Book Certified and Platinum Level Score at Cavallino
*Exquisite color combination

THE 250 GT – ELLENA

The introduction of the 250 Europa heralded a significant change in Ferrari's preferred coachbuilder; whereas previously Vignale had been the most popular carrozzeria among Maranello's customers, from now on Pinin Farina (later Pininfarina) would be Ferrari's number one choice, bodying no fewer than 48 out of the 53 Europa/Europa GTs built. Pinin Farina's experiments eventually crystallized in a new Ferrari 250GT road-car that was first displayed publicly at the Geneva Salon in March 1956. However, the Turin carrozzeria was not yet in a position to cope with the increased workload, resulting in production being entrusted to Carrozzeria Boano after Pinin Farina had completed a handful of prototypes.

Ex-Farina and Ghia designer Mario Felice Boano had founded Carrozzeria Boano in 1954 together with his son Gian Paolo and business partner Luciano Pollo. When father and son left for FIAT, Pollo was joined by Boano's son-in-law, Ezio Ellena, and the company changed its name to Carrozzeria Ellena. 130-or-so Boano and Boano/Ellena 250 GTs (all left-hand drive) were made between 1956 and 1958, the split being approximately 80/50 in favor of the Boano. The later Boano/Ellena cars were distinguished - generally but not exclusively - by a higher roofline and the absence of quarter-lights in the side windows.

These cars represented a significant departure for Ferrari. Driver and passenger comfort were taken seriously for the first time; the interior was more luxurious, seats were broader and there was less noise intrusion. By this time there was also synchromesh in the gearbox, which, combined with a softer ride and light steering, was exactly what was expected by the increasingly important North American market. However, the Boano and Boano/Ellena-bodied models' mechanical similarity to other arguably more desirable, competition-orientated members of the 250 GT family resulted in a number of them being converted, and original survivors are relatively rare today.

In January 1958, Sports Cars Illustrated tested one of these Ferraris. "The 250 GT, though, is no race car with touring coachwork," declared the highly respected American motoring journal. "It is a designed-from-scratch high performance tourer that combines Ferrari's best competition chassis features with innumerable refinements that successfully tame the basic inner beast. It's a car that very feminine females have no difficulty handling. At the same time its recent victorious performances at Nürburgring and in the Tour de France suggest that it is today's fastest and most race-worthy production contender. On top of this, the new Ferrari is a luxury automobile in the grand manner. The design, detailing and execution of every part of its chassis and body reflect the builder's determination to put together a perfect machine." Mike Hawthorn, Formula 1 World Champion for Ferrari in 1958, chose an Ellena-bodied 250 GT Coupé as his personal transport.

THE CAR OFFERED

A year ago, here at the Arizona Concours d'Elegance, one of the highlights of the show was this remarkable Ferrari which won its class easily having been the recipient of a true labor of love exercise in restoration, where the eye for detail was beyond the pale and time was no consideration relative to the condition of the finished article. All told, we believe that more than 3,500 manhours were spent in bringing the car to the remarkable state of presentation you see before you today.

As new, we understand that the car was delivered to the East Coast ownership of Henry Gibson from New York City. According to marque authority Marcel Massini's report on file, it is thought to have been the only one of these cars delivered with a dual brake master cylinder pedal box and vented racing brake drums. These suggest that Mr. Gibson might have had sporting intentions for it, but no racing history or similar activity is known of.

Later owners were generally limited over the course of the next 50 years. In 1971 it is known to have been the property of Mike Curley of Pittsburgh, PA later migrating to the San Francisco ownership of Bradley E. Balles briefly before arriving with long term custodian Candance Daniels of Mountain View, here in California. It would remain in this tenure until 2014 when it changed hands and the restoration work began.

The journey of restoring one of these cars proved to be more of a challenge than expected, primarily since there are few survivors to compare with for original features and details, sadly a number having been cannibalized over the years when their values were at more humble levels. The color choices made are exquisite, the main section of the bodywork in Azzurro Metallizzato sparkles like a Polynesian sea and is cleverly countered with a dark blue hue which streamlines its cabin. Within that cockpit is a brilliantly contrasting Pelle Rossa leather interior. Around the car are fascinating trinkets such as Marchal labels on its headlights to engine bay hoses and labels also. Every viewing produces new items which perhaps were missed before.

On completion of its highly thorough rebuild, the 250 GT had made its debut at the 2020 Cavallino Concours in Palm Beach, it was an incredibly rewarding weekend for the car confirming the quality of the work, with a Platinum Level Score as well as 'Excellence in Class' and 'Most Elegant' at the Sunday Mar-A-Lago gathering. After the pandemic hiatus, in 2021 the Ferrari was chosen to represent its era at the Casa Ferrari event at Pebble Beach, as one of the Classiche certified cars on display. Just a year ago it was invited to grace the 18th Fairway at Pebble Beach in the Concours d'Elegance, where its competition proved just slightly too formidable by definition of model to sway the judge's eyes, but it was nevertheless greatly admired. Other awards achieved post restoration have included 'Best V12 Ferrari' at the Ferrari Club of America Fountain Hills 'Concours at the Hills' in 2022 and as well as the aforementioned Best in Class here.

To view the car in person immediately makes one feel that all of its awards are entirely justified. It is as good above as underneath and has matching numbers throughout, including body to chassis, and engine, gearbox and differential to this chassis, which is very rare for these cars. On file in addition to its certification binder, are copies of its original build sheet, period handbook, photos of the restoration and a Massini history report, while accessories include a tool roll.

With an interesting and unique original technical specification, prize winning restoration and undeniably beautiful color presentation, this 250 GT really is in a class of its own.