1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series 1
Chassis no. 2675
Engine no. 2675

"Pininfarina and Enzo Ferrari have collaborated to make a most desirable motor car: expensive, fast and luxuriously comfortable, with a large luggage compartment. All this adds up to a Gran Turismo, with the accent on the 'Gran', par excellence. If you want to go road racing look to the Berlinetta, but for touring in the grand style, 'Two plus Two' equals near perfection." - Sports Cars Illustrated.

First seen in prototype form at the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hour Race, where it served as the Race Director's car, the Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 had its official world premiere later that year at the Paris Salon. There had been four-seater Ferraris before the 250 GTE - Ghia, Touring and Vignale all producing '2+2' designs in the 1950s - but these attempts had been compromised by the necessity of using a chassis not conceived with passenger carrying in mind and were deemed less than entirely successful. Close collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina in the design of Maranello's first series-production four-seater ensured that no such criticism could be levelled at the 250 GTE.

At 2,600mm in the wheelbase, the multi-tubular chassis was similar to that of the Pininfarina-designed 250 GT 'notchback' Coupé and 200mm longer that the contemporary 250 GT SWB's. Moving the engine forward by 200mm and widening the rear track by 38mm made room for two rear seats in a bodyshell which, despite its increased length, retained Pininfarina's customary classical proportions. Independent front suspension, a live rear axle, all-round disc brakes and a four-speed manual/overdrive gearbox completed the basic chassis specification, while the Tipo 128E outside-plug engine's 240bhp ensured that there was no reduction in performance despite the inevitable weight gain. Top speed was within a whisker of 140mph, while one example driven by Ferrari works driver Phil Hill and carrying two passengers, accelerated from a standstill to 100mph and back to rest in 25 seconds, a staggering achievement for an almost fully laden Grand Tourer.

The 250 GTE progressed through three series, changes being confined mainly to the front and rear lighting arrangements, before production ceased in 1963, by which time 950 cars had been sold, making the this the most popular and commercially successful Ferrari to date.

Sold new in the USA, Ferrari 250 GTE chassis number '2675' was first owned by Mr Dean A McGee (of Kerr-McGee Inc) who placed it in his Preservation Hall Museum in Oklahoma City some time prior to December 1974. The car was originally finished in Grigio Fumo over a Beige leather interior. Records indicate that in 1977 the car was sold to an unknown buyer and in 1979 (with approximately 40,000 miles showing) was acquired by Edward Boyle of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Boyle traded the car against a Jaguar, the GTE being kept by the dealer concerned until purchased by Roger Moffat of Lawrence, Kansas. '2675' was next owned by James A Tipton in Chicago (1983) and then New Jersey (1986), and was purchased from him by David Frassinelli of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The car was advertised for sale following an engine rebuild (with 58,000 miles showing) and was bought by Craig Balaban in April 1988.

Its next owner was Jerry Bensinger of Youngstown, Ohio, who acquired the Ferrari in May 1996. Subsequently the car was stripped, repainted and refurbished, this work - undertaken in 2000 - including re-facing the cylinder heads; replacing valve seats, damaged guides and the water pump; and re-trimming the interior with new headlining, leather and carpets. In October 2002, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams' Hershey sale (Lot 221), at which time it was displaying 62,622 miles on the odometer, and was purchased by a New York bidder.

When next offered for sale in 2007, the odometer reading had risen to only 63,570 miles and it was reported that a full engine rebuild had just been completed by Pino Narducci of New York, including all new valves and valve guides, new pistons and rings, new bearings, seals and gaskets. The car was also fitted with a new clutch disc and pressure plate, new overdrive switch and all new ANSA exhaust and exhaust hangers. The work was carried out between December 2006 and May 2007 with only 80 miles covered since the rebuild when offered for sale.

The current owner acquired the Ferrari in July 2008 from Copley Motorcars Corp of Needham, Massachusetts. Accompanying documentation includes copies of the bill of sale and a photocopy of a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Reassignment of Title document in the current vendor's name. Stored since acquisition, the Ferrari will require re-commissioning before returning to the road.

Please note that this vehicle is not offered with any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.

Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Duty, Car Tax and VAT) will apply at roughly 12.5% of the Purchase Price. Included in this is the Swiss Duty which is calculated on the weight of the vehicle and shall be CHF 15 per 100 kg. Also included is Swiss Car Tax at 4% and this is calculated on the total Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss VAT will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium, Swiss Duty and Swiss Car Tax at a rate of 7.7%.
Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.