PROVENANCE
Turner J. Woodard, Carmel, Indiana (acquired in 1969)
William Peters, Sarasota, Florida (acquired by 1977)
Manfred Lampe, Detroit, Michigan (acquired in 1978)
Ernest Beutler, Southfield, Michigan (acquired in 1981)
Roger Shimmell, Detroit, Michigan (acquired in 1985)
Current Owner (acquired from the above)

LITERATURE
Hilary A. Raab Jr., Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, chassis no. listed on p. 45

THIS CAR
Recently discovered following years of static storage, this late-production Series II Cabriolet represents an exciting opportunity to acquire an unrestored 250-series Ferrari. Considering the cachet and versatility of Ferrari’s open 250 GT models, this fascinating car – formerly owned at different times by three well-known Ferrari Club of America members – is a perfect candidate to be restored to its original splendor.

According to research by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, chassis 3783 GT was among the very last Series II Cabriolets built (the 198th of 200 examples), and its chassis arrived at Pininfarina’s workshop in Torino in May 1962. Completed in late October, the Cabriolet was finished in elegant Grigio Notte (Night Gray) paint and trimmed with an interior of black leather and vinyl. Delivered to official US distributor Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York, the 250 GT was then sold to its first private owner, whose identity currently is unknown. By late 1969 the car was owned by Turner J. Woodard of Indiana, and it was subsequently sold to William Peters of Florida in 1977.

In April 1978, the 250 GT was purchased by Manfred Lampe, who worked in Dearborn, Michigan, as an automotive stylist for Ford and who was also a committed Ferrari enthusiast. Mr. Lampe owned some of the marque’s most celebrated models, including a 250 GT Berlinetta Tour de France, a 365 California Spider, and two 250 GT Lussos. Also a dedicated researcher (and owner) of the 512 M/S sports racing car, Lampe was a natural selection by the Ferrari Club of America to manage its newsletter, The Prancing Horse, and he served as editor from 1968 to 1984.

In the early 1980s, Lampe moved to a managerial position with Ford in Europe, and the 250 GT was sold in 1981 to Ernest Beutler, an attorney in Michigan who was president of the FCA from 1973–1977. Mr. Beutler’s record of Ferrari ownership was hardly less impressive, at one point including a 375 MM Berlinetta that ran Le Mans. When he offered 3783 GT for sale four years later, the car was described as a restoration project.

In 1985, the Series II Cabriolet was sold to Prancing Horse contributor Roger Shimmell of Detroit, and he methodically began preparing for a full restoration of the car. In addition to disassembling the Ferrari and cataloguing the parts in numerous boxes, he gathered a wealth of documentation including factory build sheets, manuals, and period literature. He also sourced many rare NOS parts like proper switches and a correct Pirelli fan belt, as well as a few modern reproductions. As the years progressed, the restoration commenced with substantial work to the undercarriage, which has been media-blasted and partially refinished. Eventually, though, the project stalled, and Mr. Shimmell opted to sell the car.

In preparation for its presentation at auction, the current owner has entrusted 3783 GT to Auto Turismo in New Milford, Connecticut, which has reassembled many of the major components for presentation purposes. The car is offered with many well-organized boxes of original components, spares, and documentation, all of which will be available for inspection. In addition to these important items, the Ferrari is being sold with an original factory hardtop, tool roll, owner’s handbooks, and a history report produced by Marcel Massini.

It is worth noting that the original factory color scheme of Grigio Notte paint over a Nero interior is particularly rare and striking, and that the engine is the original matching-numbers unit, with the internal number (570/62E) corresponding to the factory build sheet. Given its ideal specification, originality, and superb provenance, this Ferrari should be considered an ideal candidate for a concours-quality restoration.

Once restored, 3783 GT offers its next owner the considerable mechanical advantages of these later-production Pininfarina Cabriolets, which featured outside-plug engines, four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, tubular shock absorbers, and a superior dashboard arrangement. Presented at auction for the first time, this 250 GT Series II Cabriolet awaits a Ferrari enthusiast who wishes to write the next great chapter in its history.