Description
* FOR SALE* FERRARI 250 GT COUPE PF // GRIGIO ARGENTO OVER ROSSO // £300K+ RESTORATION BY NEIL TWYMAN // CLASSICHE
EQUIPMENT
Classiche certified, Grigio Argento Bodywork, Grigio Fumo Roof, Rosso Leather, Colombo Type 128D V12, ANSA Exhaust, Veglia Dials, Nardi Wheel, Heater, Front Quarter Windows, Borrani Wheels, Drum brakes, 12v Socket
EXTERIOR
A gentleman’s Ferrari in every sense, the 250 GT Coupe with Pininfarina coachwork is unlikely to ever go out of style; the definitive Italian grand tourer of the late 1950s. More at home cruising the coastline of the South of France than rocketing down the Mulsanne Straight, these cars were built for those that respected Ferrari’s racing pedigree yet wanted something more civilized and comfortable than its racing counterparts.
Resplendent in Grigio Argento with a contrast Grigio Fumo roof, Chassis 1221GT has been rebuilt from the ground up by marque specialist Neil Twyman and still looks like a strong candidate for the lawns of Salon Prive or terraces of Villa D’Este.
INTERIOR
This cabin space provides a comfortable experience with fine leather and carpeting mixing perfectly with Competizione components of the day. A classic wood-rimmed triple aluminium spoked Nardi steering wheel and crackle black dash with Veglia dials are a fine illustration of traditional 250 specifications.
The interior remains true to its original colour specification in Rosso and it holds a superb patina and quality most recently retrimmed in the early 1990s.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The Colombo engine is praised for its balance, toughness and longevity having won all of the major endurance races around the world and for this competition-bred unit to appear in a GT car is something very special indeed.
The twin-distributor Tipo 128D found in this ’59 model supersedes the 128C Engine found in early production run cars and having been subject to a complete overhaul the epic 12 cylinder works smoothly and intuitively with the rebuilt 4 speed gearbox.
The engine bay itself has been fully restored and is period correct; the brake booster, remote oil filter housing, air cleaner, yellow fuel lines, horns and the fuse panel all appear as per delivery from Maranello in the late 50’s. Only an updated Yuasa battery looks out of place from OEM.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Now fitted with period Michelin rubber, the timeless Borrani wheels have been re-spoked, refurbished and look stunning with a polished lip against the Argento body.
As a part of the restoration works, the car was reverted to its original four-drum braking setup having been altered to incorrect discs earlier in its life.
HISTORY FILE
Originally supplied in Grigio Fumo over Rosso VM3171, this example was supplied to its first owner in Milan in March 1959. Orbat S. p. A were at that time a large-scale wine and spirits distributor and the car was destined for their company director. Count Giussepe Panza had studied law but never practiced, choosing instead to grow the family business in northern Italy. Panza invested in property, but his passion was modern art; ultimately he would amass one of the world’s largest and most significant collections of post-war American art. The Panza collection is now on display in galleries around the world as well as his ancestral home, Villa Panza in Varese.
Panza would keep the car for just under three years, selling the car in March 1962 to its second owner, Gianmario Rubboli of Milan. Rubboli would pass the car on to its third keeper, Giovanni Nava of Vigano. Continuing to use and enjoy the car, it returned to the factory for a service in January 1963 with a mileage of 50, 815 kms. Nava moved to Como and took the car with him, re-registering the car in the local province at the time. Nava sold the car to its fourth Italian keeper in November that year and the car moved to its new keeper in Chignola d’Isola outside Bergamo.
The car was later exported to the USA and repainted red, first appearing for sale publicly in 1980 in the Ferrari Market Letter in Greensboro. Advertised several times, throughout the 80s and 90s, the car remained in the USA until 2000, where after a repaint and restoration to bright silver, it was exported to the UK.
After sale by Coys Auction, and a 2 year stay in Holland, the car would return to the UK and the decision was made in 2012 to carry out a meticulous and thorough bare-metal restoration. With the works carried out over an 8 year period by Neil Twyman, this example has had countless hours and a great deal spent to the tune of £300, 000 as illustrated in the history file. A great deal of paperwork and pictures map out the cars history in Italy, the US and the UK – all supported by a 3 page timeline courtesy of marque specialist Marcel Massini.
Classiche certified in 2021 this fabulous GT has covered minimal dry mileage since and remains in first class condition ready for it’s new owner to enjoy and admire.
Please visit our website for a full write up and additional photographs.
The car is supplied having had an extensive intake inspection. Warranty, Finance, Part Exchange and Worldwide shipping are all available on request.
Buy with confidence: we operate from a 10, 000sq ft indoor showroom with the support of a fully functioning 4000sq ft preparation and service centre that includes a professional photo studio that is used by Top Gear, McLaren and Alpine Stars. We have a passionate team that work incredibly hard to ensure all our motor cars go through our rigorous and unique sales process so they are presented in the best possible condition and light, then found homes all over the world.
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** SIMILAR VEHICLES ALWAYS REQUIRED**
Selling? Our commission sale or SOR (Sale or Return) program is a great way to utilise and access our services and facilities while still maximising the return from your vehicle with minimal hassle, If you’d like to take advantage of this then please get in touch for further information. Alternatively If you’d like to move your vehicle on quickly and efficiently with minimal delay then we can make an offer on an outright purchase basis with payment and collection arranged soon after.
