Ferrari 275S

1950 Ferrari 275/340 America Barchetta by Scaglietti

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Monterey, California | August 14-15, 2015

Photo - RM Sotheby's

Photo – RM Sotheby’s

This Ferrari 275 should not be confused with the gorgeous GT car of the same numerals built in the mid-to-late 1960s. The 275S was actually the first Lampedri-engined Ferrari ever built. Two were built in 1950 and they were based on the 166MM but used a new, experimental 3.3-liter V-12 from Ferrari’s new technical director, Aurelio Lampedri.

It had a body by Touring and was entered by the factory in the 1950 Mille Miglia, driven by none other than Alberto Ascari. It DNF’d, but still. After this failure, this 275S went back to the factory and was fitted with a new 4.1-liter V-12 from Ferrari’s new touring car, the 340 America. The engine makes 220 horsepower. It was then sold.

The new owners entered the car in some races. This car’s race history includes:

  • 1950 Mille Miglia – DNF (with Alberto Ascari)
  • 1951 Mille Miglia – DNF (with Gianni Marzotto and Otello Marchetto)
  • 1951 Targa Florio – DNF (with Giovanni Bracco and Mario Raffaelli)
  • 1952 Mille Miglia  – result unknown

Once it’s racing career was finished, the Touring body was replaced by this Scaglietti Barchetta. It was exported to the U.S. in 1958. It ended up being rescued from a barn in Vermont by an enterprising 15-year-old who then owned the car for over 40 years, restoring it himself and selling it in 1999.

After competing in quite a few historic events all over Europe, the current owner was able to acquire the car. This is one of only two Ferrari 257S racers ever built. It is one of only nine Scuderia Ferrari racing roadsters from the 1950s. And it was the first Lampedri-engined Ferrari to hit the track. It’s a piece of history – and one you can use. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $7,975,000.

Ferrari 275 GTB/C

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C by Scaglietti

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 10, 2014

Photo - RM Auctions

Photo – RM Auctions

The Ferrari 275 line has skyrocketed in value over the past 10-15 years. They’ve gone from sub-million dollar cars to cars pushing the $10 million mark. RM sold an example last year for $25 million. The 275 was new for 1964 and the limited-edition GTB/C was a 1966-only model.

1965 was Ferrari’s first racing season with the 275, the replacement for the long-successful 250 series. The 275 GT Berlinetta Competizione was Ferrari’s way of building off of 1965’s success. This lightweight model used a 275 horsepower 3.3-liter V-12. Ferrari homologated the model for road/competition use. Only 12 were built.

This racing special was used as a road car for three years before its third owner campaigned it in some hill climbs. What’s great about this wonderfully preserved racing car is that it was never seriously flogged on track. It’s only one of 12 – and it should sell for between $5,900,000-$6,850,000. Click here for more info and here for more from RM’s Monaco sale.

Update: Sold $7,860,283.

Ferrari 275 N.A.R.T.

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti

Offered by RM Auctions | Monterey, California | August 16-17, 2013

1967 Ferrari 265 GTB4 N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti

This is one of the most valuable Ferraris in the world. It was born out of a 275 GTB/4 and Luigi Chinetti’s (correct) feeling that convertibles go over big in America. He talked Enzo Ferrari into building a run of 25 convertibles based on the 275 GTB/4. Only ten ended up being built and Chinetti moved each one of them at $8,000 each in 1967 and 1968. They all carry the name “N.A.R.T.” in honor of Chinetti’s North American Racing Team that made Ferrari such a success in the States.

I actually had reservations about featuring this car because the “proceeds are going to charity” and at some auctions that’s a big red flag because the final selling price of the car tends to be wildly inflated over the actual value. But this car has an actual pre-sale estimate posted of between $14,000,000-$17,000,000 and I don’t think anyone dropping that kind of cash is really gonna bump the price just to feel good about themselves and make everyone see how great of a person they are (which is what charity cars at auctions are all about – showing you are a decent person even though you’re rich… that and the tax write-off).

The engine is a 300 horsepower 3.3-liter V-12 and the car was bought new by Eddie Smith, Sr. – directly from his friend Chinetti, to whom he traded back a coupe version he had just purchased. Prior to the coupe, Smith owned a California Spider, so he obviously had taste. When Smith died in 2007, the car passed into his son’s hands and has not been used often – which is why they are selling it and donating whatever it brings to charity.

This is essentially a one-owner car – which is something you’ll never see again with regards to a N.A.R.T. Spider. This car is a big deal, and RM is making you register with them specially if you want to bid on this car. You can find out more here and see the rest of RM’s lineup here.

Update: Sold $27,500,000.

S/N: 10709