PROVENANCE
Hilary Seal, New York, New York (acquired new in 1960)
Bruce Palmer, Bedminster, Pennsylvania
Joseph Rounds, Indianapolis, Indiana
Dave Rosenbury, Mahomet, lllinois
George Wamser, Bloomington, Illinois
Sheldon Swarthout, Illinois
Current Owner

THIS CAR
The Pinin Farina coupe offered here was never meant to be a fire-breathing, semi-competition Ferrari, but rather an elegant GT. Ferrari was looking for financial stability and asked for a practical GT with luxurious appointments that could be built in series. The coupe was introduced in Milan in 1958 and featured clean lines, a notchback three-window greenhouse, and panoramic rear window. The oval grille was replaced by a full-width opening with protruding headlights at each end. All 353 coupes in two series had the three-liter Colombo V-12 making 240 bhp. They rode on a 102.4" wheelbase, and the tubular steel chassis was similar to the competition cars. Ferrari had produced fewer than 800 cars since its founding 10 years before, so selling 353 cars in a little over two years was a huge jump forward.

This car belongs to the second series of 1959–1962 and includes some important updates. At chassis no. 1499, after 200 cars had been built, Dunlop disc brakes replaced the drums. Tube shocks and an overdrive transmission followed, and the improved Tipo 128F outside plug engine was introduced at chassis no. 1527. This car has the early clean hood with no scoop and has the later interior with central gearshift and revised dash.

The history of 1825 GT is documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini and includes copies of the factory build sheets. It was completed on April 13, 1960, and sold new to Hilary Seal of New York City later that year. The Ferrari remained in the eastern US for most of its life, eventually getting an extensive restoration in the highly attractive color scheme it wears today, dark blue with tan leather. Despite the numbers of Pinin Farina coupes built, they are not that common, principally because of their conservative look, which has worn very well. Since the 250 Pinin Farina long-wheelbase coupes were built on a similar chassis as much racier models, it’s estimated that as many as 200 of the 353 built were cannibalized to keep their flashier siblings on the road.

This Ferrari 250 GT Coupe shares the same mechanical attributes as the legendary semi-competition models, but it’s much more sophisticated, quiet, and weatherproof. 1825 GT has benefitted from sympathetic care from a number of dedicated owners through the years. Finished in striking colors, this is a seldom-seen Ferrari that presents a significant opportunity for collectors and for anyone looking to participate in classic rallies and concours.