NEW YORK title, located in Germany

HIGHLIGHTS
The 1956 Brussels Motor Show Car
Period competition history including the 1957 Grand Prix de Spa
Matching Numbers Engine and Classiche Certified
Restored by Ferrari Specialists, Hoyt (Perfect Restorations) and Patrick Ottis
Mille Miglia Eligible, 2023 Participant

HISTORY
The 250 model was Ferrari’s first true GT car, defining generations of subsequent road cars from Maranello and cementing the relationship between Pinin Farina and Ferrari. The 250 GT as launched in Paris in 1954 shared visual cues to its predecessor but in fact brought a host of dramatic improvements, and propelled Ferrari to the leading road going GT manufacturer it would be in the late 50s through to the 70s.

The Colombo V12 was now tuned thanks to competition experience to produce circa 220 hp at 6,000 rpm, this combined with a shorter chassis, weight savings and most importantly coil suspension, transformed the car. A late 250 GT Europa is undoubtedly the best driving and handling of Maranello’s 1950s road cars, and one of the most event eligible.

OUR EUROPA GT
Chassis 0427 GT is one of the last 250 GT Europa’s built, therefore one of the 15 or so built with the most advanced coil suspension, type 508 chassis. A true coach-built Ferrari, the chassis was dispatched to Pinin Farina on the 26th of September 1955 to be fitted with the elegant coupé body.

Car was delivered to Jaques Swaters’ famous Garage Francorchamps, finished in Grigio Metallizato LC40, with a Verde LC17 (green) roof, and trimmed in Pelle Connolly VM3108 and immediately going on display at the 1956 Brussels Motor Show.

The car’s first private owner, Mr W. Nilens acquired 0427 GT in 1957 and in May of the same year he entered the car in the Spa Grand Prix with race number ’30’. Period pictures of the race show the car on the legendary circuit and with its support crew.

In an often-repeated story the car left Europe in 1966 for the USA where it was acquired by Jude Holcombe and Richard Merritt of Bethesda, Maryland. A second American owner kept the car in the 1990s before it returned to Europe and was sold in Switzerland in 1998.

In the early 2000s the car was in the ownership of Bruce Milner in Los Angeles, California, before passing to noted collector Scott Kreins of Sartago, California. Mr Kreins set about a full restoration of the 0427 GT, potentially, judging from images on file, the first in since delivery in 1956. He entrusted the work to two of the best names in the business, Brian Hoyt of Perfect Reflections, who would carry out a full body restoration, and Patrick Ottis for the mechanical elements. The interior was trimmed by Ken Nemanic’s Vintage Automotive Upholstery using the well-preserved original interior as a match for a highly authentic period finish.

Upon completion 0427 GT was shown at the Quail Motorsport Gathering and Cavallino Classic in 2010, before being sold at auction by Gooding & Company in 2014 for a record breaking $2,310,000. Still fresh from its restoration the car continued to be shown throughout the states in the ownership of Mr William Woodburn, at numerous Ferrari Club of America events, and several subsequent Quail gatherings and Cavallino Classics.

0427 GT has a remarkable unbroken provenance including period images and paperwork, the original factory invoice and shipping paperwork from Ferrari. Images taken before the restoration show a highly original preserved car. Today the concours level restoration remains fresh, attesting to the quality of the work carried out 14 years ago. Most importantly the car is more than a show lawn beauty, having just competed the 2023 Mile Miglia in the hands of its latest custodian. The car will be offered freshly serviced by Schaltkulisse Engineering following the 2023 edition.