Estimate:
€1.200.000 - €1.400.000

• Just two owners and 65,952 km from new; single-family ownership for over 50 years
• Retains its original engine and rear axle
• The 50th example of just 200 built

Intended for a different customer and style of driving than Ferrari’s other open-top offering, the 250 GT California Spider, the 250 GT Cabriolet was a true gentleman’s Ferrari designed for high-speed touring in comfort. With the performance one would expect from Maranello’s finest, the cabriolet gave no concessions to luxury and was exquisitely trimmed and appointed to please Ferrari’s demanding clientele. With a spacious boot that could hold more than enough luggage for two for a long-weekend trip, this was the ideal touring car for the California coast or the South of France.

The cabriolet offered here, chassis no. 1983 GT, is a superbly presented Series II example, the 50th of 200 cars built. According to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, the chassis was delivered from Ferrari to the Carrozzeria Pinin Farina plant in Torino on 11 May 1960 and was completed exactly four months later. It was originally finished in Grigio Conchiglia (MM 16249) with a Beige vinyl and leather interior (VM 3218) and was delivered new to Ferrari’s official importer Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd., in Paris, France.

Chassis no. 1983 GT was sold to its first owner, Raymond Veuillez, also of Paris, and registered 1042 KF 75. Interestingly, when the prefecture recorded the registration to Mr Veuillez, they transposed the last two numbers of the chassis number, recording it as ‘1938 GT’. A simple error, as Ferrari’s early racing cars had even-numbered chassis numbers, while the road cars received odd numbers. In 1965, the car was sent back to Ferrari for servicing and was refinished in dark blue with black leather interior at that time. Mr Veuillez owned the car until 4 November 1967 when it was sold to the second owner in Toulouse, France. It was registered there under plate 9237 QP 31. The car has remained with that owner’s family since 1967, making this a highly uncommon opportunity to own such a magnificent machine with known history, including time spent in long-term single-family ownership.

After many years of service, the car was mechanically restored approximately 20 years ago. Having covered approximately 10,000 km since the work was completed, the odometer now reads 65,952 km from new. The car was repainted several years ago in its original shade of Grigio Conchiglia, though it still wears the black leather interior which was fitted by Ferrari in 1965. It presents beautifully with an exceptionally attractive patination and signs of use consistent with a well-loved automobile of this vintage.

Overall, this is a truly beautiful machine with the exceptional performance one comes to expect from a 250 GT. Ready for its third owner within its nearly 60-year history, it will make a fine centrepiece to any Ferrari collection and would be an exceptional companion for any driving tour or show.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa19.