• Driven to 5th in class in the model’s race debut at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring
• Highly successful period race history with 14 podium finishes across over 20 races
• Equipped from new with the more powerful Tipo 168 B engine, a specification that only a very limited number of the 1960 alloy SWB Berlinettas received
• Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified; retains its matching-numbers chassis, engine, and rear axle
• Subject of a recent full concours-level restoration by Wayne Obry’s Motion Products with final details done by Toni Auto in Maranello; full receipts total nearly $1 million
• Eligible for some of the finest motoring events around the world

Ferrari’s 250 GT SWB was one of the few models in automotive history where form and function met perfectly, arguably only surpassed by its own direct successor, the 250 GTO. Few cars genuinely transcend design boundaries to become greater than a sum of their parts, to be considered an art form rather than categorised as transport—the 250 GT SWB is one of them.

The 250 GT SWB was the product of evolution, a quest for perfection and competition dominance. Its predecessor, the “Tour de France” variant of the 250 GT, had been wildly successful in GT racing but the SWB marked a step-change for Ferrari. Designed with a shorter chassis, the SWB debuted the proficient 168-type “outside-plug” version of Ferrari’s 3-litre V-12 engine and disc brakes were fitted on all four corners—for endurance racing, a powerful and reliable drivetrain was key to success.

Fulfilling its promise, the SWB Competizione variant proceeded to dominate GT racing across Europe and America achieving overall or class victories in nearly 250 races between 1960 and 1967. These included a number of epic wins, with notable class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960 and 1961, as well as overall victory at the 1961 and 1962 Tour de France, the latter of which was won by beating eight 250 GTOs in the process.

One of just 45 aluminium-bodied Competizione examples built in 1960, chassis 1773 GT was completed on 16 March 1960, constructed intentionally, as noted on its build sheet, for the 1960 edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring—significantly this race was the SWB’s competition debut. This Ferrari was delivered new in a high-level competition specification per Factory Build Sheets—of note are the Tipo 168B “hot rod” engine and roll hoop. Entered by Luigi Chinetti’s famous North American Racing Team, apparently with light factory support, this SWB was piloted by George Arents and Bill Kimberly, both wealthy heirs and well-known exponents of the US racing scene. Arents was a founding backer of NART, so it is no coincidence that he was the first owner of 1773 GT.

Entered into the Sports 3 Litre class due to its then non-homologated status, 1773 GT was vying for overall honours against the likes of Porsche RS 60s, Ferrari 250 TRs and two other SWBs. When the chequered flag dropped after 12 punishing hours of racing, this SWB crossed the line in an impressive 7th place overall, and 5th in class.

Chassis 1773 GT was later sold to multiple Le Mans class winner, Bob Grossman, who next brought the SWB out to the star-studded series of year-end races at Nassau. The Bahamas Speed Week was the bookend of the season with Works-entered cars and drivers from Europe and America convening in Nassau. Starting with the Tourist Trophy race, Grossman finished a fine 2nd overall behind Stirling Moss in the Rob Walker-entered SWB, before competing in the Governor’s Trophy and finishing 11th overall. The final race was the Nassau Trophy, where Grossman finished 11th overall again but this time taking an accomplished GT class win.

In early 1961, 1773 GT was sold to its third owner, Bob Hathaway, who raced this Ferrari regularly throughout 1961 and early 1962, picking up overall and class podiums at most events. For one weekend in May 1961, former and future owners Grossman and Walt Luftman borrowed this SWB for the SCCA National races at Bridgehampton with Grossman taking overall victory in Race 6. The Ferrari made its second appearance at Nassau for the 1961 edition of the Bahamas Speed Week. In the Tourist Trophy race, Hathaway finished 3rd overall behind Moss and Grossman, who were both driving younger SWB Competizione “SEFAC Hot Rods”. For the Governor’s Trophy, Hathaway finished 7th overall, following Grossman’s SWB across the line. Unfortunately, a holed radiator forced a retirement from the Nassau Trophy race.

After a highly successful ownership in which 1773 GT achieved a dozen podium class finishes in nearly 20 races, Hathaway sold the SWB back to Grossman, who immediately traded it to friend Walt Luftman. After Luftman, it had a further six owners until 1987, when it joined the Van der Velden family.

The car passed through the hands of three further owners, including the respected collections of Nigel Dawes and Tony Smith, before being purchased by Bruce McCaw in 1999. Kept by him for a little over two years, it then entered the care of Ervin Lyon, who showed this SWB at the 2003 Amelia Island Concours before it joined the stable of historic racer John Romano. In this collection it was regularly seen at Ferrari events including Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge races and the 2010 Cavallino Classic.

In 2014, this remarkable Ferrari became part of the celebrated Pinnacle Portfolio. Recognising the importance of this early SWB Competizione, it was sent to Wayne Obry’s Motion Products Inc. to be restored to concours-winning standard. The car was entirely rebuilt with the intention of restoring it to exact delivery specification, so it was repainted to the correct shade of Giallo with a new stunning Pelle Verde interior. While the body was in bare metal, its originality was confirmed, and the chassis was studied to prove the charmed life this Ferrari has led. In all, invoices totalled nearly $700,000.

In 2023, this historic Ferrari was submitted to Ferrari Classiche and was granted full Red Book certification. During the process, the factory confirmed that this remarkable SWB Competizione importantly retains its original matching-numbers chassis, engine, and rear axle, while the gearbox fitted is a correct aluminium ribbed-casing competition unit. The certification also noted the originality of the body.

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competizione cemented its place in sports car history as one of the most successful GT racers of all time with nearly 250 victories in over 700 period competition races. Ranked among the finest 250 GT SWB Competizione extant, 1773 GT boasts the rare combination of a high performance original build configuration, a remarkable level of originality and preservation, and significant competition history at some of the great endurance races of the period. Eligible for some of the finest motoring events around the world, from the lawns of Pebble Beach to the Dunlop Curves of Le Mans, this remarkable SWB Competizione is ready to take its place among any of the greatest collections.

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot est entré dans l'UE sous couvert d'une autorisation d'importation temporaire, qui doit être annulée soit en exportant le lot en dehors de l'UE avec une lettre de débarquement approuvé accompagné des documents douaniers nécessaires, soit en payant la TVA et les droits d'importation applicables pour que le lot reste dans l'UE.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa24/.