The 1960s formed a golden decade for Ferrari, during which it not only enjoyed considerable competition success in Formula 1 and sports-car racing, but also produced some of its most coveted road cars. Many marque enthusiasts consider the 275 GTB to be the best of those, and one of the finest Grand Tourers ever built by this revered marque.

The Ferrari 275 GTB being offered for sale is a particularly special example of the ‘long nose’ Series 2. It’s thought that fewer than 60 were specified with all-alloy bodywork, and chassis number 08069 is one of them. Completed in late 1965, it was finished in Argento Metallizzato with a Pelle Nera leather interior, and its 3.3-litre V12 engine was fitted with the standard triple Weber carburettors.

Ferrari historian Marcel Massini has confirmed that ‘08069’ was supplied new to the well-known dealer Gastone Crepaldi in Milan, who sold it in January 1966 to its first owner, a Signor Zanaboni. It was later acquired by Signor Ghisa, who lived in Trieste in the north-east corner of Italy.

By mid-1974, the Ferrari had been exported to the US and was advertised for sale in Road & Track magazine. Its owner at that time was Ronald De Lorenzo, who lived in Youngstown, Ohio, and the advertisement stated that the 275 GTB was still in its original colour, that it was in ‘concours’ condition, and that De Lorenzo was its first US owner.

The car was duly sold to Dr Raymond Boniface of Poland, Ohio, and he would end up keeping his treasured Ferrari for 40 years. At some point during his ownership, it was repainted red, and as well as taking it to local shows in Ohio, Dr Boniface also attended larger events such as the Ferrari Club of America’s annual meet at Watkins Glen.

Only in 2014 did this 275 GTB change hands again, when it was sold by RM at its Monterey auction. It was then brought to the UK and given a full restoration by marque specialist GTO Engineering. The entire process is painstakingly documented in the car’s history file and included stripping the alloy bodywork to bare metal, at which point it was noted how solid and original this Ferrari was.

It was then resprayed in its original colour of Argento Metallizzato and all of the mechanical components were rebuilt to original specification. Such was the quality of the restoration that the Ferrari won its class at the 2015 Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance at Blenheim Palace.

Its current owner used the 275 GTB on the 2024 Tour Auto, and this exceptional matching-numbers car is now being offered for sale complete with Ferrari Classiche Certification. From the beautiful Pininfarina styling to the robust and sonorous Colombo-designed V12 engine, the 275 GTB is much sought-after by marque enthusiasts, but this represents an even more special opportunity to acquire a rare alloy-bodied example of this legendary Grand Tourer.