Lot details
• Displayed on the Pininfarina stand at the 1962 New York Auto Show
• Ferrari Classiche certification
• High-quality restoration by Quality Cars
• Original colours, engine, transmission and body
• ‘Blu Tigullio’: unique original colour for an SWB
• No reserve
This Ferrari 250 GT SWB is a ‘Lusso’ version, built during 1962. It was ordered on 27 October 1961 by Ferrari’s importer in the United States, Luigi Chinetti, for his customer Norman Blank, who lived in Pasadena, in the Los Angeles suburbs. Blank requested a special colour, ‘Blu Tigullio’ (code 16639), complemented by red Connolly leather upholstery (code VM 3171), and standard ‘California’ seats. Once the car was finished, it was sent to Chinetti and first shown on Pininfarina’s stand at the New York International Auto Show, from 21-29 April 1962. When the show closed, for reasons that are unknown, Blank did not take delivery of the Ferrari, which was sold to another customer, Dr Anderson, from Jacksonville in Florida, who had succumbed to its charms during the show. He felt, however, that the paintwork fell short of his expectations and had it resprayed; he then kept the car until 1979. When he sold it to Walter Hawkins Jr, who also lived in Jacksonville, the odometer was reading nearly 100,000 miles (160,000km). Hawkins registered it as FL 32201 and had it repainted in red before selling it to Harald Javetz from Savannah, in the US state of Georgia. It was again resprayed, still in red, and the engine was restored before the car was sold in 1987 to a car dealer, Ron Spangler, from Prancing Horse Farm in Maryland. At the time, the odometer was showing 30,000 miles (48,000km), which the owner explained was the result of it being reset to zero after it had gone round the clock, or after the engine was rebuilt.
The berlinetta stayed at Prancing Horse Farm until 1989/1990, when it was bought by the leading collector Peter Heuberger, who imported it into his native Switzerland. He sent it to Oldtimer Reparatur in Toffen, where it underwent a complete restoration (of the engine, transmission, chassis, electrical system and bodywork) to ‘semi-competizione’ spec, with a set of six Weber 38DCN carburettors. FIA documents were also issued for the car at this time.
In 1993/1994, Heuberger sent the car to the workshop near Modena run by Egidio Brandoli, who was renowned for his knowledge of Ferraris and excellent work. It was given a fresh restoration, once again with red paintwork, but this time with beige upholstery and competition-type seats supplied by Luppi Ermanno & Romano from Modena, a firm known for the quality of its interior work. At the same time, the engine and gearbox were rebuilt by the Letzi Garage Robert Fehlmann, at Altendorf in Switzerland. Heuberger took part with the car in various events including the Grand Prix de Montreux, the Tour de France Automobile and the ‘50 Anni Ferrari’, held at Maranello in 1997 to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary.
In 1998/1999, he sold the car to the well-known Swiss collector Carlo Vögele, who registered it in England with the number HSL 685. He kept it only a short time before selling it to another Swiss enthusiast, Engelbert Stieger, who in turn sold it in March 2000 to Klaus Troche from Lauf-an-der-Pegnitz, near Nuremberg in Germany. Troche registered the car as LAU-KT-2 and spent a considerable amount of money to return it to its original - and particularly unique - specification, as can be seen from the extensive file of invoices from the companies who took part in the restoration. In 2019, while out for a drive, he was involved in an accident, due to a heart attack. He died in hospital a few days later and Franck Troche inherited the Ferrari, which was damaged at the front. He sent it to Carrozzeria Quality Cars near Padua, in Italy, to be completely restored in its original colours and to meet the requirements of Ferrari Classiche with regard to its authenticity. The inspection confirmed that the car still had its original major components, such as the engine, transmission, chassis and body. It was during this work at Carrozzeria Quality Cars that the current owner bought the Ferrari. Following the restoration, it was presented, alongside the California chassis no. 1057 in this auction, at the Cavallino Classic Concours d’Elegance at Modena in May 2023, where it was awarded the prize for the best restoration.
For Staffan Wittmark, his trained eye used to looking at the balance of shapes, the car’s design with its blend of understatement and sporty flowing lines was close to perfection. A model like this was therefore essential to complete his collection, especially presented in a rare colour which goes magnificently with its beautiful red leather upholstery.
Back in the day, moreover, Ferrari’s catalogue stated: “The primary objective of the design of Pininfarina’s new Berlinetta is to create an aerodynamic body which is suited to high speeds. We also took into account the requirement for comfort, so that it may be used as a GT as well as for competition. It offers room for luggage, a heating system, comfortable seats with easy access, and excellent visibility.” The 250 GT Berlinetta SWB may therefore be used on road as well as on track, with no particular modifications required and for many, the SWB epitomizes all the best of 60s Ferraris, the design is just perfect and this, in combination with its proficiency on the race track, makes it one of the ultimate Ferraris of all time. The example offered here, restored by the best Italian craftsmen, comes with a history file and a large-format book describing its history, as well as its certification by Ferrari Classiche.
