Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pininfarina 1961, Itália
Fotografia
As the 250 GT
model line continued to develop at the twilight of 1959, Ferrari introduced a
second generation of Pinin Farina–bodied luxury cabriolets, essentially a grand
touring version of the concurrent competition-derived 250 California spider.
Featuring four-wheel disc brakes and the outside-plug engine developed during
the Testa Rossa campaigns, the new cabriolet was the most tractably powerful
250 GT to date, claiming both fine road manners and strong performance.
Only 200
examples of the second-series cabriolets were built, lending the model equal
parts rarity and elegance. These mid-production 250 GTs offer the best of both
ends of the spectrum, as their striking open coachwork envelopes more modern
chassis components in a combination that today’s collectors can particularly
enjoy on vintage touring events.
Chassis no.
2587, the 131st of the 200 examples built, was completed in July 1961. It was
originally finished in Grigio
Fumo over a beige vinyl-and-leather interior, as it appears
today, and was equipped with the overdrive transmission. The cabriolet left the
Pininfarina plant after final assembly in July 1961 and was sold as a direct
sale from the factory to Mr. Daniel Belozlan, a Frenchman residing in
California. Belozlan eventually became one of the longest-term cabriolet
owners, maintaining his car until 1986, when it was sold through Richard
Straman to Richard W. Gent of Euclid, Ohio.
Mr. Gent had
the car restored by Joe Piscazzi in red with a beige interior, and afterwards
it was exhibited at the Ferrari Club of America (FCA) International Concours in
1989 and 1990. A handful of further owners on the East Coast followed,
including William Kevin Collins of Louisville and Robert Weis of Pittsburgh,
who exhibited it at several of the Cavallino Classics in West Palm Beach,
earning FCA Platinum honors as well as, in 2000, Coppa Bella Macchina and Coppa
Strada GT.
Around 2004
the cabriolet was acquired by Gary Lilienthal of Boston, who displayed it at
several events in New England. It was eventually purchased from him by the
previous owner, under whose ownership it was completely disassembled down to
bare metal and freshly restored to original, factory-correct appearance,
including the proper original colors and a fresh leather interior. The
matching-numbers drivetrain was fully disassembled and rebuilt; the front and
rear suspension were also disassembled and inspected, the generator and dynamo
rebuilt, and the transmission was resealed. Then the car was presented at the
Ferrari 70th Anniversary special display at Casa Ferrari during the 2017 Pebble
Beach Concours d’Elegance. It was acquired by the current owner, an esteemed
private collector, in August 2018. Most recently, the car won the Excellence in
Class award at the 2019 Cavallino Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago Concours,
in addition to being shown at the 2019 Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance and the
prestigious 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Prior to being
shown at Pebble Beach, the Ferrari was sent to the award-winning team at RM
Auto Restoration in preparation for Pebble Beach judging standards. Work
included the installation of a new convertible top, a complete, new exhaust
system, the fabrication and installation of a new original-style fuel tank, and
gauges repaired to ensure full functionality. New rubber and seals were
installed, select wiring was replaced, the front and rear disc calipers were
rebuilt, the steering box was adjusted, brake calipers and engine hardware were
cad plated, correct-style hose clamps were installed in the engine bay, and
lastly, all three carburetors were rebuilt and later tuned on the dyno to
ensure they were to proper specification.
Presented in
superb concours-quality condition and complete with Ferrari Classiche
certification, detailed records, photographs, promotional materials, owner’s
manuals, and tool roll, this is an utterly outstanding second-series
Pininfarina cabriolet sure to impress any and all admirers.
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