An extremely desirable 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB
Prototype will be auctioned off by Gooding & Company at a sales in
Scottsdale later this month. The 275 GTB was introduced in 1964 as the successor to the 250 GT SWB
Berlinetta, and the example in question, chassis 06003, just so happens to be
the very first 275 GTB ever built that Ferrari used extensively as a prototype
and development car.
When initially built, 06003 was outfitted with one
of the early Tipo 213 engines and featured the short-nose body style. During
development, Ferrari continually updated it and redesigned the coachwork to
sport a long-nose style.
In 1965, Ferrari racing manager Eugenio Dragoni and
Ferrari managing director Ugo Gobbato made the bold decision to test the 275
GTB in a rally to gather information about its transaxle and independent rear
suspension. The car was outfitted with additional driving lights, reinforced
glass, a 75 per cent locking differential, a modified hood, a third windscreen
wiper, and Dunlop tires. With the help of Ferrari factory test driver Roberto
Lippi and rally driver Giorgio Pianta, 06003 was tested for less than 12,000 km under rally conditions.
In 1966, the car was entered in the Monte Carlo
Rally. Unfortunately, driveline issues forced Ferrari to retire the car. After the vehicle’s sole rally,
it passed through the hands of numerous private owners before being exported to
the United States in 1977 while under the ownership of Henry Fuchs. Remarkably,
the car has not been exhibited in the past 25 years, despite being the only 275
GTB of its kind.
Gooding & Company expects the car to fetch
between $6 million and $8 million. Not exactly 250 GTO money, but still a quite
hefty sum
