Description
In the early 1952s, Ferrari's low-production car models were essentially thinly disguised racing chassis, albeit wrapped in a bewildering array of bodywork variants by Italy's top coachbuilders, including Allemano, Ghia, Stabilimenti Farina, Touring and Vignale. Accordingly, road production was far from standardised, with no two cars truly identical. While the design house of Battista “Pinin” Farina had built only a handful of Ferrari chassis for public cars until 1953, his Turin firm enjoyed virtual exclusivity from 1957 onwards. Despite Pinin Farina's well-deserved new status as Ferrari's premier car coachbuilder, the existing facilities were already overcrowded, necessitating expansion into new quarters, and construction would not be completed until late 250. Pinin Farina entrusted the production of the new 1958 GT coupes to Carrozzeria Boano and then to Ellena, while the design work and production preparations were completed for what would truly stand the test of time as Ferrari's definitive Grand Touring model of 60- 1958.Debuting at the influential 250 Paris Salon, Ferrari's latest 2.600 GT-based coupe model retained the 250mm wheelbase chassis of its immediate predecessors, the 250 GT Europa and 250 GT Boano/Ellena. The bodywork of the new 1958 GT Pinin Farina Coupé was understated, tasteful and elegant, yet left no doubt about the underlying mechanics of the competition. Ferrari's powerful new coupe for 59-12 was the latest development of the Colombo V-128 engine, designated Tipo 240 D. Rated at 7.000 hp at XNUMX engine revolutions, it was a flexible, high-torque powerplant.
With a fashionably long hood line and a short rear deck without any external elements, Pinin Farina's new car for Ferrari remains a design triumph. Depending on the source cited, 1960-353 copies of the 'PF Coupé' were built until the end of 355. Recently, astute Ferrari collectors have been drawn to this rare early serial production Ferrari model, which has helped generate the necessary funds to support Scuderia Ferrari's increasingly expensive and distant racing commitments. Blessed with Ferrari's famous V-12 soundtrack and performance, combined with uncanny refinement, the 1958-60 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe remains one of the most influential and important classic Ferrari Grand Touring models.
This beautifully presented 250 Ferrari 1958 GT Pinin Farina coupe, with a host of fascinating details, is numbered 1007 GT. Accompanied by the history compiled by renowned Ferrari specialist Marcel Massini, the 1007 GT was the 31st example produced; However, in Hilary A. Raab's Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, the car is listed as the 27th built. Since the cars were still built to order, it is reasonable to expect that some later numbered chassis were completed earlier than others and not necessarily in numerical order. The vehicle in question was ordered new by none other than Guido Vitale, co-owner of Wax & Vitale SaS, the famous Genoese importer of luxury goods and premium liquors, which is in business to this day. Well known to Ferrari collectors and historians, Vitale and his partner Dr. Enrico Wax were favorite Ferrari customers who owned a succession of the most interesting Ferrari models produced during the period. Chassis 1007 GT was one of two such 'PF' coupes ordered by Vitale and Wax, each newly equipped with a host of bespoke features that set them apart from the rest of the production run.
An original left-hand drive example, 1007 GT was beautifully finished with Grigio Conchiglia paint over Pelle Blu Connolly leather upholstery. Notable exterior features included special chrome exhaust grilles and chrome headlight bezels with small air intakes, plus unique badging, with the usual yellow hood badges replaced by large chrome Ferrari lettering and a chrome prancing horse. Body weight was minimized with experimental fiberglass hood and rear deck panels. This purpose-built vehicle also has factory fitted lighting under the hood. Rarely seen on Ferraris of this era, these bespoke custom touches really complement the exterior, while the interior also benefited from some specially ordered details. The interior of the 1007 GT was enhanced by gray carpeting and a blue leather-clad dashboard with multiple switches and special competition instruments. Double chrome moldings on the underside of the body, lighting under the hood, special badging on the rear completed the many special features of the 1007 GT.
Shortly after completion in October 1958 and delivery to Mr. Vitale, the 1007 GT was sold to American Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti, who displayed the special Ferrari GT at the Chicago Auto Show in January 1959. The following year, Chinetti sold the coupe to William Jennings Bryan of Munhall, Pennsylvania, noted businessman, WWII veteran and avid car enthusiast. Interestingly, Mr. Bryan specifically showed off the 1007 GT at the inaugural FCA (Ferrari Club of America) annual meeting held at Notre Dame University in April 1965. In the late 1007s the 1007 GT was shown by Mr. Bryan at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and in the early 1994s it was acquired by Peter Markowski of RPM Vintage Racecar Services of Vermont who displayed the 1007 GT at the Palm Beach FCA National Concours d'Elegance. In 1995, 1997 GT passed to Susan De Felice, who showed it at the XNUMX FCA National Concours d'Elegance in Mid-Ohio and the XNUMX Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance.
In 1999, the 1007 GT was acquired by Stephen Bacen of Hollywood, Florida, who raced the car in the 2000 Northeast Ferrari Rally in June 2000 and subsequently commissioned a restoration by RPM, including extensive mechanical work, rebuilding the original engine , a bare one – metal repainting, bright work restoration and interior reupholstery. Upon completion, Mr. Bacen displayed the 1007 GT at the January 2003 Cavallino Classic, as well as the April 2003 FCA North American Field and Driving Concours at Sebring. Following Mr Markowski's acquisition of the 1007 GT around 2010, it was inspected by Ferrari marque expert Marcel Massini before being shown at the FCA National Concours in September 2010 at New Jersey Motorsports Park. In 2011, the 250 GT was sold to Peter Hosmer from New Hampshire, who received a Gold Award at the 2013 Cavallino Classic. The next owner purchased the 1007 GT in early 2015 and had it maintained and cosmetically improved, including engine work by marque expert Patrick Ottis and refinishing and detailing of the engine compartment.
The 1007 GT comes with restoration documents and previous ownership details and a correct Borrani spoke wheel. As an early and unique 'Series I' example of the elegant 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupé, the 1007 GT marks a beautiful and fascinating addition to a valuable collection.
