1963-Ferrari-250 GTE

Description

1963 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2
s/n 4329, engine no. 4329
Red with Black Leather

For decades, astute collectors have appreciated the positive attributes of the Ferrari 250 GTE. Often overshadowed by more exotic variants of the 250, the GTE is every bit the quintessential vintage Ferrari with its triple carbureted Colombo V12 and elegant Pininfarina styling. These attributes, coupled with overdrive and a spacious, well-appointed interior, make the GTE a remarkably usable and civilized car. Indeed, these features made the GTE the top of the standard road car model line when they were new. it was also commercially very significant for Ferrari, providing the stability and mass-market appeal that sustained the company’s racing operations during the heyday of Ferrari’s racing. Today, the GTE is not only far more affordable than the legendary 250 Ferraris like the MM, TDF, SWB, GTO, and California, it is also increasingly difficult to find a good example as many have sacrificed their drivelines, chassis, and other components to other 250s or to replicas.

This particular GTE is from the last and most desirable third series of production and is one of only 954 GTEs built. Originally completed at the factory March 15, 1963, the car was sold March 21st to Aurelia Gennaro, of Greco (a suburb of Milano), Italy. According to information acquired from the extremely rare Ministero Dei Transporti logbook dated 21 May, 1963, the name Aurelia De Gennaro and the International Motor Insurance Card booklet with the name of Fabio Angeli dated 19 Oct., 1968 confirm this early ownership information. Mr. Gennaro owned the car until July 17, 1967 on Italian plates MI 771612. In August 1968, Clara Sbragia purchased a tax permit for a private radio for the car, a Becker Europa TR radio with BC/SW/FM, while registered on the same Milan plates still recorded with the car. International Insurance (Carta Verde) was then purchased by Fabio Angeli on October 19, 1968, permitting travel outside of Italy. In December 1969, the car was purchased by a U.S. Serviceman and imported into North America. By 1977, the car was then owned by a doctor in Omaha, NE, and the next owner shortly thereafter, Jim Dorman of West Des Moines, IA. The car was then extensively serviced March 15, 1978 at European Motor Works Inc. in Des Moines, IA with a recorded 88,950 kms, registered and inspected carrying Iowa plates 77 FKD 543. In June, 1978, George Spangler of Dallas, TX became the next owner, retaining it until July 1982 on Texas plates FFB 877. Spangler then sold the car to one of the foremost experts on 250 GTEs, Bill Preston. Having published the 250 GTE Register from 2001 – 2011, Preston previously had served as the Sunoco fuels and lubes engineer assigned to Penske Racing in 1966-1967. Preston would own the car for a remarkable 30 years until consigning it for sale in 2012 with Ferrari expert Mike Sheehan.

Under Preston’s meticulous ownership, a detailed log of kilometers traveled, oil changes, parts and services purchased and performed, vendors used, and notation for all repairs was carefully recorded and preserved. Every mile logged from 99,349 kms in July 1982 to 113,023 kms February 2012 was documented and recorded. During this period, Preston recorded $26,883.54 total expenses on the car. While all detailed records of service are too numerous to name, notable items performed during his ownership included rebuilding the heads in 1998 with new valves, valve guides, seats and seals, rebuilding all 5 Boranni wire wheels and four knock offs, the installation of 5 Pirelli P4000 Super Touring tires at 109,620 kms in December 2012 (believed to be the tires currently mounted on the car), and in August 1994, with 103,462 kms, reupholstering the front seats with black Connelly leather, by Bob Smith Coachworks and reupholstering the rear seats in 1984. Also in August 1984, Preston and his wife drove to Monterey, CA as one of 11 GTEs in attendance for the FOC International Ferrari Concours, documented in Cavalino No.24, p. 30. In August 1994, the car returned again as one of 15 GTEs gathered and shown at Concorso Italiano, having been driven by Preston and his wife, once again all the way from Texas, returning with 109,620 kms.

Under more recent ownership, the car was stripped to bare metal, epoxy primed and professionally repainted Rosso Corsa at a reported cost of $40,000.00. During the repaint, the bumpers, door handles, and trunk handle were removed and rechromed. All new rubber seals around the doors and hood were also installed. In March 2019, experts at Coppa Bella Motors performed over $9,000.00 worth of service on the car addressing mechanical systems including changing the oil and filters, new transmission fluid, differential fluid, flushing the brake fluid, changing coolant, and setting tire pressure. New front brake calipers were installed as well as new front brake dust shields and new front sway bar link bushings replaced. New rear coil spring/shock assemblies were disassembled, rebuilt and installed. Also during servicing, the center console was removed and the heater cables and control flaps were correctly installed along with the radio wires, new speakers, and the heater fan switch rewired. Once reassembled, all electrical systems were tested for functionality including confirming the working instruments, heater controls, and radio. Under the hood, the fuel lines were replaced with correct yellow wrapped lines, the carburetors adjusted and one rejetted, and various hoses and clamps were replaced to the correct type for this series car.

Today, this Series III GTE exhibits a very nice, cohesive strong driver-quality appearance with very good quality paint showing consistent gloss throughout. Panel fit is good overall, however the passenger side door sits slightly proud of the rear fender surface, while still opening and closing tightly. The hood and trunk open and shut properly. There are some small paint blemishes at the front of the car and in some inner surfaces, none of which take away from the cohesive and attractive visual presentation. The exterior chrome is very sharp even on close inspection, with just a few minor imperfections on the headlight trim rings and inner grille surround. The trim and emblems are nicely finished and detailed. The Borrani wire wheels, shod with contemporary Pirelli tires, still retain very glossy finishes, despite having been restored more than twenty years ago. The lighting and lenses are all very nicely preserved or restored as needed, with excellent red color showing on the taillights and only mild age evident on the white back up lenses. Glass and surrounding trim are in very good condition with some light road marks evident on the windshield.

The black leather interior has been properly maintained featuring front seats that were reupholstered in 1994 and rear seats reupholstered in 1984. The remaining interior appears to be largely original, but still presenting with good surface finishes overall. Carpeting has been more recently replaced along with floor mats. The dashboard and instruments are beautifully maintained exhibiting excellent color, minor fading on a few smaller gauges, excellent clarity on the larger gauges, and high contrasting numeric indications. The wood rimmed steering wheel is handsomely aged with a warm feel to the rim and polished hub and spokes. The headliner shows some minor aging particularly in the corners, while the door panels and dashpad are clean and tidy. There are some areas on the door panels where material has rubbed through. Overall the various trim, interior components, and details have been addressed with thoughtful considerations toward originality, blending newer materials with honest patina. The trunk compartment remains in good overall condition and contains a Borrani spare wire wheel and reproduction tool roll.

Under the hood, the original matching numbers 250 series engine delivers a very satisfying visual impression, recently tended to and still showing correct finishes, proper hoses, lines, and correct fasteners, the engine still retains pleasing cosmetics overall. While the engine compartment has not been prepared to show car level, the engine exhibits a very tidy representation of the hallmark 250 including the correct air cleaner, correctly finished cam covers, correct yellow fuel lines, and a correct diamond quilted hood insulation pad.

The car starts easily and warms up to idle smoothly, delivering a crisp V12 sound. Once seated inside, it is easy to see how the GTE has become a favorite for those who enjoy taking their cars on events. The combination of excellent visibility, comfortable seating position, ample interior room and trunk space, make it ideal for such events. The wood-rimmed steering wheel, Veglia instruments, and view over the fenders make for an unforgettable and evocative picture, before the car is even in motion. The gearbox is easily engaged with good synchros, and the clutch takes up smoothly. Braking is very good overall, coming down from higher speeds with excellent pedal pressure thanks to the discs all round. Suspension functions as it should, giving sure-footed roadholding and a good blend of comfort and communication. The underside of the car is clean and well tended with no visual evidenced of structural compromise. Though the underside is not prepared for show, the components support the original and undisturbed structure and mechanical integrity of the car. The car comes with a set of reproduction tools and tool roll, a car cover, a small assortment of parts, and a notebook with selected documentation and recent receipts.

This Ferrari 250 GTE is a wonderfully prepared car with known ownership history, interesting early documentation, and quality presentation. The Series III “Big Valve” engine offers the most refined and powerful combination of the 250 GTE line, draped in handsome Pininfarina coachwork. Having been recently serviced and prepared for driving, this beautiful 250 GTE is ready for the next fortunate owner to enjoy, show, or participate in touring events, perhaps for yet another 30 years of dedicated ownership.