Fantasy Junction

Description

1970 Ferrari 250 GT Speciale Tribute
Chassis No. 13153
Engine No. 13153
Red with Tan Leather interior

For decades Ferrari enthusiasts have sought coachbuilt front engine V12 cars that can be driven with friends and family members as part of the joy of ownership. The spirit of casual use however has dramatically changed as values have rapidly escalated resulting in sequestering one-off designs and coachbuilt examples to museums or private collections limited to static viewing. Yet a select few enthusiasts have more recently taken a different approach to suit this challenge. By engaging contemporary coachbuilders with similar build commissions as the original, modern iterations of specialized tribute cars have emerged in celebration of these venerable 250 series cars. Such is the case with this cleverly conceived and beautifully constructed one-off Ferrari 250 GT Speciale.

Commissioned by David Rose, this one-of-a-kind Ferrari Speciale was constructed in tribute to the original 1957 250 GT (s/n 0725) built by Ferrari for HRH Prince Bernhard van Lippe-Biesterfeld of the Netherlands, a close friend of Enzo Ferrari. The prince commissioned and owned the car which was originally finished in black with a green interior, subsequently changing colors in later ownership to maroon and then dark blue with tan leather interior when it was restored more recently by Paul Russel.

David Rose began his life-long career with cars early in his life, beginning as a member of a small California-based race team in the 1960s. With his passion for cars growing, he opened GTB Motors in San Rafael, CA to offer a wide range of performance cars, quickly establishing a focus on Ferraris. This operation remained active from 1971-1974 until Rose moved the business to San Diego, changing the name to Ferrari of San Diego, CA where he offered exclusive access to some of the most legendary Ferraris of the century. By the 1980s, the dealership blossomed to become the second largest Ferrari dealer in the US, changing the name to Ferrari of La Jolla, CA for a brief period of time before the same establishment returned to the name it still carries today - Ferrari of San Diego. As a prominent dealer, Rose became close friends with Enzo owning many Ferraris including the one-off Ferrari Superfast 1 (s/n 0483).

Over the years buying and selling some of the very best examples of the 250, 275, 330, and later 365 series cars, Rose began to imagine his own Speciale built to the same exacting standards of Italian coachbuilt excellence he’d witnessed in the one-off or limited production cars he’d offer to customers. Although the dream to construct this car would linger with Rose for some years, he eventually brought his dream to reality purchasing a 1970 Ferrari 365 2+2 from Copley Motorcars, Needham, MA on April 16, 2010. Under prior ownership invoices accompanying the car cover services provided by Boston Sportscar Co. from 1999 through 2009, spanning 43,000-47,638 miles, tending to numerous mechanical systems including rebuilding the engine (2000), a new clutch, rebuilding the rear suspension, new cooling fans, new rear shock load levelers, and air conditioning service, totaling over $60,000 before the build commenced. In 2010, the car was transported to Allen Buresh, owner of Coachsmithing, located in Blair, WI. The car was stripped to bare factory metal, the entire interior removed, and all trim, components, and exterior features removed. The 365 2+2 production body skin was carefully removed from the supporting inner structure, retaining critically important structural inner wheel housings, the entire chassis with stock suspension mounts, inner door frame and door strike structure, the entire cowl structure and windshield frame, and engine compartment structure. These key structural components were the basis for the new body shell which would be hand formed and mated to the original structure, unifying the body/chassis platform with the new tribute 250 Speciale body.

The body panels were constructed entirely from aluminum alloy sheet material, hand formed using traditional coachbuilding methods much like the original in 1957 using wood hammer forming bucks to create the curves and transitions from the long front fenders through the new door panels and rear fenders which formed the convertible body, trunk, and unique removable hardtop. A new metal dashboard was also hand formed around two large gauges and four smaller offset gauges. Careful attention was given to details such as the hood and hood scoop, polished aluminum front fender side vents, a wide Ferrari grille, handmade bumpers, and uniquely sculpted taillights. As an added feature, the car was designed to retain the same unique roofline of the 1957 original design while making the entire roof removable to transform it into an open touring car. The roof was carefully constructed to create an accurate trailing roof line with a distinct fastback look when in place, but to also reveal an elegant convertible when removed. All surrounding trim for the roof perimeter was hand formed in aluminum and polished to replicate the original. During construction, the decision was made to incorporate more refined front bumper treatment than the vertical uprights originally used in the Prince Bernhard Speciale. A pair of thin horizontal chrome bumpers were fabricated and fit to the front corners under the enclosed headlights. Every aspect of the body design and details without exception was touched by expert hands creating custom pieces including the specially-toled and curved windshield (safety glass) and specially-toled 2.5mm side safety glass panels.

For the interior, every detail was carefully constructed including tan leather applied to low profile bucket seats, period correct door panels, a central hinged armrest, and the central tunnel housing the 5-speed manual gearbox. Correct light colored carpets were trimmed and fit to the floor, while the dashboard, dropdown panel to the central console, and upper door trim were finished in black leather consistent with period construction. The trunk was also finished with matching carpet and black rear bulkhead.

After seven years of painstaking construction and half a million dollars of documented invoices detailing every aspect of handcrafted coachwork, the car was nearly complete by late 2017 when David Rose sadly passed away. Though having achieved his vision and seeing it through to a very high standard, fate handed the completion to his brother who continued the project, completing the final touches in keeping with David’s original vision. The car has been retained by the family estate in a private collection and in September 2024 was serviced by Ferrari expert Patrick Ottis & Co. tending to the rear air suspension system, servicing gauges and lighting, installing a new clutch cable and custom support mechanism, tuning the carburetors, checking the electrical and charging system, new spark plugs, a compression test returning 165-175 across all 12 cylinders, and test driving the car to ensure proper operation. Having been in storage since completion and only revealed to specialty fabrication shops and service specialists, this beautiful Ferrari 250 Speciale Tribute is ready to debut at any major concours event, Ferrari Club gathering, or private showing. This exceptional example of coachbuilt artistry, vision, and conceptual fortitude is offered to the next fortunate owner on consignment from the estate of the owner.

Today this beautiful Ferrari 250 Speciale exhibits all the grace and presence of an original coachbuilt Italian performance car. With desirable operational features and venerable drivetrain from the powerful 365 GT 2+2, the car is both a pleasure to view and drive. The red paint is excellent with consistent coverage and vivid gloss throughout the hand formed body with minor paint chafing noted in one area of the hood edge where the hood fit will need adjustment and minor refinishing. Panel fit is exceptional, owing to the craftsmanship offered over seven years of careful construction. The doors exhibit crisp closures while the hood and trunk open and shut properly. The exterior chrome is in excellent condition, while the trim and emblems are nicely finished and detailed. The polished aluminum 15” Borrani wire wheels and chrome plated knock-offs are in good condition, though the outer spoke deck for rims will benefit from removal of aging clear coat residue. The wheels are fit with new Pirelli Cinturato P205 R15 tires showing ample tread remaining. The lighting and lenses are all very nicely preserved with excellent clear polish to the headlight covers and beautifully formed taillight lenses and perimeter trim. The custom molded glass and surrounding polished aluminum trim are in excellent condition. In all, the elegant Pininfarina inspired coachwork presented in this unique one-off Speciale captures the grace, presence, and majesty of the Ferrari 250 legend.

The tan leather interior has been properly maintained over the past seven years since completion, currently displaying supple leather surfaces, correct design, and stitching which accurately reflects the heritage of this specially constructed Ferrari. The handmade dashboard and Veglia gauges are beautifully presented exhibiting excellent color, clarity, and bright contrasting numeric indication. The black leather covered dashboard is in excellent condition, draping downward into the center console, which features venting for the air conditioning and outside air, electric window switches, and the highly desirable 5-speed manual shifter. Although this car is outfitted with air conditioning, the system is not currently operational. The wood rimmed steering wheel is beautifully finished accented by aluminum hub and spokes and Cavalino center emblem. The headliner, door panels, and finished rear bulkhead compartment are very well done delivering an overall visual appearance of luxury materials and vintage style in keeping with the era. Although originally designed as a 2+2, this Speciale was constructed as a two-seat configuration, with the rear cowl covering the space behind the seats as a finished storage area. The light-colored carpet shows mild signs of use consistent with lighter colors that tend to show use more readily than darker tones. The trunk compartment is carpeted in matching colors and remains in generally good overall condition. Throughout the interior, a range of delicate and refined switches, handles, interior components, and details have been addressed with thoughtful considerations using original Ferrari elements.

The removable roof is detachable from the rear and is recommended as a two-person operation, released from mating sections at the windshield header. Though the side glass weatherstripping has not been installed to the side window recesses in the hardtop roof, ample spare weatherstrip material is included with the car which should complete this portion of the inner window trim.

Under the hood, the original matching numbers engine delivers a very satisfying visual impression, with correct factory finishes and tidy presentation. Features include correct hoses, lines, and fasteners, as well as a correct air cleaner, correct black textured cam covers, twin distributors, and factory accessories. While the engine compartment has not been prepared to concourse show level, and some finishes show signs of age, the engine and engine compartment can be enjoyably displayed at any local car event with confidence and pride. The underside of the car is generally clean and well-tended with no visual evidence of structural compromise.

The car starts easily and settles into a smooth idle while warming to operating temperatures. Gentle blips of the throttle reveal crisp V12 sounds and sonorous exhaust from the quad-tipped rear exit pipes. Behind the distinctive Nardi steering wheel, the car provides excellent power, pulling far more than a traditional 250 from the original era. The gearbox and clutch work well together, braking is very good overall, and the suspension delivers balanced results consistent with manners found in 365 2+2 GT models of this period.

This Ferrari is accompanied by copies of extensive build invoices, accounting for all expenses and services, a new set of inner tubes for the Pirelli tires, spare carpet for various sections of the car, spare interior materials and padding, linear feet of weatherstripping suitable for finishing the side glass seals on the hardtop edges, various loose hardware and smaller trim pieces, a spare can of matching red paint, a knock off spanner, the original Ferrari serial number plates, owner’s manual, and a Cavalino horn button.

This Ferrari 250 GT Speciale Tribute offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a coveted design from the most desirable period of Ferrari V12 history. Delivering performance and luxury in an exclusive one-off coachbuilt design, this dynamic tribute can be experienced as both a closed and open car simply by removing the roof. This beautiful Ferrari is poised for final refinement as a superb candidate for future club events, tours, or enjoyable driving just as intended when conceived by one of the foremost west coast purveyors of Ferraris in the 20th century as a lasting tribute to the genius of Enzo Ferrari, the brilliance of Pininfarina, and the ongoing skills, patronage, and artistry of modern coachbuilding.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608