Fantasy Junction

Description

1962 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Pinin Farina Cabriolet
s/n 3633, Engine no. 3633 (internal no. 360/62)
Black with Beige Leather Interior

Beautiful and powerful, the 250 series had established Ferrari as both the style and performance leader by the dawn of the 1960s. But the legend was only beginning. Ferrari entered the decade fully engaged in the growing demand for their capable road cars, both to showcase racing technology, and to provide consistent income to support their racing. Each car was a personalized statement of excellence. And while every 250 was unique, the Pinin Farina coachbuilt convertible design was among the most sought after road cars. Fitted with the venerable Colombo 3-litre V-12, triple Weber 36 DCS two-barrel carbs, four-speed synchromesh transmission with overdrive, independent front suspension, and four wheel disc brakes, the 250 GT cabriolet culminated in 1962 handmade examples delivered to a mere 200 fortunate enthusiasts.

This PF Cab, #3633, was owned by the same person for 35 years, from 1980 2015. Ferrari historian Marcel Massini further details the history of this rare car in a comprehensive overview citing factory assembly notations, ownership, and further provenance. The 186th of 200 built, this car is a late production example completed in July of 1962 and is the only 250 Cabriolet to have originally been finished in Rosso Cina (China red). After delivery to Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York, the car was sold to the first owner, a wealthy Philadelphia Industrialist, Patrick O’Brien Jr., second-generation leader of O’Brien Machinery Company. O’Brien was a prominent socialite with a 70-acre equestrian farm in Chester County. One can only imagine how this prancing horse added to the delight of visitors of his sprawling estate. By 1975, #3633 had passed through three additional owners, moving to Illinois before Joe Marchetti’s International Autos Ltd. sold it in 1980. The buyer, George Wamser, began a 35-year relationship with this Ferrari, expertly maintaining and driving the car for his enjoyment for three and a half decades before selling it at RM Auctions in 2015. In one of his written accounts on the car Wamser reflects:

\"We picked up the car at about noon on November 1, 1980, in Chicago. At the time, we lived in Monmouth, Illinois, 215 miles away. We left Chicago in early afternoon, stopping on the way at an airport to watch skydivers. Outside the Quad Cities, it began snowing. We stopped at a Mexican restaurant for dinner, sitting by a window so we could keep an eye on the car; it was the only one in the parking lot. Then, we brushed the snow off and drove the last 40 miles to home, getting in around 8:30pm. It was a really great day.\"

During the long-term ownership period, Wamser regularly serviced this Ferrari, making certain that all mechanical aspects were tended to on a regular basis. He enjoyed the car routinely over the years, painting it its current shade of black since he preferred that, but never restoring it. In 1979, the upholstery was renewed in beige leather, with attention to original patterns and proper finish. Because the car has never been disassembled for restoration, in every respect, the original mechanical components have been thoughtfully retained. All services were done with great care to successfully retain and preserve the original engine, gearbox, and various accessories, as well as numerous factory components which remain with the car today – a tribute to the curatorial foresight of Wamser decades before such practices became en vogue. Additionally, accompanying this rare Ferrari is the original tool kit, factory leather manual folder, and seldom seen factory hardtop. In recent years, the car has enjoyed no-expense spared maintenance and tour support by Chris Dugan, and the car successfully completed the Colorado Grand in 2016.

The presentation of this Cabriolet reflects the quality of its care and the quality of the work it received. The paintwork was done to high standards and remains very nice, with excellent luster over straight, properly fitting panels. There are very few signs of aging or wear: a bit of rub marks from the soft top being installed and removed that could be polished out, but remarkably little else to betray much use or aging. The brightwork is straight, complete, and free of notable flaws, showing only light weathering. The glass and lenses are very good to excellent, including the Marchal headlamps. The car sits on proper Borrani wire wheels with a matching spare rim, and Vredestein Sprint Classic Tires with 2014 date codes.

The interior, which was partially reupholstered in 1979, presents much more freshly than that age suggests. It is free of shine and has light creasing but remains extremely supple, all of which give it the presentation of being perhaps 15 or 20 careful years old instead. The paint and bright trim are excellent, as are the steering wheel, switches, and instruments. The overall presentation of the car, both inside and out is of a high quality restoration that is has mellowed but still remains very nice. There is a pleasing consistency to the presentation, with no areas appearing more worn or tired than any others, and no need to attend to any cosmetic aspect of the car to bring it in line with the rest of the car’s condition.

The engine bay has been properly maintained including the engine and assorted components, revealing a proper presentation consistent with the originality of this car. The equipment remains quite correct, including the brake booster, remote oil filter housing, air cleaner and related three-eared wing nuts, yellow fuel lines, horns and compressor, and the fuse panel. The trunk is correctly trimmed in black vinyl in excellent shape and the underside of the car is in solid, honest, unrestored condition.

The car runs and drives very well. The engine starts very easily on the push of the key, and pulls cleanly and strongly through the RPM range. The carburetion and general tune of the engine are fuss-free, tractable, and sweet across a variety of circumstances, and the noise, particularly the induction roar at wide throttle openings, is magnificent. The clutch grabs positively and in a linear fashion, and the transmission shifts smoothly, with good synchros, from warm or cold. The overdrive engages and disengages properly. The disc brakes are effective, with good initial bite, no unsettling softness to the pedal, and effective and symmetrical retardation, a major benefit of the full disc brake setup. The steering is tight, easy to manage in terms of control forces, and the chassis performs properly in terms of maintaining body control and providing a good ride.

Offered with a Marcel Massini report, a copy of the build sheets, records supporting services, Ferrari Classiche Certificate, original tool roll with original tools, factory hardtop, and copious notes and historic reference materials, this Series II PF Cabriolet will appeal to the Ferrari enthusiast who insists on a car that presents beautifully but also runs and drives exactly as it should. This example is not so nice as to discourage its owner from using for its intended purpose, namely long-distance open air V12 touring, but it is stunning, particularly in black. The quality of its mechanical preparation is evident in the first few blocks of driving it, and this car’s appeal is further enhanced by its completeness, including original books, tools, and hard top.

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