Fantasy Junction

Description

1962 Ferrari 250 SWB
s/n 3113GT, Engine no. 3113GT
Silver-Gray with Black Leather

The Ferrari 250 Short Wheel Base Berlinetta is a pinnacle car, which perhaps better than any creation from Modena, walks the delicate line between competition and elegance. It is among the last of the cars from a romantic era when racing sports cars could still be driven to and from the track, or displayed at consours or auto shows as mobile examples of technical prowess and artesian craftsmanship.

The wonderful, matching numbers SWB presented here, chassis 3113GT, is the 52nd of just 165 examples to leave the Ferrari factory. Given its 1962 build date, this car benefitted from a multitude of mechanical and aesthetic improvements that were made between 1959 and 1962. Mechanically, these cars featured the robust Tipo 168 engine, effective Dunlop disc brakes and a stout four-speed gearbox with Porsche- type synchromesh throughout, all carefully refined after years of experience at the highest levels of international competition.

Visually, the late-production cars are distinguished by their teardrop-shaped side markers, improved window line, wind wings, grille set, rear window size, recessed rear license plate enclosure. Completed in February of 1962, s/n 3113GT was originally clothed with steel bodywork, specified in a left-hand-drive configuration, and finished in silver-gray with black leather interior, as it appears today.

s/n 3113GT was sold new to Mrs. Dorris C. Blackwood, a woman of significant means who split time between Metamora, Michigan and Tryon, North Carolina. Mrs. Blackwood and her husband James Blackwood lived fortunate lives on large estates. They collected antiques, European sports cars, and enjoyed international travel with the social elite.

In the fall of 1961, while traveling in Paris, Mrs. Blackwood called in to the Paris Auto Show, and was at once awestruck by the beauty of a silver-gray Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta on exposition. Mrs. Blackwood agreed to purchase the car on the spot, and was advised to collect it at the factory in Modena ten days later. One arrival at Ferrari, she was disappointed to hear that the example she had agreed to purchase in Paris had already been sold and shipped to its new owner!

After a meeting with Enzo Ferrari himself, Mrs. Blackwood was allocated s/n 3113GT although, not yet completed at the Ferrari works. Some months later Mrs. Blackwood returned to Modena, in the company of her nephew who was attending university in Sweden, to collect the car offered here today, which she had specified to her tastes in this wonderful color combination, and with road-going appointments appropriate for her ambitions with the car. Mrs. Blackwood took European delivery of the car and immediately set off on a skiing holiday with her nephew. Before completing her European oddesy with the Berlinetta, Mrs. Blackwood called in to Paris to visit friends, a fitting point to conclude her adventure, as it was there during the previous season that she fell in love with the SWB on display at the Paris Auto Show.

After returning home, Mrs. Blackwood joined the Ferrari Club of America, becoming the club’s 46th member. During the 1960s, she was active in the local sports car scene and even opened her home to fellow enthusiasts during the very first FCA Annual Meeting, held in Detroit, October 24–25, 1964.

Ferrari historian Alan Boe, who maintained regular correspondence with Mrs. Blackwood over many years, tells the story of her first encounter with this SWB Berlinetta in a wonderful article published by Forza magazine titled “Second-Chance SWB.”

After over a decade of enjoyment with s/n 3113GT Mrs. Blackwood had made the difficult decision to part with the car, and placed an ad in the Ferrari Owner’s Club Bulletin. Bobby Jones, a Ferrari collector from Hobart, Indiana noted the advertisement and agreed a deal with Mrs. Blackwood subject to his in-person inspection of the motorcar, and forwarded a $500 deposit to substantiate his interest. However, when it came time to part with the car Mrs. Blackwood “just went completely to pieces” and some days later Mr. Jones’ deposit was returned, as Mrs. Blackwood had decided to retain ownership. In fact, an additional $2,500 was ultimately paid to Mr. Jones by Mrs. Blackwood as a settlement, after Mr. Jones sought legal assistance to pressure Mrs. Blackwood, unsuccessfully, into selling her beloved automobile.

However, sometime later, Mrs. Blackwood did in fact sell s/n 3113GT onward to a Mr. James C. Carbone of Gig Harbor, Washington. In August of 1984 Mr. Carbone sold the car to Ferrari of Walnut Creek, California. By now, some 22 years had passed since the car’s departure for Modena, yet no major cosmetic nor mechanical restoration works had been recorded in the car’s history, supporting the clear and simple, damage and story-free lineage of this wonderful SWB Berlinetta.

In September of 1987, James Wickstead, a New Jersey engineer, purchased s/n 3113GT from Ferrari South in Jackson, Mississippi with just 30,000 miles indicated at the time. Mr. Wickstead was acquainted with Mr. Boe, and wrote him to voice his great pleasure of ownership:

“The condition and strength of s/n 3113 is a wonderful education for those interested in experiencing an almost original street SWB. It’s no wonder these cars did so well in racing. With all their power they have great finesse and they are absolutely forgiving!”

Perhaps because of his engineering background, Mr. Wickstead had a detailed understanding of the inner workings of his newly acquired Ferrari. During his long-term ownership of the car he undertook a sympathetic restoration of the car which spanned a decade, between 1987-1997. Much of the work was done with his own capable hands.

Although s/n 3113GT was in excellent and remarkably original condition, it required an engine rebuild, which led to a variety of other small projects. At this point, the suspension and braking systems were refurbished, the gearbox and steering box were inspected and resealed, and the radiator was cleaned and pressure tested. Though the coachwork was repainted in its original silver gray, either during or just after Mr. Carbone’s ownership, the interior was still entirely original, with only the seats requiring leather treatment and dying. New red carpets replaced the original gray; however, in keeping with thoughtful custodianship, they have been preserved, and accompany the sale of the car. Mr. Wickstead drove and showed the car sparingly after the restoration was completed, until finally parting with the car in 2014.

Today, s/n 3113 has the remarkably original and honest presentation of a well-kept example, which has not been over restored, as seems often to be the fate today of these highly valued cars. It is highly correct in its detail equipment, and boasts beautiful panel match and shut lines. The engine bay, interior, and undercarriage all exude a uniform aura of originality and authenticity, owning largely to the fact that it has never required a full, ground-up restoration.

The car appears to have covered less than 35,000 miles since 1962, and has a well-documented ownership history. Further to its documentation file, a brief history for s/n 3113GT appears in Jess Pourret’s, Ferrari 250 GT Competition Cars, on p. 372, in Hilary A. Raab Jr’s., Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, on p. 39, in Forza magazine, Issue 123, February 2013, in an article by Alan Boe titled “Second-Chance SWB” as well as in Autoweek, March 4, 2013, in an article by Nathan Laliberte titled “Passion for Restoration”.

Combining the best qualities of Ferrari’s successful racing program with the luxurious amenities of a continental gran turismo, the SWB Berlinetta is one of the all-time great dual-purpose sports cars, and this example will be a welcome entrant for participation in many of the World’s most prestigious track and tour events, should concours events alone not be enough to satisfy its new owner.

This late production, matching numbers 250 SWB Berlinetta is offered with its original keys, a full tool roll, owner’s handbooks, and a file of documentation that includes copies of important ownership records, period photos, and correspondence between Alan Boe and the Ferrari’s two long-term owners – Doris Blackwood and James Wickstead.

An exquisite beauty with the athletic performance of a true thoroughbred, this breathtaking SWB Berlinetta brilliantly combines all the wonderful Ferrari qualities prized by elite enthusiasts in one magnificent package.

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