Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB “Short Nose”
s/n 6563, Engine no. 6563 (Numero Interno 542/64)
Silver with Black Leather Interior

Unveiled at the 1964 Paris Auto Show, the Ferrari 275 heralded the beginning of a new era of Ferrari road cars. Offered in both closed and open body styles, the Berlinetta was a noticeable departure from the somewhat less daring Spyder. The 275 GTB was cloaked in an aggressively styled new body designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. Its similarities to the fabulous 250 GTO were no coincidence; indeed, Sergio Pininfarina confirmed that he and his design team had deliberately looked to Ferrari’s world championship-winning endurance racer for inspiration. A replacement for the Lusso, the 275 GTB’s long-hood, short-tail profile was certainly familiar, but a higher belt and fender line gave the new car a more aggressive and rakish appearance that was more cutting edge and aggressive.

While based on the well-established welded steel tubular frame, the 275 GTB’s underpinnings were more sophisticated than ever before, incorporating the first independent rear suspension in a Ferrari for the road. It comprised a layout similar to the front end, with upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, Koni shock absorbers and a sway bar to control body roll. The gearbox now had 5 speeds and was integrated with the differential at the rear of the car to create a transaxle to reduce polar moment, dramatically increasing cornering response. The 275 series Ferraris were powered by the final development of the “short block” V-12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo in 1947. This durable and versatile engine delivered 280 horsepower in the GTB.

The 275 GTB laid the groundwork for today’s Ferrari grand tourers, as sophisticated, aggressive, but usable and well-appointed high-performance cars. As a result of the chassis revisions, most notably the independent rear suspension and relocated gearbox, the 275 GTB was not only faster than its predecessors but also more comfortable at the extremely high speeds for which it was designed.

This 1964 Series I or “short nose” 275 GTB, serial number 6563, is a first-year example delivered new in Italy and is one of approximately 200 examples produced. It was sold new on 11 February 1965 through official dealer M. G. Crepaldi S.a.s. at Via San Marco 26 in Milan to its first owner, Mrs. Anna Varzi, then 25 years old. She paid 5,750,000 Lire for the car. It remained in Italy through its early years, and was serviced at the Ferrari factory on 3 May 1965 with an indicated mileage of 3,397km. It remained under Italian ownership until the 1970s, when it was exported to the United States for the first of two long-term American owners. In 1982, it was purchased by the second of those owners, who sold s/n 6563 to its most recent custodian in 2012.

He is a sophisticated connoisseur and collector and embarked on a high-caliber restoration of the car to its original specifications. The body was described as “virgin,” needing minimal corrective work to prepare it for repainting. Norbert Hofer, founder of highly regarded Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach, California, completed much of the mechanical work and final assembly, which was completed in summer of 2015. The engine was rebuilt in its entirety, along with most of the remaining mechanical aspects. The transaxle had been rebuilt about seven years prior and was serviced during the restoration. Refinished in the original silver with black leather and striking light blue carpets, the car features the rebuilt matching numbers engine and transaxle, restored “Starburst” alloy wheels and a new leather interior by Richard Ward of Los Angeles, California.

Consequently, it is a superb example cosmetically, with excellent body, fit, and paintwork. The paint is essentially unmarked and was performed to high standards. The chrome was also renewed and is equally nice. The lights and glass are generally excellent and the windscreen was not replaced during the restoration so it has a few small marks and retains its VSI etching. The wheels are excellent and wear new Michelin XWX tires.

The interior was done to the same high standards with superb workmanship to the upholstery, including the seats, door panels, dashboard, console, and headliner. The correct materials were employed throughout. The contrasting light blue carpets are very handsome. The instruments, switches, and controls are also excellent, and the steering wheel was beautifully restored. The dashboard wood was nicely restored and has the correct semi-gloss finish.

The engine compartment is in excellent freshly restored shape, with correct details and finishes throughout. The correct type battery is in place, as are the windscreen washer fluid bag, and yellow fuel hoses. The trunk was also comprehensively restored with new carpets and correct matching spare. Like the rest of the car, it is done to show standards and indeed the car is an excellent candidate for FCA shows.

This expertly restored 275 GTB is highly correct in virtually every detail, including such important features as a rare Carello reverse light, the aforementioned alloy wheels and the slotted steering wheel specific to the Series I “short nose” models. Offered with extensive documentation including invoices from the restoration, Massini report, owner’s manual, books and tools, this is a beautiful example of one of Ferrari’s greatest road cars.

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