Fantasy Junction

Description

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 “NART” Spyder Conversion
s/n 10351 , Engine no. 266/10351
Fly Yellow with Brown Leather

The 4-cam 275GTB is in many ways the holy grail of road-going classic Ferraris. Impossibly beautiful, rare, and mechanically sophisticated, it embodies everything that makes classic Ferraris sought-after and unique. The first 275’s appeared in 1964, employing an enlarged 3.3 litre version of Ferrari’s venerable Colombo-designed V12. The car featured many innovative features not found in the earlier 250, including a rear mounted transaxle for improved weight distribution, independent rear suspension, and 5-speed transmission. Both three and six carburetor versions were available, and the cars were continuously developed, as was Ferrari's convention. In 1966, the definitive and ultimate street version of the 275 appeared, the 275 GTB/4. In addition to employing the even more beautiful `long nose` body and rigid torque tube enclosed drive shaft introduced partway through the 2-cam model’s production, the big news was the dual overhead cam cylinder heads. In conjunction with the six carburetor setup that was now standard, the dual overhead cams allowed power climb to the magic 300hp mark. Just 280 4-cam 275’s were built, and they are extremely desirable investment grade Gran Turismo automobiles.

Just 10 (t-e-n) 275 GTB/4s were constructed with N.A.R.T. Spyder coachwork from the Factory, all built for the North American market at the special request of Luigi Chinetti. Chinetti, who was not satisfied with the 275 GTB/4, asked Sergio Scaglietti and Enzo Ferrari to build a few Spyder versions of the 275 GTB/4, which he bought for approximately $8,000 each. N.A.R.T. stood for Chinetti's North American Racing Team. In a contemporary road test, Road & Track commended the Spyder as \"the most satisfying sports car in the world.\"

It was to be a custom run of 25 cars straight from Scaglietti, but just 10 were built in 1967 and 1968, making this one of the most valuable Ferraris extent. s/n 09437 fetched $3.96m at auction in August 2005, and would likely sell for double that today. The ten original NART Spiders used chassis numbers 09437, 09751, 10139, 10219, 10249, 10453, 10691, 10709, 10749, and 11057. In the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair the Ferrari driven by Faye Dunaway and being referred to as \"one of those red Italian things\" is actually the first of only ten Ferrari 275 GTS Spyder NART, serial number 09437. This particular car came second in its class in the 1968 12 hour of Sebring before being repainted and used for the movie. Steve McQueen liked the car so much, he wanted one for himself, and eventually ended up with s/n 10453.

This particular car, s/n 10351 was sold new to Switzerland in September of 1967, delivered by Richie Van de Water for Otto Zipper. The car was imported to the United States in the early 1970s. It was advertised in the Northern California area in the late 1970s, described at the time as “completely original”. Again for sale in the early 1990s the car was with John Levy, and was advertised as “Ex-Lance Reventlow. Only 15,457 miles from new. Red with original tan leather. Borranis. Excellent throughout.”

By 1998, in the hands of the current owner, the car was converted to NART specification by Straman, a well respected Southern California shop familiar with the process, and known for their work on several Daytona Spyder conversions. The engine was rebuilt by Patrick Ottis & Company, and the final cosmetics and assembly Performed by Auto Europa in Martinez, California.

The body and paint work are first rate, and the car displays exceptionally well in person, just as it does in photos. The inner door jams, and engine and truck surrounds are done to the same high quality as the exterior of the car. There is one very minor chip on the back of the car, and one minor chrome flaw on the back bumper. The balance of the brightwork and paint is in show ready condition with a fresh appearance. Currently the car sits on outside lace Borrani wire wheels (front), with 9 inch rear Borranis which are beautifully polished.

The interior is trimmed in high quality brown leather, which nicely contrasts the fly yellow paintwork. The dash top and top boot have been upholstered in leather to match the seats and door panels, and are both excellent. The carpets are equally nice, with a new appearance. The original gauges and switchgear remain, all in fabulous condition. Other correct details in the interior include the factory shift knob, ash tray, and pedal pads. The car has a beautiful tan canvas soft top, and also a custom full cockpit tonneau.

The engine bay has a beautiful appearance to equal the exterior of the car. Patrick Ottis & Company applied the correct finishes and hardware where appropriate, and the car retains its battery hold down, windscreen washer bag, and yellow fuel lines. This car is currently fitted with velocity stacks on the 6-Webers, which together with the 9” rear and outside lace front Borranis, give the car a decidedly competition guise. Included with the sale is the original air cleaner housing. Much like the balance of the car, the underside has just 500 miles since completion, and is in “to eat off of” condition with correct equipment, hardware, and finishes, including the Ansa exhaust system and braded lines.

Detailed and mechanically sorted to a level where it would be equally at home at speed on the road or on display at a concours, and one of approximately a dozen 275 GTB/4s converted to NART Spyder configuration, s/n 10351 represents a rare opportunity to acquire the very best. Included with the sale is the jack with jack bag, correct manual pouch (engraved with Lance Reventlow’s name), a re-printed manual, and extensive records going back to the 1990s.

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