V12 Colombo packs 300HP in 3.3L
One of the most remarkable Ferraris is to be auctioned off by Mecum Auctions: the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale by Scaglietti, with serial number 06701. It is said that this may be the only one of these three cars available for purchase at present or in the near future.
Although the Ferrari 275 may not have lived up to the triumph of the 250 series, it still possessed a few unique vehicles that donned its mark. This specific car for sale, in particular, was crafted to uphold the grand success of the 250 GTO from 24 Hours of Le Mans during its battler with Ford in the 1960s.
Ferrari manufactured a limited run of three 275 GTB/C Speciales from 1964 to 1965 for FIA official sanctioning and factory refinement. Each was fitted with an aluminium outer shell for less weight, as well as an engine variant 213/Comp incorporating six Weber carburetors. Additionally, there were 250 LM type exhausts complete with side exhaust pipes, aluminum bucket seats in the manner of the GTO and an external aluminium fuel filler cover for rapid refuelling during pit stops.
The power unit in particular being a 3.3-liter ‘Colombo V12’ is thought to be one of the most appealing 12-cylinder engines ever, such as the F140, Daytona SP3, and LaFerrari. This engine produced about 300 horsepower that was directed towards the back wheels with a five-speed manual transaxle.
In the year 1965, an example of the model in question was offered for sale. Despite attempts to approve the 275 GTB/C for being part of GT Class racing, the FIA refused since the automobile handed over was much less than the promoted dry weight of the 275 GTB. Eventually, a settlement was attained, and only one – which possessed the chassis number 06885 – was conferred permission to compete at Le Mans of that year, ending as the third place overall.
In May 1965, Pietro Ferraro of Italy acquired the 06701 directly from the factory; it was then registered to his paper manufacturing firm, Cartiere del Timavo. It is assumed that the automobile was altered in shade from Rosso Cina to Grigio Scurro Metalizatto ahead of its purchase. Four years subsequently, ownership transferred to Alessandro Gregori.
Gregori had kept the vehicle for a period of two years before it was sent to London and the property handed over to Colonel E.B. Wilson. Years later, Pobrejeski of Boulogne-Billancourt assumed ownership and cherished it for a quarter of a century. In the course of the initial decade, modificiations were made to the car body to optimise engine ventilation and additionally, it got a coat of red paint courtesy of its new owner.
Brandon Wang, a passionate Ferrari aficionado, was next on the list to call 06701 his own. Entering the automobile in past gatherings such as the Famous Goodwood International Historic Festival, the two-tone silver and grey colour was refurbished for the Tour Auto event of 1997. A year later it was ready for display at the FCA National Concours in Los Angeles. In 2014, it was finally bought in an auction by a collector.
In the year 2015, it was put on show at the Fourteenth Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach during the month of January and later at Laguna Seca for the Monterey Historic Races held in August. Since then, this 06701 has been maintained by its current owner Leslie Wexner.
Next year at Kissimmee 2024, Mecum Auctions will be putting up for sale the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale. At present, the page is still not filled in so we can’t tell what has taken place from 2015 until 2023. Nonetheless, there is a belief that Wexner had re-painted the automobile scarlet. Some followers conjecture that the vehicle could be sold for a nine-digit number, making this a thrilling offering to keep an eye on.
