1963 Ferrari 250 GTE Series III
- Engine
- 3.0L V12 (Colombo), 240 bhp, four-speed manual with overdrive
- Colour
- 'Grigio Fumo' (smoky grey)
The Ferrari 250 GTE Series III is a numbers-matching 1963 grand tourer from Maranello's first production four-seat model line, of which 954 were built across three series between 1960 and 1964. Completed in April 1963 and originally delivered in Grigio Fumo over Beige Connolly leather to a Turin private buyer, the car subsequently passed through several northern Italian owners, including Sergio Cassano, a co-founder of Ferrari Club Italia. Acquired in 2013, the car underwent a comprehensive bare-metal restoration by marque specialists in Maranello and has since received Ferrari Classiche certification confirming its matching-numbers V-12 engine and gearbox.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €466,250 (≈ $513K)
- 1963-06-15 → 1965-01-08Private saleMerlino Silvanofull documentation
First private buyer, based in Turin; purchased through local dealer Fontanella. Retained the car for approximately eighteen months.
- 1965-01-08 →Private saleBruno Coppopartial documentation
Also based in the Turin area; exact duration of ownership not specified in the source.
- 2013 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Acquired the car in well-preserved though aged condition and commissioned a full restoration, including mechanical work by Toni Auto, electrical refurbishment, and a respray in original colors. Ferrari Classiche certification obtained after completion.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMaria Luisa Bassanopartial documentation
Reportedly received the car as a wedding present on her marriage to Japanese journalist Hideyuki Miyakawa, who later became an early Italdesign employee.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSergio Cassanopartial documentation
Co-founder of Ferrari Club Italia, motoring journalist, and Ferrari author; owned the car at the time of a 1981 Ferrari Club gathering in Alessandria.
Competition
- 19601960 Le Mans 24 Hours
The 250 GTE model was publicly unveiled at this event in the hands of the race director, ahead of its formal launch at the Paris Salon later that year. This is a model-history reference, not a race entry by this specific car.
- 19811981 Ferrari Club meeting, Alessandria
This specific car was exhibited at the Ferrari Club gathering in Alessandria while under the ownership of Sergio Cassano.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2013RestorationToni Auto
Comprehensive restoration undertaken after the current owner's acquisition. Mechanical work carried out by Toni Auto of Maranello; electrical systems refurbished by Elettrauto Franco. Original instrumentation retained and restored by a specialist.
Body was stripped to bare metal and refinished in the original Grigio Fumo colour. Interior retrimmed in Beige Connolly leather by Tappezzeria Luppi. Four Borrani wire wheels, plus a spare, were each refurbished by the Borrani factory.
- —InspectionFerrari Classiche
Ferrari Classiche certification obtained following completion of the restoration, confirming the car retains its original matching-numbers V-12 engine and gearbox. Documentation includes the accompanying Red Book.
Certification received after the restoration was completed; exact date not specified in the catalogue.
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