1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I
- Engine
- Inside-plug Tipo 128C short-block V12
- Colour
- Metallic grey ('Grigio Conchiglia Metallizzato') with bluish-green undertones
Chassis 0801 GT is the 17th of only 40 first-series Pinin Farina-bodied Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolets, hand-built in Pinin Farina's custom atelier and debuted as a Ferrari factory show car at the 1958 Geneva Salon in Grigio Metallizzato over Rosso leather. Its first owner was celebrated Italian tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano. After decades of changing hands and a period of separation from its original engine, the car was comprehensively restored in 2024 by Motion Products Inc., reunited with its matching-numbers Tipo 128C engine sourced from DK Engineering, and subsequently awarded second-in-class at Pebble Beach and a Platinum Award at the FCA National Concours.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$5,750,000 – US$6,500,000
- 1958 →Private saleGiuseppe Di Stefanopartial documentation
Celebrated Italian opera tenor based in Milan; acquired the car roughly one month after its Geneva Salon debut. Sold it approximately 18 months after purchase.
- → 1971-05-01Private salePlaisance Bernardpartial documentation
Relocated from Milan to Modena while owning the car; held it until May 1971.
- 1971-05-01 →Private saleGastone Crepaldi Automobilipartial documentation
Well-known Ferrari dealership in Milan; held the car for approximately three years.
- → 1975Private salePhilip Wichardpartial documentation
Noted collector based in Huntington Bay, New York; sold the car to a dealer by 1975.
- 1975 → 2000Acquisition unknownVarious owners through US dealer chainnone documentation
Car passed through a succession of unspecified owners over roughly two decades; received a cosmetic refinish in Rosso over cream in 1987.
- 2000-05-01 →Acquisition unknownFerrari collector based in New Mexicofull documentation
Long-time Ferrari enthusiast who sought a flagship 1950s open car for vintage touring; commissioned a comprehensive restoration by MPI in 2024 exceeding $2 million including reacquisition of the matching-numbers engine from DK Engineering.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCount Alberto Paolo Zintovallepartial documentation
Retained the car for about three years before passing it on.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLuigi Chinetti Motorspartial documentation
Commissioned substantial cosmetic changes including tail lamp and dashboard alterations plus a repaint to blue; removed the original engine and fitted it to a 250 GT Ellena. Subsequently imported the car to the United States.
Competition
- 19581958 Geneva SalonFactory show car exhibit
Selected by Ferrari for official stand display in the original Grigio Metallizzato over Rosso leather specification; sold to its first owner shortly after the show.
- 20022002 Colorado GrandParticipated
Entered as a vintage touring event by the New Mexico-based consignor.
- 20072007 Quail Motorsports Gathering — 50th Anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT Series I CabrioletNotable showing
Special commemorative gathering marking half a century of the first-series Cabriolet; car was described as making a strong impression.
- 20242024 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
First public outing following the MPI restoration; runner-up in class behind a 250 GTO.
- 202460th Annual Ferrari Club of America National Concours at Elkhart LakePlatinum Award and David Carte Memorial Trophy
Recognized as the most thoughtfully refurbished vintage Ferrari at the event; the memorial trophy honors a late renowned restoration specialist.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1987Bodywork
Cosmetic refinish in Rosso over a cream interior.
- 2024RestorationMotion Products Inc.
Comprehensive restoration encompassing a complete chassis overhaul, return of all coachwork and interior details to original factory specification, and refinish of the bodywork in Grigio Conchiglia Metallizzato to approximate the original Grigio Metallizzato show-car shade. Interior re-trimmed in Rosso leather as delivered. Matching-numbers engine sourced from DK Engineering, fully rebuilt, and reinstalled. Total expenditure exceeded two million US dollars.
Located in Neenah, Wisconsin. Engine sourced from UK-based specialist DK Engineering before being rebuilt and fitted.
- —ModificationLuigi Chinetti Motors
Extensive cosmetic alterations carried out at the direction of Luigi Chinetti Motors, including changes to the tail lamp arrangement, dashboard configuration, and a full repaint in blue. The original engine was removed at this time.
The removed original engine was subsequently installed in a 250 GT Ellena.
- —Mechanical
Mechanical elements of the car were partially restored by the consignor following the 2002 Colorado Grand tour participation.
Carried out sometime after 2002.
- —InspectionFerrari Classiche
The original engine block was inspected and restamped by Ferrari Classiche as an endorsement of its authenticity.
Conducted in the mid-to-late 2000s prior to the engine's reacquisition.
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