1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast
- Engine
- 4,962cc SOHC V12 with three Weber twin-choke carburetors, ~400 bhp
- Colour
- Dark blue ('Blu Scuro')
The sixth Ferrari 500 Superfast built (chassis 5985, Pininfarina job no. 99585), this car was completed in December 1964 and debuted publicly at the 57th Chicago Auto Show, making it the first 500 Superfast publicly exhibited in the United States. Originally finished in Blu Scuro over Arancia leather, it passed through a small number of distinguished American owners before spending nearly five decades with a Michigan physician. Showing just over 14,000 miles, it retains its original interior and has been refinished in the correct factory colour.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,750,000
- 1964-12-23 → 1965Factory deliveryChinetti Motorspartial documentation
US importer took delivery and displayed the car at the 1965 Chicago Auto Show before selling it to the first private owner.
- 1965 →Private saleHans Dieter Holterboschpartial documentation
American importer of Löwenbräu beer based in New York; an avid collector of significant performance and vintage automobiles. He returned the car to Chinetti after a brief period.
- → 1966Private saleJudge Samuel Simon Leibowitzpartial documentation
Criminal defense attorney from Long Island; a longstanding Chinetti customer who also owned a 250 GT LWB California Spider and an alloy-bodied 275 GTB.
- 1966 → 1966Acquisition unknownOwner in Grosse Pointe, Michigannone documentation
Brief ownership by an unidentified individual in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe before the car was sold to Dr. Brady.
- 1966 →Private saleDr. John L. Bradypartial documentation
Based in Goodrich, Michigan; drove the car occasionally until 1973 then placed it in a climate-controlled garage. In the mid-1990s commissioned a full engine rebuild and brake and fuel system servicing before eventually selling after roughly 47 years.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRenowned Ferrari connoisseurpartial documentation
Current consignor; acquired the car from Dr. Brady with approximately 13,500 miles showing, then had it refinished in the original dark blue color while leaving the interior untouched.
Competition
- 1965-02-0157th Annual Chicago Auto ShowExhibited
Car was displayed by Chinetti Motors at McCormick Place; considered the first public showing of a 500 Superfast in the US.
- 2002-08-01Concours-Italian Style at Edsel & Eleanor Ford HouseExhibited
Believed to be the car's first public appearance since the 1965 Chicago show; took place at the historic Ford estate in Grosse Pointe.
- —Quail RallyCompleted without issue
Participated the year prior to this auction listing; the car performed strongly throughout.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuildTerry Myr
Full engine rebuild carried out, along with remedial work on the braking and fuel systems, after the car emerged from roughly two decades in storage.
Work performed by noted Ferrari mechanic Terry Myr of Port Huron, Michigan, commissioned by Dr. Brady in the 1990s.
- —Bodywork
Exterior refinished in the original factory colour, Blu Scuro, replacing an earlier silver repaint; interior and dashboard woodwork were left untouched.
Carried out by or at the direction of the current owner after acquisition from Dr. Brady.
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