1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Lusso
- Engine
- Type 168 V-12
- Colour
- Grigio Conchiglia (shell grey)
Chassis 2985 is the 110th of 167 Ferrari 250 GT SWB berlinettas built, one of roughly 90 Lusso variants. Completed at the factory in November 1961 and delivered through a Rome dealer, it passed through several Italian owners before being exported to the United States in the late 1960s. The car spent nearly four decades in the care of noted Southern California Ferrari collectors Charles Betz and Fred Peters, who restored it and campaigned it at concours events and rallies. It holds Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification confirming all major mechanical components remain original.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$8,305,000
- 1961-11-01 → 1962-02-22Factory deliveryVincenzo Malago e Co.full documentation
Official Ferrari dealer in Rome who received the car from the factory as distributor before selling it to the first private owners.
- 1962-02-22 → 1962-05-19Private saleMaria Lucia del Torta and Alberto Bossafull documentation
Rome-based first private owners of record; their tenure lasted only a few months before the car transferred to a Naples buyer.
- 1962-05-19 → 1962-05-26Private saleAlbertina Bossafull documentation
Naples resident who held the car for only one week; possibly a formal administrative transfer rather than a genuine change of possession.
- 1962-05-26 → 1967-05-01Private saleVincenzo Casillofull documentation
Resident of San Giuseppe Vesuviano near Naples who retained the car for roughly five years before selling it on.
- 1967-05-01 →Private saleVincenzo Luigi Cicinellifull documentation
Based in Riano; re-registered the car on Roma plates and is documented in period photographs and related paperwork held in the file.
- 1976 → 2015Private saleCharles Betz and Fred Petersfull documentation
Prominent Southern California Ferrari specialists who registered the car, drove it in vintage events, oversaw a refurbishment and later a full restoration, and campaigned it at numerous concours and touring events over nearly four decades before selling to the consignor.
- 2015 →Private saleCurrent consignorfull documentation
Took delivery after Betz and Peters completed a supervised restoration including a color change; first exhibited the car at the January 2016 Cavallino Classic.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMr. Mordvedtpartial documentation
US-based owner who acquired the car after it was exported from Italy in the late 1960s and had it repainted in 1972.
Competition
- 1986-11-01Palm Springs Concours d'Elegance
First major concours appearance under Betz and Peters ownership; described as an early exhibition before the car began regular showing.
- 1995-04-01Picnic at Osuna Ranch
Event hosted by Skeets and Sharon Dunn at their Rancho Santa Fe, California property.
- 1995-06-01Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance
Display event held in Beverly Hills.
- 1995-10-01Newport Beach Concours d'Elegance
- 1996-05-01Picnic at Osuna Ranch
Second appearance at the Dunn family event in Rancho Santa Fe.
- 1999-09-01Colorado GrandXI Colorado Grand 1000Driver: Charles Betz and Fred Peters
Car entered as number 49 on this touring rally.
- 2000IX Cavallino Classic associated eventsMoroso Raceway track eventDriver: Charles Betz
One of two driving events held alongside the Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach, Florida.
- 2000IX Cavallino Classic associated eventsTour di Palm BeachDriver: Charles Betz
Touring drive forming the second of two events linked to the Cavallino Classic.
- 2000Cavallino ClassicIX Cavallino ClassicCoppa SWB Award
Main concours display following the Palm Beach driving events; car received a prominent class award.
- 20132013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Car was invited by Ferrari's factory division to appear on the Ferrari Classiche display stand.
- 2013-09-01Colorado GrandColorado GrandDriver: Charles Betz
Described as one of Betz's final outings with the car before its eventual sale.
- 2016Cavallino ClassicCavallino ClassicPlatinum Award
First event for the consignor after taking delivery of the freshly restored car.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1972Bodywork
Car was repainted while in the ownership of Mr. Mordvedt in the United States.
- 1976Restoration
Comprehensive refurbishment carried out under the supervision of Betz and Peters following their acquisition of the car, with the car also being registered on California plates during this period.
Betz and Peters were known for overseeing the restoration of numerous significant Ferraris.
- 2008InspectionFerrari Classiche
Ferrari Classiche authenticated the car and issued a Red Book certificate confirming the chassis, engine, drivetrain, and coachwork are all original, unaltered, and complete.
- 2015Restoration
Full restoration overseen by Betz and Peters as a condition of the sale to the new owner, encompassing a repaint in the current colour scheme, a new black leather interior, and a mechanical freshening carried out with maximum retention of original components.
Car was completed and delivered to the consignor in time for the January 2016 Cavallino Classic.
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