1961 Ferrari 250 GTE Series I
- Engine
- 3.0L V12 (Colombo), 240 bhp, four-speed manual with overdrive
- Colour
- 'Grigio Conchiglia' (shell grey)
A Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 completed in October 1961 and originally delivered in Rome, finished in Grigio Argento over blue leather. Imported to the United States in 1972, it passed through several West Coast enthusiast hands before returning to Europe in 1988 and subsequently residing in Canada. Notable for a cameo in the television series Viper in 1997, the car retains its original matching-numbers drivetrain and has recently undergone a comprehensive bare-metal restoration, with bodywork by Carrozzeria Sport Cars and mechanical and interior work by Garuti and Maieli respectively, repainted in the period-correct 250 GTO shade of Grigio Conchiglia.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €448,000 (≈ $493K)
- —Auction saleSold US$544,000
- 1961-11-01 →Factory deliveryFirst Roman ownerpartial documentation
Vehicle first registered in Rome shortly after factory completion; identity unknown but registration documented.
- 1972 →Acquisition unknownRobert J. Trierpartial documentation
Car was brought into the US in 1972 and kept on the West Coast; shared ownership period with Redge H. Martin.
- 1972 → 1988Acquisition unknownRedge H. Martinpartial documentation
West Coast enthusiast who co-held or successively held the car alongside Trier before it was exported back to Europe.
- 1988 → 1993-02-01Private saleStuart Andersonpartial documentation
Prominent Ferrari collector who acquired the car as a personal gift for his companion after it was returned to Europe.
- 1993-02-01 →Private saleMark Shannonpartial documentation
Purchased from Anderson in February 1993 and subsequently resold to the next owner.
- → 2015Acquisition unknownPrevious British Columbia ownerpartial documentation
Removed and rebuilt the engine for use as a spare in a California Spider, then returned it to the GTE in 2013; facilitated the car's participation in the 2014 Ferrari tour.
- 2015 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Commissioned a full restoration including bare-metal repaint, complete engine rebuild, and interior refurbishment; restoration documentation including photographs and receipts is on file.
- Date unknownPrivate saleErnie Fleischerpartial documentation
Based in Richmond, British Columbia; acquired from Shannon.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownYale Shappartial documentation
South Surrey, British Columbia resident who kept the car for several years; corresponded with the 250 GTE Registry in 1998 confirming original components, and the car appeared in a TV production during his tenure.
Competition
- 2014Ferrari Le 250 Tornano a Casa Tour
The GTE was driven on this Ferrari-organised summer 2014 touring event after the engine was reinstalled in 2013.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2013Engine rebuild
The original engine, which had been removed and rebuilt by a previous owner for use as a spare in a California Spider, was returned to the 250 GTE.
Engine was out of the car for an indeterminate period prior to reinstatement in 2013.
- —Modification
Standard push-pull console switches were replaced with toggle switches, either at the factory prior to delivery or very shortly after the original purchase.
Reported to the 250 GTE Registry in 1998 by Yale Shap.
- —Bodywork
Car was refinished in a metallic maroon colour at some point during its ownership history, departing from the original Grigio Argento specification.
This repaint was reversed during the subsequent full restoration.
- —RestorationCarrozzeria Sport Cars (bodywork); Garuti (drivetrain); Maieli (interior)
Comprehensive bare-metal restoration encompassing a full engine rebuild of the matching-numbers drivetrain, complete respray in Grigio Conchiglia, and full renewal of the interior in a rare off-catalogue Connolly blue-green hide (VM 3087).
Restoration photographs and associated receipts are retained in the car's documentation file.
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