1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Pinin Farina Cabriolet
- Engine
- Short-block V12 ('Colombo' Tipo 128C), matching-numbers unit
- Colour
- Black ('Nero Tropicale')
Chassis 0963 GT is a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Series I Cabriolet, the 30th of only 40 first-series examples built, and the sole car among a five-car black-finished sub-group ordered in Nero Tropicale over Rosso Connolly leather. Delivered to Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata — founder of Scuderia Serenissima and one of Ferrari's most celebrated clients — it was displayed at the 1958 Paris Salon before passing through American ownership, during which its engine was temporarily separated from the car. A comprehensive restoration and subsequent engine reunification with its original matching-numbers unit were completed in the mid-1990s, followed by a second full restoration around 1998 and an engine rebuild in 2008.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$6,825,000
- 1958-08-01 →Factory deliveryCount Giovanni Volpi di Misuratafull documentation
First owner, a prominent Ferrari client and privateer racing figure who led Scuderia Serenissima di Venezia. The car was lent back to Ferrari for display at the 1958 Paris Salon.
- → 1979-11-01Acquisition unknownJack Crawford of Long Beachpartial documentation
Held the car for more than a decade before selling it in late 1979.
- 1979-11-01 → 1995-12-01Private saleJim Riff of Barrington, Illinoisfull documentation
Commissioned a thorough two-year restoration at a shop in Mundelein, Illinois, fitting an engine and gearbox from another chassis. The car was subsequently featured in specialist press and shown at concours events during his ownership.
- 1995-12-01 →Private saleAsian sports car collectorfull documentation
Known for assembling a significant private collection of important sports cars. Reunited the car with its original matching engine in 1996 and later commissioned a further comprehensive restoration.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGeorge Smith of Malibu, Californiapartial documentation
Acquired the car after it was exported to the US in the early 1960s. The original engine was removed and sold through a Los Angeles dealership in 1964.
Competition
- 1958-10-011958 Paris Salon
Car was loaned by Count Volpi back to the factory for display at the show, serving as a manufacturer exhibit rather than a competitive entry.
- 1983-07-01FCA National Meeting and Concours d'Elegance, Elkhart LakeClass award winner
Presented during Jim Riff's ownership following completion of the restoration.
- 1996Colorado Grand
Car participated shortly after the Watkins Glen appearance, during the Asian collector's early ownership.
- 1996-08-01FCA Annual Meeting, Watkins Glen
Displayed roughly two months after the original engine was reunited with the car.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1964ModificationOtto Zipper Motors
Original engine removed from the car and sold separately; the unit was installed by the purchaser, David Love, into a 250 Testa Rossa (chassis 0754 TR) and later placed in storage approximately one year afterward.
Engine sale brokered by Otto Zipper Motors of Los Angeles in summer 1964.
- 1980RestorationSkip McCabe's shop
Comprehensive two-year restoration, including fitment of a replacement engine and gearbox sourced from chassis 1119 GT; work completed by 1982.
Restoration workshop located in Mundelein, Illinois; commissioned by owner Jim Riff. Following completion, the car was featured in Prancing Horse magazine.
- 1996Mechanical
Original matching-numbers engine, which had been in storage for over three decades, was sourced from David Love and reunited with the car, replacing the substitute unit fitted during the 1980 restoration.
- 1998RestorationSkip McCabe's shop
A second comprehensive restoration was carried out; coachwork refinished in black and interior re-trimmed in rosso leather, replicating the original factory color combination.
Final assembly was overseen by Butch Dennison.
- 2008Engine rebuild
Complete engine rebuild carried out on the original matching-numbers V-12 unit.
Work performed by Ferrari specialist Patrick Ottis.
- —InspectionFerrari Classiche
Ferrari Classiche certification process initiated; necessary remedial work commissioned by the consignor to achieve full certification, with the Red Book to accompany the car upon approval.
Certification was ongoing at the time of cataloguing; all associated costs covered by the consignor.
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