1962 Ferrari 250 GTE Series II 2+2 Coupe

The Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 was unveiled to the press and public at the 1960 Le Mans Vingt-Quatre Heures, and served as the Course Car during the race. It was appropriate, however, as even though this model was never designed as a competition car, the engine and chassis are based on the iconic 250 SWB, one of the most famous racing cars of all time. Although several special order 2+2s had been produced in the 1950s, this was Ferrari's first true production 2+2 and enabled them to widen their potential market and compete directly with Aston Martin, Maserati and Facel Vega. The new 2+2 would bring for the first time, wide-scale production, with 953 examples in total, across three model variants, being produced between 1960 and 1963. It is widely recognized that fewer than half of the original GTE models have survived, as so many were adapted to recreate the California Spider and 250 SWB.

The 250 GTE was built on the same chassis used for the other 250 series Coupés, with the short wheelbase of 102.3 inches being retained and the engine moved forward by 8 inches to provide room for the rear seats. Additional interior space was provided by widening the front and rear wheel track and the net result was a spacious cabin, capable of carrying two adults and two children in comfort for extended periods of time. The model was powered by the mighty 3-litre V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo, a power unit that proved to be resilient and flexible whilst providing an incredible soundtrack, magnifying the whole driving experience. Styled by Pininfarina, the 250 GTE succeeded in enhancing Ferrari's reputation as film stars, business tycoons and celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra were proud to take ownership and naturally never missed a photo opportunity with the latest example of Italian exotica.

Chassis number 03823 GT was completed by the Ferrari factory in 1962, and delivered to the French market dealer Franco Brittanic Automobiles, to be presented at the 1962 Paris Motor Show. The car is featured in the 1962 Ferrari Year Book with pictures in the history file of it gleaming on the show stand. The original build sheet showed this car was finished in Celeste with a Beige hide interior, and it retains this same colour combination today with faithfully matched specifications. The Maranello Concessionaires Archive have confirmed the engine number as 03823, the internal engine number as 456/62, the gearbox number as 642E and axle number as 549E. Full Ferrari Classiche certification was approved by Ferrari in July 2015, and confirms the originality of all these mechanical components. In Addition, we have the official Ferrari Classiche book available for viewing at the auction, which details the entire Classiche authentication.

At the end of 1962, this 250 GTE was sold to its first owner, Monsieur M. Delle Siede, and registered 930 HB 51 as an early Christmas present on 19th of December. It passed through a further three keepers until surfacing in the 1990s in Lille, registered to a Monsieur M.Cleton. At the end of 1992, it was acquired by a Ferrari dealer in Lille and he refurbished the car and kept it for 15 years as part of his private collection. In 2006, it was sold to the previous owner, who commissioned a large amount of work between 2007 and 2013, including a full rebuild of the engine and transmission by respected Ferrari specialists Garage V12 Automobiles, and there are bills in the history file totalling €22,800. Additional work included a rear axle rebuild, refurbishment of the Borrani wheels and a new Orbisoud stainless steel exhaust system, making this V12 thoroughbred sound absolutely sensational.

Purchased by the current vendor in France in 2013, he brought the car back to the UK and immediately set about cosmetically restoring this wonderful Ferrari. The bodywork was completely taken back to bare metal, which proved to be exceptionally sound and there are pictures in the history file documenting this entire process including pictures of the car stripped of its paint, then beautifully finished by respected specialists and returned to its original colour of Celeste 19321, as detailed in the Maranello Archive. The hide interior was painstakingly sourced from UK Hide, who faithfully produced the same Connolly leather, hand finished to match period quality. Most of the chrome work was re plated and polished to a very high standard. When the car was stripped down, it was also discovered that the body number (242) is stamped on all splash guards, A-post trims, rear quarter trims, rear seats and the glove box light cover, which have all been photographically recorded.

Offered with a fascinating Paris motor show history and all aforementioned paperwork documenting its originality, this completely matching numbers Ferrari 250 GTE offers its next owner the same iconic Ferrari 250 Colombo engined ownership at a fraction of the cost of the other 250 variants. This is the finest example Silverstone Auctions have had the pleasure of handling, and we believe it represents outstanding value.