A race-winning 1959 Ferrari 250GT Competizione Alloy Berlinetta – one of just seven of its kind – will cross the block at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge auction on 14 August.
As well as being tremendously rare, chassis ‘1519GT’ won races at Watkins Glen and Montlhery, coming third in the 1959 Tour de France, as well as picking up a Platinum Award at the Cavalino Classic.
Chassis ‘1519GT’ acted as a cornerstones of a prominent American collection and is one of just seven ‘interim’ models created during the transition from 250GT Tour de France Berlinetta to 250GT SWB Berlinetta, featuring a long wheelbase chassis mated to a short-wheelbase Pinin Farina body. All seven cars were built to full competition specification, including a highly-tuned engine and an outside fuel filler cap, not to mention factory-fitted Dunlop disc brakes.
The car returned to Italy in 2012, where both chassis and body were fully restored, by Vaccari a Bosi and Carrozeria Autosport Bachelli & Villa, respectively. The interior was renewed by Tappezzeria Luppi, while the engine was also fully rebuilt in Modena.
Following its restoration, the car has participated in a number of leading events, including the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Greenwich Cocnours d’Elegance, winning many awards in the process.
Prior to going under the hammer during Pebble Beach Car Week, the 250GT will be on display at Bonhams’ New York showroom, alongside a 1951 Ferrari 212 Cabriolet, a 1980 BMW M1 and a Zagato-bodied Aston Martin Vanquish.
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC