Descrição
For sale in our forthcoming auction 'Retromobile the Official Sale', on 2 February 2024 :
Swedish title
Chassis no. 07579
Engine no. 07579
- Original French car, exceptional history in competition
- Documented history, original engine, certified by Ferrari
- Superb condition, in its specification for the 1966 Rallye du Var
This is an exceptional Ferrari 275 GTB, one of the few cars to have been entered in rallies when new, proving that its performance and handling could also be adapted to the difficult conditions of races on the open road.
As the certificate from Ferrari Classiche reminds us, it was sold in June 1965 through Ferrari's importer in France, Franco-Britannic Autos, whose plate can be found under the bonnet. It was finished in 'Grigio argento 106-E1' with a 'Pela nera VM 8500' interior. Its first owner was a M. Belon, who registered the car in Nice as 958 PU 06. After getting to know how the powerful car behaved for just under a year, he decided to enter it on 4/ 5 June 1966 in the Rallye des Roses at Antibes, under the pseudonym of 'Noleb' (an anagram of his name), teamed up with Tivoli. As the rally was held partly at night, the car was equipped with additional driving lights attached to a bar around the radiator grille. It was assigned the racing number 1. A few months later, on 9 October, Belon entered the car in the hill climb at Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne in the hills behind Nice, with the number 88. The row of extra lights, unneeded on this event, was removed. A week later, on 15/ 16 October, for the Rallye du Var, its extra lights and racing number 1 were reinstated, with Tivoli again Belon's co-driver. It should not be forgotten that Italian sports cars often did well in the GT category of major rallies. The GT category of the 1965 edition of the Rallye du Var was won by Jean Rolland and Gabriel Augias with an Alfa Romeo TZ. Noleb and Tivoli did not finish the rally and it was this 275 GTB's last appearance in competition.
It is likely that it remained on the Côte d'Azur afterwards. In 1980, the car was owned by Jean-Jacques Bailly, an enthusiast and important dealer in Nice, who sold it in 1985 to M. Leimer, who registered it in Liechtenstein. Leimer kept the car for several years and even took part in the Tour Auto Historique in April 1999, with the number 219. In 2008, it was bought by a Swiss collector. It was repainted in black and reupholstered in red leather, before receiving a certificate from Ferrari Classiche which mentioned its revised appearance and its registration in the Var.
In May 2011, it took part in the 'Ferrari Tribute to the Mille Miglia' at Maranello, with the number 508. At this time, it was registered as 300 BZX 06, a French number from the area around Nice. Two years later, in 2013-2014, its body was restored by the Carrozzeria Cognolato in Padua, who repainted it in 'Grigio ferro' (a slightly darker shade than its original 'Grigio argento'), while keeping the red upholstery. At this stage, a book was published relating the different stages in its restoration, to emphasise the importance of the work carried out.
In April 2014, it was displayed at Techno Classica Essen on the stand of one of the top classic car dealers, from whom its current owner, a Swedish collector, bought it. He quickly had the car sent to Toni Auto in Italy for a complete overhaul and to return it to its specification for the 1966 Rallye du Var.
It is therefore now equipped with a chrome bar fixed to the front bumpers with four Carello driving lamps attached to it, as it originally had, as well as the racing number 1 on a removable sticker, giving it an attractive sporting look, further set off by the light-alloy wheels identical to those fitted in period. For safety reasons, a small black roll cage has been discreetly fitted inside the car.
The paintwork from 2013 is to a very high standard and the panel gaps are very well aligned. The interior, in an elegant shade of dark red, has been very well cared for: the leather seats have a slight patina, and it has red carpets and a wooden steering wheel with a revarnished rim. The engine compartment is in good condition and the 3. 3-litre V12 is original ('matching numbers'). The car comes with historical documents, its tool kit and a protective cover.
This Ferrari 275 GTB stands out from other examples on account of its history, which is a credit to Ferrari's traditional close links to motorsport. In addition, it has a known history and is presented in near-concours condition, in its specification from the Rallye du Var. Certified by Ferrari Classiche, it represents a rare opportunity to buy one of the best GTs from Maranello which took part in period in a major rally.
