Description
Chassis #1995 GT was the second of only nine right hand drive versions of the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta imported into the UK by Col. Ronnie Hoare of Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. As one of the first examples, it was equipped with a host of competition options on a the more durable steel body, aimed at demonstrating the prowess of the car. Delivered new in 1960, #1995GT was supplied in Rosso, over a dark red leather interior, red carpets, a steel body, 3. 77 rear axle ratio, Dunlop RS4 tyres and a limited slip differential. Just a handful of the RHD example received competition upgrades. The factory build sheets detail the engine was to delivered in semi-competition specification with a 9. 5:1 compression ratio, 10mm lift camshafts, triple Weber 40 DCL6 carburettors with intake trumpets and cold air box, rather than an air filter box, and an Abarth competition exhaust system. The factory engine test sheet shows that it produced 252bhp when new on their dynamometer, verifying competition components in the engine. It was collected from the factory by a Mr Horning of Hampshire on behalf of its first owner, the proprietor of Sea Corner Garage, a Mr E. ’Rufus’ W. Eyre. Upon its arrival in the UK, Mr Eyre registered his first Ferrari, the short-wheelbase on the registration mark ‘RU 20’; a registration he would retain and place on each succeeding Ferrari he would own. Fascinatingly this car is the very first customer car supplied by the newly formed ‘Maranello Concessionaires’, formerly Col. Ronnie Hoare had been operating from the F. English Ford dealership in Bournemouth. Keen to impress and demonstrate their competition prowess at the time, early cars had specified luxury options ignored at build by the factory! It is understood that all preceding and subsequent SWBs were alloy bodied cars built to full 'Competizione' specification. - Early-specification lightweight chassis frame (as per all competition cars including "SEFAC Hotrod") - Early "low roof & screen" specification body with one-piece windows and curved door window frames - Comp-spec high lift cams - Comp-spec open air tray with velocity stacks - Competition brakes (no servo) with ‘comp’ front cooling ducts - Comp-spec ribbed case magnesium-alloy competition gearbox (as per all competition cars) - Comp-spec bucket seats - Roof mounted interior extract vent (as opposed to in the rear screen) - Limited-slip differential - Comp-spec long range fuel tank & external "Monza" fuel filler - Competition jacking points and “quick-lift” jack (stored in boot) - Lightweight aluminium floors & closing panels (bonnet, boot lid and doors) Scaglietti granted Ronnie Hoare’s wish for steel bodies on #1993GT (his demonstrator) and #1995GT respectively, with the steel bodies more resilient than alloy – demand for alloy outside of racing at the time seen more as a negative as it was so easy to dent! The factory ignored the Colonel’s wishes for the cars to be fitted with road going 22-gallon fuel tanks, instead, receiving long range, racing specification tanks. Surviving Maranello Concessionaires paperwork highlights their contacting of Ferrari on 25th October 1960, seeking a 'windscreen washer pump assembly for 1995GT omitted in production'! Expecting great things from his brand-new Ferrari, the first owner Mr. Eyre, had several queries regarding the hand built nature of the car. Eyre went so far as to return the car to Ferrari with the expectation the factory would attend to several panel fitment issues! Despite his complaints, Mr. Eyre would to retain 1995GT until December 1965. Commuting between his home in the New Forest and his family office in north London the car would see regular use. Past the initial return to Ferrari, his business Sea Corner Garage would carry out maintenance on the car, with instructions from Ferrari penned in the front of the user manual. Speaking with Rufus in 2019, he recalled several stories of his time with the car. A timid man, he had instructed his workshop manager to collect the car from Italy on his behalf and drive it back. All was going smoothly until Horning was pulled over by the Polizia Stradale on the motorway in northern Italy. Fearful of repercussions as the car was neither his, nor did he speak any Italian, he was relieved to find the duo on motorcycles merely wanted to see a ‘right hand drive’ Ferrari in person, before gesturing that he perhaps continue his journey with a bit more enthusiasm! Mr Eyre further highlighted a visit to London in 1961. Having driven up from his home on the south coast for a shopping trip on Bond Street, he recalled his significant grievance with the car after a day of liberal spending, paired with the equipped long-range fuel tank saw a car crammed full of bags with no place in the boot. Returning home, he promptly ordered a 250 GT Pinin Farina in Bianco Polo Park to run along side the SWB as a shopping car! Eyre sold the short-wheelbase in 1965 having covered 19, 500 miles. After his ownership, #1995GT...
