Historically, the 275 GTB is now more sought after by collectors, despite the Lusso being recognized for its timeless, elegant design as a collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina. Today, the 275 GTB is celebrated for its blistering performance, balanced handling, and iconic design. It is Ferrari’s first road car with fully independent suspension and a transaxle, powered by a 3.3-liter V12 engine based on the Colombo “short block” design. Its low-mounted engine, combined with a rear-mounted transmission, improved the car’s handling and performance.
The aggressive styling, designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, emphasized power and functionality, with every design element serving a purpose, from the aerodynamic lines to the long hood and sloped windscreen. In the mid-1960s, as Ferrari debated mid-engine designs, the 275 GTB remained the company’s flagship, often driven from showrooms straight to racetracks. Each 275 GTB was unique, hand-built by artisans, and constantly refined over time, with notable improvements like the lengthened nose in 1965 and a torque-tube driveshaft in 1966.
Around 250 of the “short-nose” Series I 275 GTBs were built, making them the rarest among the non-competition models. One such example is chassis 06705 which is scheduled for auction by RM Sotheby’s on November 2. Finished with a Rosso Cina steel body and Nero leather interior, the car originally delivered to Scaglietti by Ferrari on 27 October 1964.
Equipped with power windows and three Weber 40 carburettors for its Colombo V-12 engine, the 275 GTB was shipped to New York and sold by Luigi Chinetti Motors to its first owner, Carl Iverson, in March 1965. Iverson owned the car until 1974, when it was sold to Carl E. Drake Jr. in San Francisco.
In 1982, the car was acquired by Robert Dorris of Fort Worth, who listed it for sale in 1986, where it was bought by John R. Anderson. Anderson enjoyed the car for seven years before it was exported to the Netherlands. There, it participated in several Ferrari events, including winning the 1960s road car class at the 11th Modena Motorsport Track Days, before undergoing extensive restoration in 2015.
Now presented in classic Ferrari red over black, it comes with a rich history and is eligible for prestigious events like the Ferrari Cavalcade Classiche and Cavallino Classic. Expected to sell between $2,200,000 – $2,500,000 USD at RM Sotheby’s upcoming London auction, this meticulously restored, rare “short-nose” 275 GTB is a must-have for serious Ferrari collectors.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
