Ferrari Classiche Certified 275 GTB/C Alloy Tipo 213/comp V12 5 Speed

In the early 1950s, small, 2-door Grand Tourers, initially intended for street use, quickly made their way to race tracks. And by the late 1950s, Ferrari's spry 250 GT had become the winningest three litre car of its era, dominating the legendary Tour de France and achieving numerous class victories on both sides of the Atlantic. Designing a replacement for that hugely successful series was a daunting task. After all, the impressive 250 had literally become Ferrari's namesake in automotive history books. And now, Maranello had to top its own showroom of world-beating sports cars with something even more extraordinary.

Enter the 275. Possessing nearly perfect weight distribution, the 275 platform proved an excellent beginning to the continuation of Ferrari domination. The car's engine was fixed low in its chassis, no doubt lending credence to the location of a new, 5-speed transaxle. And it boasted a fully independent suspension which was equipped with servo-assisted disc brakes.

According to noted Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, this particular 275 GTB/C, chassis number 09067, began its life in the summer of 1966. The car's skeleton was shipped to Scaglietti's facilities in May, and its engine was assembled by the end of July. Ferrari officially issued a Certificate of Origin on August 16th and, that very same day, recorded a sell to Milan-based Editoriale Il Borgo di Luciano Conti e C. S.a.s.

The heart of this stunning 275 GTB/C is a new-for-1966 Tipo 213/comp engine that was developed from a Works car campaigned in 1965. The block itself, original to its shell, benefits from external ribs and built in Elektron casings for its sump, timing chain, cam cover and bellhousing. Given the engine's low positioning, dry-sump lubrication was a natural. Design improvements include higher-lift camshafts, reinforced pistons, special valves and a special crank. And the end result is a dyno-proven 272 brake horsepower at 7,700 RPM.

Building on excellent results from the 1965 season, Ferrari launched new efforts in the GT class for the 1966 season. The car, dubbed the 275 GTB Berlinetta Competizione -- hence this model's 275 GTB/C designation, rode on a completely new chassis that was purpose-built to race. Called Tipo 590A by the factory, that carriage was not only lighter and stronger than standard 275 underpinnings, but also boasted reinforced wheel hubs. Borrani reinforced wire wheels, shod with Dunlop racing tires, were 7x15-inches up front and 7.5x15-inches out back; specific to the GTB/C. Rigid torque tubes were forsaken for an exposed driveline that facilitated less weight and quick race day repairs. And for good measure, Ferrari chose to fit an outside filler cap to the top of the passenger-side front wing, allowing immediate access to the oil tank.

Of course, the car needed an extremely thin body that was just as beautiful on the outside as it was on the inside. Pininfarina came through with another breath-taking design that was, in turn, gorgeously executed by the master craftsmen at Scaglietti. With a short rear deck, long, shark-like nose and substantial width, the 275 GTB/C's appearance is as elegant as it is imposing.

Editoriale Il Borgo di Luciano Conti e C. S.a.s. registered 09067 for road use under Bologna license plate BO 279382. Within a year, the car was sold to Enrico Tronconi, of Milan and re-registered under Milanese license MI F 52914. Strangely, especially for a competition-specific model, the car would not see any action on the race track until it fell into the hands of its third owner: Vito Figlioli of Milan, Italy. In 1973, it was purchased by Dr. Paul Schouwenburg, of Amsterdam to begin a 22-year stint in the Netherlands. And by 1995 this Ferrari, registered in the United Kingdom, had become a frequent fixture at vintage tours and rallies; including numerous outings on the Tour de France Automobile, Tour Auto, an appearance at the 40th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTO reunion in 2002 and the 275 Anniversary Tour in 2004.

Continuously maintained by Chris Holly and his team of Ferrari specialists at The Light Car Company, this 275 GTB/C recently underwent a full service. Thanks to its careful preservation and mechanical originality, the car currently enjoys Classiche certification. And, since it didn't see frequent race use in its early days, it has undoubtedly become one of the most original 275 GTB/Cs in existence.

Amongst the hierarchy of alloy-bodied GT Ferraris, such as the 250 Tour de France, the 250 SWB Competizione, and the 250 GTO, the GTB/C sits near the top of the pyramid for obvious performance and rarity reasons. Eligible for the world's best historic races and rallies, this incredible 275 GTB/C offers the opportunity to appreciate, firsthand, the incredible dynamics of a vintage competition Ferrari.