Photo: Mecum
There are many things that make a car unique and valuable in the eyes of collectors. It can be any of those things, or a combination of them, that make a vehicle a hit at some auction event somewhere. And you'll have a very hard time deciding which aspect of this 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 makes it worth $3.8 million.
For many of you out there the Ferrari 275 needs little introduction. Born in 1964 as a grand touring car with a powerful V12 engine under its body, it was only in production for four years, being released into this world in two body styles (berlinetta and spider), and in four distinct versions: GTB, GTS, GTB/4, and GTS/4.
It's the GTB/4 that's of concern to us today. This breed was introduced in 1966 and was powered by a Colombo V12 engine of the Tipo 226 variety. The engine had four overhead camshafts (hence the 4 in the name) and six Weber carburetors and was generally badass, like all engines Ferrari ever made.
The Italian carmaker put together just 330 of these models back when the production lines were rolling, making the family highly desirable and valuable these days. Especially when the GTB/4 comes with a couple of very interesting things attached to it.
First up, it seems this Ferrari is one of just six to have been painted right from the factory floor in black. It may not be the most suitable of colors for a car of this caliber, but it's what makes it unique at the moment. Even if the black you're looking at now is not the original one, but the result of a restoration work that was conducted as recently as this year – work also included an overhaul of the interior to bring back the original shine of the leather seats and red carpets.
The second thing that makes this car special is that it has been raced ever since it was made. Not very hard, as it was a common sight in Italian hill climbs of the 1960s, but just enough to add a certain touch of pedigree to the whole thing.
The car arrived on American shores in 1971, and changed a number of owners since (all these changes come with all the needed documentation). It was the subject of a first restoration in 1990, and went on to be displayed at various events across the country soon after.
The black 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is listed by auction house Mecum on the lot of cars it will be selling next week in Monterey, California. Going under the hammer as a main attraction, it is expected to fetch as much as $3.8 million (and at least $3.5 million).
It's the GTB/4 that's of concern to us today. This breed was introduced in 1966 and was powered by a Colombo V12 engine of the Tipo 226 variety. The engine had four overhead camshafts (hence the 4 in the name) and six Weber carburetors and was generally badass, like all engines Ferrari ever made.
The Italian carmaker put together just 330 of these models back when the production lines were rolling, making the family highly desirable and valuable these days. Especially when the GTB/4 comes with a couple of very interesting things attached to it.
First up, it seems this Ferrari is one of just six to have been painted right from the factory floor in black. It may not be the most suitable of colors for a car of this caliber, but it's what makes it unique at the moment. Even if the black you're looking at now is not the original one, but the result of a restoration work that was conducted as recently as this year – work also included an overhaul of the interior to bring back the original shine of the leather seats and red carpets.
The second thing that makes this car special is that it has been raced ever since it was made. Not very hard, as it was a common sight in Italian hill climbs of the 1960s, but just enough to add a certain touch of pedigree to the whole thing.
The car arrived on American shores in 1971, and changed a number of owners since (all these changes come with all the needed documentation). It was the subject of a first restoration in 1990, and went on to be displayed at various events across the country soon after.
The black 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is listed by auction house Mecum on the lot of cars it will be selling next week in Monterey, California. Going under the hammer as a main attraction, it is expected to fetch as much as $3.8 million (and at least $3.5 million).
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