At the Paris Motor Show in October 1964, Ferrari introduced a replacement for its long-running 250 GT series. Featuring a new 3.3-liter V-12 and rear-mounted five-speed transaxle for improved weight distribution (a near 50:50 split), the 275 was also the first Ferrari road car to be offered with independent front and rear suspension. The 275 benefited from KONI telescopic dampers, as well as front and rear anti-roll bars. This all-new model was offered in berlinetta and spider body styles, but the two coachwork designs differed dramatically. In combination with a luxuriously appointed interior, the Pininfarina-bodied 275 GTS exuded the sophisticated elegance requisite of an open Ferrari grand tourer. Just 200 examples of the GTS Spider were built through early 1966, making the model considerably rarer than its Berlinetta counterpart – of which over 450 were built.

Chassis 07465 was completed by August 1965, and bound for Auto Becker of Düsseldorf, Germany, where it was delivered new to Dr. Zwick in the striking color combination of Grigio Azzurro (Blue Gray) over a Pelle Blu (Blue Leather) interior. As with many 275 GTS examples, 07465 was delivered with the desirable Borrani wire wheels. After a couple of years, in August 1967, the GTS was offered for sale by its supplying dealer, Auto Becker. By May 1969, the car was still for sale – this time offered directly by Dr. Zwick. It was described as: “never raced, second car, Nardi steering wheel, in absolutely excellent condition, like new.”

By 1975, the GTS had sustained some damage and been repainted red. It had also made its way to the Midwest, where it was purchased by well-known Ferrari enthusiast Earl Waggoner of California and placed in storage. Chassis 07465 must have made quite an impression on Mr. Waggoner, as just a couple of years later, in 1977, he acquired another 275 GTS for his collection.

In 2014, Mr. Waggoner sent 07465 to Ferrari specialist DK Engineering in the UK, to carry out a restoration and bring the GTS back to its former glory. A letter from James Cottingham of DK Engineering, addressed to the current owner, states: “During the restoration the car was taken back to a bare shell and every component was skillfully restored to original correct specification and to the highest quality. No nut or bolt was left untouched.”

The original engine, as well as the transaxle and rolling components were carefully disassembled and rebuilt. At Mr. Waggoner’s request, the color was changed to Verde Metallizzato (Metallic Green). The interior, however, was re-trimmed in its original shade of blue – ensuring that with a simple color change of the exterior back to Grigio Azzurro, 07465 would be restored to its as-delivered color combination.

In February 2017, the consignor, a respected longtime Ferrari enthusiast, purchased 07465 from Mr. Waggoner, who had by then partnered in the car with DK Engineering. That same month, the GTS was issued its all-important Ferrari Classiche certification. In addition to its Red Book, the 275 GTS is accompanied by a history report from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, showing the car’s known ownership and factory specification, as well as past ownership documents, service receipts, and a restoration book from DK Engineering. The sale also includes an owner’s manual, tool roll, and jack. More recently, the current owner had the 275 GTS repainted back to its original color of Grigio Azzurro.

Complete with factory accessories, this highly evocative 275 GTS is a brilliant example of Maranello’s elegant mid-1960s spider. It would be ideal for any collector or discerning Ferrari enthusiast. This handsome and thrilling Ferrari 275 GTS will be at home in any fine collection of Italian icons or on its own as the ideal open 1960s Ferrari.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled as 275GTS07465.