Debuting together at the Paris Motor Show in October 1964, Ferrari’s handsome new 275 GTS and 275 GTB succeeded the outgoing 250 series in one stroke. Technically, they marked a major leap forward as the first-ever Ferrari road cars equipped with a fully independent suspension and a rear- mounted five-speed transaxle. Both the GTB and GTS were powered by the new tipo 213 engine – a 3.3-liter variant of the traditional Colombo-designed single overhead cam V-12.

As the direct replacement for the popular 250 GT Series II Cabriolet, the 275 GTS featured a clean and crisply tailored Pininfarina body, built to the coachbuilder’s famously high standards. While it primarily was intended a a fast and stylish open touring car, the 275 GTS was a beautifully balanced and formidable sports car – capable of accelerating from rest to 60 mph in as little as 6.6 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 140 mph.

In all, just 200 examples were built during a two-year production run, with the majority delivered to the US. When new, these glamorous open Ferraris attracted a distinguished clientele – a veritable “who’s who” of the entertainment and social scenes, including celebrities like Eric Clapton and Jayne Mansfield.

The 275 GTS presented here, chassis 06919, was built at the Ferrari factory in January 1965, finished in the beautiful and unique color combination of Rosso Cina (China Red) with Bianco (White) leather upholstery. An early production example, this 275 GTS was assigned assembly sequence no. 18 with corresponding Pininfarina body no. 175018, and assembly was completed on April 15, 1965.

According to a report from Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, the 275 GTS was ordered new by US Ferrari distributor Luigi Chinetti and delivered to its first owners, Nancy and F.H. Tewksbury, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. In a fascinating letter to Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ® chairman Lorin Tryon in 1998, Donald L. Weber explains how he purchased 06919 in 1976, then showing just 4,820 miles, from Luigi Chinetti, with whom he shared a friendship. The 11-year-old Ferrari had been sitting in a garage, resulting in the very low mileage, and needed restoration work. Mr. Weber, known for his desire to have his cars prepared to a very high level, hired Herschel “Junior” Conway to perform a comprehensive restoration on the GTS, which was completed in 1980. Conway’s reputation for excellence precedes him, and the work carried out on this 275 GTS is impressive even 41 years later. Its red-over-cream color combination pairs well with its crisp tan fabric top, and the finishes have worn well.

Rarely used, but always maintained, the odometer of this extraordinary 275 GTS showed a scant 5,420 miles at the time of cataloguing, just 119 more than the 5,301 in 1998 that Mr. Weber quoted in his letter to Mr. Tryon. It highlights the mere 600 miles of use by Mr. Weber during his 45 years of ownership.

Ready for its next owner, the Ferrari has received recent care by Ferrari of Newport Beach, and invoices on file show a fluid service and brake rebuild in 2018, as well as a new battery and cleaning of the idle jets. In 2020, the clutch master cylinder was replaced, and the car was inspected, then showing 5,416 miles. Photos of the Ferrari’s restoration and the subsequent appearances at concours accompany the car, as does an owner’s manual folio, service records, and a Ferrari Classiche Red Book which was delivered in 2019.

As an open, 12-cylinder factory Ferrari road car from the 1960s, the 275 GTS trails only its predecessors, the 330 GTS and 365 GTS in terms of rarity and desirability. As the 18th 275 GTS in a production run of just 200 in total, this example stands out for its incredibly low mileage, outstanding restoration, and Ferrari Classiche certification, easily placing it in the upper echelon of these special cars, regardless of the variant. For those that are truly searching for that unicorn Ferrari to add to their collection, your opportunity is here.