Formerly the property of Jean-Pierre Beltoise. Ferrari Classiche Certified
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Chassis no. 06999

There had been open-top Ferrari road cars before the advent of the '250' series, but it was, chiefly, Pininfarina's offerings on the latter chassis that established the convertible as a fixture of the Ferrari range. After the experimentation and variety which characterised the coachwork of the 250-series cars, the arrival of the '275' in 1964 brought with it standard bodywork, that of the 275 GTS being manufactured by Pininfarina themselves. In Ferrari nomenclature of the period a model's designation reflected an individual cylinder's cubic capacity, so the newcomer displaced 3.3 litres, up from its predecessor's 3.0 litres. In standard trim the GTS's Colombo-type, 60-degree, V12 engine produced 260bhp at 7,000rpm, some 20 horsepower fewer than when installed in the contemporary 275 GTB.

The chassis followed Ferrari's established practice, being a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, and for the first time on a road-going Ferrari there was independent rear suspension, the latter employing a double wishbone and coil-spring arrangement similar to that of the 250 LM sports-racer. The adoption of a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle combining the now all-synchromesh gearbox and differential in a single unit helped improve weight distribution, and this feature would characterise future generations of front-engined Ferrari road cars. Produced between 1964 and 1966, the 275 GTS altered little during the course of its short life apart from the adoption of constant velocity joints for the open prop shaft shortly after the commencement of production.

By the mid 1960s Ferrari's road cars were beginning to lose some of their rougher edges and take on a more luxurious mien, and the 275 GTS interior is notable for its generously sized seats and wood veneer dashboard, the latter appearing for the first time in a Ferrari. Even the most sybaritic of customers, though, would acknowledge that the driving experience is the raison d'être of Ferrari ownership and in this respect the 275 GTS had lost none of its predecessors' aggressive charm. Car & Driver magazine had this to say: "Since the engine is heir to a V12 tradition that's gone on for almost twenty years, it's only natural that it should be the dominating factor in the car's personality, and that the whole car should have been developed around the engine and its own unique character. You can feel it as much as you can hear it. It has a taut, powerful rush of response that comes to you through the seat of your pants, through the steering wheel rim. The instant the clutch is engaged, the chassis takes on life and begins to move as a unit with the engine, it's an all-in-one-piece sensation that you normally feel only in racing cars, one that's unique to the Ferrari among normal passenger vehicles today."

One of only 200 275 GTS models made, chassis number '06999' was bodied by Carrozzeria Pininfarina and completed at the Maranello factory on 9th April 1965. The Ferrari's original colour scheme was Celeste with Nero leather interior, and the car was despatched new to Franco Britannic Autos in Paris, France. The Ferrari was retailed by Général Auto and sold new to their client, the Paris-based company Société Moderne de Manutentions. Its original registration was '3328 RL 75'.
On 27th July 1966, Franco Britannic Autos sold the Ferrari to its next owner: Nicole Robbe of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Less than two years later, on 5th April 1968, the Ferrari was purchased by its next custodian, Philippe Moyne of Paris, who parted with it after only two months, perhaps prompted by the violent civil disturbances, known retrospectively as 'Les Événements', which rocked the city that spring.
The next owner of '06999' was a shipping company, Agences Maritimes Associés of Le Havre, to which the Ferrari was registered on 13th June 1968. They too did not own the car for very long, and on 19th February 1969 it was acquired by Stand 14, 54 Route Nationale Montlhéry. Specialising in selling sports and racing cars, Stand 14 was managed by Pierre Landereau and racing driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise, and while the Ferrari was on their books it was driven by Beltoise.

A former Grand Prix motorcycle racer, Jean-Pierre Beltoise had switched to four-wheel competition in 1965 and begun working his way up the ladder to Formula 1, enjoying his first full season in the premier category in 1968 driving for the Matra works team. He later drove for BRM, scoring his only, and the British manufacturer's final, Grand Prix win at Monaco in 1972.

On 23rd July 1969 the Ferrari was sold to a new owner in the Tarn department, though their identity is not known. At this point the registration changed from '9751 FZ 76' to '657 JX 81'. There is then a gap in the documented history, which picks up again in 1989 when the Ferrari was sold to Mr Jacques Dufau of Ondres, France. By this time the car had been repainted dark blue and had a matching interior and soft-top.

In 2010, '06999' passed swiftly through the hands of DPM Motors of Monaco and Modena Sport of Balma, France respectively before renowned marque specialists Gipimotor of Brussels, Belgium commenced its restoration towards the end of that year. The Ferrari passed into the current vendor's ownership soon after the restoration's completion in 2011.

This car is Classiche Red Book certified, the non-original (but correct type) gearbox and non-original colour scheme being noted. Benefiting from long-term private ownership of some 21 years, '06999' is presented in lovely condition and comes with numerous invoices for over €250,000 spent on its restoration. It has been fitted with a period-style Brantz rally meter and is ready to enjoy on competitive events and tours this summer.

Offered with the all-important Ferrari Classiche certification, '06999' represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fine example of what many consider to be the most elegant of all spyder Ferraris.