Rare Ferrari 275 GTB/C at Gooding at Pebble Beach

Ferrari produced a limited series of 12 275-based racing cars for the 1966 season, and the result was the 275 GTB/C – the “C” standing for Competizione. Given their specialized nature, many 275 GTB/Cs were sold to privateers and these 275 GTB/Cs were extremely successful in racing, capturing class wins at Monza, Montlhéry, Nassau, and Le Mans.

Completed that July in 1966, this 275 GTB/C, s/n 09051, was the sixth example built, one of only eight specified in left-hand drive, and originally finished in the distinctive color scheme of Argento Metallizzato (Silver Metallic) with black leather upholstery.

Once finished, the GTB/C was sold to Renzo Sinibaldi, an amateur racing driver from Rome. He raced it over the next three years in many hill climbs and a few GT races, and gained an enviable record of many firsts in class. In August 1968, s/n 09051 was sold to Alberto Federici who entered the Ferrari in several hill climbs with success and later entered it in Italy’s oldest open-road race - the Targa Florio.

In 1971, Federici sold his GTB/C into Europe and after a succession of owners the car was exported to the US, where it traded hands a few times before being sold to the current owner. In early 2007, he entrusted the car to Wayne Obry’s Motion Products Inc. (MPI) in Neenah, Wisconsin, a firm widely regarded as the preeminent Ferrari specialist in the US. Over the next several months, 09051 was restored to show-quality standards and refinished it its 1966 livery. In August 2007, the GTB/C was invited to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it scored 99 points and was awarded a Second in Class trophy in one of the most competitive categories.

In 2013, the Ferrari returned to MPI, where, in addition to a complete re-restoration of the bodywork, the car was mechanically rebuilt to exacting standards. In fall 2016, the Ferrari returned again to MPI for additional fine-tuning and cosmetic attention and, in preparation for its appearance at auction, it was retuned once more in 2017, with the consignor insisting that the car be “perfect.”

The GTB/C has not been exhibited since 2007, allowing its next owner to arrive at the world’s finest Concours and driving events with an important, yet relatively unseen, car. As it has not been shown at Pebble Beach in a decade, it will be an outstanding candidate for that event, as well as other top-tier venues such as Villa d’Este, Chantilly, and the Cavallino Classic. Additionally, the GTB/C’s outstanding performance would make it a delight to use in historic racing and rallies; it is eligible for Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, Modena Cento Ore, and more relaxed tours like the Ferrari Cavalcade.

The GTB/C is also offered with extensive supporting documentation, including copies of the factory build sheets and foglio allestimenti, ACI registration records, period photographs, correspondence, magazine articles, restoration records, and a history report compiled by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini. As an original 275 GTB/C, s/n 09051 is undoubtedly among the most desirable Ferrari GT cars of all time.

Information provided by Gooding & Co. Salon Photos by Mathieu Heurtault, Courtesy of Gooding & Co.

For more information, please visit www.goodingco.com.

See Cavallino 48 for a major history of the 275 GTB/Cs by expert Dyke Ridgley.