Ferrari 275 GTS Spider Pininfarina

The Ferrari 275 GTS

The Ferrari 275 was presented as the GTB (Berlinetta Coupé) and GTS (Spider/Cabriolet) at the Paris Motor Show in 1964. The GTS was the first open-top model from Ferrari after almost two years and was therefore also regarded as the successor to the 250 GT California Spider. Both versions of the 275 were technically largely identical and introduced two innovations for Ferrari: the transaxle principle for the engine in the front and the gearbox at the rear axle as well as the independent suspension on the rear axle. Optically, however, they went completely separate way, although in both designs came from Pininfarina. The compact design of the Spider GTS appeared rather inconspicuous compared to the GTB with its long bonnet, fastback coupé roof, aerodynamic headlight covers and flatter windscreen. The GTS already anticipated the style of the later 330 GTC coupé from 1967. In the course of series production, the side air outlets behind the front wings were introduced on the GTS – initially with eleven slots, later with three. The bodies were always made of steel, but the doors and bonnets were made of aluminium. Pininfarina in Turin was also responsible for manufacturing the body of the GTS, while the bodies of the GTB were constructed by coachbuilder Scaglietti in Modena.

On the drive side, both 275s had a front engine based on the earlier Colombo engine and a 5-speed gearbox mounted on the rear axle according to the transaxle principle. The 12-cylinder V-engine with wet sump lubrication and one overhead camshaft had a displacement of 3,286 cc and produced 280 hp, although the GTS engine had 20 hp less. Due to the vehicle type as an open-top spider and the relevant target group, the GTS placed more emphasis on torque and flexibility than on maximum power, as was the case with the sporty and ambitious 275 GTB. The GTS engine was factory-fitted with three Weber twin carburettors of type 40 DCZ/6 or 40 DFI/1. The chassis of the 275 GTS and GTB featured an independent rear wheel suspension for the first time. This construction with wishbones of different lengths, coil springs on telescopic dampers and anti-roll bars was fitted to the front and rear axles. The 275 GTS was already a very exclusive car, even by Ferrari standards at the time. Only 200 examples of the GTS were built in just two years, while 455 of the GTB were manufactured at the same time. The subsequent 330 GTC was built in even 600 units.

This motor car

This Ferrari 275 GTS was completed at the Ferrari factory in Modena in December 1965. The original delivery colour scheme was "Grigio Argento" (silver-grey metallic, colour code 20265 A) with "Nuvola" leather interior (light blue, colour code VM 3015). Today, this sporty Spider has a typical Ferrari colour scheme in classic red with a black leather interior and soft top, which suits the sports car perfectly. According to Ferrari Classiche certificate (Red Book), the 275 GTS was delivered to its first owner Maurice De Toledo in Geneva in May 1966 via the Ferrari concessionaire 'Garage de Montchoisy' in Geneva, Switzerland. He apparently used the car extensively, as service and maintenance work at the Ferrari factory in Modena (Ferrari Factory Assistenza Clienti) is recorded for September 1966, June 1967 and October 1967, together with the respective mileage. At the last workshop visit, the odometer already showed a mileage of almost 29,900 kilometres after just one and a half years of delivery. A reasonable proof that such cars were intended to be driven and still are. In the late 1960s or early 1970s, the 275 GTS was exported to the USA and in 1973 belonged to an owner (name known) in East Greenwich, Connecticut, who offered it for sale in the newsletter of the Ferrari Club of America. According to the available documentation from the Massini Report, the car was in the hands of a new owner (name known) in Rochester, New York, from 1974. 

A good ten years later (1985/1986), the car is with another owner (name known) in Roscoe, New York, who offers it in the then well-known 'Ferrari Market Letter'. Based on the description in this advertisement, the Spider was still painted in silver-grey at the time, but had already been given a black interior. Later, the 275 GTS was painted in its current red colour and returned to Europe. As of 2000, it is with its penultimate owner (name unknown), an entrepreneur in Austria. Over the next few years, he regularly used the 275 Spider at classic car rallies, excursions and club events, including several times at the Ennstal Classic and Styria Rally. In connection with the registration in Austria, there is a corresponding individual authorisation notice from 2000. In 2007/2008, Ferrari Classiche carried out and approved a certification on behalf of this owner. In 2009 the Ferrari was then acquired by the current owner in Austria who kept it for the last 15 years. This Ferrari 275 GTS impresses above all with its high degree of originality, apart from the nice and classic but not original colour scheme. However, this could be refitted comparatively easily for the exterior paintwork. Much more important is the originality of the technical components that make up such a vehicle. According to the certification by Ferrari Classiche, the engine, chassis, bodywork and gearbox/differential have the corresponding identification of the delivery ("matching numbers"). The other components such as the three Weber twin carburettors and the Magneti Marelli ignition system are also correct.

The wheel suspensions on the front and rear axles with Koni shock absorbers and the brake system with Dunlop discs also correspond to the original specifications. Only the Borrani chrome-spoke rims fitted today deviate from the original, but are nevertheless contemporary and true to type. This is a rare opportunity for a very original Ferrari Spider from the 1960s with the sophisticated charm of the Dolce Vita. In addition, this sports car from Modena is extremely exclusive, even by Ferrari standards of its time, with only 200 examples manufactured in just over two years of construction.