Description:

1963 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series III 'Le Mans Safety Car' by Pininfarina

Offered Without Reserve.

€550,000 - €650,000 EUR $600,000 - $700,000 USD

£470,000 - £550,000 GBP CHF600,000 - CHF700,000

Chassis No.4155

Engine No.4155

Gearbox No.41/63

Body No.68387

Rear Axle No. 38/63

Documents: French Certificat d’Immatriculation

To be offered on Friday, 9 June 2023. For details on how to bid please follow the link below.

• The official safety car of the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Believed to be the only surviving Ferrari Le Mans safety car from the 1960s 
• Starred in the 1963 French comedy film, Pouic-Pouic
• Features period accessories fitted by coachbuilder Henri Chapron specifically for Le Mans
• Still wearing its factory-correct colour combination of Blu Sera over a Grigio leather interior
• Currently being inspected by Ferrari Classiche prior to undergoing certification; retains its matching-numbers body, chassis, engine, gearbox, and rear axle according to factory data
• One of the most fascinating Ferrari 250 GTEs in existence
• Comprehensive French ownership history from new; one owner from 1970 to 2017, and accompanied by history file containing important period documents

In 1960, Ferrari unveiled a new “2+2” version of its hallowed 250 model at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dubbed the 250 GTE 2+2, this luxurious grand tourer was significant for being the first four-seat Ferrari produced on a large scale. It was powered by an all-new 3.0-litre Colombo V-12, a constant in each of the three series built between 1960 and 1963.

Leaving Maranello on 30 January 1963, chassis 4155—the 20th Series III built—sported Blu Sera paintwork over a Grigio leather interior. This 250 GTE was delivered new to Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd (FBA) in Paris, and was swiftly despatched to coachbuilder Henri Chapron on 11 March 1963 to be fitted with crests, flag stands, lighting, and various other modifications. Chapron and FBA period invoices on file provide a fascinating insight to the various modifications made, and state this 250 GTE was commissioned to be a safety car for the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans. On 12 March, FBA registered this Ferrari, receiving the Parisian registration “1963 NK 75”.

Arriving at Le Mans, chassis 4155 began its job as the official safety car for the iconic endurance race. On 15 and 16 June, FBA proprietor Donald Sleator drove this Ferrari, and was a marshal during the event. On file are period photographs and video footage of chassis 4155 in action. Following Le Mans, this 250 GTE starred in the French film, Pouic-Pouic, still sporting its Chapron fixtures. After filming, FBA prepared chassis 4155 for sale, and in August 1963, Guy Verrechia acquired the car. In 1964, the official Ferrari concessionaire, Charles Pozzi, purchased this Ferrari and used it over the next 12 months. As evidenced in numerous invoices, a significant sum was spent on maintenance during Pozzi’s ownership. Chassis 4155 was later sold to Pierre Foujean in May 1965.

Five years later, Christian Fifis acquired this Ferrari, then with 57,000 kilometres on its odometer. He would cherish and preserve this significant French-delivered Ferrari over a period of nearly 50 years, before passing away. The car then sat for two decades, and the consigning owner acquired chassis 4155 in 2017. They then spent in excess of €12,000 recommissioning the car with FB Motors of Haute-Savoie, France, with the odometer at this stage reading 63,219 kilometres. The consigning owner undertook detailed research on the history of this car, exercising great care to preserve period components during the recommissioning. In 2018, Sleator was reunited with chassis 4155, having driven the car at Le Mans some 55 years prior. This reunion is documented with period images in Cyrille Jaquinot’s book, Ferrari & Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd.

Today, this stunning Ferrari still sports its factory-correct Blu Sera paintwork, and well-preserved Grigio leather interior, alongside the all-important Chapron-style fixtures. This example is accompanied by a fascinating history file, Ferrari leather folio, Use and Maintenance manual, tool roll, and period invoices from 1963 to 1970. Retaining its matching-numbers body, chassis, engine, and gearbox, this Ferrari is being inspected by Ferrari Classiche prior to undergoing certification at the time of cataloguing.

An extremely important Ferrari with its own significant place in French racing history, chassis 4155 is a time-warp example of Ferrari’s 1960s 2+2 that has stayed in French ownership since it was new. It presents a wonderful and unique opportunity for discerning collectors.

To be offered on Friday, 9 June 2023. For details on how to bid please follow the link below.

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