Ferrari 275 GTS (1965)

The 275 GTS was launched alongside the 275 GTB in October 1964 at the Paris Salon, the GTS was an overdue replacement for Ferrari's Series II 250 GT PF Cabriolet that had ceased production back in 1962. Producing 280bhp, the GTS was still a formidable performer. With its top speed of 147mph and 0-60 requiring just 6.6 seconds, little else could match it as a great all-rounder due to its excellent chassis shared with the GTB, independent suspension all round, a silky smooth yet powerful and torquey 3.3 Litre V12, disc brakes all round and of course a 5 speed transaxle to match. These attributes, especially the 5 speed gearbox, make a 275 GTS a delight to own and enjoy in the modern environment.
This LHD GTS was completed in April 1965 and delivered new to official Ferrari dealer Charles Rezzaghi & Co of San Francisco, USA. Specified in the elegant combination of Rosso Cina over a Nero Franzi Hide interior, it was soon after sold to its first private owner located in San Francisco. In 1972, Mr Dan Clements of San Diego purchased the car. It was later advertised in early 1979 with circa 52,000 Miles in the Los Angeles Times by Ferrari of San Diego as Rosso with Nero interior and was sold to Mr Terry L. Kramer of Hawaii.
In Mr Kramer's careful ownership, approximately 5,000 Miles were covered before being sold in 1986 to Mr John R. Conely an investment advisor in Sherman Oaks. In May of the same year after a complete rebuild of the suspension, shocks, brakes and a small amount of paint correction it was advertised for sale in the Ferrari Market letter with the previously listed work as well as noting "has rare hard top" for $47,000.
In the late 1980's David C Nelson, a long standing collector of the most fine Ferraris and good friend to DK Engineering, purchased the car. David had the car shipped to Italy in the early 1990's where it was totally restored and when it returned to the USA it was campaigned the car in a number of shows receiving several awards including 2nd In Class at the FCA National Concours, Washington. David later sold the 275 in 1992 and it ended up with Dr Leonard Riggs.
Mr Riggs also campaigned the car at a number of Concours events including the 1993 Annual Vintage Ferrari Concours in Monterey, placing 2nd In Class, and at the 1994 International Ferrari Concours d'Elegance in Monterey. Some years later Leonard Riggs sold the car to Mr Robert L. Jenkins a resident in Grenada; after a few more years passed he decided to initiate a cosmetic and mechanical restoration which was completed by Texas based Bob Smith Coachworks, following which it was debuted at the 9th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in 2004.
Despite only having covered 3,000 miles since its original restoration in the early 90's it was decided in 2010 that Ferrari of Houston should carry out a comprehensive engine rebuild on the car as well as a host of additional work including a re-commission of the fuel system, a replacement clutch and flywheel, 4 new tyres and wheel alignment. The bills for this totalled nearly $50,000.
Since said work the car has remarkably covered under 1,000 Miles, most of which have been added to the car during 2017 by DK themselves by means of a tour departing from South Los Angeles and concluding in Monterey for the 2017 Pebble Beach car week festivites; and then more recently a tour from Montreal to New York. During DK's tenure the car has been treated to a full suspension rebuild, major service and a full renewal of the soft top. All of said work totalling approximately $20,000.
The car has been fanatically maintained in recent years and is offered in a "needs nothing" condition equally well suited to driving or returning to the show field. This car represents an opportunity to acquire a wonderful example of what is a fast appreciating, undeniably pretty and very competent GTS Ferrari from the golden mid-sixties era of Ferrari history.