Chassis Number: 1749GT
{vsig}1998-12_1580{/vsig}
By the time the 250 PF Coupe arrived in 1959, Ferrari had refined its road models and, every year, the 250 improved as a practical car. It retained, however, the sporting heritage and the broad outline of the sports racing cars from which it derived. The 250 PF was not a cousin to the 250 Testa Rossa; it was its sister. The 250 GT chassis was the model on which the leading Italian coachbuilders competed for Ferrari’s attention and the clear winner was Pininfarina. From the PF Coupe on, Pininfarina would be Ferrari’s favoured stylist and the bodies that the studio provided would contribute to the Ferrari legend. By 1960, the PF Coupe had acquired disc brakes on the front wheels and the wheels themselves were the sublime wire-spoked creations made by Borrani. The car shown here, an elegant two-seat coupe with a Pininfarina body, was delivered new to California and it spent the next 30 years in America. In 1990 it was imported to Italy by the vendor who entrusted it to world-renowned specialist Dino Cognolato for a ground-up restoration with no expense spared. Bills are available to support the vendor’s testimony that no detail was overlooked. The car has been completely rewired, the engine, transmission and suspension totally rebuilt, the coachwork restored from bare metal and the interior retrimmed. Presented in the original Nero Tropicale with a light tan leather interior and beige carpets, it is in all-round ‘concours’ condition. This exceptional example of a wonderful motor car has covered only 2,500 kms since its rebuild and is offered with factory tool kit.

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Detailing

Vehicle:1960 Ferrari 250 GT PF coupe

The car pictured sold for $76,407 at Brooks Europe’s auction in Paris on September 7, 1998. (The price includes Brooks’ buyers commission and is converted at the rate of U.S. $0.16 per French franc.) The first “production” cars built by Ferrari were these PF Coupes. About 350 of them were sold from 1958 to 1962. Their prices used to trail well behind other Ferraris with V12 engines in the front. However, in recent years they have experienced a remarkable recovery. Even so, this sale price is strong for today’s market. Nicely restored coupes such as this one might be expected to sell for $50-60,000. Even considering the expense of restoration, the seller got as much from this sale as could be expected.

Pininfarina coupes from 1960-62 were much better cars than the 1958-59 editions. They had overdrive, four-wheel disc brakes, telescopic shock absorbers, and redesigned cylinder heads.

Not a race car, this is a luxurious Grand Touring machine, intended to be used as a daily driver. PF coupes continue to be in demand among buyers, and are regarded as a good investment. – Michael Duffey

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