A pair of Ferraris will be among the headline offerings at the Bonhams Quail Lodge 2015 auction, scheduled for Friday, August 14th on the grounds of the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California during the Monterey Classic Car Week.
Among the Ferrari consignments, the 1959 250 GT Competizione Alloy Berlinetta has to be the standout entry. Offered from an American collection, chassis number 1519 GT is one of the seven “interim” cars built. Created during the transitional period when Ferrari was evolving from the 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta to the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, Maranello produced seven cars that sat atop a LWB chassis but used a SWB body designed by Pinin Farina, hence the unofficial moniker “interim.”
All were built to full competition specification, which included a highly-tuned engine and drive train, outside fuel filler and a host of other upgrades. The coachwork on this car, the fifth of seven interims, was created by Scaglietti. The Ferrari Classiche-certified 1519 GT features a matching-numbers engine and original alloy body, with a recent restoration to its original Swiss racing livery by marque specialists.
Chassis 1519 GT has a well-documented history from new when it was delivered to Geneva in 1959 and raced in Europe that season, then fitted with factory-installed Dunlop disc brakes and sold in 1960 through Chinetti Motors where it continued to race in America. The period racing highlights included 3rd overall at the 1959 Tour de France, plus wins at Montlhery and Watkins Glen.
Fast forward to 2012 when the current owner sent 1519 GT to Ferrari SpA to have Vaccari e Bosi, the original chassis builder, restore the chassis, while Ferrari’s preferred restoration shop, Carozzeria Autosport Bachelli and Villa, undertook a comprehensive restoration of the body. The interior was completed by Tappezzeria Luppi while the engine was rebuilt by Diena and Silingardi, all of Modena. Upon completion of the restoration in 2014, 1519 GT went on to become an invited participant at events and rallies such as the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Cavallino Classic, Mar-a-Lago Concours d’Elegance and the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance (Estimate unavailable).
Additionally, a 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet by Vignale will be among the featured offerings at Bonhams’ 2015 Monterey Classic Car Week sale. The first of four models bodied by Vignale, the matching-numbers cabriolet – chassis number 0159E – has its Red Book Certification from Ferrari Classiche. It was comprehensively restored last year, supported by second place in the Ferrari class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours behind the Best of Show-winning Ferrari 375 MM.
With its aluminum alloy coachwork and Colombo V-12 engine, 0159E has a known history from new, including owned by Swiss collector Charles Grenaud for over three decades. It has been included in at least two published books, as well as various magazines. 0159E is accompanied by documentation, tools and period photographs (Estimate unavailable).
On top of the headline entries, Bonhams also consigned nine other Ferraris to the sale thus far. From 246s and 308s to 330s and 365s, the selection ranges from the 1950s to the 1990s, with examples including a 365 GT 2+2 sold new by Bill Harrah to Bobbie Gentry, a brace of Dinos – a GT and GTS, a pair of 308s – a GTB and GTS, a 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta and a F40, among others.
For more information, visit Bonhams.com/Quail.
[Source: Bonhams]
