MICHAEL WARE Former curator of the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. Send submissions to waremichael29@gmail.com
A highly significant ʻgarage-findʼ Ferrari crossed the block at Gooding & Companyʼs Amelia Island sale in Florida, USA, on 29 February-1 March. Originally Blu Chiaro with black Connolly leather – plus optional headrests and electric windows – the Ferrari 275GTB/4 was delivered new in 1967 to Ferrari agent Garage Italauto SA of Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, which was owned by famed racer Baron Toulo de Graffenried, winner of the British Grand Prix in 1949.
He in turn sold the Ferrari to racing driver Jo Siffert, who had made his name in Formula Junior before entering Formula One in 1963, yet was probably more famous for his sports car wins with Porsche. ʻSeppiʼ did not keep the Ferrari for long and passed it on to his business manager, Paul Blancpain. In 1968 he, too, sold the car, this time to a Zurich resident who immediately had it painted traditional Ferrari Rosso Corsa.
In 1972, chassis 09689 was exported to the USA and offered for sale by exotic-car specialist Ed Juristʼs Vintage Car Store in Nyack, New York State. It was bought for $12,800 by keen Ferrari Ownersʼ Club member Donald Millard Junior from Lincoln, Massachusetts, who used it sparingly. The car then dropped off the radar, its last certificate of inspection having been in 1988.
Since then, the super-desirable GT has been locked away in a quiet suburban garage, showing a mere 64,000km on the clock. In the same ownership for five decades, it now has an attractive patina – particularly to its interior, which remains original bar the addition of stereo speakers and a smaller-diameter 1970s steering wheel.
At Amelia Island, the great Ferrari was described as ʻin largely original, unrestored conditionʼ and said to possess ʻa timewarp appearance that is sure to appeal to discerning collectorsʼ. It sold for $2.65m against a $3-3.5m guide.
STORIED ROLLS REBORN
In the early 1980s, Canberra-based teacher Ian Irwin acquired the chassis and running gear of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, chassis 1404. This car was commissioned by Lord John Scott-Montagu, grandfather of the present Lord Montagu, with a Barker Roi des Belges body. It was delivered in 1910, r
