Forty years ago, in 1964, when Ferrari presented the 275 GTB (Berlinetta) and 275 GTS (Spider), the era of the fabulous 250 GT models ended. It also meant the introduction of new technology in the road car design of the Modenese firm, with the adoption of a combined gearbox and differential or transaxle, together with independent rear suspension. The 275 GTB and GTS were the first road-going Ferraris which featured this new arrangement but naturally the Ferrari racing cars had used it for some time already and therefore gave credence to the old saying that racing improves the breed.

In 2004 the Ferrari factory choose to celebrate in style the 40th anniversary of these magnificent cars, the 275 GTB and GTS.The timeless elegance of this model and its many victories at such legendary races as Le Mans, the Targa Florio and the 1000 kms of Spa-Francorchamps and the design similarities to the legendary 250 GTO Series I are the reason why the 275 has such a devoted following. The Ferrari factory dedicated a special 275 Tour to those loyal owners. Aside from the celebrations for the marque’s 50th anniversary in 1997, the 275 Tour was the first event organised directly by the factory and the decision to stage this historic meeting was met with great enthusiasm. Thanks to the enormeous efforts of the factory’s Joanne Marshall and Angelo Amadesi the 275 Tour, held from 15 to 20 June 2004 in beautiful Tuscany, became a huge success.

The lucky owners of 275s know that hey have in their garages one of the last true dual-purpose cars: a racer bred for the track and an exclusive Grand Tourer, designed to effortlessly eat up the miles and cross continents in search of the finest pleasures in life. The 2004 factory tour was created around these two principles. Each day, the 275s explored the roads around Maranello and Tuscany, retracing the routes of the classic races of the 1960s, including the Vergato-Cereglio hillclimb, the Coppa del Chianti, the Coppa della Consuma, the Balze di Volterra hillclimb, and, of course, the Mugello road circuit which was one of the most spectacular races in the Manufacturer’s World Championship and the International GT Championship. Between the special stages some of Tuscany’s most extraordinary villas were opened for the guests. These included the homes of the Marchesi Lorenzo and Alessandra Niccolini di Camugliano in Camugliano, the Marchesi Vittorio and Bona Frescobaldi at the Castello di Nipozzano, the Marchesi Lorenzo and Sandra Ginori-Lisci in Querceto and the Franco and Boba Biondi-Santi family in Montalcino. The owners of these magnificent residences introduced themselves to the 275 Tour guests with some of their most exclusive wines and Tuscany’s most renowned dishes.

The exclusive spirit of the factory 275 Tour was underlined by the choice of Italy’s finest Renaissance art and architecture as backdrops to the evening receptions. The Corridoio Vasariano, which links the Palazzo Pitti and the Palazzo Vecchio, whose walls are adorned with Renaissance masterpieces, was especially opened for the 275 Tour guests. Palazzo Corsini, one of Florence’s most majestic buildings, hosted the gala dinner, while the splendid Gardens of the Palazzo Corsini sul Prato provided the setting for another truly sophisticated supper, al fresco this time. Last but not least, the 275 Tour participants stayed at the Grand Hotel on the Lugarno, overlooking the Piazza Ognissanti, right in the very heart of Florence’s old town centre, where the 275s were lined up in the most original exhibition that the Tuscan capital has ever hosted. It was a true masterpiece of style in the city of art.

Fiftyfive Ferrari 275s from all over the world participated in this super exclusive factory event. Among the special guests was also former Ferrari Formula One champion John Surtees from England. Lucky 275 owners from Thailand, Japan, Germany, Holland, Costa Rica, the USA, Poland, Hong Kong, Belgium, England, Singapore, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, Italy and Denmark had shipped their 275 GTB and GTS to Modena. One of the highlights was Preston Henn’s yellow ex-Ecurie Francorchamps 275 GTB Speciale, a fabulous racing car with an outstanding history. Preston bought that unique racer about 35 years ago, not knowing the provenance and history of the car. Another extraordinary 275 at the event was painted green. This was the famous “Del Rio green” four-cam, color featured in “Automobile Quarterly” in the fall of 1969. Daniel Del Rio, a New York investment banker with excellent connections to Luigi Chinetti and the Ferrari factory, had commissioned this GTB/4 in an unusual green color, without front bumpers and with an outside fuel filler cap. The car is still unrestored, extremely original and powerful and owned by a prominent Californian art connaisseur and Ferrari collector.

The event provided excellent opportunities to compare the various 275 models. Some had the original shortnose bodywork, others the later longnose. A few had the more sportier and lighter alloy body. Some came with outside fuel filler caps and some with RHD steering wheel position. Then there were the ones with the three carburetor set up, whereas others had the 6-carb arrangement. Only 12 competition 275 GTB/Cs were built and no fewer than four were seen during the 275 Tour. And there were also three of the open 275 GTS versions, of which one was the 1965 Paris motor show car still in its original color.

The factory press departement created a beautiful and most interesting tour program, an officially numbered brochure which provides not only historical background but also all the serial numbers of all 275s ever built (1005 units) plus information about the 275 racing history in national and international events.

Click here for a full list of participants

© Marcel Massini 25/06/04