Vintage Ferraris. The stuff dreams are made of, right? While I find folks my age (early 30s) swooning over the latest and greatest in sports car technology, there’s a simple elegance to cars such as this 250GTE for sale in Pennsylvania that have me gravitating towards them. This particular car was restored in the 1990s and has a detailed ownership history, with a large part of its life having existed on in the Northwest.
We are pleased to offer 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series III s/n 4585, the 809th of 955 GTEs built and the last of the 250 series Ferraris. A user-friendly Enzo-era Ferrari, 250 GTE s/n 4585 is an amazing survivor, finished in a very nice dark red (Original Rosso-Red) on an excellent body with older but excellent patina black leather over red carpets.
The Series III 250 GTEs feature the distinctive Cibie fog lights flared into the front lower body, one piece tail lights and the later, pressure cast cylinder heads with an improved valve angle and larger valves for more power. Has the original Cibie headlights and fog lights. In the Seattle area since the 1960s, 250 GTE s/n 4585 has a well-documented ownership history. Owned and restored by a wealthy and eccentric engineer in the late 1980s. Little used since and in storage for much of the last decade before coming to us from an estate-sale. The engine compartment has been gone through and detailed, showing extremely nice, the undercarriage is rust free (Washington/California car) with no previous damage. Recent freshening and Servicing, see details below...
250 GTE 2+2 Series III s/n 4585 has recently completed a detailed inspection & servicing by Symbolic Motors, San Diego, CA.
The engine compartment was cleaned, the old fuel was drained and all fluids were flushed including new engine oil, new oil filters, new fuel filters, new gear oil, new coolant and gas. The cylinders were bore-scoped and inspected. The Webers were removed, rebuilt and re-installed with new carb kits and flexible fuel lines. A new battery and new heater hose were installed. The master cylinder, the booster and all four calipers were rebuilt plus a new brake light switch, new front and rear brake pads and new rubber brake hoses were installed and all four brake rotors were re-machined. The front wheel bearings were cleaned and re-packed. The brake rotor centers and calipers were painted. Four new track rod bushings, a new drive shaft U-joint and a new rubber donut, a new tie rod end and a new transmission rubber mount were fitted. The transmission was removed and re-installed with a rebuilt clutch disc, a new throw out bearing and a new rear main seal.
The door handles came off and were polished. Five new Dunlop SP50 205 tires and tubes (including the spare) were installed. The Borrani wire wheels were polished and balanced. The rebuilt Webers are nicely synchronized and adjusted. Total invoices are $18,000. Copies of the service invoices and Dunlop tires are with the car.
The ownership and recent service are well documented and 250 GTE s/n 4585 is a joy to drive and ready to go. Nicely detailed cosmetics, including newly re-chromed Front and Rear bumpers and tail light trim, an additional $3k spent. The gearbox shifts smoothly, up and down, even when cold. The overdrive works well and shifts into and out of overdrive instantly and is complemented by new brakes and a suspension with everything working well. No smoke, minimal oil leak issues, great oil pressure. We reserve the right to end auction early, as it is available internationally.
MASSINI REPORT:
S/n 4585. 250 GTE 2+2 Series 3. Pininfarina Body no. 68506. Engine tipo 128/F. Chassis tipo 508/63. 1963 build date. 809th GTE built (including prototypes), the 155th Series III built of 955 cars in total. The Series III 250 GTE begin with chassis number 4093 and had the bigger heads and valves.
Destination: Italauto, Italy.
1960s, late, with John Keleher, Seattle, WA.
1976, to Dick Thimen, Seattle, WA.
1985, January, with Sam J. Allotta, a Lawyer, Tacoma, WA.
1990s, with Conner Malot, Spokane, WA. He also owned a 308, two 330 GTCs, a 275 GTB/4 and multiple other Ferraris. 250 GTE s/n 4585 was repainted and mechanically restored by Dennis Luckey, Spokane, WA.
sold to Dione Bishop, Spokane, WA, 99201.
2003–2013, in storage in Spokane, WA.
2013, 01 Feb., owner deceased and 250 GTE s/n 4585 was offered to Ferrari of Seattle. Brakes are stuck, tires are old, battery is bad, etc.
2013, February–March, serviced by Bill Pearson and Jason Lemberg, Symbolic Motors, 11455 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92121. Detailed pre-sale inspection. Degreased engine and under car. Drained old fuel. Flushed all fluids including filled with new engine oil, new oil filters, new fuel filter, new gear oil, coolant and gas. Removed, cleaned and regapped all 12 spark plugs. Bore scope inspected and photographed cylinders. New fuel line, new carb kits, removed, rebuilt and reinstalled Webers. New heater hose. Fitted new battery. Rebuilt brakes including rebuild of all four calipers, rebuilt master cylinder, new brake light switch, new front and rear brake pads, new brake rubber hoses, turned all four brake rotors. Cleaned and packed front wheel bearings. Painted brake rotor centers and calipers. Fitted four new track rod bushings, installed new drive shaft rubber donut, installed new tie rod end and transmission rubber mount, removed and reinstalled transmission, rebuilt clutch disc. Removed and refitted door handles, polished both handles. Installed four new Dunlop SP50 205 tires and tubes, balanced wheels. Total invoices $18,000.
These GTEs always strike me as interesting Ferraris. They have a bit of touring grace a'la Aston Martin or Bentley versus the more racy stuff we normally relate the manufacturer with. Around $225,000 to $275,000 is about the sweet spot for GTEs in good nick these days, so I'd suspect this one to fall somewhere within the range. The best of the best would bring a little over $300,000.
