Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype

In 1964, the Ferrari plant in Maranello produced the first copy of the Ferrari 275 GTB with chassis number 06003, painted in ‘Giallo Prototipo’ (Prototype Yellow). This prototype served as a car for testing purposes in the development department before the production started and also for developing the new V12 engine with 3.3 liters of displacement even further. For this it received not only the long nose bodywork over time, but also the transaxle transmission and an independent rear suspension. After several test drives were successfully completed, Ferrari sold the car in April 1965, only to get it back for servicing in November and used it for further tests with the permission of the owner. Overall, Ferrari used this 275 GTB for about 19,000 kilometers of testing.

Interestingly, the 275 GTB continued to be converted towards rallying during that time. The windshield got a third wiper, the front a radiator blind and a metal bar with additional headlights. Also, the hood received a modified form with two hoods and air outlets in front of the windscreen. On the rear axle Ferrari mounted a limited slip differential. Inside, a second mirror helps to more consideration. Why exactly these conversions were carried out can’t be said for sure anymore. Rumors say that the Ferrari race director Eugenio Dragoni and the managing director Ugo Gobbato wanted to see how the Ferrari 275 GTB would work in the rallying world. In 1966, the then only 30-year-old Giorgio Pianta and Roberto Lippi used the car with low support from the factory at the Rallye Monte Carlo. The rally organizers gave it the start number 43, which is still visible on the doors today.

Giorgio Pianta later became chief developer at Fiat and race director at Alfa Romeo, which of course added exciting experiences to his life story. And yet he remembers the use of this Ferrari 275 GTB at the Rallye Monte Carlo and recalls it as “the most beautiful memory of my life” (interview in ‘Ferrari World’ in 1991).

The entire history of the car with all owner changes is fully documented. Since 1994, the yellow sports car is part of a private collection in the USA and has not been seen publically since 25 years. Now the American auction house Gooding & Company offers the 275 GTB in Scottsdale and expects a hammer price between 6,000,000 and 8,000,000 US$.

Images: Gooding & Company, Archives Maurice Louche