Springer Automotive Restoration
Chris Springer (408) 857-2088
Chris Springer (408) 857-2088
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S/N 07871. It wears the early short nose body configuration. The interior is mostly like that of the long nose cars. For example, it has the
larger footwell and top hung pedals associated with the later cars. The dash and trim are also like that of the long nose cars, with a
woodgrain instrument panel, later style heater controls, rear parcel shelf, etc.
S/N 07871 was delivered new by Rezzaghi Motors in San Francisco, California. The original owner, Dunstan S. Gross, specified European
delivery, and presumably enjoyed a European holiday before returning home with his wonderful new Ferrari. Finished in Azurro Blue with a
cognac interior, it was also equipped with the special order six carburetor setup.
The Ferrari remained in Gross's hands until he passed away in 1984-at which point his family sold the car, now with just 41,000 miles, to
Pete Van Dyke of Los Gatos, California. The vendor, an avid Ferrari enthusiast from the Bay Area, accquired the car from Van Dyke in June
of 1986, and has kept it ever since. It is interesting to note that this car has spent its entire life within a fifty mile radius of San Francisco-one
of the most benevolent automotive climates in the world.
Shortly after acquiring the car the vendor undertook a comprehensive restoration. The original engine, which was running well but
beginning to smoke, was completely disassembled and rebuilt by specialist Alec Giamo.
We handled the body work, and the car was first stripped to bare metal. It was discovered that the original body panels remained as new,
with no rust or collision damage. Noted restorer Chris Springer (Springer Auto Restoration) spent over 800 hours in the paint and body
work to satisfy the vendor, a very demanding individual.
New matching leather was used to reupholster the seats, and the footpads were recovered, although the balance of the interior remains
original and near perfect, including carpets, headliner, and dash. Later, in 2001, the suspension was completely restored and detailed to
concours condition. The car has been fitted with 275 GTB/C competition-style outside laced Borrani wire wheels for the owner's personal
enjoyment. The only other concession from originality is the installation of a custom made Tubi exhaust.
Today, the car remains in excellent condition. The vendor-a former chief judge for the Ferrari Club of America's 275 GTB class-has
thoroughly enjoyed driving the car. He reports that the engine starts easily and idles smoothly, as a result of careful tuning.
At the same time, the vendor has fastidiously maintained the car, with careful cleaning and detailing after each drive to maintain its
concours condition. Even now, twenty years after it was painted, the exterior remains near perfect. The vendor continued to show the car
until the mid 1990s, when it consistently scored 96 to 98 points, consistently winning first and second places.
As a piece of Ferrari history, S/N 07871 offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of boutique production, where coach building is more of
an art than a science. It is arguably the ideal 275, a result of its unique combination of features.
(LOT #430)
This car sold for $1,012,000 at the 2008 RM Auction: Sports and Classics of Monterey in Monterey, California on August 16th, 2008.
larger footwell and top hung pedals associated with the later cars. The dash and trim are also like that of the long nose cars, with a
woodgrain instrument panel, later style heater controls, rear parcel shelf, etc.
S/N 07871 was delivered new by Rezzaghi Motors in San Francisco, California. The original owner, Dunstan S. Gross, specified European
delivery, and presumably enjoyed a European holiday before returning home with his wonderful new Ferrari. Finished in Azurro Blue with a
cognac interior, it was also equipped with the special order six carburetor setup.
The Ferrari remained in Gross's hands until he passed away in 1984-at which point his family sold the car, now with just 41,000 miles, to
Pete Van Dyke of Los Gatos, California. The vendor, an avid Ferrari enthusiast from the Bay Area, accquired the car from Van Dyke in June
of 1986, and has kept it ever since. It is interesting to note that this car has spent its entire life within a fifty mile radius of San Francisco-one
of the most benevolent automotive climates in the world.
Shortly after acquiring the car the vendor undertook a comprehensive restoration. The original engine, which was running well but
beginning to smoke, was completely disassembled and rebuilt by specialist Alec Giamo.
We handled the body work, and the car was first stripped to bare metal. It was discovered that the original body panels remained as new,
with no rust or collision damage. Noted restorer Chris Springer (Springer Auto Restoration) spent over 800 hours in the paint and body
work to satisfy the vendor, a very demanding individual.
New matching leather was used to reupholster the seats, and the footpads were recovered, although the balance of the interior remains
original and near perfect, including carpets, headliner, and dash. Later, in 2001, the suspension was completely restored and detailed to
concours condition. The car has been fitted with 275 GTB/C competition-style outside laced Borrani wire wheels for the owner's personal
enjoyment. The only other concession from originality is the installation of a custom made Tubi exhaust.
Today, the car remains in excellent condition. The vendor-a former chief judge for the Ferrari Club of America's 275 GTB class-has
thoroughly enjoyed driving the car. He reports that the engine starts easily and idles smoothly, as a result of careful tuning.
At the same time, the vendor has fastidiously maintained the car, with careful cleaning and detailing after each drive to maintain its
concours condition. Even now, twenty years after it was painted, the exterior remains near perfect. The vendor continued to show the car
until the mid 1990s, when it consistently scored 96 to 98 points, consistently winning first and second places.
As a piece of Ferrari history, S/N 07871 offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of boutique production, where coach building is more of
an art than a science. It is arguably the ideal 275, a result of its unique combination of features.
(LOT #430)
This car sold for $1,012,000 at the 2008 RM Auction: Sports and Classics of Monterey in Monterey, California on August 16th, 2008.
1965 Ferrari 275GTB/6C Berlinetta