'65 Ferrari 500 . . .

. . . Superfast series 1

(This is for you, Raj! . . . )

. . . at the RM Auction in Phoenix . . .

400 bhp, 4,962 cc V-12 engine with single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, three Weber twin-choke carburetors, four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with A-arms and coil springs, rigid rear axle with parallel trailing arms and semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 104.3"

- The seventh 500 Superfast out of only 36 units built
- Original left-hand drive, US-delivery example
- Stunning restoration of a matching-numbers car
- Beautifully presented in superb color combination

Introduced at Geneva in March 1964, the 500 Superfast represented the undisputed pinnacle in Ferrari ownership during the mid-1960s. While the V-12 of the 275 GTB produced about 300 hp, the 5.0-liter 500 Superfast produced 400 rated hp, was capable of nearly 175 mph and was produced in miniscule, ultra-exclusive numbers. The mighty 500 Superfast was priced to match at nearly double its “production” stable-mates. The list of owners included Ferrari’s wealthiest clients of the era: Principe Sadhruddin Aga Khan, Peter Livanos (later to own Aston Martin), Georges Filipinetti, the Shah of Iran and the famed comic actor Peter Sellers, to name but a few.

The 500 Superfast was a logical evolution not only of the 410/400 Superamerica but also the one-off “Superfast” styling/engineering exercise of previous years. The Tipo 208 V-12 engine was unique to this model. While sharing the bore-and-stroke dimensions of the Lampredi V-12, its basic construction, with detachable cylinder heads and pressed-in cylinder liners, was in fact more akin to the Gioacchino Colombo-derived motor. The 500 Superfast chassis utilized much of the basic Tipo 571 components and layout of the prior 330 2+2, and along with the same basic frame, wheelbase and front and rear track, the 500 Superfast also shared the front suspension pieces, brakes and shock absorbers of the 330 GT 2+2.

The sleek Pininfarina-designed and -built body was yet another example of the coachbuilder’s elegant and clean styling, with its bodylines unencumbered by excessive decoration. Aside from the choice of exterior finishes, variations during 500 Superfast production were remarkably few. According to acknowledged Ferrari marque expert Michael Sheehan, differences were limited to redesigned front-fender vents, changing from the earlier 11 louvers to a simpler three-louver arrangement, two cars were ordered new with covered headlamps, and several cars were ordered with an assist allowing the driver to open the passenger’s door without leaving the driver’s seat. In addition, one 500 Superfast was delivered with an additional set of front-mounted driving lights.

The 500 Superfast was a supercar in the truest modern sense of the word – at once powerful, beautiful and unbelievably expensive, yet perfectly suited to long-distance, luxurious, high-speed continental travel in the best GT tradition. Enhancing its cachet when new and even more so today, just 36 copies of the 500 Superfast were sold and delivered during the brief 28-month period spanning its introduction at Geneva and the delivery of the last car in 1967. According to Mr. Sheehan, the 500 Superfast “seems to have been aimed at the American and British markets, with 12 of 36 being delivered in the USA and eight R.H.D. cars and two L.H.D. cars going to England. Of the 36 cars built, two were destroyed in accidents, and all of the remaining 34 cars are accounted for today.”

Enthusiasts typically divide the production run of the 500 Superfast into two series, with the first 24 cars comprising Series I and the last 12 cars assigned to Series II. Generally speaking, Series II cars differed from those of the first series with their five-speed gearbox, suspended pedals, Borg and Beck clutches, power steering and other features, but as with all things Ferrari during the era, such distinctions are not always so cut and dry.

Chassis no. 5989 SF

The stunning Series I 500 Superfast offered here, chassis 5989 SF, is an original left-hand drive car and only the seventh example built. Its chassis frame entered the Carrozzeria Pininfarina plant in Torino on March 28, 1964, where it was assigned Pininfarina Job Number 99586. The car was completed by Pininfarina on January 12, 1965, finished in Azzurro (Azure/blue) 19278 M, with the original interior trimmed in Panno Blu Speciale. As an early-production 500 Superfast, it also featured the 11-louvered vent plates and circular Carello turn signal lamps.

It was shipped to the United States, where it was sold to first owner Ross W. Cortese, followed by one Mr. Porta. In 1976, 5989 SF was sold to John W. Mecom, Jr., the famed oil businessman and racing-team sponsor of Houston, Texas. It seems that at some point before October 1977, the car incurred front end damage, which was later repaired. In July 1978, the car was acquired by Robert Taylor of Burlingame, California, who sold it shortly thereafter to Peter and Mary Mathew of Redwood City, California. At the time, 5989 SF was reported as having traveled 22,400 miles. Mr. and Mrs. Mathew showed the car at the 1984 Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca, California and retained 5989 SF until at least the late 1990s.

In 2005, 5989 SF was acquired by Edward Hol of the San Francisco Bay area, who commissioned a chassis-up restoration by Steve Beckman of Costa Mesa, California. Restorative work included an exterior refinish in light blue metallic and an interior re-trim in oxblood leather hides – a stunning color combination. On November 27, 2007, 5989 SF was sold through brokers to movie director John Calley, a resident of both California and New York. In 2009, the car entered its current collection, a very highly respected assemblage of the finest motor cars.

Offered in virtually perfect condition throughout, this stunning Series I 500 Superfast is a rare and unique opportunity for the true connoisseur of the finest classic GT cars. These cars are rarely offered at public auction, and today, as when new, they remain one of Ferrari’s finest bespoke Gran Turismos. In the rarefied world of ultra-exclusive Ferrari ownership, the 500 Superfast stands virtually unrivalled as the company’s
crowning achievement in GT production.

To be auctioned on Friday, 21-Jan, 2011
Estimate: $900-1.1m

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCar...arID=r139&fc=0

Rick Kreiskott