Much has been written about the Ferrari 250 lineage and how, as the Maranello marque’s first real foray into proper series-production, it represented something of a concession to reality on the part of Enzo Ferrari—who realized that healthy road car sales would be required to fund his racing dreams. This is, naturally, only part of the story.

It is true that the Pininfarina-bodied 250 GT Coupe and Cabriolet were more standardized, more practical, and built in higher numbers than the Ferraris that came before. But they were also, simply, wonderful automobiles, eagerly sought-after by those who had the means when new and treasured by tifosi today. The 250 GT Cabriolet in particular had all the makings of an instant classic: The perfect proportions and clean, taught lines of Pininfarina’s bodywork would never go out of style; a tractable chassis and a well-trimmed cabin provided comfort for driver and passenger; and the V-12 up front served up a glorious soundtrack on journeys both short and long.

Pininfarina’s first-series 250 GT Cabriolet arrived in 1957, but it was built in relatively limited quantities. A second-series cabriolet debuted at the 1959 Paris Motor Show and showcased a number of stylistic and mechanical updates over its predecessor. Visually, these cars featured open headlamps with a slightly more rounded nose and rear fenders with elongated tail-lamp lenses. Slightly more interior space was added to provide both the driver and passenger with more comfort, and the trunk was made somewhat larger as well.

With the Series II, Ferrari also took the opportunity to improve the overall driving experience. In addition to all-wheel disc brakes, Ferrari installed its latest iteration of the Colombo V-12 engine, designated type 128F. The spark plugs were relocated to the V-12’s outside surfaces (rather than in between the V as in prior iterations), and the coil valve springs were substituted for hairpins. This new architecture allowed for more head studs per cylinder and non-siamesed porting. This resulted in a better breathing engine with improved torque and reliability. To boot, the 128F also facilitated far easier and quicker changing of the plugs, to the enduring relief of both mechanics and owners alike.

By the end of production in mid-1962, 200 examples of the 250 GT Cabriolet Series II had been constructed, far outselling the first series of 250 GT Cabriolets—yet this relatively small production number meant these Ferraris remained the purview of the elite, seen only in the world’s most exclusive enclaves.

THE GOLD STANDARD

The 157th of 200 Series II cabriolets produced, according to a report by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, chassis number 3091 GT was completed on 3 January 1962. Destined for the United States market, it sported instrumentation in miles. The Ferrari was finished in Oro Longchamps (Longchamps Gold) over a Naturale Connolly leather and vinyl interior, a very subtle yet attractive combination rarely seen today. Only four 250 GT Cabriolet Series II examples were originally finished in this livery. It is also equipped with a factory hardtop, further enhancing its rarity.

Chassis 3091 GT was delivered to its first owner, a Mr. Chalik, via the famous Luigi Chinetti Motors of New York City in 1962. Its subsequent history is unknown until early 1985 when it was offered for sale in a Los Angeles Times classified; in addition to a move to the West Coast, the Ferrari had been repainted red, and its interior retrimmed in cream (its dashboard, however, was apparently left in the original Oro). A second classified that year indicated that it was owned by a resident of Anaheim, California, and recorded its mileage as 38,000.

In 1992, the car was reportedly cosmetically restored by Chris DeBruine of The Works Auto Body in Santa Clara, California, in red over a new tan leather interior with a black soft-top. New Borrani wire wheels were fitted as a part of this refurbishment. Shown at the fifth annual Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance in Edgemont, Pennsylvania, in 2001, it was offered for sale the following year by noted Pennsylvania-based collector and dealer, Eddie Karam, and eventually found a home in Englewood, New Jersey.

In 2016, this owner would begin a total restoration of the cabriolet back to its original livery. Danny Bell of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was enlisted to fully strip and refinish the Pininfarina bodywork in its factory-correct Oro Longchamps, while Johann Merhoffer retrimmed the interior. Work was completed in 2019, and in 2020, Paul Russell and Company was tasked with rebuilding the engine, gearbox, and overdrive, as well as performing work on the brake system and suspension and resealing the steering box.

The Ferrari was acquired by the present consignor in 2022. He soon sought to bring the car to an even higher standard, and submitted it to Prancing Horse of Nashville, Tennessee, for over $61,000 in service, tuning, and adjustment work, including the replacement of gaskets to correct fluid leaks; service to the car’s electrical system; adjustment of the convertible top and window seals; and various cosmetic improvements to burnish its previous complete restoration. It is now offered with tools and jack, as well as the sought-after factory hardtop—a feature that, when equipped, provides the open-top tourer with a distinctly different visual feel and driving character. In his care, it was submitted for Ferrari Classiche certification. As the accompanying Red Book issued in December 2024 confirms, it retains its numbers-matching engine, gearbox, and rear axle.

Considered among the most elegant of Ferrari’s open-top tourers, the 250 GT Cabriolet Series II is equally enjoyable on long coastal roads as it is winding through hillside switchbacks. Chassis 3091 GT, wearing its rare and factory-correct Oro Longchamps over Naturale, accompanied by a factory hardtop and tool kit, and certified by Ferrari Classiche in 2024, now offers a new owner the opportunity to experience a landmark Prancing Horse.