Premiering alongside the 275 GTB at the 1964 Paris Auto Show, the casual onlooker might have considered the 275 GTS and its coupe sibling to be completely different automobiles. Yet, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Both cars looked completely different, but underneath they bore similar 3.3-liter Colombo V-12s, chassis, and suspensions. This new spider, the replacement for the 250 GT Series II Cabriolet, was clearly intended for the American market, its warmer climates in particular, where the attractiveness and marketability of a high-performance grand touring cabriolet had long been established.

While the 275 GTS and GTB share the same base nomenclature and underpinnings, the differences are mostly cosmetic. The 275 GTB was often considered to be the more aggressive of the two, while the GTS was thought by many to be better suited for grand touring duty; although, with a top speed of in excess of 140 mph, it was certainly no slouch. Supporting this claim is the fact that the 275 GTS was equipped with less heavily bolstered seats than the GTB, but it was still beautifully trimmed in Connolly leather. Both bodies were also constructed in different locations, with the GTB being constructed in Modena at Scaglietti’s facilities and the GTS being produced at Pininfarina in Turin. However, just 200 GTS models were constructed, with the majority being sent to the United States, making them far more scarce than their berlinetta siblings.

According to noted Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, this 1966 275 GTS, chassis number 08353, was delivered new to Luigi Chinetti Motors in late 1965. Nineteen sixty-six would prove to be the last year of production for the model, and this would be the fifth from last 275 GTS ever constructed.

The Ferrari was delivered wearing Grigio Fumo (18944 M) paintwork over a Nero Franzi leather interior. Grigio Fumo, best described as a smoke grey, is truly a stunning color, as it is elegant yet menacing at the same time. The color was seen on earlier Enzo era Ferraris, and it became increasingly rarer over time. It is believed that this 275 GTS is the only example painted in this shade, which was not a standard factory offering.

This car was the recipient of a full concours-level restoration by a host of industry experts, and correct factory parts were sourced for all components that needed replacement, down to the factory-correct headlight lenses; the restoration concluded in October 2013. The body was stripped down to bare metal and repainted in its original color by Empire Auto Restorations in Sand City, California, who also took the time to photograph every step of the process, recording the car’s condition both before and after the car left their facilities. The car received new carpeting throughout the interior and trunk; all of the chrome has been triple-plated, to bring it to better-than-new condition; and all five of the wheels were sent to Borrani U.S.A. to be refinished and fitted with period-correct Michelin XWX tires. The restoration was concluded with a full service done by the Ferrari specialists at Coppa Bella Motors in Seaside, California. Leak-down and compression tests that were performed on the engine at that time confirmed that everything is in excellent running order.

Documentation includes receipts from the current restoration and from Symbolic Motors in La Jolla, California, from August 2006 to December 2008, a certificate of origin from Ferrari, U.S. Customs importation papers, and shipping receipts, which list Luigi Chinetti Motors as the importer in 1966. The car will also be accompanied by its original tool bag, as well as by a complete set of service and owner’s manuals.

This is a gorgeous automobile that combines the best aspects of grand touring luxury and Italian brawn. It is fresh from a full restoration, in its striking and scarce original color, and it will surely garner lots of attention on the concours lawn or the open road, catching the eye of anyone with an affinity for Ferraris of this vintage.