Bob Grossman was, by all accounts, the kind of person for whose hands a Ferrari steering wheel was intended. A veteran of World War II, his post-war life combined the artistry that Enzo Ferrari appreciated—Grossman was trained as a professional baritone and later enjoyed a successful side career as a watercolor artist—with the skill and tenacity on the track that he admired. After selling used cars for a few years to pay for his singing lessons, Grossman turned to sales full-time, and eventually, he began to race the cars his Nyack, New York, salesrooms handled. He most famously wielded Ferraris, becoming a well-known figure not only in SCCA racing in the United States, but also as one of the most successful privateers of the era at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving his own cars and favoring Ferraris, including a 5th overall finish in an alloy-bodied 250 GT California Spider in 1959.

Grossman’s vocation and avocation took him on many journeys to Europe, and it was on one such trip that, presumably while in Italy, he collected this 275 GTS, finished in Verde Scuro over Arancia (Dark Green over Orange).

This was an ideal car for a successful businessman and gentleman racer. Based upon the architecture of the legendary 275 GTB that cleaned up at race tracks during this decade, the GTS was no less exciting; it was described by Bruno Alfieri as being one of “the direct descendants—as always in the Ferrari tradition and spirit—of competition cars, and that made them unique, fascinating, and extremely enjoyable to drive.” Luxuriously trimmed for the drive to the office, and ferocious enough to run at the track, the Pininfarina-bodied convertible was powered by the latest 3.3-liter version of Ferrari’s proven “Colombo” V-12, redlining at 7,000 rpm and developing 260 brake horsepower, figures that could propel the steel and aluminum beauty from a standstill to 60 mph in just under seven seconds, and to a top speed in excess of 140 mph.

Such pleasure was offered to only 200 buyers in the GTS’s brief two-year production cycle, with the majority delivered to American customers, who, like Bob Grossman, seemed to like their 140 mph with wind in their hair. “Those who like driving,” Road & Track gushed, “owe themselves at least one of these.”

After apparently spending some time in the Grossman fleet, this 275 GTS was moved on and sold by a gentleman in Missouri to Lonney D. Getlin, of Pensacola, Florida. Between 1995 and 2000, it was restored to its present appearance, in the traditional colors of Rosso Corsa over tan leather, for then-owner Henry Miller; it was a four-year-long rebuild to a completely “new” appearance in all regards, performed by noted specialists Automotive Restorations, of Connecticut. Documentation accompanying the car includes invoices totaling over $70,000.

In 2003, the Ferrari was acquired by its present owner, a charter member and past president of the Ferrari Club of America, who is, needless to say, a long-time connoisseur of the finest products of Maranello. Of the 40 Ferraris that have passed through his hands over the years, including a 250 LM and 166 MM, he describes this car as being “the most enjoyable street Ferrari of them all.” While in his loving ownership, the car has been carefully maintained and looked after, as well as enthusiastically driven, participating in the Highland Classic rally in North Carolina and many times just taken out for weekend cruising. In January 2006, it was driven to the XV Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, where it was proudly parked in the paddock.

Equipped with an AM/FM radio and Borrani wire wheels, the car is offered with a partial set of original tools and a parts book, as well as with the aforementioned restoration documentation and ownership history assembled by the owner.

This is an ideal dual-purpose Ferrari that is as suitable for summer drives on Long Island, or whisking its way through the mountains, as it is for springtime jaunts across France, with only a passenger, a pair of suitcases, and the snarl of the V-12 as good company. Those who like driving owe themselves the opportunity. It was true then, and it is true today. Bob Grossman would no doubt agree.