When Ferrari introduced the 250 GT Coupe at the 1958 Paris Motor Show, the marque signaled their first and most decisive step toward true series production. On this new coupe, Pinin Farina coachwork replaced the Boano- and Ellena-built cars of years previous. Most importantly, the 250 GT delivered exactly what the market desired and cemented Ferrari’s managerial fortitude to continue volume production—with 353 produced between 1958 and 1960, the 250 GT was the marque’s best-selling product. A gentleman’s Ferrari in every sense, the 250 GT is the definitive Italian grand tourer of the late 1950s. More at home cruising the coastline of the South of France than rocketing down the Mulsanne Straight, these cars were built for the individual that respected Ferrari’s racing pedigree yet wanted something more civilized and comfortable than its racing counterparts.

Under the hood was Ferrari’s renowned 3.0-liter Colombo “inside-plug” V-12, producing 240 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and topped with three twin-choke Weber carburetors. Developed in the crucible of motorsport, this engine provided the coupe with a top speed just shy of 150 mph, and it could reach 60 mph in seven seconds—impressive for a car of its class and faster than many comparable offerings from Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Maserati.

Chassis number 1391 GT, the 168th example constructed, was completed in the summer of 1959. Destined for the United States, it originally wore a Bianco finish over Blu similpelle (leatherette) and Connolly leather upholstery. After arriving in America, 1391 was sold to its first owner, legendary racing driver and Ferrari dealer, John von Neumann of Los Angeles. Well-known for his extensive stable, von Neumann would own the car for mere months before selling to an unknown buyer that same year.

For the next two decades, 1391 GT passed through a series of owners before being acquired by Chicago-area resident Charles Klingler in 1975. Klingler periodically used it as a daily driver before taking the car apart with the intention of conducting a full restoration. Unfortunately, the restoration never came to fruition, and 1391 GT was acquired in a disassembled state by the consignor in 2012.

The consignor then commissioned Skip McCabe of McCabe Automotive Restoration in Mundelein, Illinois to perform a full, concours-level restoration. Well-known in automotive circles for their work tending to the most hallowed Ferraris, including Ingrid Bergman’s one-off 375 MM coupe, McCabe and his team began by spending nearly 500 hours stripping the body to bare metal and completing various metallurgical repairs to ensure an absolutely straight product before beginning the painting and reassembly process. John Hajduk of Motor Kraft in Noblesville, Indiana fully disassembled and rebuilt the engine using parts purchased directly from marque experts GTO Engineering of Berkshire, United Kingdom.

The lauded period Ferrari color of Blu Genziana (MM 16229) was chosen to accentuate both Pinin Farina’s design and McCabe’s craftsmanship, while correct tan leather hides were sourced from HVL Class Leather in the Netherlands. After the restoration’s completion in 2019, the master mechanics at Continental Auto Sports of Hinsdale, Illinois used Ferrari Cavallino judging sheets to make minor adjustments and bring the car in line with Ferrari Club of America platinum-level standards. Scores of accompanying invoices detail thousands of hours in labor and over $330,000 spent bringing 1391 GT to the exquisite condition it is presented in today. It is important to note that this car is equipped with a Lucas ignition system, rather than the typical Magneti Marelli unit; it is believed only a handful of 250 GT Coupes were equipped with this system, which has been known for its superior functionality on Columbo engines.

Among its numerous displays, 1391 GT has been shown at the 2019 Ferrari Club of America National Concours in Scottsdale, Arizona as well as the 2020 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic in Palm Beach, Florida.

Now showing only test mileage since its concours-quality restoration and benefitting from enthusiast ownership, this numbers-matching-engine example surely ranks among the most exquisite 250 GT Coupes in existence.