The 250 GT SWB and LWB, although being high-end cars, are not uncommon in the private market and at auction. The Pinnacle Portfolio includes one of each : an LWB California Spider and the SWB which is the subject of this post.
The choice of this SWB previously known through its participation in some Concours d'Elegance was clever. Despite a very good history in competition, it never had a major incident or a clumsy restoration and could be a great candidate to be restored according to the latest and best available know how.
A market survey conducted by the Pinnacle Portfolio owner led to entrust this painstaking work to Wayne Obry and his Motion Products Inc company in Neenah WI. Obry shares his secret on the website of his company : with an experience of more than thirty years on Ferraris, he turns rust into millions.
The customer was demanding : the restoration must be perfect. Previously the fans were essentially seeking the compliance to the original specifications with an authentic equipment. They now require that the adjustment of mechanical parts offers the same quality of driving and road holding as at the first release from Maranello half a century earlier.
The present car was ideal for such an ambitious purpose. Obry confirmed that the chassis and all mechanical components were original and in very good condition. The restoration which costed nearly $ 700K was completed by Motion Products Inc just in time to include the car in the RM auction list.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house.