It's one of only four 250 GT Speciales built by Pinin Farina.
A 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina Chassis No. 0469 GT is coming up for auction through RM Sotheby's. The rare model has been sitting for the past 50 years and is in some rather rough shape with rust everywhere, glass missing/cracked, the interior falling apart, and the powertrain needing a complete overhaul. Most cars in this condition would sell for a few hundred bucks and a firm handshake, but this isn't most cars. It's only one of four in existence, and a king once owned it.
If you don't know, the 250 GT Coupe is a renowned vehicle, with examples thereof being considered some of the finest vehicles ever made. This has helped well-cared-for examples to sell for truly astonishing sums, like this 250 GT SWB California Spider that recently sold for $18 million at auction.
At the 1956 Geneva Auto Salon, Ferrari debuted two models. The first was the 410 Superamerica, and the other was a new visually similar model of the latest 250 GT. This vehicle featured a slightly larger chassis and a new version of the Colombo V12 under the hood. Both were designed by Pinin Farina and soon after, they both went into production.
After a few prototypes of the 250 GT were made by Pinin Farina, production was split between it and Boano, with Pinin Farina being delegated the task of making the cabriolet models even though Boano had actually designed that model. Boano went on to produce 80 of these coupes over its run, but at some point, Pinin Farina was given the order to produce four coupes as well. The coachbuilder produced four consecutive odd-numbered 250 GT chassis with its original Superamerica design. Called the Tipo 513 in Ferrari Nomenclature, three were built without fender vents, making them exceptionally rare.
Chassis No. 0469 GT is one of the three built without vents and was originally finished in the two-tone exterior with a Nero-painted roof and a Celeste body over an interior of Naturale leather by Connolly. Once finished it was delivered to its first owner, Mohammed al-Khamis bin Yusef bin Hassan al-Alawi, better known as Mohammed V, King of Morocco. Yes, you read that right, this rust bucket was once owned by genuine royalty.
It's assumed he was the sole owner of the vehicle in Morroco, and the car is still wearing a rear license plate in Arabic and is documented with a period-correct Moroccan registration. In the early 60s, it was sold and shipped to the US to Ben Pace of Panama City, Florida, and then 12 years later it was sold to Walter Medlin. Medlin then squirreled it away where it sat for the past 50 years, apparently without much consideration for its condition.
Supposedly the model is still wearing its original coat of paint where it isn't rusting out, which is pretty cool. The listing says that the model is presented in “desirably authentic condition,” which is something we find a tad hard to believe, even given all of its proper original components.
We know no one will listen to us, but to whichever collector buys this, we recommend they fix it up but keep as much of the patina as possible. Paint is fleeting; patina is forever.
A “regular” 250 GT Coupe has a special allure to them that convinces the super-rich to part with tons of their hard-earned cash in ways nothing else does. This one is much rarer and, given its provenance, will surely command a ridiculously high price despite its condition. A 296 GTB may be a modern engineering marvel, but it doesn't hold a candle to one of its rusted-out forefathers.
Keyword: Royalty-Owned Ferrari 250 GT Speciale Is Begging For A Restoration