1960 Ferrari 250

Chassis 1153GT

• The 82nd of just 353 Pinin Farina Coupes produced
• Delivered new through Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York in March of 1959
• Retained for 47 years by airline pilot Captain Bill Biff Windsock Charney
• Retains original Tipo 128D V12, internal number 0180 D, as documented by Marcel Massini

The Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe occupies an important place in the development of Ferraris road cars. Introduced in the late 1950s, it brought greater refinement, comfort, and production consistency to the already celebrated 250 GT platform while retaining the performance and character of Ferraris Colombo V12. Elegant without being ostentatious, the Pinin Farina Coupe helped establish the template for Ferraris grand touring cars of the following decade.

Beneath its restrained coachwork was Ferraris 3.0-liter Tipo 128D Colombo V12, here in inside-plug form with triple Weber carburetors and twin distributors, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. With approximately 240 horsepower when new, the 250 GT combined effortless high-speed touring ability with the balance and mechanical sophistication that had already made Ferrari a dominant name in international motorsport.

This 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe, chassis 1153 GT, is the 82nd of 353 examples produced and is exceptionally well documented by a 2023 Marcel Massini history report on file. Its chassis frame was sent to Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in Turin on November 3, 1958, with final assembly completed in February 1959. The car was subsequently delivered new in March 1959 through Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York.

As completed, chassis 1153 GT was finished in Grigio Conchiglia over Rosso leather and equipped with Borletti instrumentation calibrated in miles. Pinin Farina body number 82 and job number 22082 further document the cars original construction, while the corresponding engine is identified as Tipo 128D, internal number 0180 D, in the Massini report.

Prior to 1969, the Ferrari was owned by Milton Garland of Corona, California, and in the early 1970s passed to Fred Donald Wofford of Tahoe City. On September 29, 1975, it was acquired by William Bill Michael Charney of Reno, Nevada, an airline pilot and Vietnam veteran known affectionately as Captain Biff Windsock. Charney would retain the Ferrari for an extraordinary 47 years, providing the car with a degree of long-term continuity that is increasingly uncommon among significant vintage Ferraris.

During Charneys ownership, the car received extensive mechanical and cosmetic attention. The engine was rebuilt by Intrepid Motorcar Company of Sparks, Nevada, in 1990, while International Motorcars of Jackson, Mississippi, carried out restorative work between 1993 and 1996, including attention to the brakes, suspension, electrical systems, paint, and brightwork. It was during this period that the car was refinished in red.

Further mechanical and chassis work followed between 1997 and 2003 under Greg Jones of Stuart, Florida, with attention given to the running gear, drivetrain, steering, brakes, and suspension. After additional sorting and road testing by Intrepid Motorcar Company in 2008, the Ferrari continued to be maintained and exercised before entering a period of static storage beginning in 2015.

Following Charneys passing in January 2022, chassis 1153 GT returned to active use and benefited from further mechanical attention, including a major engine service. Additional servicing in June 2024 by Exclusive Motorcars of Arizona totaled approximately $9,000 and included a valve adjustment, new fuel lines, a rebuilt water pump, replacement seals and gaskets, new spark plugs, generator bushings, a new battery, and fresh fluids.

As offered today, the Ferrari presents in striking red with a contrasting silver-painted roof and rockers over a fresh red leather interior. The paintwork is highly attractive and the interior presents exceptionally well, giving the car a crisp and well cared-for appearance throughout. Borrani wire wheels with three-eared knock-offs complete the classic presentation, while a Becker Europa radio adds an appropriate period touch to the cabin.

Mechanically, chassis 1153 GT benefits from decades of documented attention and more recent servicing, making it far more than simply a visually impressive example. Importantly, the engine stamping and internal number correspond with the details recorded in the Massini report, further reinforcing the cars documented integrity.

Accompanied by its Marcel Massini history report, owners manual in its leather pouch, and service documentation, this 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe combines elegant early Ferrari road-car styling with unusually complete provenance and a remarkable 47-year period of ownership. Beautifully presented, extensively serviced, and supported by excellent documentation, chassis 1153 GT represents a compelling opportunity to acquire one of Ferraris most elegant and usable classic grand tourers.

Offers welcome and trades considered.