Evaluation: Successor to the Lampredi “long block” engine 2963/200hp, the 250 Europa GT was the foundation of the epic Ferrari 250 GT series, its Colombo-designed “short block” 2953/220hp engine powering a generation of Ferrari GT cars. 0413GT was sold to new to legendary Ferrari client Dottore Enrico Wax, Italian importer of Johnnie Walker scotch and Connolly leather. Brought to the U.S. by William Gottwald around 1960 and in his ownership until his death last November, it was stored in 1967 and remains in original unrestored but deteriorated barn find condition. The body panels fit well and are flat but the paint is dull, dirty and chipped or flaking everywhere. Chrome is rusty and flaking. The original interior, however, is sound and should be salvageable; the carpets are not. The chassis is oily, road grimy and used. The odometer shows 33,671 km but the car’s inherent condition suggests a “1” should precede that number. A marvelous find, but a long way from even driving onto a concours lawn as a Preservation entrant.
Bottom Line: Pretty Pinin Farina coachwork, a transition between early Ferrari designs and later ones, but this car needs everything and this result is a huge premium that could have bought a quality restored and drivable car. The desire to own something different and long unknown is strong and resuscitating the Ferrari will be a labor of love, not a financially rewarding, proposition.
