Vehicle Original VIN : 25105
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Coachwork by Ellena
This 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe is one of only 50 Coupes Built by Carrozzeria Ellena. This long-lost Ellena was recently discovered in 59-year ownership, a garage find preserved in largely original, intact unrestored condition. Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Chassis 0837 GT which, until its discovery last year, was missing and presumed lost. While the engine has been reassembled and installed in the car, it will require a rebuild and the Ferrari will need to be mechanically recommissioned before use. A worthy candidate, either for sympathetic preservation or as the ideal basis for a complete concours-quality restoration, this 250 GT Coupe is a most exciting find.
According to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, 0837 GT was the 34th Ellena-bodied 250 GT Coupe built. The US-market car was delivered to Luigi Chinetti Motors of New York in March 1958, finished in the handsome color combination of Camoscio (Chamois) over light beige leather upholstery. The exterior paint, a Lechler product known by code 1038, was named after the Chamois, a goldish brown relative of the antelope found throughout Europe.
By the early 1960s, the Ferrari had relocated to the Midwest and was acquired by RRR Motors Inc. in Homewood, Illinois. Well known in sports car circles, RRR Motors was a Ferrari and Alfa Romeo dealer, as well as a regional Goodyear distributor. During this period, the dealership s proprietor, George Reed, was active in the racing scene, campaigning various Ferraris, 300 SLs, and Corvettes under his Reed s Race Rats banner at venues such as Sebring, Road America, and Watkins Glen. Around this time, RRR Motors Inc. owned 0837 GT and another Ellena Coupe, chassis 0755 GT. For unknown reasons, the dealership swapped the cars identities, even going so far as to scrub the serial numbers from the engine pads.
By the early 1960s, the Ferrari had relocated to the Midwest and was acquired by RRR Motors Inc. in Homewood, Illinois. Well known in sports car circles, RRR Motors was a Ferrari and Alfa Romeo dealer, as well as a regional Goodyear distributor. During this period, the dealership s proprietor, George Reed, was active in the racing scene, campaigning various Ferraris, 300 SLs, and Corvettes under his Reed s Race Rats banner at venues such as Sebring, Road America, and Watkins Glen. Around this time, RRR Motors Inc. owned 0837 GT and another Ellena Coupe, chassis 0755 GT. For unknown reasons, the dealership swapped the cars identities, even going so far as to scrub the serial numbers from the engine pads.
On October 23, 1964, RRR Motors Inc. sold this Ellena Coupe, now identified as 0755 GT, to Gerald S. Krupa of Palatine, Illinois. Documentation on file confirms that Mr. Krupa traded in his 1962 Pontiac Convertible, valued at $1,500, and financed the $3,000 balance to acquire the six-year-old Ferrari. The Ferrari was used for about a year before being parked with engine trouble. Mr. Krupa removed and disassembled the engine, but soon found himself overwhelmed by the task of rebuilding the V-12 and let the years pass with the car sitting static, under cover, in his home garage. It remained there for four decades and was rediscovered only last year, after he passed away.
Purchased out of Mr. Krupa s estate, it has since uncovered its original identity as it has been known, erroneously, as 0755 GT since at least 1964. The original 0837 GT chassis stamping was found on the frame rail and the engine was identified as original by Marcel Massini. Its internal number (0168C) remains intact and undisturbed. The number 837 was found in several locations, including the front grille and inside the door panels. Although the exterior was repainted red many years ago, the dashboard and door caps are still finished in the original Camoscio paint. The Ellena s interior is particularly well preserved, a result of the car s limited use and decades spent in storage. The light beige leather upholstery, carpeting, and headliner remain in excellent original condition, possessing a beautiful patina. Charming details dating from 19641965, such as the Illinois license plates, city tax sticker, and doorjamb service tag attest to the car s Chicago-area provenance and last years of regular use.
Over the past six decades, a surprising number of original Ellena-bodied 250 GT Coupes have been lost, either through accident damage, or having sacrificed their original bodies to build replica Testa Rossas and Tour de France Berlinettas. The discovery of any original example missing for 60 years is significant, let alone an example such as this, which has survived in fine, unrestored condition.
Chassis: 0837 GT
Over the past six decades, a surprising number of original Ellena-bodied 250 GT Coupes have been lost, either through accident damage, or having sacrificed their original bodies to build replica Testa Rossas and Tour de France Berlinettas. The discovery of any original example missing for 60 years is significant, let alone an example such as this, which has survived in fine, unrestored condition.
Chassis: 0837 GT
Engine: 0168C
- The Lost Ellena Recently Discovered in 59-Year Ownership
- One of Only 50 Coupes Built by Carrozzeria Ellena on the 250 GT Chassis
- Delivered New to Luigi Chinetti Motors in Camoscio (Chamois) over Beige Leather
- Chicago-Area Garage Find Preserved in Largely Original, Intact Condition
- Never-Before Restored
- Documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini
Price: $589,500 Firm