Coachwork by Pinin Farina
Estimate: $2,000,000 - $2,300,000
Chassis: 2489 GT
Engine: 2489 GT
One of Only 200 Series II Pinin Farina Cabriolets Built
Distinctive Fitted Hardtop with Integrated Sunroof
Spectacular Restoration Performed by The Creative Workshop
Recipient of Five Platinum Awards
Ferrari Classiche Certified and Documented by Marcel Massini
2,953 CC SOHC Tipo 508F V-12 Engine
Three Weber 40 DCL6 Carburetors
240 HP at 7,000 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox with Overdrive
PROVENANCE
Mrs. Tora, Zürich, Switzerland (acquired new via J.H. Keller AG in 1961)
Ernst Wanzenried, Bern, Switzerland (acquired from the above in 1976)
Mario Bernardi, Hann, Münden, Germany (acquired from the above in 1991)
Reijnold van der Poele, Joure, the Netherlands (acquired in 1995)
Robert Weisenthal, New York, New York (acquired in 2005)
Joshua Teverow, Providence, Rhode Island (acquired in 2008)
Stephen A. Bruno, Coconut Creek, Florida (acquired in 2009)
Current Owner (acquired from the above in 2015)
EXHIBITED
Concours d’Elegance Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, September 2000
Ferrari Meeting at Kroymans BV, the Netherlands, April 2002
New York City Concours d’Elegance, October 2005
Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2006 (Silver Award)
Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2007 (Gold Award)
FCA National Field and Driving Concours, Millville, New Jersey, October 2010
Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2011 (Platinum Award)
Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2012 (Platinum Award)
Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, Boca Raton, Florida, February 2012 (Best in Class, Sponsors Award)
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Carmel, California, August 2012
FCA National Field and Driving Concours, Palm Springs, California, October 2012 (FCA Platinum Award)
Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2013 (Platinum Award)
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Amelia Island, Florida, March 2013 (Amelia Award)
Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2014 (Platinum Award)
Cavallino Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, January 2014 (Excellence in Class)
LITERATURE
Hilary A. Raab Jr., Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, chassis no. listed on p. 32
Stanley Nowak, Ferrari: Forty Years on the Road, pictured and discussed on p. 103
THIS CAR
The Ferrari presented here, 2489 GT, is a very special example of the Series II Pinin Farina Cabriolet, with just 200 built between 1959 and 1962. Designed and built by the legendary Carrozzeria Pinin Farina, the beautifully finished Cabriolet was a particularly refined and exclusive model in Ferrari’s 250 GT range.
Completed at Pinin Farina’s Torino workshop in April 1961, 2489 GT was originally finished in Amaranto Roma with natural leather upholstery and specified with a distinctive fitted hardtop complete with an integrated sunroof. This appealing and highly versatile feature is thought to be unique to 2489 GT and was mentioned in Ferrari aficionado Stanley Nowak’s book, Ferrari: Forty Years on the Road.
According to the research of marque historian Marcel Massini, 2489 GT was delivered new to official Ferrari dealer J.H. Keller AG of Zürich in June 1961, and subsequently sold to Mrs. Tora, the wife of a local bank director. Evidently, the Ferrari remained in the care of the Tora family until 1976, when it was sold to Ernst Wanzenried, a resident of Bern.
In the early 1990s, the Series II Cabriolet was owned by German dealer Mario Bernardi and then Dutch collector Reijnold van der Poele. After a decade in Mr. van der Poele’s care, the Ferrari was sold to Robert Weisenthal of New York, who displayed the unique Series II Cabriolet at the New York City Concours d’Elegance and the Cavallino Classic in Florida. From there, 2489 GT passed through another East Coast collection before being acquired by Stephen A. Bruno, a Florida-based enthusiast with a passion for the finest coachbuilt Italian sports cars.
Although the Ferrari was already in very good condition at the time of his acquisition, Mr. Bruno soon commissioned The Creative Workshop in Dania Beach, Florida, to perform a comprehensive, show-quality restoration. During this painstaking two-year process, every effort was undertaken to ensure that 2489 GT would be a leading concours contender, including refinishing the elegant Pinin Farina coachwork in a suitably glamorous color scheme: white with red leather upholstery and a contrasting silver hardtop.
In early 2012, as the restoration was nearing completion, 2489 GT was certified by the Ferrari Classiche Department, confirming it as a correct and authentic example retaining its original chassis, engine, coachwork, and other important components.
Since completion of the restoration, 2489 GT has been recognized with major awards at numerous leading national concours and Ferrari Club of America events. Impressively, this elegant Ferrari has since captured five Platinum Awards at the most competitive marque gatherings, including the Cavallino Classic and the annual FCA Field and Driving Concours, in addition to receiving class awards at Mar-a-Lago, Amelia Island, and Boca Raton.
While campaigning the Ferrari on the concours circuit, Mr. Bruno, an automotive engineer, continued to perfect the car’s already magnificent presentation, consulting with judges and marque experts to make sure that any issue could be properly addressed before the next concours appearance. Beyond this exacting attention to detail, the Ferrari was exercised, albeit sparingly, in vintage driving events. Acquired in 2015 by the current owner, the Ferrari has since resided in a carefully selected stable of Italian sports cars.
In keeping with its show-ready condition and impeccable presentation, this award-winning Ferrari is offered with a tool roll, owner’s manual, and parts catalogue as well as a detailed history report compiled by marque historian Marcel Massini and the Ferrari Classiche Red Book.
The next caretaker of this fabulous Series II Cabriolet will have in his or her possession an Italian thoroughbred of the absolute highest order – a Ferrari with many unique distinctions and characteristics. Presented here is an attractive Ferrari Classiche-certified 250 GT with spectacular Pinin Farina coachwork, an exquisite restoration, an impressive concours pedigree, and an unusual factory-supplied hardtop that immediately distinguishes this car from its brethren.
Arguably the finest and most highly decorated example of a rare breed, 2489 GT is an outstanding representative of an important series of Pinin Farina-bodied Ferraris, and a true prize for the discerning collector.
