Throughout Ferrari’s history there is a tradition of modifying the standard models into something more exclusive. Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari’s North American importer, made more of these special cars made than anyone else. He had a remarkable sense for what the American market wanted and in 1965 he envisioned this Spyder design.

Chassis number 2235GT started out life in September of 1960 as a standard 250 GTE 2+2. In the mid-sixites, its Pininfarina bodywork was considered too plain and it was replaced by the order of Luigi Chinetti. He had a body fabricated by Carrozeria Fantuzzi in Italy which mimicked the traits of Ferrari’s mid-engine sports prototypes. A similar body painted gold was fitted to 4381SA for Federico Fellini’s movie “Stories of Edgar Allan Poe-Spirits of the Dead.”

The result was a more dramatic shape with an extended front nose and a 275 GTB-like profile. Many race car traits were borrowed from the 250P such as the rear cut-off Kamm tail and the integrated roll hoop that sat just behind the interior.

Once the new aluminum body and 250 GTE chassis were mated, the engine was rebuilt to Testa Rossa specification by former factory mechanics Alberto Pedretti and Alfredo Caiti of Modena Motors. They fitted Testarossa camshafts, a new intake manifold with six twin-choke Weber carburetors and a 5-speed transmission.

In this more potent guise, 2235GT hit the show circuit including the 1966 NY Auto Show and 1965 San Francisco Show. To underline its credibility, Chinetti fitted his North American Racing Team (NART) logo on the rear of the car.

Built before the famous 275 ‘Nart’ spyders, 2235GT could largely be considered the model’s prototype. One year later, in the spring of 1967, Fantuzzi started production of the 275 GTB ‘NART’ spyders.

After its show duties, 2235GT was sold off and changed hands a few times before a long ownership of 33 years. It was later sent back to the Fantuzzi Corp in 1990 to be stripped and refinished in the mid 1990s. At that point the engine was also rebuilt by Algar Enterprises of Rosemont Pa.

Currently 2235GT is being offered for sale by Ron Spangler of the Pracing Horse Farm. Anyone interested can visit his website : www.prancinghorsefarm.com. It remains in stunning condition with just 29,000 miles (48,000 kms) on the odometer.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net, many thanks to Ron Spangler and the Pracing Horse Farm.

Ferrari 250 GT Fantuzzi Spyder Photo Gallery