Ferrari 250 GT SWB Bertone

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Bertone (3269GT) is a unique and rare creation, representing one of only two Ferraris ever bodied by Bertone in the 250 GT SWB series. Unlike the more common Pininfarina-designed SWB models, this Bertone-built example stands out with its distinctive styling, making it a remarkable piece of Ferrari history. Commissioned for Nuccio Bertone, the car debuted at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show, painted in an elegant Blue Notte Metallizzato with a burgundy interior. To bring this vision to life, Bertone tapped a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, who would go on to become one of the most influential car designers of the 20th century. Giugiaro’s design for the 250 GT SWB was inspired by the striking shark-nosed Ferrari racers of the early 1960s, specifically the 156 F1 and the 330 TRI LM. This influence is evident in the car’s aggressive, angular front end, which distinguished it from the smoother, more conservative lines of the standard 250 GT SWB designed by Pininfarina. Giugiaro infused the design with a bold character that set it apart, giving it an assertive look that paid homage to Ferrari’s racing legacy while also introducing fresh design elements. The prominent front grille, pronounced rear haunches, and sleek fastback profile gave the car an unmistakable presence. After its Geneva debut, 3269GT was repainted silver grey and displayed again at the 1962 Torino Salon before being sold to Italo Musico of Milan in 1963. The car passed through several Italian owners before making its way to the United States in 1966, when it was imported by Gastone Crepaldi and later purchased by Peter Civati of California. During the late 1970s and 1980s, 3269GT changed hands multiple times, including ownership by Lorenzo Zambrano of Mexico, a well-known Ferrari collector who commissioned a full restoration to its original Geneva Salon specifications. The work, carried out by Bob Smith Coachworks, restored the car’s deep blue paint and elegant interior, bringing it back to concours-level condition. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the 250 GT SWB Bertone became a regular on the concours circuit, earning awards at Pebble Beach, FCA National Concours, and the Bagatelle Concours in Paris. Its rarity and striking design made it a standout wherever it appeared. In 2015, the car was sold at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auction for $16.5 million, a testament to its exclusivity and historical significance. Since then, 3269GT has remained an esteemed collector’s piece, making appearances at events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Retromobile. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Bertone remains a masterpiece of coachbuilding, blending Bertone’s bold styling with Ferrari’s race-bred performance, making it one of the most distinctive and valuable SWB models ever built.