[6500in6th]

In February, 1980 I became the proud owner of Ferrari 250GT/E 4959 (silver repaint, originally gray, with red interior). It was on the road every year that I owned it except one (looking for brake parts). And my 14-year-old daughter even got her first driving lessons in it!

This is the condition it was in when I sold it to the Fine Car Store in San Diego in September, 1995:



Although there was ugly talk about it becoming an SWB, as of December, 1995 it was still for sale at the Fine Car Store. Since then, it has seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth.

Does anyone know the whereabouts of 4959? Just curious.

Thanks,
David

[bryanp]

post your question over at www.tomyang.net in the Restoration Forum where a lot of GTE owners, including Bill Preston who is the keeper of the GTE register, hang out. I truly hope that it did not become fodder for a fake SWB.

[nglassmoyer]

Hi.

I have owned #4959 for the past 10 years...

It is now Rosso Rubio with a new tan leather interior, It was silver when I got it with a red interior and was orginally dark gray so it is the same car. It looks like the orginal engine was removed in 1996 and used for a Spyder California reproduction. The rest of the car has been restored to concours standard and will probably at Concours Italiano this year, you are welcome to take it for a drive although it will be much different. I would love to have any history you may have.

Best,

Neil

[Baller]

Wow thats very cool how this worked out.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Baller

Wow thats very cool how this worked out.

+1. Indeed, amazing things got hooked. Sorry to hear that the original engine was dismembered as donor. Such a lovely 250. A shame. w/ smiles Jimmy

[JazzyO]

What a shame about the engine. What engine is in it now, Neil?


Onno

[6500in6th]

Hi Neil,

Thank you very much for responding to my post. Since nothing had been known about 4959 since late 1995, I feared the worst. I'm glad the car has survived and is in the hands of an appreciative owner!

Do you have photos you are willing to post? I too am sorry to hear about the engine and am curious about what engine is in the car now. When I sold the car, the original engine was in the car. It ran well but leaked and smoked profusely. That was the main reason for selling.

I do have photos and paperwork that I am very willing to share. We can discuss that off line.

Regards,
David

Another picture of 4959 in some fast company:



The picture is at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Hoosier Swap Meet September 18, 1982 with an alloy 2-cam GTB, an alloy SWB California (2383), a Queen Mother, all from Fort Wayne. We arrived in a thundering 48-cylinder caravan - what a trip!

[ECSofVirginia]

This is much more interesting than any sappy movie my girlfriend has forced me to watch!

I've spent more time and effort getting in touch with past girlfriends only to find much more than the engine had been removed and they weren't restored...at all.

[6500in6th]

Hi Neil,

Hope things went well at Monterey. I am anxious to learn more about 4959.

Regards,
David

[nglassmoyer]

Thanks David

Didn't take 4959 as the fellow is STILL working on the interior but Monterey was great-saw a couple of perfect 250 GTE and of course every other type of Ferrari made-

I will post some photos as soon as I get the car back.

Also the car had a plexiglas vent window was it like that when you got the car?

Neil

[6500in6th]

Hi Neil,

No plexi when I had the car. All the glass appeared to be original.

How is the interior coming?

Regards,
David

[Granucci]

Funny this thread got bumped as I just downloaded the 250 GTE 2+2 buyers guide from here......

I feel this is the 'affordable' 60's 12cylinder car to get and one that will increase in great value if not fun over the next 20 years.

[6500in6th]

Hi Neil,

How is 4959 doing? Did you make it to Monterey this year? Any photos?

Regards,
David

[nglassmoyer]

Didn't make it to Monterey this year 4959 is stripped to bare metal again, had some problems with the paint so decided to do it right. I will post some photos so you can follow the progress. Thanks, Neil

[6500in6th]

I will look forward to your pix, Neil.

Speaking of pictures, I noticed that mine turned into the dreaded red X. That is the result of changing software and provider. Here are the pix from my original post and second one:





David