1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2
Polizia
The GTE was the first production 2+2 from Maranello, offering the ultimate GT experience to a discerning clientele that needed to travel with speed, comfort and all the flair the prancing horse could offer. Development started in 1959 from the successful 250 long wheelbase chassis that was widened in order to guarantee a roomier cabin. For the same reason, the notorious Colombo engine was moved forward and an elegant body was commissioned from Pininfarina. The car was a commercial success with three different series evolving over 4 years of production.
Unveiled at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans where it was the course marshal’s car, the 250 GTE 2+2 would become one of Ferraris most popular and successful models, combining all of the essential ingredients a Ferrari should have, a front-mounted V12 engine and ladder-frame chassis, all cloaked in a timelessly elegant Pininfarina body.
The Ferrari 250 GTE Polizia
Squealing tyres, crashing bumpers and screaming engines, this was Italian crime in the 1960’s.
Italy saw most crime end with a car chase in the 1960’s, with the criminals racing to escape the Polizia in the fastest way possible. Italy’s Police force had previously used black Alfa Romeo 1900’s, nicknamed Pantera, but as criminals got faster, so did the Police with sportier
green Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 saloons.
One of Italy’s most revered and successful Police officers was Armando Spatafora who was based in Rome. When asked “What do you need to be complete?” Spatafora replied “What could be better than a Ferrari?” to which he was told “A Ferrari you will have then”.
Spatafora was one of only four Police officers from Rome selected to attend a high-speed driving course in Maranello, the home of Italy’s most famous and celebrated automotive powerhouse, Ferrari. With its 3.0 litre, V12 engine and top speed in excess of 250 kmh, the 250 GTE was a gamechanger for Spatafora who naturally found his rhythm with the Ferrari and at the end of the course was taken to the Ferrari factory and shown his new car, the 250 GTE 2+2 Series II offered here, chassis 3999.
Completed by Ferrari in November 1962, chassis 3999 was finished in black with a resilient tan leatherette interior. A copy of the original Ferrari build sheets accompanies 3999, noting the car was sent to Pininfarina to be fitted with its elegant bodywork at the end of August 1962, before returning to Maranello in November. These build sheets also note 3999 as being a ‘vett. Polizia’, or Police car, in English.
Ferrari built only two of these 250 GTE Polizia, however the sister car of 3999 quickly met an unfortunate end and after only a few weeks was destroyed in service, leaving this car to become the heart and soul of Polizia for the next 6 years, reaching legend status among servicemen, the public and criminals alike. The combination of Armando Spatafora and this Ferrari on night patrol became so legendary that beating him in a car chase became a matter of prestige in Rome’s criminal underworld. Spatafora’s success rate was incredible, his knowledge, experience and driving skills a lethal combination for any getaway.
Copies of this car’s official service sheets confirm how regularly this Ferrari returned to Maranello for service and maintenance works, ensuring it was always in top condition, just as one would expect of the ultimate Pantera. 3999 was retired from active service in late 1968 in remarkable condition and remained that way through to 1972 when it was sold via a public auction of army surplus.
Thankfully, the Italian buyer, Alberto Cappelli, knew exactly what he was buying and rather than restoring it, he spent the next 40 years preserving its incredible originality. Cappelli and his two sons enjoyed displaying the car in endless events as well as driving it in tours all over Italy and Europe. In 1984 this car was reunited with Armando Spatafora at the Coppa delle Dolomiti race, where to everyone’s surprise, the retired Policeman managed to secure the second fastest time overall!
As a result of its legendary status in Italy, this car was requested on loan for the newly born Museum of Police Vehicles in Rome in the early 2000’s. It was the then, General Chief of Polizia himself that drove all the way to Rimini, and using the cars original Polizia radio, communicated with the Polizia Head Quarters. Since then, 3999 is the only private car in Italy with special permission to circulate with siren, blue light and “Squadra Volante” livery.
The car was displayed and driven many times in national celebrations, classic car shows, rallies and tours. It was officially invited to Ferrari’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 1997 when it joined the Cavalcade from Rome to Maranello. In 2009 Carmen Spatafora, Armandos daughter, invited the car to the launch of her book “il Poliziotto con la Ferrari”, the best account of the remarkable story of Armando and his Ferrari Polizia. Over the following six years, this mythical Ferrari continued to receive invitation to the most exclusive Police events around Italy, a proud symbol of the relationship between Ferrari and the Polizia.
In 2015 this Ferrari passed to another enthusiastic and knowledgeable Italian owner, who took great pride in sharing this 250 GTE with the crowds at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2016. Back in Europe, more event invitations were received, with this car maintaining its legendary status as the ultimate Pantera.
Accompanying 3999 today is a comprehensive history file containing copies of the original Ferrari build sheets and period Polizia documentation. Copies of the Italian libretto along with this cars FIVA Identity card and ASI certificate of homologation are also contained within the history file. Images of Armando Spatafora and this 250 GTE Polizia from the early 1960’s give an amazing insight into the life this car once led.
Importantly, this car was inspected by Ferrari Classiche, and awarded its Certificate in 2014. The Ferrari Classiche Certification red binder confirm this car to retain its original Ferrari chassis, engine, gearbox and rear axle, an entirely matching numbers example.
Rarely does the opportunity arise to obtain a truly legendary car. With its mythical status as the only Ferrari Police car, this Pantera is exactly that opportunity. Presented in a beautifully original condition, still wearing its Italian black plates, this Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Serie II Polizia is ready to be enjoyed as much on the open road, as it is at Concours d’Elegance around the world.
Quite simply, this is the ultimate Italian 250 GTE.
Price Upon Request
