Ferrari played swapsies once again (1931gt x 2021gt x 2035gt)

I read the auction description by Gooding (see below) and paid little attention to it but on a second glance it throws the cat among the pigeons, to an extent. Wiser heads than I can pick apart what it means for the known histories of the three cars named above!

In brief I had

#1931GT - NART team car for Le Mans (5th), then to McGluggage, Wyllie, various American racers, finally to Switzerland (I guess everything from McGluggage onwards was actually #2021GT?)

#2021GT - Noblet for Le Mans (6th), Dumay, Rivillon etc, Violati,Owen-Jones, Agace etc. (I guess everything from Dumay onwards was #1931GT)

#2035GT - Gaspar, Portugal, Macedo, Caramulo Museum, thence to various US owners, finally to Ralph Lauren (how does this tie in to either #1931GT or #2021GT?)

It also begs the question of how many other established histories of the 167 ish SWBs are complete bunkum?

For 1960, Ferrari built 46 of these race-prepared, aluminum-bodied Competizione SWBs, a model that is now commonly referred to as the Comp/60. While many variations existed with regards to aesthetic and mechanical features, most Comp/60s can be identified by a few key visual characteristics: the more elegant front grille and side windows of the original design, a prominent external fuel filler on the rear deck, and a cockpit air vent at the top of the rear window. Inside, these cars feature a wrinkle-finished dashboard with individual hoods over the speedometer and tachometer and supportive bucket seats, often trimmed with corduroy inserts for improved grip and ventilation.

The car presented here is a fascinating example of the 250 SWB Comp/60 Berlinetta; it claims a fantastic period-competition history, well-documented provenance, and recent, show-quality restoration.

Like many competition Ferraris, the history of this car involves two distinct identities: 1931 GT and 2021 GT. To fully appreciate this car’s unique story, it is crucial to understand that it was originally constructed and identified as 1931 GT and then, after returning to the Ferrari factory in summer 1960, was rechristened with the identity of another Comp/60, chassis 2021 GT. Since it was just a few months old, this Ferrari, which started out as 1931 GT, has been identified as 2021 GT.

With this understanding, the car presented here was originally completed in May 1960, purpose-built to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. According to copies of factory build sheets, 1931 GT was equipped with the latest tipo 168B outside-plug V-12 engine, featuring Testa Rossa-type cylinder heads, high-lift tipo 130 camshafts, 9.7:1 compression pistons, and three Weber 40 DCL6 carburetors topped by velocity stacks and an open air box. Upon completion, it was sold to North American distributor Luigi Chinetti, registered on Italian export license plates “EE 02015,” and prepared for its Le Mans debut, which started on June 25, 1960.

At Le Mans, Chinetti’s North American Racing Team was responsible for four Ferraris – a TR59 Testa Rossa, two Comp/60 SWB Berlinettas, and a Competition SWB California Spider – all wearing sequential race numbers from 17 to 20. Originally painted yellow, 1931 GT was decorated with NART insignias and large roundels emblazoned with race no. 18. In addition to these distinctive markings, this SWB Berlinetta had a Plexiglas bug deflector placed on its hood and an aluminum roll bar installed. Americans George Arents and Alan Connell Jr. were entrusted with 1931 GT, and they battled day and night against the competition while being pounded by heavy rain.

In the end, Ferrari completely dominated Le Mans in 1960, with the factoryentered TR59, driven by Olivier Gendebien and Paul Frère, taking overall honors. Chassis 1931 GT, which placed 5th Overall and 2nd in Class, was one of four SWB Berlinettas to finish in the Top 10 – a remarkable feat and testament to the strength, reliability, and outright performance of the new Ferrari GTs.

Following its impressive performance at Le Mans, 1931 GT returned to the Ferrari factory. In mid-July, it was joined in Maranello by 2021 GT, another Comp/60 owned by French racing driver Pierre Noblet. Chassis 2021 GT had also debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it finished in 6th Place, just behind 1931 GT. In its next race, the Auvergne 6 Hours at Clermont-Ferrand on July 10, chassis 2021 GT was rolled onto its roof and so it returned to Ferrari for repairs.

During July and August 1960, Ferrari reassigned chassis no. 2021 GT to 1931 GT and rebuilt the damaged 2021 GT, giving it a new identity as 2035 GT. After these changes took place, this Comp/60, now officially identified by Ferrari as 2021 GT and refinished in Grigio Metallizzato (Metallic Grey), was sold to French racing driver Pierre Dumay, often referred to by his nom de course, Loustel.

On August 20, 1960, Dumay entered the newly christened 2021 GT in the Goodwood Tourist Trophy, round seven of the FIA GT Cup. Wearing race no. 6, Dumay was forced to retire after just 45 laps due to issues with the rear axle.

Although 2021 GT was entered in the Tour de France Automobile in September 1960, it did not start the event, as Dumay had decided to enter a new Comp/60 SWB, chassis 2127 GT. It is understood that 2021 GT saw no further competition use under Dumay’s ownership and, in 1964, it was sold to a Monsieur Challoy in Paris, who reportedly had it repainted green.

Later in 1964, 2021 GT was sold to Guy Rivillon, the proprietor of Rivillon Coachworks in Paris. He entered the five-year-old Ferrari in several rallies, hill climbs and circuit races through September 1965, with highlights including a 5th Overall finish at the Coupe de Vitesse at Montlhéry and a 1st in Class and 4th Overall finish at the Rallye Rouen. In fall 1965, Rivillon acquired a 250 GTO, chassis 3451 GT, and subsequently sold the Comp/60 SWB to an American living in Paris.

In April 1968, Jean-Claude Guenard acquired 2021 GT, but soon went bankrupt and the Ferrari was sold to a Captain Laurent, who had Carrosserie Lafage repair the bodywork and repaint the car in traditional Italian Racing Red. He then kept 2021 GT until 1984, when it was sold to noted collector, racer, and L’Oréal executive Lindsay Owen-Jones.

Under Mr. Owen-Jones’ ownership, 2021 GT was prepared for vintage racing and campaigned extensively through the mid-1990s, taking part in numerous historic events at Brands Hatch, Nürburgring, and Silverstone. Following the Ferrari Historic Challenge Finals at Mugello in October 1995, Mr. Owen-Jones retired the Comp/60 from active use and retained it until 2000, when it was acquired by the current owner.

In 2001, the current owner resumed 2021 GT’s vintage racing career, successfully campaigning it in the Ferrari Maserati Shell Historic Challenge, Goodwood Revival, and Tour Auto, among other races, occasionally sharing driving duties with famed professional drivers including Steve Soper and Ray Bellm.

In 2013, the current owner decided to restore 2021 GT to its original glory and engaged highly regarded UK specialist Lanzante Limited, as well as Ferrari Classiche to oversee the project. During the restoration process, the entire car was disassembled, and the body and chassis were stripped to bare metal, revealing 2021 GT’s original identity, 1931 GT. Significantly, the original 1931 GT stamping was found in the proper location on the chassis, and the no. 1931 was located on various parts of the bodywork, including both doors and the rear window trim. With this newfound knowledge, Ferrari Classiche oversaw the restoration of the chassis and bodywork, which was refinished in its original yellow livery, as it raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 1960. Meanwhile, Lanzante meticulously restored the car’s mechanical systems, including the engine, gearbox, and rear end. Today, 2021 GT is equipped with a proper 250 SWB Comp/60 engine, originally fitted to 1875 GT, which carries internal no. 218F. The gearbox and rear differential are both original Ferrari 250 GT components, sourced as period-correct replacements. During the restoration process, Ferrari Classiche applied their logo to the chassis frame and engine, and took various measurements to ensure the car complied with original factory specifications.

As an early-production SWB Berlinetta, 2021 GT is surely among the most beautiful sports cars ever built – the purest form of one of the most admired designs in automotive history. It is even more desirable, having been purpose-built for racing with lightweight, hand-formed aluminum coachwork.

In terms of mechanical specifications, one could scarcely ask for a more desirable 250-series Ferrari. Factory-built with disc brakes, a 120-liter aluminum fuel tank, and a full competition-spec engine with all the best period speed equipment Ferrari had to offer, this alloy-bodied SWB Berlinetta was the ultimate dual-purpose sports car of its day.

Following its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it placed 5th Overall as a NART entry, this remarkable Ferrari went on to compete at Goodwood with Pierre Dumay, and later took part in a variety of French events with amateur racer Guy Rivillon. Since 1984, this Comp/60 has been in the care of just two knowledgeable, passionate owners, who have enjoyed the car as Ferrari intended – as a competition car – campaigning it in the most prestigious historic events throughout the UK and Europe.

Under the current owner’s care, 2021 GT has been completely and expertly restored, with a significant collection of invoices attesting to the great lengths that Lanzante and Ferrari Classiche have gone to return this important Ferrari to its original splendor. Further supporting its superb presentation is an extensive, well-researched file, which includes period images, copies of the original Ferrari assembly sheets, and a history report produced by Marcel Massini.

For the sophisticated collector who possesses a deep understanding and appreciation of competition Ferraris and their often complex, intertwined, and nuanced histories, the appearance of this car at auction represents a tremendous opportunity to acquire a historically significant SWB Comp/60 fresh from a magnificent restoration and ready to take part in the myriad events for which it is eligible.

 

I have searched twice for any mention of either #2021GT or #1931GT and couldn't find any mention of it other than the usual pictures and stuff. Any links to the other thread? Happy to request this thread be deleted if it is doubling up another