Gooding Christie's has announced a significant early-production Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta as the headline lot for its first sale as the official auction house of Rétromobile Paris. The 1960 model, chassis 2177 GT, will be offered at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles on 29 January 2026, with an estimated value of €8,000,000 to €9,000,000.
The Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta represents a pivotal moment in Ferrari's golden age, combining road-going luxury with competition-ready performance. Originally delivered to Swiss resident Zimmerman through Italauto SA, this particular example was equipped with Weber carburetors and an Abarth competition exhaust, producing 243 horsepower. The car features lightweight aluminium bodywork by Scaglietti, including doors, bonnet, and bootlid, alongside alloy floors and competition-style quick jack brackets.
The vehicle's competition history spans several decades and continents. In 1962, Geneva banker Armand Boller acquired the Ferrari and entered it in the prestigious Ollon-Villars Hillclimb, where it achieved fifth place in its class. Swiss hotelier and racer Walter Ringgenberg subsequently campaigned the car in several Swiss hill climbs throughout 1964 with notable success.
Following its European competition career, chassis 2177 GT passed to American owners and participated in numerous North American events, including the Mount Equinox Hill Climb and Lime Rock. During the mid-1970s, collector Jim Riff commissioned a meticulous restoration by Skip McCabe, after which the SWB Berlinetta became a concours circuit fixture, earning top awards at Ferrari Club of America National Meets in 1976, 1978, and 1979. The car was featured on the cover of Ken Gross's definitive book, Ferrari 250GT SWB.
A subsequent restoration in the mid-1990s under Martin van Doorne's ownership preceded exhibitions at Ferrari's 50th Anniversary celebrations in Rome and Maranello, as well as the marque's official 70th Anniversary festivities at Fiorano. The car now presents in superb condition, retaining its original matching-numbers engine, gearbox, and differential—a rare distinction among SWB Berlinettas.
Currently offered from a UK-based collection, the Ferrari has been refinished in its original as-delivered livery of Rosso Rubino Chiaro over Nero, an uncommon colour scheme that complements the iconic design. David Gooding, President of Gooding Christie's, described the selection as emblematic of what makes golden-era Ferraris valuable and important in the collector car market.
The Rétromobile Paris Auction represents Gooding Christie's inaugural sale as the official auction house of Europe's foremost automotive event. The complete catalogue will be announced in the coming weeks, with the live sale scheduled for Thursday, 29 January 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
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