While Ferrari road-car production was initially undertaken in small batches and mostly out of necessity to help finance the Scuderia’s growing racing commitments, the commercial possibilities of somewhat greater volume became abundantly clear to even Enzo Ferrari by the mid-1950s. The soon-to-be legendary 3.0L V-12 Ferrari engine, engineered by Gioacchino Colombo, provided the foundation for a succession of 250 GT road and racing models through the early 1960s that utterly dominated rallies and circuit races including the Tour de France, 24 Hours of Le Mans and other top events during its successful run. Road-car buyers were not ignored, however, with the 250 Europa GT offered 1954-55 and succeeded by two small batches from 1956 to 1958 with bodies designed by Pininfarina and built by Boano and Ellena. Suitably encouraged, Ferrari’s first “true” series-production 250 GT models followed for 1958-60, with bodies designed and built by Pininfarina, which had just finished construction of a new factory in Grugliasco, near Turin. Known as the 250 GT Pinin Farina, Ferrari’s new road cars were available in both cabriolet and “notchback” coupe body styles. Featuring exceptionally clean styling with a low, wide “eggcrate” grille, straight fender lines from front to rear, upright tail lamps, slim chrome bumpers and minimal ornamentation, the 250 GT “PF” line bucked the era’s generally excessive styling trends. Interiors were leather-trimmed, well-instrumented and impeccably styled. Two series of these cleanly styled 250 GT models are generally accepted among Ferrari experts, reflecting updates applied during production including the addition of disc brakes and telescopic shock absorbers, as well as engine improvements featuring twin ignition distributors, “outside plug” cylinder heads with improved ports, and overdrive. While production volume and sales were high by Ferrari standards of the era, only 237 250 GT Pinin Farina cabriolets were produced in 1957-1962, plus 353 coupes for 1958-60. Of course, 250 GT-based prototypes/show cars, styling exercises and a few “Speciale” one-off examples to individual customer order were also built during this time, consistent with established Ferrari practice. While decidedly elegant, performance was thrilling, especially with later Series II specification, including acceleration from rest to 60 MPH in 7.0 seconds and top speeds around 140 MPH. An original U.S.-specification example bearing Chassis No. 1659GT, this handsome Series II 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe ordered on November 9, 1959 and completed on January 22, 1960 was sold via Chinetti Motors of Connecticut, finished in Cassa Grigio Argento (Case Silver-Gray) with a Nero (Black) painted roof and black upholstery. Interestingly, 1659GT was picked up on European Delivery by original owner Robert Johnson of Chicago at Pininfarina’s Grugliasco, Italy, factory. The 250 GT was retained by Johnson until 1976, when he sold it to Chicago businessman J.D. Keller with 25,000 miles on the odometer. Keller had John Hajduk/Motorkraft rebuild the engine and fit a new clutch, and then had the car repainted in a single-tone silver scheme. Keller also had additional work completed on the brakes, exhaust, fuel pump and paint and chrome before offering it for sale with 27,000 miles in 1977. In 1979, the car was purchased by D. Korn of Racine, Wisconsin, who sold it to Rick Mancuso of Lake Forest Sports Cars in 1983. The next year, the coupe was purchased by Q.B. Gustin of Evanston, Illinois. Five years later, in 1989, the car was offered for sale by Walnut Creek Ferrari in California, which eventually sold it to R. Mummery of Miami in 1992. The car was subsequently sold by B. Russinof out of Florida in 1996 to a West Michigan buyer. In 2002, the car passed through the ownership of Fox Motorsports of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which sold it to a local collector who had the interior tastefully refinished in dark red and the body stripped and resprayed in Cassa Grigio Argento. Fox Motorsports repurchased the car in 2006 for a client, after which the car was sent to well-known marque expert Terry Myr for an extensive mechanical refurbishment. In 2011, the interior was retrimmed in black leather. Offered with only 35,065 miles, this Series II Pinin Farina coupe retains the original 3.0L Colombo V-12 engine with triple Weber carburetors, a 4-speed manual gearbox with overdrive and disc brakes. In addition to Veglia instruments and a wood-rimmed steering wheel, 1659GT also includes a desirable Becker Grand Prix radio and twin driving lamps. Riding on handsome Borrani wire wheels, this splendid Series II 250 GT Pinin Farina coupe is simply a wonderful and rare Classic Era V-12 Ferrari, indeed.