VIN: the Enrico Wax Ferrari 250 GT SWB Bertone Coupe Speciale chassis 1739 GT
History of chassis 1739 GT
Chassis 1739 GT was numerically the third 250 GT SWB and the first to receive special order coachwork. It was commissioned by Dr. Enrico Wax in Genoa, a personal friend of Enzo Ferrari and one of Italy’s wealthiest men.
Together with his business partner, Guido Vitale, Enrico Wax ran Wax & Vitale SpA which became the official Italian importer for a variety of luxury goods to include alcoholic spirits, champagne and Connolly leather.
The two men ordered several Ferraris, most with an array of custom features. Prior to 1739 GT, Enrico Wax had taken delivery of a 1953 250 Mille Miglia Pinin Farina Berlinetta (0310 MM), a 1956 250 GT Scaglietti Berlinetta (0425 GT), a 1957 410 Superamerica Scaglietti Berlinetta (0671 SA) and a 1959 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe (0945 GT).
For this latest special order creation from Maranello, Enrico Wax commissioned Bertone to come up with something completely different to the standard-issue Pininfarina coachwork. The task fell to Giorgetto Giugiaro who conceived an elegant design unlike anything else in the Ferrari catalogue of the time.
Upon completion, the shell was painted Bianco Perlato with the roof, sills and and aprons finished in contrasting brushed stainless steel. Special cast alloy wheels were also fitted along with ‘prototype EW’ script to each front fender. Inside, Bertone installed bespoke fixtures and fittings along with Turchese upholstery.
Soon after Bertone had completed their work, 1739 GT was displayed at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show (March 10th to 20th). The car then returned to Ferrari for final assembly where the spectacular one-off was equipped with practically every Competizione option available at the time.
Chassis 1739 GT then starred at the 1960 Turin Motor Show (November 3rd to 13th).
Like most of his Ferraris, Enrico Wax did not hold on to this latest acquisition for long; within twelve months of taking delivery the car had passed to Enzo Tacchini of Milan who owned another white over turquoise Ferrari: 250 GT Cabriolet Series 1 chassis 0849 GT.
1739 GT remained in Italy until the mid 1970s at which it departed for the United States. Since then it has resided in several important American collections.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Bertone - https://bertone.it/
