In 1955 a New Yorker Robert Lee set off on a Safari stopping over in Rome for a week on the outward journey. While in Italy Mr Lee went to Modena and visited Enzo Ferrari who suggested that if Mr Lee should ever want to buy a Ferrari he should buy one direct from the factory in Italy.
Mr Lee responded that he did not think a Ferrari would be up to running on the streets of New York, to which Enzo replied "If you buy a Ferrari, I guarantee it will run in New York City".
In 1956 Mr Lee saw this 250 GT Convertible on the Ferrari stand at the New York Auto Show, when Mr Lee enquired about the possibility of purchasing it he was informed by Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari's New York representative, that the car was not for sale and would be returned to Modena after the show.
Mr Lee then sent Enzo a Telegram reminding him of their meeting and offering $ 9,500 dollars, all he had, for the Convertible.
Soon after on the instructions of Mr Ferrari, Mr Chinetti asked Mr Lee to bring him a cashiers cheque for $9,500 and the worlds only 250 GT Boano Convertible, which is alleged to have cost $20,000 to build, would be his.
55 years and two restorations later this unique car still belongs to Mr Lee, possibly making it the worlds oldest Ferrari in continuous original ownership.
My thanks again to Geoffrey Horton, seen above with his sister Vanessa and XK140, for today's photographs, I hope you will join me in congratulating Geoffrey on winning second place at the Carmel By The Sea Councours on The Avenue.
Hope you have enjoyed this Boano Convertible edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow when I'll be looking at a large Bristol. Don't forget to come back now !
