10.07.2009 CHRIS EVANS ROLLS INTO GOODWOOD WITH RESPRAYED FERRARI COLLECTION

CHRIS EVANS - FERRARI CALIFORNIA SPYDER, 2009 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
CHRIS EVANS - FERRARI F40, 2009 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
CHRIS EVANS - FERRARIS, 2009 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

TV and radio presenter Chris Evans turned up at Goodwood last Sunday with his collection of seven historic Ferraris that surprised onlookers when they took to the "hill" as he had resprayed six of these cars in matching dazzling white as well as retrimmed each of the interiors. Photos: Jonny White.

TV and radio presenter Chris Evans turned up at Goodwood last Sunday with his collection of seven historic Ferraris that surprised onlookers when they took to the "hill" as he had resprayed six of these cars in matching dazzling white as well as retrimmed each of the interiors. The BBC presenter's cars in recent weeks have been taking part in a tour around the UK dubbed the The Magnificent Seven as part of a fundraising campaign for the BBC Children In Need charity.

While six of the Ferraris showed up painted white, the result of Evans' always questionable tastes, the seventh car, which led the small cavalcade, was in its original black, it being the 1961 Ferrari California Spyder formerly owned by actor James Coburn. Ferrari enthusiast and collector Evans famously bought in auction last year. This very rare car exceeded all expectations by selling for a world record auction price, at the time, for  a vintage car at auction in the amount of 7,040,000 euros, surpassing the previous record set at Sotheby's Monaco in 1990 for a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at US$10,756,000.

Many Ferrari aficionados consider the 250 GT SWB California Spyder one of the most beautiful and functional cars ever made, and at Goodwood last weekend where Evans' collection was laid out in the Cartier Style et Luxe paddock on the asphalt driveway that leads up to Goodwood House's stables allowing for closer inspection, visitors to the Festival of Speed were able to admire its lines, something former owner the actor James Coburn certainly did. With body work designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the car was a collaboration between the very best.

This Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, chassis number 2377 GT is the thirteenth of just fifty-six built. It was completed on March 5th 1961 and sold new through official Ferrari importer Jacques Swaters’ Garage Francorchamps in Brussels to first owner Fredy Damman. In 1964 it was sold, again via Swaters, to actor James Coburn of Hollywood, California. This would have been shortly after the end of filming “The Great Escape.” Coburn had this car tuned up by Max Balchowsky at his Hollywood Motors. Balchowsky was a successful racing driver famous for his homebuilt Old Yeller racing cars. His garage was a popular hangout for Hollywood’s “genuine car guys” as McQueen, Garner and Coburn were known and James Dean before them. Coburn would go on to own other Ferraris including a 1967 412P. 2377 GT is in wonderful condition, finished in nero (black).

In the Cartier Style et Luxe paddock at Goodwood this year the judging was as frantic as ever in this annual automotive design concours, with Will Young, Jasmin Le Bon, James Martin and many other star judges finally declaring the stunning 1934 Hispano-Suiza H6C Xenia the Best of Show against some very stiff competition. The fabulous Museo Storico Alfa Romeo-owned Bertone-crafted Alfa Romeo Carabo concept also emerged with outrights honours in its class.
 

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