Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider by Fantuzzi: An American-Inspired Ferrari Icon
Racing Elegance - Car culture has always thrived on moments when creativity meets intuition, especially when a machine is shaped not only by engineering logic but by a deep reading of its audience. In the United States during the 1960s, tastes were shifting toward open-top performance cars that felt dramatic, expressive, and closely tied to motorsport imagery. Few people understood this better than Luigi “Coco” Chinetti Jr., the driving force behind Ferrari’s American presence and the founder of the North American Racing Team. From that instinct came one of the most intriguing one-off Ferraris ever built: the Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider by Fantuzzi.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider by Fantuzzi built based of the 1960 Ferrari 250 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 model. (Picture from: Supercars)
Previously, we discussed the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale, an American-influenced sports car designed by Giovanni Michelotti for Ferrari at the request of Coco Chinetti Jr., based on sketches by Bob Peak and built from a spyder race car created for the North American Racing Team (NART). That context leads naturally to another, more understated beginning: a 1960 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2, chassis number 2235 GT, whose original Pininfarina body was elegant but too restrained for Chinetti’s evolving vision, prompting him in the mid-1960s to strip the car to its core and transform it into a far more dramatic spider that aligned with NART’s racing spirit and the growing appetite of the American market.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider by Fantuzzi powered by a rebuilding engine according to Testa Rossa's specifications and done on by Alberto Pedretti and Alfredo Caiti. (Picture from: Supercars)
That transformation was entrusted to Carrozzeria Fantuzzi, a Modena-based coachbuilder known for shaping Ferrari’s competition cars. Drawing inspiration from Ferrari’s mid-engine sports prototypes, Fantuzzi created an aluminum body that felt closer to a race car than a grand tourer. The long, extended nose hinted at future Ferrari road cars, while the overall silhouette anticipated the look of the later 275 GTB. At the rear, a Kamm tail borrowed directly fromthe 250 P race cars sharpened the profile, and an integrated roll hoop sat just behind the cabin, blending safety and motorsport aesthetics into the design.
The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider by Fantuzzi has many features borrowed from the 250P such as the Kamm tail at the rear and the integrated roll hoop attached directly behind the interior. (Picture from: Supercars)
Inside, the car maintained a purposeful simplicity that matched its exterior intent. The cockpit was compact and driver-focused, with minimal distractions and a clear emphasis on performance. The open spider layout amplified the sensory experience, allowing engine sound, wind, and road feedback to dominate. Rather than luxury for its own sake, the interior reinforced the idea that this was a Ferrari shaped by racing logic and American enthusiasm, not by traditional touring comfort.
Mechanical upgrades completed the transformation. Once the Fantuzzi body was mounted on the 250 GTE chassis, the engine was rebuilt to Testa Rossa specifications by former Ferrari technicians Alberto Pedretti and Alfredo Caiti at Modenna Motors. The V12 received Testa Rossa camshafts, a revised intake manifold, and six twin-choke Weber carburetors, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The result was a car that not only looked more aggressive than its donor model but also delivered performance to match its race-inspired appearance.
Before settling into private ownership, the Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider made its public debut on the American stage, appearing at major events such as the 1965 San Francisco Auto Show and the 1966 New York Auto Show. To underline its identity and credibility, Chinetti added the NART logo to the rear of the car, linking it directly to his famed racing team. After years of changing hands and a long-term owner who kept it for over three decades, the car returned to Fantuzzi in 1990 for a comprehensive restoration completed in the mid-1990s. Today, it stands as a rare snapshot of Ferrari history—an experimental bridge between road and race, shaped by one man’s understanding of a moment in time that still resonates with enthusiasts now.*** [EKA [11042021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS | ADRIANFLUX ]
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Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider by Fantuzzi: An American-Inspired Ferrari Icon
Previously, we discussed the Ferrari 275 P2 Speciale, an American-influenced sports car designed by Giovanni Michelotti for Ferrari at the request of Coco Chinetti Jr., based on sketches by Bob Peak and built from a spyder race car created for the North American Racing Team (NART). That context leads naturally to another, more understated beginning: a 1960 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2, chassis number 2235 GT, whose original Pininfarina body was elegant but too restrained for Chinetti’s evolving vision, prompting him in the mid-1960s to strip the car to its core and transform it into a far more dramatic spider that aligned with NART’s racing spirit and the growing appetite of the American market.
That transformation was entrusted to Carrozzeria Fantuzzi, a Modena-based coachbuilder known for shaping Ferrari’s competition cars. Drawing inspiration from Ferrari’s mid-engine sports prototypes, Fantuzzi created an aluminum body that felt closer to a race car than a grand tourer. The long, extended nose hinted at future Ferrari road cars, while the overall silhouette anticipated the look of the later 275 GTB. At the rear, a Kamm tail borrowed directly from the 250 P race cars sharpened the profile, and an integrated roll hoop sat just behind the cabin, blending safety and motorsport aesthetics into the design.
Before settling into private ownership, the Ferrari 250 GT NART Spider made its public debut on the American stage, appearing at major events such as the 1965 San Francisco Auto Show and the 1966 New York Auto Show. To underline its identity and credibility, Chinetti added the NART logo to the rear of the car, linking it directly to his famed racing team. After years of changing hands and a long-term owner who kept it for over three decades, the car returned to Fantuzzi in 1990 for a comprehensive restoration completed in the mid-1990s. Today, it stands as a rare snapshot of Ferrari history—an experimental bridge between road and race, shaped by one man’s understanding of a moment in time that still resonates with enthusiasts now. *** [EKA [11042021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS | ADRIANFLUX ]
