Simply Abu Dhabi XXIV

This Chassis 0403 received unique coachwork by Pinin Farina, and as a one-off 1950s coach-built competition aluminium bodied Ferrari, it would be guaranteed entry to any Concours event in the world. The first documented owner kept it in Modena but by the 1960s it had crossed the Atlantic to the US where it spent most of its life. On seeing the car at the Pebble Beach Concours shortly before his passing in 2012, designer Sergio Pininfarina said it was his all-time favourite design. Talacrest and the Al Yemni Group of KSA have formed a partnership to closely serve Ferrari classic car enthusiast and collectors in the region, and showed not just the Bergman 250GT and GTO but also a very significant 1965, 275GTB. “We are delighted to have won the award for Best Classic – it was always a winner in our eyes. This is the third Concours that it’s won in a row, so we were pretty confident that this unique car was going to be the winner over here in Dubai,” a spokesman for the Al Yemni family said. The stunning 275GTB is one of only three right-hand drive cars built. It was intended as the reserve car for the 24-hours Le Mans race and its famous owners include Bernie Ecclestone’s F1 business partner Patrick ‘Paddy’ McNally, AlanMann and Australian race driver Frank Gardner who shipped it to Australia where it spent most of its life before returning to the continent. This Competizione Clienti model of which only ten were commissioned is considered the last dual purpose sports car built by Ferrari that was equally at home on the race track and the road. Also taking home prizes was a magnificent 1970 Citroen DS21 IE which won Best Classic Design, with special mention for a near flawless 1954 Jaguar XK120 which was rebuilt from a burnt-out wreck to Concours condition, entirely in Dubai using the skills and talents of the local workforce. “The world’s rarest and most valuable classic and current cars were on display for this exclusive event,” said Rory Heron, Managing Director of Thorough Events Singapore, the event owners and organisers. “This event was hosted for the Middle East’s most discerning collectors and car 2 6 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I