The secondhand and collectible car market seems to be chugging along without missing a beat, even as the rest of the automotive industry struggles to regain its footing after shutdowns and quarantines enacted to combat fears of a global coronavirus pandemic. As most of the world's premier events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, were canceled, perhaps the result has been that more and more incredible vehicles are being listed for sale on websites like Ebay and Bring a Trailer.
Still, future live events from the likes of Barrett-Jackson and Mecum Auctions need to create enough buzz to generate excitement and draw potential bidders out of their homes, which goes a long way towards explaining a recent listing by Mecum of an incredible 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS that belonged to David Letterman.
Serious Business
The most famous car-collecting comedian not named Seinfeld or Leno, Letterman did appear with Jerry on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and appears to have a well-documented obsession with sleepers to go along with some of the world's premier vintage and classic sports cars. But no V8-swapped Volvo will ever hold a candle to the Ferrari in question here, serial number 07427. Its provenance goes above and beyond Letterman's ownership, even, having once been a part of the collection belonging to former President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Microsoft, Jon Shirley.
If You Have To Ask
Perhaps thanks to the wealth and fame of its previous owners, 07427 has benefited from a particularly charmed restoration, which earned it official factory recognition from Maranello in the form of the Ferrari Classiche Certification Red Book, in addition to multiple awards from the Ferrari Club of America. Highlights include a Chinetti Motors factory hardtop, a 3.3-liter V12, and a five-speed manual gearbox, as well as the stunning appearance of its Nero exterior paint, red leather interior finishing, and Borrani wire wheels.
Source: Mecum