Dr. Gerald Alexander has amassed an impressive array of motorcars that have won many awards at the most prestigious events. In Part 1 of this 2-part feature, Royce Rumsey gives us a sampling of some of the good Doctor’s favorites.
Story & photos by Royce Rumsey, Moto/ology Contributor.
Once addicted, the best-known treatment is a form of vehicle variolation…i.e. introducing even more and/or better cars into the patient’s life. Dr. Gerald Alexander, MD is a renowned practitioner of this very procedure—and the first three of six of his personal medicaments are presented here.
Dr. Alexander’s ministrations tend toward the rare and exotic automotive variants with a noted emphasis on Italian and British strains. His specimens are of such quality and note that they have graced the award ceremonies at Pebble Beach, Quail, Villa d’Este, the Hamptons, and also the pages of the Wall Street Journal.
Dr. Alexander’s personal “clinic” is similar to other elite boutique collections that focus upon the very select of historical significance and aesthetically beauty. The hexad presented here features prime examples of such: 1958 3-Louvre Ferrari 250 GT Tour d’France, 1927 Bugatti Type 38A Touring by Figoni, 1963Ferrari 250 GT “Lusso”, 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Superleggera by Touring, 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB “short nose”, and a 1950 Alfa 6C 2500 “Superjewel”. Let us begin…
1958 250 GT Berlinetta LWB
“Tour de France” 3-louvre
Ferrari GTs came into being with the 1954 250 GT Europa, and the road-going GT became the platform for enduring racing successes. The short block 3-Weber 250 MM/3ltr 7000RPM 240-260HP Colombo 60º V12 powered the victorious competition GTs—particularly in events like the legendary Tour de France.
The GTs built between 1955 and 1959 were LWB (long wheelbase) platforms (vs. the subsequent 2400mm SWB cars) with the 1957-1959 vintage cars called Tour de France—and rightfully so—as with its first TdF entry in 1956 it dominated the event with nine consecutive victories. The sanctioning body respectfully allowed class-winning manufacturers to use the event’s name for the winning model.
Sergio Scaglietti replaced Pininfarina as coach builder for 77 Tour de France 250 GTs (save 5 that were Zagato-bodied). In early 1957 Ferrari revised their ‘Tour de France’ Berlinetta with a new body that included covered headlights mounted higher and further back into the fenders and rear fenders which were more pronounced and finished with the taillights, and optional full-width bumpers which were sometimes mounted with fog lights. Mechanical changes included a new Fichtel & Sachs clutch, slightly harsher springing and a larger 136-liter fuel tank.
But the most identifying change from the prior 250 GT TdF was the 3 louvres on the sail panel. There were 14 “3-Louvres” built in 1957 and 4 more in 1958 for a total of just 18 3-louvre TdFs. Dr. Alexander’s TdF featured here is chassis #0787—indicating a late ’57 build as a ’58 model.
This TdF was first delivered to noted Brazilian driver Frederico José Carlos (Fritz) d’Orey who had the livery crafted with the distinctive Brazilian national colors in the stripe (the only TdF in the world with this color scheme). This car was continually campaigned from 1958 through 2010 by famed drivers like Oscar Papis, Vittorio Pizzolotto and the aforementioned d’Orey, among others.
Dr. Alexander took possession of this historic TdF in 2013 and has dutifully attended to it, winning preservation class awards while under his care.
1927 Type 38A
Touring Bugatti by Figoni
This magnificent and rare 1927 Type 38A Touring Bugatti (#38444) by Figoni is considered the centerpiece of the remarkable Alexander Collection. And deservedly so—as it’s one of eight Type 38A models that were originally ordered by Bugatti’s Paris agency on July 23rd, 1927, and it’s the only one designed by Giuseppe Figoni (and also the first Bugatti executed by the famed Piacenzaian designer).
Type 38 was the 2nd generation of the I-8-engined Bugattis and of 385 Type 38s only 54 were supercharged (using the Type37A racecars supercharger) and designated as Type 38A. The blown 1991 CC SOCH 24V produced a modest 60 Molsheim steeds and was allied with a 4-speed transmission to power the 4 to 6 passenger tourer.
The type 38 series was launched in 1926 with typical Bugatti excellence in style and engineering. The subsequent addition of a supercharger in the 38A added power along with slightly extended hood, and larger cable-operated drum brakes.
Figoni’s design is of graceful proportions and features polished aluminum body cappings and wind-wings, along with a folding two-pane windscreen. Completing the “bob” style tail are twin mounded spares. As can be seen here, the 38A touring body is finished in a rich aubergine hue with a pleated reddish-brown leather interior with matching brown carpet. Polished aluminum wheel disks and Marchal lamps matching the body elements complete the visual elegance of the car.
Fourteen months after the aforementioned July 1927 order this finished car arrived in Paris on September 9, 1928 and remained in Europe until being shipped in the 1970s to its new owner in San Francisco where it remained in relative seclusion until 2005 when it was sold to another Bugatti and Figoni enthusiast who sent the car to Carrosserie Tessler in France for a complete cosmetic restoration under the aegis of Claude Figoni, son of Guiseppe.
The Bugatti has its original frame (stamped No. 37) and is equipped with engine No.12 (with the assembly No.15 found on the upper and lower crankcase–confirming them as an original matched pair). Additionally, this car has the correct, original radiator (G. Moreux & Cie of Paris) and the proper steering box location for a late-production Type 38A. The complete original rear axle assembly is correctly suspended on the typical reversed quarter-elliptical springs and the rear spring hangers retain their original brass Bugatti logos. Original timber structure and aluminum body panels have been retained and respectfully restored.
The provenance of this striking Bugatti includes it being the personal car of the famed Gooding family. Dr. Alexander purchased the car from the Goodings and has lovingly completed and maintained its exquisite concours restoration—garnering a 2022 Pebble podium award in the prewar open touring class!
1963 Ferrari 250GTL “Lusso”
The name “Lusso” is spoken by the automotive cognoscenti in the same reverential tones usually reserved for mentioning The Night Watch, Starry Night, Mona Lisa and other fine works of art. And rightfully so—as the Ferrari 250 GTL (Lusso) is widely considered one of Pininfarina’s most exquisite pieces of automotive art.
The 250 GTL was introduced at the 1962 Paris Salon as means of providing a high-performance grand touring luxury offering between the marque’s sporty 250GT SWB and the luxurious 250 GTE 2+2. Based upon the 94” SWB 250GT chassis, the graceful Pininfarina penned and Scaglietti built steel/alloy panel body was a graceful, sinuous arc from stem to stern—completing with a tastefully integrated lip spoiler (the first-ever use of such an aerodynamic device by Ferrari). A capacious, fine Italian leather swathed interior and a highly restrained pillared roof provided for superb driver comfort and outward visibility.
Powering the Lusso’s elevated driving experience was the venerable alloy Columbo 60º 3.0liter SOHC V12 delivering 240 prancing horses to the very performance oriented 2500 lb. platform with a booted 4-speed transmission, 4-wheel hydraulic discs with attached Borrani wires. The Lusso provided its fortunate driver with a 150MPH capability, and some drivers even campaigned their Lussos when GTOs (which shared the same engine, btw) weren’t available.
Lussos were restrained to just a 2-year production run (1963-1964) of just 350 cars and Dr. Alexander’s 250 GTL (#4411) is a superb example. First ordered and delivered to Paris for French actress Mylene Demongent, this elegant Lusso is finished in a fine wine hue called Rosso Robino. In 2003 it won the Most Elegant trophy at the Louis Vuitton Concours. Dr. Alexander acquired this magnificent Lusso for his collection in 2011 where it’s been dutifully maintained in concours trophy condition-as can be seen in here.