New York City's Peter Kalikow Has An Obsession With Italian Cars
One of America's most famous car collectors is New York City's Peter Kalikow. The President of HJ Kalikow & Company LLC, a real estate investment firm, Peter Kalikow has collected Ferraris for almost six decades. His incredible collection includes everything from elegant sedans to ridiculous supercars. Let's examine this extraordinary collection up close.
Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder is an ultra-rare sports car built between 1958 and 1963, with a long wheelbase (58-60) and a short wheelbase (60-63) option. The latter is owned by Kalikow, one of only 100 ever produced. Powered by a 3.0L V12 engine that produced 280 hp and a top speed of 156 mph, the Spyder was created to appeal to Americans.
Ferrari Classiche Connection - classic 250 California Passo Corto meets Portofino M, Petrolicious
Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder (Cont'd)
Americans like Peter Kalikow snapped up this hand-built 250 GT Spyder, which was made famous in 1986 by appearing in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. We're sure that Kalikow had owned his way before Bueller. Kalikow's is a beautiful black with a red interior and the initials "PK" on the front license plate.
Ferrari Classiche Connection - classic 250 California Passo Corto meets Portofino M, Petrolicious
Ferrari 330 America
The first of a few Ferrari 330s in Kalikow's collection, the "America" was 2+2 grand tourer with a 4.0L V12 engine that generated 300 hp. The sedan was one of just 50 units produced by Ferrari, and was virtually identical to the Ferrari 250 GTE, but had a larger engine.
1964 Ferrari 330 America 1 of 50 Quick walk around and short drive, Brothers Classics
Ferrari 512 BBi
The Ferrari 512 BBi was the final car in the Berlinetta Boxer (BB) series, unveiled in 1981. Powered by a 4.9L V12 engine, the BBi now featured a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system which offered much better performance while being environmentally conscious. Kalikow has always been a bit of an environmentalist, so we're sure that the 512 BBi's cleaner emissions would have helped him make the purchase.
Ferrari 512 BBi Is A Piece of Art - Petrolicious, Petrolicious
Ferrari 512 BBi (Cont'd)
The car's 4.9L V12 pushed out just 340 hp, making it the least powerful model in the Berlinetta Boxer series. Despite this, it sold okay, with Ferrari producing 1,007 examples between 1981 and 1984. One specialized version of the 512 BBi came with wool cloth seating, door panels, and headliner. Things like air conditioning, power windows, and a stereo were standard.
Ferrari 512 BBi Is A Piece of Art - Petrolicious, Petrolicious
Ferrari 812 Competizione A
When you're in Ferraris' good books, as Peter undoubtedly was (unlike these ruffians), you get exclusive access to competition-geared Ferraris, like the 812 Competizione A. Costing in the region of $600,000, Kalikow's 812 Competizione A was one of only 599 ever built.
Ferrari 812 Competizione A (Cont'd)
Powered by a 6.5L V12 engine, the Competizione A is the drop-top variant of the Competizione (Ferrari's track-focused 812), offering a staggering 819 hp and a top speed of 211 mph. It's shockingly quick to 60 mph, reaching it in just 2.85 seconds.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images
Ferrari Superamerica
This Superamerica isn't the only model in Kalikow's collection, but it is the most notable of the Superamerica models out of Maranello. Released in 2005, the car was a limited-production variant of the 575M Maranello, a luxury grand tourer and one of the most popular Ferrari models of the decade. The Superamerica was a convertible version of the 575M, with a body made entirely of carbon fiber.
Lewis Whyld - PA Images, Getty Images
Ferrari Superamerica (Cont'd)
Ferrari marketed the 2005 Superamerica as the world's fastest convertible back in '05, with a staggering top speed of 199 mph. Powered by an up-tuned V12 engine codenamed F133 G, it produced 533 hp. The company made just 559 units, adhering to a long-held philosophy of Enzo Ferrari's: that there be one less car produced than the market demanded.
Sjoerd van der Wal, Getty Images
Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe
Billed as a sports car for the road that could also win international racing championships, the 212 Inter Coupe was unveiled in 1951 as a hardtop grand tourer. Powered by a 2.6L V12 engine with a single carburetor, Kalikow's 212 Inter Coupe produces 150 hp and has a top speed of 116 mph. Kalikow's all-black Inter Coupe is one of Ferrari's most coveted early 1950s cars.
1951 Ferrari 212 Inter by Ghia - Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno's Garage
Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe (Cont'd)
Another version of the Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe was acquired by Henry Ford in the early 1950s for research and study while developing the Ford Thunderbird, Ford's competitor to the Chevrolet Corvette. Today, it sits in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.
1951 Ferrari 212 Inter by Ghia - Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno's Garage
Ferrari 250 GTO
One of the most infamous classic Ferraris ever: the 250 GTO. Produced between 1962 and 1964 as a homologation car for Ferrari's racing group, the car quickly became an iconic sports car. Powered by a 2.9L V12 engine that produced 296 hp, just 36 of them were built in two years, making them one of the rarest Ferraris ever.
The Ferrari 250 GTO Speaks for Itself, Petrolicious
Ferrari 250 GTO (Cont'd)
The 250 GTO routinely ranks among the greatest sports cars and Ferraris of all time. It featured all-aluminum bodywork, a long, low nose and a rear spoiler, with an interior that smacks of racing minimalism: no carpeting, headliner, and cloth-upholstered racing seats. Plexiglass-covered headlights were also used to keep the weight down. The result was an instant hit and a now-classic Ferrari.
The Ferrari 250 GTO Speaks for Itself, Petrolicious
Ferrari 330 GTS
In 1966, Ferrari upgraded their 330 (mentioned above) to include a more elegant design, featuring an independent rear suspension that made the 330 GTS more pleasurable to drive. Additionally, the 330 GTS had a radio that one could actually hear over the sound of the enormous V12 engine.
REVealed: 1968 Ferrari 330 GTS, GoodingandCompany
Ferrari 330 GTS (Cont'd)
Like most of Peter Kalikow's cars, the 330 GTS is a rarity: Ferrari only produced 100 of them. Powered by the same V12 that powered the 330 America mentioned above, the average sale price of a 330 GTS today is about $1.9 million, while one has previously sold for a whopping $3 million. We're not sure what the billionaire bought his for, but it probably wasn't for less than a million.
REVealed: 1968 Ferrari 330 GTS, GoodingandCompany
Ferrari 365 GTC 4
Another extraordinary "300" series in Peter Kalikow's collection is the 365 GTC 4. Produced by Ferrari between 1970 and 1972, the GTC/4 was based on the Ferrari Daytona (another car in Kalikow's collection). Just 505 of these were built in its two production years, all powered by a 4.4L V12, just like the Daytona.
Driving The 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 - Real Italian V12 Sounds (POV Review), Tedward
Ferrari 365 GTC 4 (Cont'd)
This exclusive coupe offered a wedge-shaped design typical of the era, with a fastback sloping roofline, hidden headlamps, and a unique interior design featuring a tartan and leather mixture—most unusual for Ferrari. Air conditioning, electric windows, and power steering were offered as standard. Under the hood, the GTC/4 produced 316 hp and a top speed of 163 mph.
Driving The 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 - Real Italian V12 Sounds (POV Review), Tedward
Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III
The Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III was unveiled in 1955 and built for four years for exclusive clientele in the United States. With a price tag of $16,800 (a lot of money in the mid-1950s), the car was Ferrari's first-ever road-going car to use a five-speed gearbox. Given that Kalikow has been collecting Ferraris since he was in his 20s, it's likely that he bought the Superamerica new.
Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III (Cont'd)
Recognized by the Guinness Book of Records in 1955 as the world's fastest production car, the 410 Superamerica had a top speed of 163 mph and was powered by a 5.0L V12 engine that produced 355 hp, thanks to a pair of carburetors that were installed upon import to the US. Unfortunately, this rare beauty failed to sell well in the US, mostly thanks to its high price tag. Just 35 units were sold in four years, making it one of Ferrari's worst flops.
Ferrari 250 GT
Of course, this iconic grand tourer had to be a part of Kalikow's collection. One of the most beautiful and recognizable grand touring cars ever built by Ferrari, the Colombo V12 produced 296 hp and was surprisingly lightweight for its engine size and displacement—about half the weight of a Jaguar XK's six-cylinder. It's gorgeous curved bodywork, hood scoop, and rounded headlights, along with the iconic fastback roof, make it an instant classic.
Bradley Collyer - PA Images, Getty Images
Ferrari 250 GT (Cont'd)
Of course, being a "grand tourer", it was fit for a family of four, despite the rear seating being cramped. The 250 GT spurred several innovations and versions, including the above-mentioned California Spyder, the GTE, and others. It also inspired Ferruccio Lamborghini to begin designing his own car, as he had owned several Ferrari 250 GTs but grew frustrated with Ferrari's clutch design.
Bradley Collyer - PA Images, Getty Images
Ferrari 330 GTC Pininfarina Coupe Special
Another 330 series in Kalikow's collection is the GTC Pininfarina Coupe Special. One of only six ever built on the GTC platform, this Pininfarina Coupe Special was unveiled in 1966 with a number of unique features including pop-up fog lights and blue cloth that replaced the blue leather to cope with hot Italian summers. Sergio Pininfarina also removed the fender vents and replaced them with hood vents to help relieve heat from the 4.0L Colombo V12 engine.
Monterey 2017: 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC by Pininfarina, RM Sotheby's
Ferrari 330 GTC Pininfarina Coupe Special (Cont'd)
Producing 300 hp, the Pininfarina Coupe Special was one of the rarest road-going Ferraris ever built. One sold in 2014 for $967,000 after undergoing a 14-year restoration that was completed in 2002. We're unsure if Kalikow was the buyer, but as there's only six of these in existence, it's not beyond the realm of possibility.
Monterey 2017: 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC by Pininfarina, RM Sotheby's
Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet
Another specialized version of the 250 GT in Kalikow's collection is the Pininfarina Cabriolet. The two-seater convertible was produced over five years between 1957 and 1962 and was the marque's first mass-produced cabriolet, with only around 30 of the first generation selling until 1959, when the Cabriolet was revised, and around 200 units sold. It was the most expensive version of the 250 GT at the time.
1960 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet | Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno's Garage
Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet (Cont'd)
Powered by the 5.5L Colombo V12 engine, with a top speed of 168 mph, the Pininfarina Cabriolet was more powerful than some of its predecessors, producing 81 hp per liter of fuel. It was aided in its power by three double-barrel carburetors from Weber and could reach 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds.
1960 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet | Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno's Garage
Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet
The Ferrari 212 was the second of Ferrari's earliest cars, the first being the 166. The 212 Export was Ferrari's racing-pedigree 212, designed for overseas enthusiasts. Powered by a triple-carbureted V12 engine, the 212 Export produced 150 and 170 hp, with a top speed of 124 mph.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
Ferrari 212 Export Vignale Cabriolet (Cont'd)
With a wider and more rigid double-tube frame, the Vignale Cabriolet was stabilized by a double wishbone suspension and hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels. Peter Kalikow's extraordinary car in Rosso red was one of just 27 ever made.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I
Kalikow doesn't just have a Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series III in his garage—he's also got the OG Ferrari 400 Superamerica: the Series I. Despite the nomenclature, the 400 was released after the 410 Series III, powered by a 4.0L Colombo V12 that produced 335 hp with a top speed of 174 mph.
Ferrari 400 Superamerica - 1960, 2 & 4 wheels
Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series I (Cont'd)
Complete with an open-air hood scoop and all-new four-wheel disc brakes, the 400 Superamerica Series I was one of the final models in the "America" series from Ferrari, as they attempted to branch out into the previously untapped US market. The Series I was followed by the Series II, which was then followed by the conclusive 500 Superfast.
Ferrari 400 Superamerica - 1960, 2 & 4 wheels
Ferrari 500 Superfast
Concluding Peter Kalikow's collection of Ferrari's America series is the Ferrari 500 Superfast. Borrowing the engine from the 400 Superamerica, the 500 Superfast featured a 5.0L V12 engine with six Weber carburetors, producing an enormous 395 hp and pushing the Superfast to a super fast speed of 175 mph. It was only available in a 2+2 body style, with a coupe design.
Ferrari 500 Superfast (Cont'd)
The Ferrari 500 Superfast marked the end of an era for the company, and waving goodbye to its flagship America model meant they'd have to come up with something new to market to American enthusiasts like Kalikow. But it wasn't just Americans who bought the 500 Superfast; the former Shah of Iran bought two of them and the Aga Khan, the imam of Nizari Isma'ilism, owned the very first one produced.
Ferrari 550 Barchetta
From the 1960s to the turn of the century. The Ferrari 550 Barchetta was unveiled in 2000 to commemorate designer Pininfarina's 70th anniversary. A minimal soft top provided barely any rain cover; the 550 Barchetta was intended as an open-top roadster. The front-engine rear-wheel drive car was limited to 448 units. Kalikow's 550 Barchetta had a top speed of 199 mph and travelled from 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds.
Ferrari 550 Barchetta (Cont'd)
That astonishing top speed was tested at a 12-kilometer oval test track in Ohio in 1998, when Ferrari sent a 550 Barchetta to the track, attempting to set world records. It did! Among the three world records it set, the most astonishing was that it travelled for an hour at an average speed of 184 mph. The high-performance Barchetta became the basis for a number of higher-performance racing variants.
Ferrari 599 GTO
One of Ferrari's many one-offs in Kalikow's collection: The 599 GTO. Standing for "Gran Turismo Omologato", the GTO was the homologated version of Ferrari's 599XX racing car, incorporating many of the incredible elements of the XX in its design. Powered by a 6.0L V12 that produced 670 hp and a staggering top speed of 208 mph, the GTO was more powerful than the Ferrari Enzo, with approximately 125 produced for the American market.
Ferrari 612 Kappa
Another one-off in Kalikow's collection is the Ferrari 612 Kappa. A heavily-modified Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, the Kappa was hand-built for Kalikow by Pininfarina to his exact specifications: an aggressive hood scoop, an all-aluminum body, taillights from the Enzo, and a sunroof design that uses photovoltaic cells to change the opacity. If you've got more money than Croesus, I suppose, why not?
Simon Davison, Wikimedia Commons
Ferrari F50
From the custom-made to the classic, this Ferrari F50 was sold brand new to Peter Kalikow in 1999 and is as stock as it's possible to get. The mid-engine sports car was produced between 1995 and 1997, taking race car design cues in the front and back, thanks to a wide rear spoiler and a bubble-like cockpit design. The F50 featured a 4.7L V12 that produced 513 hp and a top speed of 205 mph.
Ferrari SA Aperta
Another custom 599 in Kalikow's collection is the Ferrari SA Aperta: its roadster variant. Using the high-performance engine from the 599, producing 661 hp and rocketing from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds, the "SA" designation is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Pininfarina, denoting the first names of the brothers: Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina. Just 80 cars were produced and all were sold privately, including one to Kalikow.
Ferrari Special Projects Superamerica 45
One of only 14 cars produced by Ferrari's "Special Projects" team, Kalikow commissioned Ferrari to build a highly-specialized version of the Superamerica: the 45, commemorating his 45 years as a Ferrari client. This special-edition Ferrari included a carbon fiber body, a chromed front grille, a special color called Blu Antille that was also applied to the wheels, and Ferrari's V12 engine that powered the 599 GTB.
Ferrari LaFerrari
Most of Kalikow's cars are gas-guzzlers, but the Ferrari LaFerrari is one of the few environmentally friendly vehicles in his lineup. The LaFerrari is a mild hybrid, powered by a mix of a V12 engine that produces 848 hp, while an electric motor produces another 102 horsepower, for a staggering total output of 950 hp. Removable carbon fiber hardtop roofing is standard, with just 499 units produced.
Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
Of course, Ferrari's favorite patron wasn't going to be satisfied with just one Ferrari hybrid. No, he had to buy two! The second Ferrari LaFerrari in Kalikow's collection is the open-top version, the Aperta. Although a basic copy of the LaFerrari, the Aperta included re-angled radiators that brought airflow underneath the body, and a longer front-air dam to increase downforce. The top speed is electronically limited to 217 mph.
Alexandre Prevot from Nancy, France, Wikimedia Commons
Ferrari Enzo
Lastly, we come to Peter Kalikow's final Ferrari car: the Ferrari Enzo, a classic car by all accounts, and one of Ferrari's most recognizable and its best-selling car ever. Just 400 units of the Enzo were produced, all featuring a carbon fiber body and Formula One-inspired technology throughout. With a top speed of 218 mph and a 0 to 60 time of 3.5 seconds, it's powered by a 6.0L V12 engine that produces 660 hp. The Enzo is a must-have for any Ferrari die-hard fan, including a seasoned collector like Peter Kalikow.
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