250 bhp, 2,953 cc V-12 engine, four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and parallel trailing arms, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,400 mm

• Original, matching-numbers V-12 engine; recent bare-metal refinish

• One of only 355 examples originally built; competition-bred mechanicals

• Single ownership for 25 years

The gorgeous Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta is one of the most exquisitely proportioned and most beautiful of all Pininfarina styling creations on the legendary front-engine Ferrari 250 GT chassis. These were classic, high-performance GT road cars with a difference, for they combined prodigious power and speed with the highest contemporary levels of elegance and comfortable accommodations for two, plus their luggage, within a remarkably airy passenger cabin.

A prototype of the new 250 GT “Lusso” appeared at the Paris Motor Show in October 1962. The strikingly elegant lines, blending into an aero-efficient Kamm tail, were reminiscent of not only the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta but also the 250 GTO. Notably, the Lusso was the last Ferrari model to be equipped with the legendary Gioacchino Colombo-designed 3.0-litre V-12 engine. With three Weber carburettors as opposed to the six used on the racing version, the unit used in the Lusso produced about 250 bhp and was capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) and sprinting from rest to 100 km/h in only eight seconds. Simply put, this new 250 GT combined gorgeous styling with a leather-trimmed interior and all the race-bred V-12 performance that continues to symbolise Ferrari today.

The Lusso was manufactured from 1963 until 1964, a very short period, with merely 355 produced. Aside from a virtually endless list of positive press reviews in period and today, the Lusso attracted numerous well-known clients, including Steve McQueen, Dr. Harvey Postlethwaite, Ferrari’s former head of F1 design, and Battista “Pinin” Farina, who was apparently so pleased with the outcome of his company’s design that he had to have an example for his own personal use.

CHASSIS NO. 5167 GT

This particular example, chassis 5167 GT, was shipped to Modena’s Carrozzeria Scaglietti in August 1963 for its bodywork and finally completed in November of that year, finished in Grigio Metallizzato (Metallic Grey) with a nero (black) leather interior. It was eventually exported to the United States and is known to have been owned by John Easter of Bremo Bluff, Virginia during the 1970s. The next known owner was Paul Pellerin of West Hartford, Connecticut during the 1980s. On July 1, 1987, it was acquired by the current owner and imported from America back to Italy. He has owned the car now for a remarkable 25 years.

Shortly thereafter, the Lusso was road-registered in Italy, and the owner chose to embark on a full, body-off restoration nonetheless. Ferrari specialists in Milan rebuilt the V-12 engine, a specialist in Monza performed the bodywork, and the interior work was entrusted to Selleria Luppi of Modena. The current owner remembers very well personally travelling down to Modena to choose the actual hides that were then to be used to trim the interior, and during the restoration, a brand-new set of Borrani wire wheels were ordered and fitted to the car.

Upon completion of the restoration, the owner applied for ASI certification in Italy, as he intended to use the car at Ferrari Club events, which was now finished in black with a cream leather interior. However, due to a lack of available time, the car was used only sparingly on weekends, and since the restoration was completed, 5167 GT has covered just over 9,000 kms to date.

After 25 years of ownership, the fastidious owner decided to return 5167 GT to its original exterior colour of Grigio Metallizzato, and accordingly, it was given a bare-metal refinish, during which all four corners were taken off the car and all the suspension and brake components were rebuilt. All chrome was stripped and restored at great cost as well. Photographs of this recent work are contained within the car’s history file, and with approximately 800 man-hours invested, 5167 GT presents very nicely.

Door fit is perfect, and the car retains its beautiful, factory-original lines. A recent inspection by an RM specialist confirms that the car is as good on top as it is on the underside. It is truly a pleasure to see a car with such beautiful lines finished to this standard. The chassis looks as new, and the underside and all mechanical components are all very clean and of the same calibre.

The vendor has confirmed that 5167 GT drives as nicely as it looks, and we can confirm that the engine starts readily and does not smoke from cold. The oil pressure is good, and all the gauges work and operate correctly. The vendor recently took the car for a drive to Lake Como and on Italian Autostrada reached a speed close to 200 km/h without any problem. In fact, he reported that the engine has much more to give! He also reports that the acceleration of the car is excellent and that it can still outrun most modern GT cars.

It comes complete with copies of the original Ferrari build sheets and is confirmed to be a matching-numbers car. Offered from long-term single ownership of a quarter-century and having formed part of a small but high-quality collection, this is a tremendously attractive opportunity for Ferraristi.