For what Ferrari’s 250 series offered in brute performance and unrepeatably stunning design, perhaps the model range’s most notable shortcoming was a rather spartan level of equipment. This was, of course, completely by design—the 250 GTO notably lacked a speedometer, hinting at its readiness for racing—while other concessions to comfort were made in preference of function over form. The mass produced 250 GTE offered a semblance of everyday usability, but it was the 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso that brought the 250 platform an opulent twist; its lusso tag (or “luxury” in Italian) clearly asserted this as a generously specified car.

First unveiled at the 1962 Paris Salon, the 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso was the final iteration of the 250 grand tourer platform in purely road-going form and production lasted until 1964. By this point, some 350 examples had been carefully bodied by Scaglietti, with the Modena carrozzeria put in charge of executing a design imagined by Pininfarina. The Ferrari’s visual appeal gained instant praise, distinguished by its low “egg crate” grille—similar to that of its 250 GT SWB Berlinetta predecessor, also coachbuilt by Scaglietti—further to its deftly curved wings giving way to long, flowing proportions, while its fastback profile was punctuated with a svelte Kamm tail.

Inside the Lusso, its interior accentuated its lavish standing, swathed in quilted leather and facing a revised dashboard arrangement. The sumptuous bodywork sat on an improved chassis with four-wheel disc brakes, coil-over shock absorbers at each corner, and a rear Watts linkage, as perfected on the legendary 250 GTO. Under the bonnet was the ultimate 3.0-litre development of the long-running short-block Colombo V-12, featuring the outside-plug ignition and single-cylinder porting that had proved so successful in the 250 Testa Rossa and California Spider. With an output of 240 horsepower and top speed of 240 km/h, the 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso was one of the most powerful production cars of its day.

As a result of its jaw-dropping looks, the Lusso is widely regarded as one of the most elegant Ferrari designs of all time. Not often does a package boast both beauty and brawn, yet the all-round appeal of the 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso earned the Ferrari a loyal following among celebrities and motorsport high-flyers of the era. Notable owners included film star and have-a-go racer Steve McQueen, ex-Formula 1 driver Richard “Dickie” Attwood, and rockstar Eric Clapton.

The example offered here, chassis 4267, left the fabled halls of Ferrari’s Maranello factory in March 1963. The car was specified new in a shade of Grigio Savadim over a Rosso interior and was the fifth example made from a production run spanning just 350 units. A report by marque expert Marcel Massini (available to view on file) notes that the 250 GT/L was sold by Ferrari directly to its first owner, Dr Enrico Wax, a resident of Genoa, Italy. Under the ownership of Dr Wax, the Ferrari gained the Italian road registration “GE 192037”, and Massini’s notes suggest the car returned to Ferrari Factory Assistenza Clienti only months afterwards for routine servicing.

In February 1964 the Ferrari was sold to Mr Walter Ronchi, a resident of Milan, and registered as “MI 880003”. The car’s stay in its Italian homeland did not last for long, though, as by late-1964 the road registration for the 250 GT/L had been cancelled for export to France. Historian Marc Rabineau has compiled a full report on the French ownership of chassis 4267 from 1964 to 2007. He discovered that the third owner, Monsieur Pechenard, registered this Lusso at his Parisian address on 27 July 1964. By the following year, in May, the car was owned by a Laboratoire Chimie, also in Paris. On 28 July 1967, Monsieur Amic became the fifth owner of this Ferrari, with the car remaining on its Parisian registration “2079 QK 75”. In October 1968, the Lusso left Paris for Normandy, having been acquired by Monsieur Seneque, who retained this Ferrari until May 1975, when he sold to Monsieur Berger of Venissieux. On 15 January 1988, Monsieur Vittoz of La Boutresse purchased the Ferrari. Cherishing the car, he remained its custodian for nearly 30 years, after which he parted ways with chassis 4267 in 2007.

Following an exhibition at the Auto Classic Collection La Clayette (ACCLC) in Bourgogne, chassis 4267 was acquired by a Belgian collector who embarked on a full restoration of the car. Bacchelli & Villa of Bastiglia, Italy, led on the project with Luppi of Modena lining the interior with new red leather. Photos of the restoration work are available to view in the car’s history file.

After passing through one further French custodian as a complete restoration, the car was acquired by its consigning owner in 2010. In their care, the Ferrari was subject to an engine rebuild by WHS-Service of Bachenbülach, Switzerland in 2013, totalling some 76,776 CHF-worth of work. In 2017, the 250 GT/L was shown at the Ferrari 70th Anniversary Concours d’Elegance celebration events in Fiorano, Italy. In April 2011 the car was certified by Ferrari Classiche and is accompanied by its important Red Book. The factory data proves that this 250 GT/L retains its matching-numbers engine.

This restored Ferrari is primed for further enjoyment on the show circuit or participation in vintage tours and events. The Lusso is a quintessential blue-chip Ferrari that will complement any style of collection, and this beautifully presented example is sure to bring thrills and enjoyment to its next caretaker.