THE PEAK OF LUXURY

Only rarely has such a beautiful synergy of form and function been built as the Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso. Denoting the word “luxury” in Italian, the Lusso was the final apogee of 10 years of development of the 250 GT platform, benefiting from a decade of lessons learned.

Introduced at the 1962 Paris Salon as a replacement for the 250 GT Coupe, the Lusso featured new coachwork by Scaglietti based on a Pininfarina design. It remains one of the most successful sports car designs ever conceived, unanimously perfect from every angle. With delicate curves and flowing lines, the coachwork was distinguished by classic early cues like an egg-crate grille and bulbous wings. These gave way to a luxuriously trimmed, glass-heavy cabin with a fastback profile punctuated by a Kamm tail. Inside, an all-new interior arrangement was highlighted by a revised dash panel and leather upholstery.

Mechanically, the Lusso’s type 168 U engine was the ultimate 3-liter development of the long-running short-block Colombo V-12, incorporating the outside-plug ignition and single-cylinder porting that had proven so successful in the 250 Testa Rossa and California Spider racing variants. This fantastic foundation was bolstered with chassis improvements including four-wheel disc brakes, Koni shock absorbers at each corner, and a rear Watts linkage that had been perfected on the legendary 250 GTO.

Originally owned by jet-set luminaries and celebrities such as Miles Davis and Steve McQueen, the Lusso was built in a modest quantity of just 350 examples over roughly two years of production. As essentially the final and most developed evolution of the revered 250 GT lineage, the GT/L has evolved into one of Maranello’s most collectable road cars, bar none.

BORN IN MARANELLO, RAISED IN CALIFORNIA

Claiming highly original condition exemplified by the presence of its matching-numbers V-12 engine, this exquisite 250 GT/L represents the classic Pininfarina design in an extraordinary light. According to a history report authored by marque expert Marcel Massini, chassis number 5817 GT is the 326th car built. The late-production Lusso completed assembly in July 1964, specified as a European-market example with instruments in kilometers, and finished in the breathtaking color combination of Azzurro paint over an interior trimmed in Nero Vaumol leather by Connolly.

Dispatched for retail to JH Keller AG, an official marque dealer in Zürich, Switzerland, the Ferrari was sold to an unknown first owner who only kept the car briefly. Shortly thereafter the Lusso was sold to Los Angeles-area resident James LaFleur. As clarified by dozens of original California registration cards on file, Mr. LaFleur maintained ownership for at least 38 years, keeping the tags active through 2004. During this time the coachwork was repainted in silver, and the European-specification metric-increment speedometer was replaced with a proper US-spec gauge measuring miles.

In 2006, the Ferrari was advertised by broker Irving Willems of Beverly Hills, possibly on behalf of Mr. LaFleur. It was later acquired by Mark Haddawy of Los Angeles. Perhaps best known for his work as a manager and financier connected with pop singer and television personality Adam Levine, Mr. Haddawy commissioned a sympathetic restoration of 5817 GT to its original color combination, with a fresh exterior refinish in Azzurro paint. Much of the original Nero interior was left in place, in an effort to maximize the car’s originality and authentic character. As clarified by invoices on file, significant work was performed by Ferrari specialists Blackhorse Motors of Los Angeles, and Allen Bishop’s Galloway Enterprises in nearby Pacific Palisades.

In mid-2015 Mr. Haddawy sold the 250 GT/L as part of a group of Ferraris (along with a 275 GTB and a 330 GTS), and the car remained with dealers until being purchased circa the early 2020s by the consignor, an international collector based in Santa Rosa, California. It is worth noting that this finely presented Lusso displays mechanical stampings consistent with factory data that clarify the car retains its matching-numbers V-12 engine, a strong testament to the car’s overwhelming authenticity.

This beautifully presented Lusso is incredibly well documented with the Massini history report and restoration invoices; and fascinating period paperwork including nearly 40 years of registrations and an original business card from the selling dealer in Switzerland, JH Keller AG. Such a finely presented and highly authentic Lusso would make a stunning addition to any collection of significant touring cars, sure to distinguish the finest stables of thoroughbreds.