240 bhp, 2,953 cc SOHC per cylinder bank, alloy block-and-head V-12 engine with triple Weber 36 DCF carburettors, four-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with A-arms, coil springs and lever shocks and rear suspension via live axle, semi-elliptic springs and lever shocks, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 2,600 mm (102.4")

• Matching numbers; Ferrari Classiche certification

• Fully restored; offered from an important private collection

A new 250 GT Coupé was being developed by Pinin Farina at the end of 1957, whilst the Ellena-bodied car remained in production. Several prototypes were built, the third of which was sold to Prince Bertil of Sweden. Another prototype was entered in the Concours d’Elegance at Antibes, one of the earliest such appearances of a Ferrari.

Production of the 250 GT Coupé began in 1958 at Pinin Farina’s new factory in Grugliasco.

This example, chassis 1233GT, was sold new through the Venezuelan Ferrari importer Carlos Kauffmann in Caracas to the first owner, an engineer named Staccioli. Later, the car returned to Italy and was acquired by Enzo Martinelli of Modena. Subjected to a comprehensive restoration in the 1990s, the car was stripped to bare metal, with no corrosion present, and upon completion, 1233GT was shown by Martinelli during Ferrari’s 50th anniversary in Rome and Maranello.

The current owner acquired 1233GT in 2008 and since then, it has formed part of a very important European collection. Driven sparingly ever since and in very fine condition throughout, 1233GT benefits further from the coveted Ferrari Classiche certification and proper maintenance. The Ferrari 250 GT Coupé was so well received that some 350 examples were produced and road car production in Maranello was increased by 75%, purely because of the success of this car. It is no surprise as to why, the 250 GT Coupé had purposeful, notchback styling and the best-appointed interior of any Ferrari built thus far; it could attain a top speed of 240 km/h and would sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. This example is no exception.