Ferrari’s first production four-seater, the 250 GTE was first seen by the public at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was used as the course marshals car. At the time, Ferrari’s dominance in motorsport was undeniable, but with the 250 GTE, the company sought to bring in new buyers that might be looking for a more refined driving experience, albeit one that rests on the laurels of the Scuderia’s competition pedigree. An official launch would follow a few months later at the Paris Motor Show, and this was considered a true rival to similar cars from Aston Martin and Maserati. The 250 GTE quickly became one of Ferrari’s best-selling cars, with a total of 954 examples produced between 1960 and 1963.

Delivered new in March of 1963, chassis number 4295 GT was the 735th 250 GTE produced. Falling into the third and final series of production, it was the 81st of just 300 third series 250 GTEs constructed. Originally finished in Grigio Argento (18940 M) over Pelle Nera leather upholstery (VM 8500), it was destined for France and delivered through Franco-Brittanic Auto’s, Ferrari’s official import just outside of Paris.

The 250 GTE’s first registered owner was Mr. Jean-Philippe Salmson of Neuilly, who took delivery on April 2, 1963 and registered the car under the French numberplate 38 NJ 75. Two years later, it is noted that the car returned to Franco-Brittanic for a mechanical overhaul. In March of 1966, the car was sold to its second owner and registered to the company Verreries Lefebure, keeping its original registration number. A second service took place at Franco Brittanic in September of that year.

Acquired by its third owner in June of 1968, Bernard Courty, chassis no. 4295 GT moved south to Bordeaux, where it was reregistered 1699 CB 33. The car remained with him until April of 1979, when it was acquired by Gilbert Noury of Normandy and reregistered 4201 RA 27. Mr. Noury retained the car for eight years, selling to Michel Maumont of Evry in August of 1987, registering the car as 250 ZJ 91. In Mr. Maumont’s ownership, the car was seen in Italy in November of 1998, having been repainted in red but retaining its original black interior and carpeting, and was noted as being in need of a restoration.

With its next owner, the 250 GTE would finally leave France and was purchased by a dealer Christiano Luzzago of Roncadelle, Italy. Luzzago listed the car for sale in April of 2002 and by this point, it had been fully restored and returned to its original colour combination, although it was still wearing its most recent French numberplates. The car remained in Italy thereafter and was purchased by the company Finsei S.r.l of Milan in December 2011 and was registered EJ 437 GH in Italy.

Acquired by Dip.-Ing. Július Horváth in November of 2012, chassis no. 4295 GT remained in Italy for a mechanical overhaul for several weeks and has remained with him ever since. Today, the car’s Italian restoration presents well and has been well preserved, showing few signs of wear after having been driven just over 2,500 km during his ownership. Additionally, the car is accompanied by a history file which includes a document that chronicles its life in France written by French Ferrari historian Cyrill Jaquinot.

Combining stately looks, race-bred performance, and incredible practicality, a 250 GTE is a wonderful car to drive an enjoy and the perfect foray into 250-series Ferrari ownership. This example presents wonderfully, benefitting from a known history from new and well-preserved restoration.