The 250 GTE 2+2 was Ferrari’s first attempt at a production four seat grand touring car, following on from the successes of Aston Martin’s DB4 and Maserati 3500 GT. Enzo Ferrari was initially resistant to the project with Pininfarina, but burgeoning racing costs forced his hand and it would eventually become one of his favourite models.

Riding the same 508-series chassis as the 250 GT coupé, the 250 GTE’s driving position and V-12 engine were both moved forward within the chassis to accommodate the rear seats. To envelope the Ferrari, Pininfarina crafted a typically elegant body. The latest version of the type 128 engine, the 128E gave the model its unusual suffix whilst many of its competition developed mechanicals remained. As Ferrari’s first series-produced 2+2, the 250 GTE was manufactured in three discretely revised series between 1960 and 1963 and proved to be the manufacturer’s best-selling model at the time.

Delivered new through Franco Britannic Autos Limited, Ferrari’s distributor in Paris, the first owner of 3723 GT was Henry Roussel, who took delivery on August 8, 1962. He did not keep it long as it was sold seven months later to another Parisian, pharmaceuticals executive Pierre Fabre. Although it cannot be confirmed, it is rumored that the car belonged next to Ibrahim Richard Btesh, better known by his stage name Richard Anthony, who apparently loaned it to his friend Claude François, the pop star and composer of ‘My Way’. This rumoured ownership chain continues with France Gall, another French singer. By March 1969, the car was noted as being in Dijon, and in 1974 it was sold to an owner who kept the car until 2006. Later, the Ferrari found its way back to the music industry when it was purchased by the founding member of Jamiroquai, Jay Kay, an avid sports car collector.

Today, it is presented in its desirable and original colour scheme of Nero over Beige, and has been granted Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming that it retains its original engine and gearbox. A fine example and maintained by Joe Macari Performance Cars, this elegant 250 GTE is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner, musically inclined or otherwise.