The world first saw the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso at the 1962 Paris Auto Show, a glamourous debut for the Lusso (luxury) grand touring coupe. This 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso delighted American owners until crossing the Atlantic in the late 20th century to England where it resides today. Presented with a fresh repaint in its original Grigio Argento, the tan interior from an earlier restoration, and a full 2024 rebuild of its original engine, the elegant muscular GT comes to auction here at RMSothebys London, 2 November 2024. The estimated hammer price of 1,100,000 to 1,300,000 GBP ($1.4 to $1.7 million USD) should thin the crowd, though the sky is the limit when two well-heeled enthusiasts compete to own their mechanical dreams. Thanks to Araknid78 for the tip on this gorgeous Italian.
Delivered with black interior and later painted red, the Berlinetta Lusso looks stunning in this color combination, finely suiting a model not built for racing. The tall shifter isolates mechanical gear changes from the driver as your cigarette holder holds the smoke and fire of your Pall Mall at bay during your favorite opera.
The fastback rear carries into the trunk lid, perhaps inspiring a similar detail in the 1967 Ford Mustang. Pencil-thin C pillars offer an airy cabin without blind spots.
Perhaps in keeping with an emphasis on luxury, our feature car’s suite of excellent pictures did not venture beneath the bonnet, but this engine picture from another 250 GT Lusso at SportsCarDigest should be similar. The 3.0L (180 cid) Columbo V12 made “up to” 300 HP.
A Ferrari 250 of any variety may become a life-sized Matchbox toy, displayed like fine art and rarely enjoyed as a vehicle, yet this specimen drove in the Rallye Padre-Figlio in Monaco as recently as 2018, and we hope it brings joy on the road, regularly escaping the velvet bonds of its glossy garage. Can you name a more elegant luxury touring coupe?
Nice but nothing compares to the 275 GTB. More beautiful to my eye than the Lusso, though I would not turn this one out of my garage to struggle for another owner on the street.
I agree completely.
I’m surprised at the estimates.
It wasn’t that long ago that Lussos were unloved.
I know some were rebodied as 250 SWBs and GTOs.
Very nice, indeed but, I prefer the simple but aggressive lines of the 250 SWB. I still remember Bob Grossman in his 250 SWB Berlinetta dueling with Dick Thompson in the original Corvette Stingray at the Cumberland SCCA Regional in 1962. BTW, there were 3 other SWB Berlinetta in that A & B Production event. Great memories of yesteryear!
That rear 3/4 view is ….sublime.
bt
Very nice, I don’t think I will bid on it.
older but wiser? Probably not. But…
After more than a decade in my youth, dragin home heavy metal 4 wheeled art (6 or 8 from ‘Goldie’s’ alone) for an intro to wrenchin and Italian exotica today I’d go for the next offering on our cover page – the AMX. Still likin the ‘smaller car’ it fits (90 inch WB?). Fits the euro style (a copy of their fast back, long hood) similar to xke, this one and dozens of others, in the usa way. But…
after the finicky mechanics, parts availability, hi costs, I’d choose the merican. Y? It’s presentation right here (“F” BaT) over the yrs helped me reasse the Y/M/M I’d had since its initial sales.
I’d go with the one from Kenosha (& Melbourne) but with today’s author “I would not turn this one out of my garage.” Remarkable !
One of the best looking cars of all time! But, you had to be a McQueen to afford one.
I’m thinking any buyer of this car would order his tobacco products from Nat Sherman. The Pall Mall was so plebe. However, having driven a V12 Ferrari for six whole days, I’m thinking I may have a used kidney for sale. That sound is only surpassed by the 19,000 rpm F1 cars of the past.
Well, I love it! I think it’s uniquely beautiful! But that shifter . . .
But that shifter . . .is not the gated type that I’m fond of.
You took the words right outta my mouth! (LOL!)
I could live with the shifter!
Sweet car-
Bello!
1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti
£1,146,875 GBP | Sold