Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (1963)

The 250 GT Lusso is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and timeless designs by Pininfarina. Introduced in 1962 the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso was Ferrari's latest intermediate model, a vehicle to bridge the gap between competition racers and luxuriously appointed 2+2 Coupe's. Just 351 examples were built between 1963 and late 64. Widely regarded as the epitome of the "La Dolce Vita" few cars can rival the effortless elegance and style of a 250 GT Lusso.

This LHD example was the 174th car built, completed at the factory in October 1963 and subsequently delivered to the official dealer in Florence two months later. One of just 17 black Lusso’s to leave the factory, this car was purchased by its first owner Carlo Fiorini, an industrialist from the city (perhaps a late Christmas present to himself) on December 28th. Enjoying the car enormously, the car returned the factory for its first service the following month, already having covered 2,000kms. Fiorini returned the car to the factory twice more that year; in March at 4,600kms and later in June with 9,600kms.

The car was sold to its second owner in 1966 by Fiorini to a resident in Rome who would also return the car to the factory for service; 1967 now at an impressive 56,700kms. The third owner was a British businessman who purchased the car in June 1967, later sending the car to LA by steamship to arrive in April 1968.

The car had a series of US owners including renowned collector and historian Ed Niles, whose photographs of the car remain the file to this day. Moving from LA to Oregon in 1981, a comprehensive restoration began, completing in late 1982. At this time the car was put up for sale and had been refinished in red. In January 1986, the car was sold as part of a deal including a 330GTS to large car collector, Mr Artam. Owner of a private car museum, Mr Artam stored the car as part of his collection in Istanbul, Turkey where it would remain until we purchased the car in 2016.

Purchased by its current owner in early 2017, a total nut and bolt restoration was set upon to the DK’s highest standard. Having restored close to 100 Ferrari 250-series cars since our founding, in 2017 DK were the obvious choice for the comprehensive, bare-metal restoration of this car.

We stripped the car to the bare metal over the course of a week, ensuring a full inventory was made of all parts. We delivered the car to renowned metal panel beaters, Bodylines of Northampton. After removing the paint, the thoroughly original bodywork was revealed. Particular time and attention was spent ensuring the rear wheel arches were the correct shape and as per original images of the car. With no two cars identical, this process took a number of weeks of research, high-resolution images and numerous inspections.

At the same time, we delivered the matching-numbers engine to our specialist engine shop based at Mallory Park. Here the engine could be comprehensively stripped down and rebuilt. When completed, the engine was returned to our workshops being fully photographed before being put into storage.

Each stage of the restoration was thoroughly documented, for reference but equally as a means to demonstrate the art of the process. After the metalwork was complete, the car was photographed ahead of its move to paint-masters Spray Tec. Refinished in its original deep black, the car was once more photographed on a jig ahead of reassembly at our main facility.

The interior trim was chosen as Vaumol 3015, a period option green that delightfully contrasts the deep black coachwork. O’ Rourke Coachtrimmers handled all of the interior work, visiting our site regularly to complete the installation. Over the course of 26 months, a total of 2,970 hours has been spent on the restoration. With final assembly now complete, the car has since undergone some road miles to ensure the car is ready to go for its new custodian.

This stunning matching-numbers 250 Berlinetta Lusso is available to view at our showrooms just outside London immediately.