When it comes to classic Ferraris, 250 series models are the most sought after among collectors – actually the most expensive car ever sold is a Ferrari 250 GTO racer that changed hands for $52 million (€38 million) earlier this year.
The last model of the 250 series was the Ferrari 250 GT/L, also known as the “Lusso”, which in my view, is the best looking Ferrari 250 and possibly the best-looking Ferrari ever.
Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the 250 GT/L was limited to 350 units, with the 168th of these being available at RM Auctions’ Arizona sale on January 16-17, 2014.
The exquisite elegance of the car’s lines is only matched by the complex 2,953-cc single overhead-camshaft V12 engine featuring triple Weber carburetors. Mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, the unit produces 240 hp and offers grand touring dynamics to the 250 GT/L.
The car has an independent front suspension with unequal length A-arms and coil springs, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, parallel trailing arms, and Watt Bar. The grand tourer was also fitted with four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.
The 250 GT/L was built on the shorter wheelbase chassis of the Ferrari 250 model range but featured chassis upgrades derived from racing. This particular example has chassis number 5215GT, matching engine number 5215GT, and was sold new in 1963 by official Ferrari dealer Charles Rezzaghi SA in San Francisco, California.
It had six owners since then and has been subjected to a complete nut-and-bolt restoration in 2007, with the engine being completely rebuilt in 2010 by the current owner. The car is offered with all its original books and tools, as well as numerous records and receipts from the car’s restoration and servicing. It also has a Ferrari Classiche certification binder.
The car will be auctioned on Friday, January 17, 2014, with RM Auctions estimating it could fetch $1.7 million (€1.24 million) to $2 million (€1.46 million).
By Dan Mihalascu
