For Sale at Auction: 1963 Ferrari 250 in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. 4607
Engine No. 2263/62E
Transaxle No. 92

The Ferrari 250 GT/L-better known as the Berlinetta Lusso (meaning Luxury)-is widely regarded as one of the most elegant Ferrari Grand Turismos ever built. Introduced at the 1962 Paris Salon as the successor to the 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe, the Lusso signaled a departure from the coachbuilder's "cubist" period which had defined its designs since the mid-1950s. The new, unfettered styling nodded to the 250 GT SWB while debuting a more prominent grille treatment and dramatically projecting headlights. A beautifully drawn waistline began at the A-pillars, swept across the rear quarters, and terminated in an abrupt Kamm tail-an aerodynamic cue shared with Ferrari's competition benchmark, the 250 GTO.

Beneath its sculpted bodywork, the Lusso's similarities with its competition-bred stablemates continued. Its chassis, which descended directly from the GTO, adopted two Watts linkages binding the differential case to the chassis, as well as four-wheel disc brakes and coil-over shock absorbers at each corner. Power came from the Tipo 168 U 3.0-liter Colombo V12 in its most fully developed "short-block" form, incorporating features like outside-plug ignition and single-cylinder porting proven in competition 250 variants such as the Testa Rossa and California Spider.

Produced in just 350 examples over roughly two years, the 250 GT/L remains a rare and highly sought after final member of the 250 GT family-an exquisite bridge between the classic three-liter Colombo era and the new 275 that would follow.

Completed in September 1963 and delivered new via Luigi Chinetti Motors in New York, chassis 4607 was built as a left-hand-drive, U.S.-market Lusso, originally finished in Grigio Argento (Silver Grey) over a Pelle Nera (Black) leather interior, a particularly flattering specification for Scaglietti's elegant, Kamm-tailed fastback form. Records from The Ferrari Register indicate that it was purchased new from Chinetti shortly thereafter by its first private owner in Connecticut in October 1963.

By 1980, the Lusso had been relocated to Florida, briefly belonging to Valrico Codrington before being acquired by former N.A.R.T. race team mechanic, Ferrari restorer, and gentleman driver Wayne Sparling. During Sparling's ownership, circa 1987, chassis 4607 was fitted with a larger 3.3-liter Colombo V12 from a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS, chassis number 08303, and was refinished in Azzurro (Blue). Sparling retained the Lusso for several decades, with The Ferrari Register noting that, following his passing, 4607 transferred to his estate in 2017.

In 2021, the car was sold by Sparling's estate to its current owner, a collector of many significant Ferraris-notably including the very same 275 GTS, chassis 08303, whose engine had been transplanted into the Lusso decades earlier. Soon after the purchase, 4607 was shipped to Italy for a comprehensive, correcting restoration aimed at elevating the car to Ferrari Classiche standards. There, it underwent a full bare-metal restoration by marque experts that ultimately spanned 24 months and more than 3,000 man-hours of work, culminating in the car's return to the United States in 2024.

Under the strict supervision of Ferrari specialist Emiliano Torkar, the car was stripped to bare metal, inventoried, and carefully assessed. Importantly, the underlying structure proved to be remarkably original. Mechanical work was approached with the same methodical approach. The Lusso was sent to Officina Classiche in Cremona, under Eros Zanoletti, for a complete inspection and restoration of the engine, electrical, and suspension systems. Critically, Ferrari supplied the correct Tipo 168 U engine (internal number 2263/62E) for the car, and once it had passed inspection and dyno testing, it was joined a correct type 539 U four-speed transaxle (internal number 92).

The interior was entrusted to specialists in Lombardy, with Interni Auto Maieli (Stefano and Andrea Maieli) selected to execute the upholstery. Connolly leather was chosen, and the work was finished in Vaumol VM 3218 "Luxan Fawn," a warm, period-appropriate hue that wonderfully complements the Lusso's luxurious cabin. Final paint and assembly were completed in Modena at Carrozzeria Europa, renewing the Lusso in its as-delivered Grigio Argento livery. The completed car was then submitted for rigorous Ferrari Classiche certification, which it received in July 2024.

The spectacular restoration made its public debut at the 34th Annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic in January 2025, where chassis 4607 earned a Platinum Award. Even so, the judges deducted three points for a slightly incorrect exhaust among a handful of other minor details. In the current owner's continued pursuit of correctness, the Lusso was subsequently sent to Julio Grosso Restorations in Danbury, Connecticut, to have these items properly addressed.

The Lusso represents Ferrari's final and most luxurious model in the legendary 250 road car series, and this exquisitely restored, Classiche-certified example offers its next caretaker the opportunity to enjoy a properly sorted Lusso for touring, club events, and continued concours presentation.