Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (1964)

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 example was supplied new to Mr Leslie Crawley, a partner at Robert Savill Ltd in Maidstone, Kent. Ordered 18th December 1963, the car would arrive the following month first registered in the UK on 23rd January 1964 with the registration mark ‘2 HLA’.

Ordered through Ronnie Hoare’s Maranello Concessionaires, this example was optioned in Azzurro Metallizzato 19.278 M over Connolly Vaumol 3015 (Luxan Blu). As a close friend of Ronnie Hoare, there is written correspondence between the pair in the supporting history file.

The car remained in the UK passing through several notable owners including renowned motoring and racing enthusiast Vic Norman and successful racer Mark Konig. In 1975, the car was exported to the USA where it would remain for much of its life. Advertised several times in AutoWeek in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the car resurfaced in 1996 as part of long and drawn out bankruptcy case. Michael Sheehan had found the car as an asset in the proceedings and after a long and convoluted process, the Lusso was finally sold personally to Andrew Turner of official Ferrari dealership Mortimer, Houghton & Turner.

Bob Houghton had previously founded Rosso Racing with Vic Norman caring for the Lusso earlier in its life.

Turner re-imported the car to the UK, taking extra care to re-assign its original registration of ‘2 HLA’ through extensive correspondence with the DVLA. At the time of purchase, the car had been repainted silver and whilst it had been restored at some point; it would benefit from extensive continued care in the hands of Turner.

Over the course of his ownership the car would be shown at Ferrari Owners Concours at Stapleford in 2005. The car was used regularly and whilst it had been restored in the USA, it was starting to look a little tired.

Turner retained the car until 2011, reluctantly selling the car to its next custodian. At this time, the car was inspected at GTO Engineering which noted the condition along with a smokey engine and weak synchros in the gearbox. A comprehensive restoration followed between 2013-2015, including a meticulous focus on ensuring body shape details were restored. The previous restoration had resulted in poor door fitment and, as is common with 250 Lusso restorations, poor wheelarch shape. Completed in 2015, the car was rehomed care of DK Engineering in 2016.

Since acquiring the car, DK Engineering carried out further improvements to bring the restoration up to the highest quality and standard. The paint was refinished once more to meet the exacting standards of the current custodian as well as having the interior retrimmed by O’ Rourke Coachtrimmers of West Sussex. Other details to return the car wholly to factory specification were also completed in our workshops.

Today this fabulous example is accompanied by two history folders, its Ferrari red book Classiche certification and reproduction tool roll and is available to view at our showrooms just outside London immediately.