Ferrari 250 GT Lusso by Fantuzzi Is a Great Example of Italian Coachbuilding at Its Finest

Some of the most collectible Prancing Horses belong to the 250 series, which was in production between 1952 and 1964, and the last representative of the long-running series, the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, is a highly sought-after model, considered by many one of the most beautiful cars of all time. It blended exquisite looks penned by the renowned Italian design house Pininfarina with the racing DNA of models like the 250 GT SWB and the 250 GTO in a luxurious roadgoing car meant for long journeys at high speeds.

With only 351 units reportedly built in the 18 months it stayed in production, any "regular" Ferrari 250 GT Lusso is already a rare bird, but this 1963 example with stunning styling by former Ferrari race car designer Medardo Fantuzzi is perhaps the rarest of them all.

This particular Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso (chassis 4383) was the 16th Lusso ever constructed. Luckily, it has a well-documented history by marque historian Marcel Massini, so we know it was completed by the factory on March 20, 1963, and was bought new through Bologna-based official Ferrari dealer Società Italiana Veicoli Agriculturali e Motori by Luciano Pederzani, co-founder of the Tecno Formula One racing team.

Originally finished in Grigio Argento over a Nero Connolly leather interior, the car left the Maranello factory in the standard Pininfarina-styled body, but in remained in factory-fresh form for just three years. At the request of its first owner, it was partially re-bodied by Medardo Fantuzzi, who was styling Pederzani's Tecno race cars at the time. Around 1965, the car also exchanged its original V12 swapped for a later 250 GT Lusso engine.

Fantuzzi modified the original coachwork to more closely resemble that of the Ferrari 330 LMB competition model. The result is an entirely unique Lusso with a different front end due to a smaller, rounded grille, twin bumperettes instead of the usual three, and repositioned, faired-in headlights with aerodynamic Plexiglass covers.

Later on, the car was sold and exported to Venezuela and then to the United States, where it benefitted from yet more modifications under the ownership of a subsequent owner in Texas. Three 250 GTO-style intakes were added above the front grille, and the Lusso also received vents behind the rear wheel arches. Moreover, the car was repainted red in 1977.

With all these modifications in place, this Ferrari 250 GT Lusso became a special example of Italian coachbuilding at its finest. From the sweeping hood to the curved fenders and the sloping rear end, this Prancing Horse exudes elegance and grace.

Beneath its handsome exterior, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso hides a pretty potent beating heart - the 3.0-liter Colombo V12 in single overhead cam per bank configuration with two valves per cylinder, a traditional wet sump, and three dual-barrel Weber 36 DCS carburetors. The engine delivers 240 hp at 7,500 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm, allowing for a top speed of around 150 mph (240 kph). This was an impressive performance for the time, making the 250 GT Lusso not just a beauty but also a true performer on both road and track.

Power was harnessed and sent back to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The car also boasted independent suspension with coil springs, unequal-length wishbones, and telescopic shock absorbers up front, while the rear suspension consisted of a live rear axle with coil springs, semi-elliptic leaf springs, and telescopic shock absorbers, similar to the 250 GTO.

As for the interior of the vehicle, we can collectively agree that the Lusso has one of the finest looking and best laid out cockpits in any grand tourer from the 1960s. It feels luxurious and timeless thanks to its leather upholstery and the three-spoke Nardi steering wheel made of wood and aluminum. Behind the driver and passenger seats, there is a generous trunk space with a parcel shelf covered in quilted leather.

During its illustrious life, this Lusso has traveled to dozens of cities and countries, including Italy, Venezuela, New York, Hawaii, and England. It spent no less than 28 years in Hawaii before being bought by a new owner in England. While in the UK, the car received a thorough restoration at DK Engineering to a concours standard. Later on, it was owned by radio and TV broadcaster Chris Evans, an avid Ferrari collector.

With its compact proportions, elegant, sweeping lines, and understated details, the sophisticated Ferrari 250 GT Lusso by Fantuzzi is a unique classic that is as captivating today as it was in the early 1960s. This unique car is now due to go under the hammer with a price guide of £1,100,000 – £1,500,000 GBP, or approximately USD $1,400,000 – $1,900,000.