• Part of The Piccolo Collection
• One of only 350 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lussos built; the 30th example off the line
• First specified in the rare and desirable colour combination of Oro Chiaro over Nero; now finished in Rosso over Pelle Nera
• Matching-numbers chassis, engine, and rear axle
• Offered from nearly five decades of continuous ownership

With its stunning Scaglietti coachwork draped in iconic Rosso paintwork and its perfectly matched leather interior, chassis 4417 is a beautifully preserved example of perhaps Ferrari’s most elegant and well-proportioned roadgoing sports car. One of just 350 examples to leave the Maranello workshop, the model represented the swansong of a platform that had delivered such brilliance as the 250 GTO. It served as a bridge between the competition-bred sports racers of an earlier generation and the luxurious grand tourers that would follow.

Designed by Pininfarina, the Lusso is rightly hailed as one of the most beautiful Ferraris of all time; looking at chassis 4417, it is easy to see why. A vision of organic design, dripping in curves that only loosely hide its ingrained sense of purpose, the bodywork incorporates several cues from its famous stablemates yet with the addition of a sharp, modern Kamm-tail that would serve as a portent of things to come. Inside, the spacious and comfortable cabin is trimmed in leather, with deep bucket seats and a diamond-quilted parcel shelf cover—luxurious appointments that lent the Lusso its name.

As with every 250 GT/L, chassis 4417 left Maranello fitted with a 3.0-litre Colombo V-12 engine—the same matching-numbers unit that it retains today—while like most, it was specified with a four-speed manual gearbox. Though the single-overhead-cam variant of the Tipo 168 U engine was a more refined powerplant than that fitted to racier Ferraris in the 250 series, it nonetheless offered eye-opening performance thanks to an impressive output of 240 horsepower, just 60 shy of the fabled 250 GTO. This was coupled with sublime road manners, thanks to the addition of Watt’s linkage to control lateral motion, also used on the 250 GTO. Indeed, the Lusso proved surprisingly popular among more sporting drivers, whose number included such luminaries as part-time racer, Steve McQueen.

Originally specified in the attractive and rarely seen colour combination of Oro Chiaro (19410 M Italver, or Gold Metallic) over Nero (VM8500), chassis 4417 was just the 30th example off the line and was delivered to its first owner via Renato Nocentini’s Garage La Rotonda, Italy, in May 1963, registered on the number plate “SI 42192”. In July 1964, it changed ownership and was reregistered as “PT 47013”. In November 1966, it moved to Liguria and was registered as “GE 901290”. Finally in June 1968, it joined The Piccolo Collection, where it would remain for over five decades, then gaining the registration “PI 117079”.

In 2007, the Ferrari was campaigned at the Bologna-Raticosa hillclimb, by which time it was noted to have been re-finished in Rosso. Most recently, the Lusso was shown at the 2018 Concorso Internazionale Eleganza Automobili Montecatini Terme, Italy, where it was awarded Best in Show. In April 2023, the car was inspected by Ferrari Classiche, which confirmed it retains its original powertrain.

Today, this matching-numbers 250 GT/L presents in the preserved condition that only comes with decades of dedicated ownership, and is attractively finished in the timeless combination of Rosso over Pelle Nera. Sure to have broad appeal, this example is perfectly suited to those seeking a seasoned Lusso with a sense of history—but will also prove a tempting candidate for a concours-quality restoration, owing to its fabulous original factory specification.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ve23.