Beschreibung:

The ex-Rob Walker,one of only 19 surviving right hand drive examples 1964 FERRARI 250 GT/L BERLINETTA LUSSO COACHWORK BY SCAGLIETTI TO A PININFARINA DESIGN Registration No. 542 EMW Chassis No. 5463 Engine No. 5463 Grigio Argento with black leather interior Engine: V-12, single overhead camshaft, triple Weber 36 DCS carburetors, 2,953cc, 240bhp at 7,500rpm; Gearbox: four speed, all-synchromesh; Suspension: front, independent with helicoidal springs, rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs, Koni shock absorbers; Brakes: Dunlop discs all round. Right hand drive. When the new 250 Gran Turismo was launched at the 1954 Paris Salon it was described as the first standard series production Ferrari. This new car (which became the foundation model of all subsequent 250 GTs, including the legendary Testa Rossas and 250 GTOs) was evolved between Maranello and Pinin Farina. Pininfarina developed several different bodywork designs for the 250 GT; his Berlinetta Lusso treatment first appeared at the 1962 Paris Salon and was an instant success. The sleek design was both curvaceous and aggressive with full-length wings sweeping to the truncated tail, so designed in acknowledgment of the aerodynamic theories of Dr. Kamm. The short wheelbase of the earlier 250 GTs was retained, but a new chassis configuration for the Lusso placed the engine several centimeters further forward allowing for a more roomy and comfortable interior than its predecessors. The appeal of the Berlinetta Lusso could not be better summarized than by Tanner and Nye in their book Ferrari where they wrote The two-seat Berlinetta Lusso will remain one of the most graceful of all attainable Ferraris. It was never produced in great numbers, and the modest concessions it made to road-going comfort made it a specialized bridge between the increasingly luxurious production road cars and the full-house competition 250 GTO. Of the 350 cars built, just 22 were delivered in right hand drive form and 19 survive, making this an ultra-rare example. A well-known car, chassis 5463 was supplied new through UK Ferrari agents Maranello Concessionaires late in 1963. A copy of the original order confirms its order and purchase by Frank Gates Ltd. for £5034 including purchase tax and ready for the road from 1st January 1964. The next owner was race team manager and driver, the late Rob Walker, who purchased it when it had covered a mere 5,000 miles. Walker promptly had the car repainted to his synonymous dark blue livery. By 1968 he had sold it to an Army Captain but when he in turn was posted overseas, Walker took the car back and offered it for sale again in Summer 1969. Much of this history is recorded for posterity in an article in Autocar on 24th July 1969. From the article we can glean that Walker clearly used it extensively in his ownership since by that time its mileage had risen to 72,000. The article comments favourably on the car and is copiously illustrated, with a double page colour spread. Once sold in the heady 1980s boom for £440,000, letters on file confirm that a full restoration was undertaken at that time by Strattons. In more recent times the car has been owned by a number of luminaries within the classic car world, and came into the present enthusiastic ownership five years ago. A beautifully presented Ferrari, its owner was able to prove its abilities on a recent test-drive when it performed impeccably. On the road a Lusso must be one of the most practical and straightforward Ferraris to drive, its gearbox is robust and has a very positive feel, while the driver's vision is superb. Importantly, the model also offers entry to a number of the more coveted events from the retrospective Tour de France (Tour Auto) to those of the Ferrari Owner's club. Offered for sale with an original copy of Autocar article and a file of history detailing early history and maintenance over the last decade or more, this is a very special, rare and interesting Lusso, which can be highly recomme