A 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful road cars ever produced by the Italian marque, is set to cross the auction block next month with a top estimate of $1.8 million.
The car will be offered during Gooding Christie’s Amelia Island Auctions on March 5 and 6. Produced for just two years, from 1963 through 1964, the Lusso marked the final evolution of Ferrari’s celebrated 250 GT series. Only 350 examples were built, making the model a rare sight even among vintage Ferraris.
First unveiled as a prototype at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, the Lusso was conceived as a more refined and spacious counterpart to the race-focused 250 SWB. Its elegant lines were penned by Pinin Farina, whose design gave the car a balanced, flowing profile that remains influential decades later. The steel body, constructed by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, incorporates aluminum panels for the hood, trunk and doors to help reduce weight. Its distinctive Kamm tail, accented by twin round taillights, hinted at aerodynamic principles that would later shape the 275 GTB.
Under the hood, the Lusso is powered by Ferrari’s 3.0-liter Colombo-designed Tipo 168U V-12 engine, producing 236 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. Equipped with three Weber 36 DCS carburetors, the grand tourer was capable of reaching 150 mph—impressive performance for its era. A four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes and coil-over suspension at all four corners reflected cutting-edge engineering for the early 1960s.
The example headed to auction was built in October 1963 and is documented as the 128th Lusso constructed. Originally delivered to Ferrari’s official dealer in Milan, it is believed to have remained in Italy for several years before being exported to the United States. Now finished in Grigio Fumo with an ivory interior, the car differs from its original black cabin specification.
Chassis and engine number 5127, the Lusso recently completed a three-year restoration. It is expected to sell for between $1.6 million and $1.8 million, underscoring continued demand for one of Ferrari’s most celebrated grand touring models.