Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Speciale

The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Fantuzzi chassis 4383GT is a unique and important example of Ferrari’s legacy, with a rich history marked by significant transformations and ownership changes. Originally delivered in 1963 as a Ferrari 250 GT/L (Lusso), the car was painted in a grey metallic color with a black interior. Initially, it featured a standard Ferrari 250 GT Lusso body, but it would later undergo a remarkable rebodiment. In 1964-65, the car came under the ownership of Luciano and Gianfranco Pederzani, the Italian owners of the Tecno racing team. During this period, the Pederzani family requested that the car be rebodied by the renowned coachbuilder Fantuzzi. The rebodiment process was a significant modification, with the bodywork being changed to that of a 330 LMB style, which was more aggressive and suited the car’s racing potential. This transformation made the car stand out from the typical 250 GT Lusso and gave it a distinctive, sporty appearance. In 1966, the car passed into the hands of a new owner in Venice, Italy, before making its way across the Atlantic in 1968 to Richard Trask of New York, USA. During Trask’s ownership, the car would go through another phase of modifications. In 1973, it was sold to Avi Brand, based in Long Beach, New York, before being sold in 1977 to Tom Meade in Houston, Texas. In 1977, the car underwent several notable changes: vents were added across the nose and behind the rear wheels to improve cooling, and it was repainted in a striking red color. Additionally, the engine from a different Ferrari, engine number 5193GT, was installed into the car, marking another significant alteration. These modifications made the car both visually and mechanically unique. In 1978, ownership passed to Terry Kramer in Honolulu, Hawaii, followed by a sale in November 1978 to Collier Thelian in the United States. In January 1979, Gerald O’Connell from Hilo, Hawaii, took ownership of the car, where it remained stored until 1980. The car changed hands again in June 2005, when it was purchased by Mark Robinson from Haleiwa, Hawaii. Robinson continued to maintain and showcase the car, presenting it at events like The Quail in Carmel Valley in 2007 and the Concorso Italiano at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in 2010. These appearances helped to reinforce the car’s reputation as a significant piece of Ferrari history. In 2015, the car was displayed at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed, further cementing its legacy in the automotive world. By July 2022, the car had been consigned to GTO Engineering in the UK, reflecting its continued interest in the Ferrari community. As of June 2024, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Fantuzzi chassis 4383GT was featured in an RM Sotheby’s auction at Cliveden House, where it sold for £1,130,000, within the estimated range of £1,100,000 to £1,500,000. This sale marked a major milestone in the car’s long and fascinating history, with its transformation and the many chapters of ownership contributing to its allure as a rare and distinctive Ferrari. Today, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Fantuzzi chassis 4383GT remains a stunning example of Ferrari’s engineering and design prowess, admired by collectors and enthusiasts for both its original 250 GT Lusso roots and the later modifications that have shaped its one-of-a-kind identity.