1963 FERRARI 250 GTE 2+2 SERIES III

This Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 is an elegant and increasingly rare classic grand tourer, benefiting from recent partial restoration and all the improvements of the Series III model. Under the bonnet is a glorious 3.0-litre V12, fed by triple Weber carburettors and producing up to 240bhp at 7,000rpm, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission with electrically operated fifth-gear overdrive. The odometer indicates 16,839 km, though this is not warranted.

The 250 GTE was well equipped with telescopic shock absorbers on all four corners, as well as four-wheel disc brakes. With the Series II model, various cosmetic updates were added, including a dashboard painted in the body colour. The Series III model had more significant revisions, which included coil springs at the rear to improve handling, single-unit tail lights to replace the previous individual items, and relocation of the driving lights from within the grille to underneath the headlights.

Just 955 examples of the 250 GTE were built, and due to the large number that have been rebodied or destroyed in order to build replicas of other models, an original GTE is now a rarer find than a Ferrari 275 GTB. This car is believed to have been sold new in Italy, and is also understood to have spent some time in the US early in its life. In more recent decades, the GTE was in the Netherlands and had been repainted in bright red. Around 10 years ago, it received a partial restoration, and has been owned by the vendor for around one year.

Today, its bodywork presents in good order, and there is no known accident damage to any of the panels. The period-correct Argento paint finish looks very smart, having been fully resprayed around 10 years ago during the restoration works. At the same time, a Webasto-style sunroof was added, giving the car an added dimension of open-air motoring in warm weather. Its exterior chrome is in good shape, and the car remains true to the factory specification with 15-inch Borrani wire wheels.

Inside, it is not known whether the Nero leather upholstery has ever been replaced, but it presents very well, with no noticeable damage and only modest wear that you would expect. Ahead of the driver, the large wood-rimmed steering wheel is in great shape, while the body-coloured dashboard panel is present and correct. All of the instrument gauges are evidently original, exhibiting an age patina and slight discolouration in places. There are no known electrical faults, and the controls and switches work as they should.

The vendor has stated that the car will be given an engine service prior to handover to the next owner, to ensure that it is in good running order. All four wheels are shod in period-correct 215/70 VR15 tyres, which have plenty of tread remaining.

This Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 is a stylish 1960s GT car, which is presented in superb overall condition, and which benefits from a recent partial restoration. The addition of the folding sunroof gives this particular car the bonus of being able to hear the V12 roar even more clearly. With many such cars lost to replica builders, this original GTE is an alluring classic Ferrari that would be a fine addition to any collection.

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