Single family ownership from new
1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II Coupé

• Delivered new in the UK
• Copies of order details and correspondence on file
• Bare metal restoration undertaken in the 1980s
• Engine rebuilt in 2009
• Considerable recent expenditure on maintenance

Intended to extend Ferrari's appeal to a market sector already contested by rivals Aston Martin and Maserati, the 250 GTE 2+2 debuted in the summer of 1960. Ferrari's first four-seater, the newcomer was directly descended from the most commercially successful Ferrari of its day: the 250 GT. Launched in 1954, the latter featured Gioacchino Colombo's lightweight and compact 3.0-litre V12 engine. The 250 GT chassis followed Ferrari's established practice, being a multi-tubular frame tied together by oval main tubes, though the independent front suspension now employed coil springs instead of the transverse-leaf type. A four-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox transmitted power to the live rear axle, while hydraulic drums all round looked after braking. Disc brakes arrived late in 1959 and a four-speeds-plus-overdrive gearbox the following year, and both were features the 250 GTE enjoyed from the start of production in 1960.

Pininfarina's brief had been to produce a 2+2 without sacrificing the 250's elegant good looks or sporting demeanour and the master stylist succeeded brilliantly. By moving the engine, gearbox and steering gear forward and the fuel tank back, sufficient room was created for two occasional rear seats. The Tipo 128E outside-plug engine's 240bhp ensured that there was no reduction in performance despite the inevitable gain in weight. A popular and highly profitable car for Ferrari, the 250 GTE evolved through three series, changes being mainly confined to the dashboard layout and exterior lighting arrangements, remaining in production until 1963.

Right-hand drive chassis number '3465' was ordered new in May 1962 by importers Maranello Concessionaires for their client, Arthur Francis Benjamin Guinness, Viscount Elveden, (known as Benjamin) a member of the celebrated Guinness brewing family. Viscount Elveden purchased the Ferrari to celebrate his marriage to Miranda Smiley in 1963. The board of Guinness presented the happy couple with James Gilroy's painting of the Guinness advertising animals cheering at their marriage (copy available). Benjamin became The Earl of Iveagh on the death of his grandfather Rupert in 1967. He served for many decades as Chairman of the Guinness brewing company, and his Ferrari was a regular sight at the St James's Gate brewery. He died in 1992.

A copy of the original bill of sale is on file, revealing that a Facel Vega was taken in part exchange. Also on file is copy correspondence between Maranello Concessionaires, Ferrari in Modena, and Pininfarina, together with copy correspondence between Viscount Elveden's office and Maranello Concessionaires up to 1967.

There are also photographs of a bare-shell strip down and restoration undertaken by Neil Smith in Suffolk in the 1980s. Other renovations have included an engine rebuild in 2009 by New Elms/Tim Ayres costing circa £22,000; repairs to broken axle tubes, rebuild, etc by GTO Engineering in 2020 costing £11,500; brakes and axle work by Meridien Modena in 2022 costing £5,000; and brakes work and various niggles rectified by Meridien Modena in 2024 costing circa £4,000. The car also comes with its Ferrari leather wallet containing the original owner's manual, radio instructions and starting instructions; mileage log from 2009-2023; some old MoTs; a V5C document; and various editions of the Ferrari 250 GTE Register & Newsletter magazines.