1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2

• Delivered new in Italy
• Formerly owned by Massimo Ferragamo of the Salvatore Ferragamo fashion house
• Restored in Italy in the 1990s
• Present ownership since 2001
• Fastidiously maintained with invoices on file
• Registered in Belgium

Intended to extend Ferrari's appeal to a sector of the market already contested by rivals Aston Martin and Maserati, the 250 GTE 2+2 debuted in the summer of 1960. It was a significant milestone in the company's history: for the first time the Maranello manufacturer offered a genuine four-seater, combining the comfort and refinement of a Gran Turismo with the performance of its more sporting models.

The 250 GTE 2+2 was directly descended from the most commercially successful Ferrari of its day: the 250 GT. Launched in 1954; the latter featured a lighter and more-compact Colombo-designed 3.0-litre V12 in place of its Europa predecessor's Lampredi unit. 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 2+2 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 with the GTE. By moving the engine, gearbox and steering gear forward and the fuel tank back, sufficient room was created for two occasional rear seats within the 250 GT's 2,600mm wheelbase. The Colombo-designed 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 2+2 evolved through three series, changes being mainly confined to the dashboard layout and exterior lighting arrangements and remained in production until 1963.

This Series I example was built in September 1961 and left the factory finished in an elegant combination of Marrone metallic with a Crema interior, typical of Ferrari's sophisticated GT cars of the early 1960s. The car was registered in Italy during 1962 and later was exported to the United States where it became part of a private collection.

In 1990, with approximately 62,000 kilometres recorded, the car was brought back to Italy by Massimo Ferragamo, a member of the renowned Florentine family behind the Salvatore Ferragamo fashion house. The car underwent restoration in Italy, probably during the Ferragamo family's ownership, during which it acquired its current red exterior with beige interior - a colour combination that has become iconic among classic Ferraris. This car is featured in the book, Ferrari: The Legend, on pages 26 and 27, further illustrating the pedigree of this particular chassis.

The car subsequently moved to Belgium, where it was registered by its current owner in December 2001. Always used in the spirit for which Ferrari's great Grand Tourers were intended, the car participated in the 2003 Tour Auto, one of the most prestigious historic events for classic automobiles.

Over the years, the Ferrari has benefited from extensive maintenance and mechanical work, demonstrating careful ownership and a clear commitment to keeping it in very good running condition. Since 2001, approximately €150,000 has been spent on maintenance and related work, enabling the car to be enjoyed today with confidence, whether on the open road or in Historic events. (There are 35 pages of invoices on file, together with a copy of Mr. Ferragamo's Italian import certificate of 1990.) Additional documentation consists of Belgian registration documents and Car Pass (since 2001).

The 250 GTE 2+2 delivers a quintessentially Ferrari driving experience: smoothness, progressive power and one of the most evocative mechanical soundtracks ever to emerge from Maranello. Combining the effortless performance of the Colombo V12, elegant lines penned by Pininfarina, a notable provenance linked to the Ferragamo family, and a documented history spanning Italy, the USA and Belgium, this 250 GTE 2+2 Series I represents a particularly appealing opportunity to enjoy the wonderful experience of owning and driving a 1960s V12 Ferrari.