1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso
- Engine
- 3.0L Colombo V12 (Tipo 168 U), outside-plug ignition, single-cylinder porting
- Colour
- Ivory over red
Chassis 5379 is the 235th of 350 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso berlinettas produced, completed in February 1964 and delivered to Ferrari's sole US distributor Luigi Chinetti in Greenwich, Connecticut. Distinguished as the only example finished in Avorio over Rosso, the car passed through a small chain of American collectors before entering the five-decade stewardship of a dedicated Italian-car enthusiast in Ohio. It retains a numbers-matching drivetrain, largely original interior, and an extensive exhibition history at Ferrari Club of America and concours events, culminating in a Best in Class award at the 2017 Concours of America.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,496,000
- 1964-02-22 →Factory deliveryLuigi Chinetti Motors, Greenwichpartial documentation
Chinetti was the sole US distributor for Ferrari at the time; the car was delivered new to his Connecticut dealership.
- 1968 → 1972Acquisition unknownCarl Johnsonfull documentation
Collector and long-standing Ferrari Club of America treasurer based in Homewood, Illinois; frequently displayed the car publicly, with multiple period publications documenting its condition.
- 1972 → 1974Private saleDr. Walter Bayardpartial documentation
Ophthalmologist from North Carolina; kept a low profile with the car, with only one documented public appearance at the May 1974 FCA National Meet in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
- 1974 →Private saleDr. Raymond Bonifacefull documentation
Collector from Poland, Ohio with a focus on V-12 Ferraris; maintained the car for roughly 45 years, commissioning a full repaint in 1988 and a major mechanical overhaul following a 2017 clutch failure. Now offered from his estate.
Competition
- 1974-05-01FCA National Meet, Stone Mountain
Attended by Dr. Bayard; described as the only known public showing during his period of ownership.
- 20172017 Concours of AmericaBest in Class
Held in St. Johns, Michigan; the car had recently undergone an extensive mechanical restoration prior to the event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1988BodyworkAmerican Auto Body
Full exterior repaint and cosmetic restoration carried out to a high standard; car was noted as still presenting well many years later.
Work executed by Joe Piscazzi's shop in Akron, Ohio.
- 2017MechanicalFowler Automotive
Comprehensive mechanical overhaul costing over $30,000 covering the cooling, fuel, exhaust, ignition, electrical, and brake systems, plus transmission, rear axle, engine, and rear shock absorbers.
Triggered by a clutch failure; work undertaken by the Boniface family and documented by a volume of invoices from the Glenshaw, Pennsylvania workshop.
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