Welcome World’s Most Significant Ferraris
The next Concours of Elegance, hosted by A. Lange & Söhne, will take place at Hampton Court Palace in west London, UK, from September 1–3, 2023, and will include some of the most notable Ferraris in the world.
On Sunday, the 100th anniversary of Le Mans, Ferrari enthusiasts will be clamouring to witness the Ferrari 275P that triumphed at La Sarthe in both 1963 and '64. Models from the Italian supercar maker always play a leading role at the event, which takes place every summer. It will be shown alongside other vehicles from the legendary marque's early road and race history, including a 1961 250GT California Spyder that once belonged to French actor Alain Delon, a 1963 250GT Berlinetta Lusso with just one owner for more than 50 years, a one-of-four 1967 330GTC Speciale built by Pininfarina, a 1964 250LM with an impressive competition history, and more.
1963 Ferrari 275P
This mid-engined, V12-powered vehicle (chassis no. 0816) is the only Ferrari and is one of just four vehicles in history to have "done the double" during the 24 Hours. It won for Scuderia Ferrari in 1963 as a 250P and in 1964 as a reengineered 275P.
With their first-place finish in the most important race in the world, Ludovico Scarfiotti and Lorenzo Bandini gave Maranello a complete sweep of the top six spots in 1963. The then 3.0-liter 250P established a new record distance at Le Mans and became the first-ever non-front-engined winner as the Scuderia claimed its fourth straight victory in the endurance race. On that occasion, an all-Italian team (car and drivers) achieved its first complete victory.
The renamed 275P was operated by Frenchman Jean Guichet and Sicilian Nino Vaccarella in June 1964, a year later. It was now equipped with a 3.3-liter V12 and once more established a distance record for the 24 Hours, travelling 2917.5 miles at an average speed of 122.2 mph to finish first after three Ferraris. Up until this year, when the 499P brought the brand back to the top, this triumph was Ferrari's final time standing atop the podium at Le Mans.
1961 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder
This 1961 250GT California Spyder had previously been a star at the Paris Auto Show and thereafter spent time in the care of Alain Delon, one of France's top stars.
Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd, France's top Ferrari importer, sold it brand new to actor Gérard Blain after it made an appearance at the country's major auto show. Delon, a rising celebrity in the film industry, ultimately received the Spyder from Blain and registered it in Monaco. The dashing and endearing movie actor was frequently seen driving the Ferrari, registration number 2935GT, frequently with esteemed leading ladies like Jane Fonda and Shirley MacLaine.
Delon had the vehicle for two years before shipping it to California, where he and his then-wife, model Nathalie Barthélémy, spent some time. At this time, he changed the front wing's indicator lights to comply with American standards (a subsequent owner found the original round flasher units in their box under the passenger seat). It served as the ideal mode of transportation when living in Beverly Hills for taking pleasure in cruising around the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles.
When the 250GT eventually returned to Paris, it was once again sold, starting a series of owners in France. It remained there until the mid-1980s, when it was found and sold by Artcurial at Rétromobile in Paris to a UK bidder, breaking the previous auction price record for the type.
Following participation at the Cavallino Classic, Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza, and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the vehicle underwent a thorough restoration by authority Paul Russell and Company. We are honoured to bring it back to attention at the Concours d'Elegance.
1963 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso
Given that it has never had a complete restoration, this 250GT Berlinetta Lusso is a very unique exemplar in the Ferrari world. More worse, for the previous 50+ years, it has only had one owner.
One of just 22 right-hand-drive specimens of the vehicle, which is recognised as one of Pininfarina's most tasteful and classic creations, is No. 4785/GT. Just 351 of these "intermediate" cars, designed to fill the space between competitive racers and opulently equipped 2+2 coupés, were produced between 1963 and late 1964.
This particular model was purchased by FB Garvey, a customer of Rowntree's Garage Ltd. in Bournemouth, through Colonel Ronnie Hoare's Maranello Concessionaires and delivered brand-new. The 250GT, with the registration plate 888 FPY, was the first vehicle to be registered in the UK on October 9, 1963. It was optioned in Blue (19.391 It.) over Beige (VM 3498). During the weekend of October 19, 1963, Mr. Garvey later picked it up.
The Ferrari was sold by DK Engineering to its present caretaker in 1972, and they have been together ever since. His dedication and the fact that the vehicle has only travelled about 24,000 kilometres since purchase are both evidenced by its excellent condition.
1967 Ferrari 330GTC Speciale
This 1967 330GTC Speciale, one of just four produced by Pininfarina, is regarded as one of the finest bespoke coachbuilt Ferraris ever built. As a result, it has several unique design elements, such as an aerodynamic nose with covered headlamps, an eggcrate grille, and retractable driving lights, as well as a distinctive side profile inspired by the Italian design house's modern mid-engined display vehicles.
This vehicle, no. 9653, with a 4.0-liter V12 engine was completed at the Azzurro Aurora facility. At the 1967 Geneva Motor Show, it was on display at the Pininfarina booth before being given to renowned American physician Dr. Michael DeBakey. During its existence, it has been in the collections of a number of illustrious Ferrari enthusiasts. In the 1990s, it received an award-winning restoration by top marque experts. Several prominent concours have praised it.
1964 Ferrari 250LM
The Ferrari 250LM no. 5909, which made its premiere at the 1963 Paris Auto Show, was delivered in right-hand-drive configuration to Luigi Chinetti and the N.A.R.T. squad in the US. With drivers like John Surtees, Lorenzo Bandini, Umberto Maglioli, Jochen Rindt, and David Piper, it had a formidable entry roster for historical races like the Le Mans 24 Hours, Nürburgring 1000km, Reims 12 Hours, Nassau Tourist Trophy, and Canadian Grand Prix.
Its final years were spent in competition at famous concours like Cavallino Classic, The Quail, Pebble Beach, and Historic Gatherings, as well as on the show pitch.
At the opulent Concours of Elegance in September, the collection of top Ferraris will be displayed alongside other thrilling automobiles, including the Le Mans Centenary Celebration, which will feature some of the most significant race cars in the world, as well as displays of rare and spectacular concours automobiles. Some 1,000 additional automobiles will be assembled for the event outside the main array for a variety of unique features and shows.
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “Having assembled a remarkable line-up of Ferraris at last year’s Concours of Elegance to celebrate the marque’s 75th anniversary, we are equally delighted to welcome such a magnificent selection of the Italian manufacturer’s prestigious and storied machinery to the Palace in 2023.
“In this, the 100th year of the Le Mans 24 Hours – which we will be marking with our special Le Mans Centenary display – it is especially exciting that we will feature Ferraris which have competed on the hallowed circuit at La Sarthe. To host the very 275P that won the legendary endurance race in both 1963 and ’64 is a particular honour.”
As we get closer to the event in September, more star vehicles will be revealed along with more intriguing categories.
With lunches provided by Fortnum & Mason, champagne given by Charles Heidsieck, and a variety of art, jewellery, and fashion exhibits, Concours of Elegance 2023 will once again be a celebration of unadulterated luxury. A. Lange & Söhne, the presenter, will once more display some of its most elaborate clocks.
Discover more: Concours of Elegance
