Rare £1.5million Ferrari is finally put on sale after 46 years’ ownership by a British enthusiast

A BRITISH Ferrari lover is set to sell his pride and joy at the Goodwood Revival next month, having owned the 250 GT since 1972.

Although he’s not the first owner of the 1964 Lusso Berlinetta, the unnamed vendor has cared for the V12 beauty for almost 50 years.

It is now estimated to auction between £1million-£1.5million on September 8 by Bonhams.

The chassis number 5565 is famed in motoring circles, having gained media coverage over the years – from test reviews to being paraded around at the inaugural Goodwood Festival of Speed in 1993.

With only 350 models ever made by Ferrari, this was the 280th car completed.

Having first been supplied to official German importer Auto Becker, the 250 GT was sold to an unknown person before, incredibly, being bought by a Porsche employee in 1971.

The classic car was then imported from Germany to the UK by a B.R. Pond in 1972 and, later that year, passed onto the current owner.

Since then, the Ferrari has been modified to maintain its driving capabilities, including installing air scoops for the front brakes and new exhaust tailpipes.

A Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio, hand throttle for low-speed manoeuvring when cold, and iron valves guides instead of the original bronze were also added.

The car has been regularly driven and stored in a dehumidified area for maintenance.

Debuting at the Paris Salon exhibition in 1962, the 250 GT Lusso was soon named as “Ferrari’s most beautiful car; a classic” by automotive news publisher Road & Track.

Detailing his ownership of the car back in 2008, the owner wrote in FOC magazine: “The Lusso, even at today’s constrained speeds, still looks the same, makes the same noises, exudes the same irreplaceable smell from its well nourished leather.

“It gives the same feel of the road, retains the same silky steering, and of course, they can’t – aren’t allowed to – make them like that any more!”