Ferrari gains Motorclassica 'Best In Show' honours

The prestigious Motorclassica ‘Best in Show’ award has gone to a stunning 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso.

Sometimes forgotten against its track-biased 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO stablemates, the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso was focused for the road. However, it did retain a wailing 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine producing around 186kW at a tingling 7500rpm.

A fully restored left-hand drive machine with a fully rebuilt engine, the winning ‘Lusso’ is one of only 350 built. Sold new to the Californian market, the silver Lusso was shared among several US-based owners before being imported to Western Australia back in 1980.

It remained in the famous Peter Briggs collection until 2010, when it was acquired by noted classic car specialists Oldtimer Garage in Queensland, before being sold to the present owner.

“The 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso remains one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made, and we are thrilled to see Ferrari take out the top prize in our first year of official participation in Motorclassica,” said Ferrari Australasia's CEO, Herbert Appleroth.

“The prize underlines the timeless appeal of classic Ferraris. We continue to see increases in customer demand which drive the market value of these vehicles upwards.”

Motorclassica Event Director Paul Mathers added: “The 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso is one of the most beautiful and desirable Ferraris of all time, and this version was a worthy winner of our top ‘Best in Show’ prize.”

It was the sixth annual running of Motorclassica, held once again at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. Over 500 cars were on display with key celebrations including 50 years of the supercar, 50 years of Dino, 50 years of Shelby-fettled Mustangs, 70 years of MV Agusta and 50 years of the Bugatti club in Australia.

See more photos from Motorclassica in the motoring.com.au 2015 photo gallery