This is a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE that has some rather unusual history, it was bought in the 1980s by the North Italian Racing Team and converted into a race car – they then used it to compete in the Targa Florio Classica and the Coppa del Appennino.

Relatively few 250 GTEs were used in motorsport, though one famous example was the safety car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 2+2 GTE has been credited with saving Ferrari in the 1960s as it sold in vast numbers, helping keep the company afloat and fund their racing activities. It earned the nickname the “Gentleman’s Express” as it was both fast and dignified.

As the story goes, the Ferrari 250 GTE was developed at the request of Enzo Ferrari himself, who needed a car to carry himself, his driver, his wife, and their beloved pet dog. At that time the eponymous automaker only made two-seaters, almost all of which were intended for racing.

Photos by  Simon Gosselin / Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s