One to Buy: ex-Charles Lucas 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
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Rather than create a simple Drop Head conversion of the rakish 275 GTB, Ferrari decided to offer the 275 GTS with a completely different look. Just a couple hundred of these two-seat Spyders were built between 1964 and ‘66. They wore elegant bodies styled and fabricated by Pininfarina from a time when the Turin coachbuilder was on top of the world.
Among the 200-car production run were 19 copies in right-hand drive, one of which will be going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s London sale on October 31st.
The 61st of 200 and seventh of 19 in right-hand-drive, chassis 07293 was configured in Rosso Cina with Beige upholstery and delivered new to the United Kingdom via Maranello Concessionaires during July 1965. In August ‘65, the car was delivered to its first owner, Charles Lucas (most likely he of the well regarded London-based Charles Lucas Engineering equipe) and shortly afterwards registered for the road.
According to RM Sotheby’s: “By 1967, the 275 GTS had been sold to R.G. Bond of Cheshire and, in 1972, it was acquired by R. Hands of London. Bernard Kain bought the Ferrari in 1974 and kept hold of it for the next eleven years. From 1985 to 1990, the Spider was owned by noted collector Adrian Liddell of Hampshire before later coming into the ownership of Joseph Fung, a resident of Hong Kong with a car collection domiciled in England.”
“In the care of Mr Fung, over 1994 and 1995 the Ferrari was entrusted to European Auto Restoration (now trading as European Collectibles), based in Costa Mesa, California for full and no-expense-spared restoration. The process is detailed in impressive detail by four weighty photo album folders with accompanying dated correspondence, which are offered alongside the rest of the car’s impressive history files. Mr Fung took the car to Hong Kong, where it was registered as “FR 275”. Mr Fung later returned the Ferrari to the United Kingdom for permanent storage.
The car was subsequently presented for renewed restoration work undertaken by Brick Kiln Group of Wantage, who conducted concours-quality renovation for the Ferrari. Around the mid-2000s, the engine was rebuilt by Chris Holley and the Light Car Company.”
“Chassis number 07293 was certified by Ferrari Classiche in April 2010 and is accompanied at auction with its important “Red Book”. In 2012 the 275 GTS was acquired by its consigning owner, who has continued to maintain and uphold this important Ferrari, with around 1,000 miles accrued in their care. In October 2025, the Ferrari was serviced by Joe Macari Classics of London, at which point four new Michelin tyres were fitted and the radiator overhauled. Offered with a meticulously documented history file, matching-numbers chassis, engine, and gearbox, factory-correct colour combination, and Ferrari Classiche certification.”
