Lusso lassoes top New Zealand car sale price at $1.1m

1963 Ferrari 250 Lusso. Photo / Supplied

A rare Ferrari has sold at auction for $1.1 million - smashing the record for the most expensive car sold in New Zealand.

The 1963 Ferrari Lusso 250 was bought by a mystery international buyer at Webb's auction house this week.

It had been earmarked to sell for between $1.1m and $1.4m.

Webb's managing director Neil Campbell said the Lusso was one of only 21 in existence.

"It's a very desirable and beautiful luxury car. You are acquiring Formula 1 machinery in a road-going car."

The car had been lovingly preserved by its New Zealand owner, who also requested privacy, for more than 15 years, said Campbell. "He wasn't that excited about selling his car. He was making space in his garage for another Ferrari worth $4.5m that he wants to buy."

The Lusso was popular with Hollywood stars in the 1960s, including Steve McQueen and Peter Sellars. Enzo Ferrari, who founded the famous Italian carmaker, also owned one.

Campbell said the buyer was a jetsetting stockbroker under the age of 40 who had amassed a large fortune. The car would be flown to New York.