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This is one of only 52 right hand-drive Ferrari 365GT 2+2s built, and certainly the cleanest.

This many not be the world's prettiest Ferrari - although that's a matter of opinion - and, in plain black, it's certainly not the most striking, but this 1969 365GT 2+2 is arguably the neatest.

For 15 years it was the concours-winning star of Lord Charles Brocket's 42-car fleet of classic Ferraris and Maseratis, and the effort (and money!) that was lavished on it during that time is mind-boggling.

The Pininfarina-styled 365GT was the first 2+2 with power steering, hydro-pneumatic self-levelling rear suspension and air-conditioning as standard. Of the 800 that were made, this is one of only 52 right hand-drive examples.

This particular car was supplied new by Maranello Concessionaires in London to a customer in Glasgow in February 1969.

Lord Brocket bought it in 1979 and simply threw money at it. Invoices on file record more than £36 000 (R390 000) spent on stripping the whole car down to bare metal and respraying it in black, done by specialist Ferrari restorer Jim Bosito in November 1986, an engine rebuild by Alfetta Racing in February 1989, an interior re-trim in tan Connolly hide with new black carpets by Terry Hoyle and Mike Presgrave of Moto-trim in April 1989, and a suspension rebuild, again by Alfetta Racing, in August 1990.

In the 16 years since it was part of the Lord Charles Brocket Collection, the car has covered less than 8000km, and it will be the undoubted star of the Historics at Brooklands auction sale on July 19, where it's expected to fetch at least £62 000 (R700 000).

The interior was re-trimmed in tan Connolly hide with new black carpets by Terry Hoyle and Mike Presgrave of Moto-trim in April 1989.

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