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Oldcars
Dominiek Gielen
Grote Baan 9,
3670 Ellikom,
Belgium
+32(0)473 347850 -
+32(0)499 332301
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 Regarded as one of the most beautiful Pininfarina designs, the Lusso, or GT/L, sold as a road-going car and directly benefited from the successful line of Ferrari 250 GTs. It was developed from the dual-purpose 250 GT Short Wheel Base (SWB) which was delivered as both as a full-on competition or a steel-bodied grand touring car. When the SWB's time was up, its road-going version was replaced in 1962 with the more curvaceous 250 GT Lusso.
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The very first Lusso appeared in October of 1962 at the Paris Salon and generated lots of interest with its exquisite proportions. It became instantly recognizable with a sweeping side profile, full-length fenders, slim pillars, truncated tail and an odd three piece bumper.
Inside, the Lusso was well appointed with ample room for two and luggage area in behind with retention straps. This was possible because the Lusso used the earlier SWB chassis, but with its engine mounted much more forward to increase passenger space.
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Although the Lusso's primary intent was grand touring, it still shared many racing features with the all-conquering 250 GTO racecar. Both had the same wheelbase, disc brakes, Boranni wheels, suspension and all-aluminum engine. Despite the Lusso's less robust chassis, steel bodywork and more forward mounted engine, many owners rigged their cars with a harness and went racing when a GTO couldn't be ordered.
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IMAGE CREDITS - Mike Regalia - regaliaconcoursrestorations.com |
Around 350 examples of the Lusso were constructed with the same steel body designed by Pininfarina and executed by Scaglietti with aluminum doors, boots and hoods. Nearly all were delivered with the same specification except for a few cars that received custom rear end ratios, 5-speed gearboxes and competition spec carburetion which may have been added after delivery. Sometimes, custom body and interior alterations were executed by Pininfarina, including faired-in headlights, extra venting and air conditioning, but these factory modifications were rare.
After 350 examples were made, the Lusso was replaced in 1964 by the much more impressive 275 GTB having four wheel independent suspension and a more complex space frame chassis.
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Lussos of Special Interest
4891GT - Once owned, driven and raced by Steve McQueen, 4891GT is a celebrity of sorts. It was McQueen's first Ferrari and he special ordered it in marrone, a medium-brown metallic paint with over beige leather interior. By 1997, Michael Regalia restored the car back to its original condition. Exceeding 4,000 hours of work, 4891GT is one of the nicest Lussos extant. It will be offered at the upcoming Christie's auction at the Monterey Jet Center with an estimate of $800 000-1 200 000 USD.
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IMAGE CREDITS - Mike Regalia - regaliaconcoursrestorations.com
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IMAGE CREDITS - Mike Regalia - regaliaconcoursrestorations.com |
4965GT - Here is the only Lusso that raced at the International FIA World Championship level. Swiss owner Robert Blouin raced this example in the 1965 Targa Florio. Co-driven with a friend, the car finished the race, but did not classify for a winning position. The car was retired after a Spa-Francorchamps GT Championship-qualifying Grand Prix race until it appeared at he 1998 Tour Auto. It was publically solde at Les Grandes Marques a Monaco - Important Historic Motor Cars and Automobilia Auction by Bonhams on 20 May 2006 for 420 000 EUR plus Premium and tax.
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