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1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
Chassis No. 4421
3.3L Engine No. 06905 (from 275 GTB s/n 6905)
Black with Tan Leather Interior
History of the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
Ferrari has offered many exceptional road cars over the course of their celebrated years. The last and best of the Ferrari 250 series, the 250 GT Lusso, has become one of the most celebrated classic Ferraris from this iconic era. A daring and bold departure from the earlier 250 series examples, the sinewy, elegant Lusso was lower and wider than its predecessor and, with its Kamm tail treatment, the dynamic rear lines were fresh and compelling, particularly accented by the sweeping rear glass. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the Lusso was priced at $13,000 when new – a considerable sum even for wealthy enthusiasts. Positioned between the luxury oriented 250 GTE 2+2 and the competition based SWB, the Lusso delivered the perfect synergy of GT performance, with comfortable amenities, offering everything one might expect from the Ferrari driving experience.
Powering the Lusso, the 3.0 liter outside-plug Colombo V12 engine served the car well, though this engine would ultimately concede to the newer and more powerful 3.3-liter engine upon the debut of the 275 GTB. Constructed by hand using alloy deck lids and doors to reduce weight, disc brakes which vastly improved braking, and a shorter wheelbase, these features combined to create a very capable and nimble road car. Unique to the Lusso design, inside the car, both the tachometer and speedometer were positioned centrally on the dashboard, giving the interior a fresh, almost concept car appearance. Production spanned a mere eighteen months with just 351 examples assembled for world markets. Today the Lusso is considered a premium collector Ferrari occupying a vaulted place in the classic sportscar hierarchy. Firmly situated in exceptional company, Lussos are continually sought after for their unique confluence of sophistication, power, and beauty.
History of Lusso #4421
According to factory build information supplied for this car, #4421 was the 32nd Lusso built. Completed May 24, 1963, it was finished in Blu 11488 with Russo VM 3171 interior. Originally built with engine number 4421 (internal number 1268/62E), and with the currently fitted gearbox internal number 33, and rear axle internal number 33, #4421 was delivered new to Milanese Ferrari dealer Cripaldi and sold to the first owner SIVAM S.p.A. Societa Italiana Veterinaria Agricola Milano S.p.A, Milan, Italy.
By the early 1980s, the car was sold to a US buyer eventually finding ownership with Ferrari enthusiast Robert Long who, in the mid to late 1980s installed engine #06905 in this Lusso. Formerly in a 1965 triple-carb short nose Ferrari 275 GTB, the ill-fated 275 GTB burned in a late 1960s crash, but the engine thankfully survived the ordeal. Eventually the engine was stewarded to UK Ferrari enthusiast Jack Crowther, and later to the US. In 1984 the 275 engine was represented for sale by GT Car Parts, Phoenix, and subsequently installed in #4421 where it has remained for the past 30+ years. Importantly, the 275 GTB engine currently fitted is an original engine, not a Classiche 275 replacement casting. The engine #06905 is stamped with single strike numeric indication and the ill-fated 275 GTB from which it emerged was eventually restored, where it is known to be on the road in Europe though currently powered by a replacement engine.
In 1991 #4421 was offered for sale in the Ferrari Market Letter. At that time, it was reported to have been painted Garnet and trimmed with tan leather interior. After a few owners and significant restoration expense including a repaint in black, the car was offered for sale in 2000 by Fantasy Junction and sold to the current consigning owner, a Northern California Ferrari enthusiast. Finished in black with tan leather interior, the car was in excellent condition supported by restoration receipts totaling $74,000 from Berlinetta Motorcars. After the current owner’s purchase, the car was used for various events. The current owner drove it for approximately six years, showing it at Concorso, The Quail, Friday afternoon runs to the Sonoma coast and occasionally participating in familiar Northern California vintage road events. On one occasion, the owner shipped the car to Boston and drove it to Camden, Maine creating a memorable family event. During this period, the current owner accumulated most of the 8-10k kilometers amassed while under his ownership.
In 2007 the engine developed an oil leak in the front cover. The owner selected Northern California Ferrari expert Patrick Ottis for services. After review and conversations with the owner, the owner decided to embark on what would become a six-year nut and bolt restoration addressing every aspect of the car using NOS parts, rebuilding original components, and detailing the car to a very high standard. Restoration efforts concluded in 2013. While at Ottis, the engine was rebuilt with new pistons and all internal rotating components balanced and dyno tested by Hasselgren. Work included a new water pump, generator, starter, and regulator, with radiator repairs performed at Berkeley radiator including a new core and bottom cap. The front disc brakes were zinc phosphate plated and surfaced, a new clutch, clutch plate and bearing installed, and the flywheel resurfaced. The transmission was comprehensively rebuilt with new synchros and gear sets, and the differential was cosmetically addressed having been previously rebuilt with a new pinion and properly set up by Berlinetta Motors, NY. All electrical was addressed as needed including new fuel pumps. The fuel tank was removed and repaired with painting provided by perfect reflections.
Restoration work included items contracted out to specialists familiar with each of these unique areas. New correct copper plated steel brake lines were installed matching exactly to the original type, all four brake calipers and brake booster were rebuilt using Apple Hydraulics, the steering box rebuilt with new seals, NOS Koni shock absorbers installed front and rear, and the front suspension comprehensively rebuilt including correct nickel plating and replacing all bushings and hardware as needed. The A arms, tie rods, control rods, and sway bars were powder coated for durability, and the rear leaf suspension was fully rebuilt including shackle hardware. Pierce Manifold restored all three correct Weber dual-throat downdraft carburetors including comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration with accurate finishes including new jets, new shafts, and butterflies. New correct yellow and brown spiral fuel hoses were installed from the tank to the carburetors. The FIAM horns and compressor were restored along with new ignition coils, plug wires and caps, and all hose clamps, water hoses, fuel hoses, and vent hoses were replaced using correct parts reflective of factory specifications.
The exterior finish remained impressively nice and was addressed with professional paint correction performed by Perfect Reflections. Additional refinishing and detailing performed on the chassis including paint for the underbody to correct specifications and powder coating for the suspension parts. The exterior chrome was removed and sent out to Christensen's Plating. The Borrani wire wheels were restored by Cork Adams with new three-ear knock offs supplied by Borrani and a new set of Pirelli CA-67 tires with tubes were mounted.
The interior was reupholstered by Bob Smith using correct jute padding under the proper low pile carpet. All instruments were removed and rebuilt at Palo Alto Speedometer with NOS clear bezel parts sourced from Margaret in AZ. The Nardi steering wheel was restored by expert David Chamberlain. Further details were painstakingly addressed including correct engine labels and stickers with guidance from Parker Hall and Kilimanjaro Products. The current owner was careful to follow expert guidelines for accurate replating of all hardware using correct black oxide, zinc phosphate, clear cadmium, and dull electroless nickel plating per original specifications. The completed car has since enjoyed consummate care and regular service as needed including cleaning and adjusting for all three carburetors, new floor mats, a rebuilt fuel tank sender unit, and tightening of the oil pressure line at the gauge. Over the past ten years since the restoration was completed the owner has greatly enjoyed this car including its featured selection in the elegant coffee table book “Ferrari – Passion for Design” professionally photographed by renowned automotive photographer Phil Toy.
Current Condition and Presentation
Today this beautifully restored Ferrari presents as a wonderful example of a properly restored Lusso now gently maturing since the restoration was completed. Though the black paint has mellowed since being applied some years ago, paint correction has yielded excellent results, displaying beautiful deep luster and excellent gloss throughout the exterior finish. Panel fit is excellent with the doors, hood, and trunk exhibiting crisp closure and latching. Minor surface bubbles are evident at the lowest forward corner of the passenger side door and minor blistering on the lower rear fender corner under the rear bumper, neither of which take away from the mirror-like finish that is quite spectacular particularly in highly reflective black. The exterior chrome is excellent throughout with finishes that were performed to a high standard when restored and remain so today. The Borrani wheels are beautifully finished with excellent detail including the polished aluminum rims, bright spokes, and chrome plated knock offs. A matching set of period correct Pirelli CA-67 tires are mounted. The trim, emblems, correct Marchal headlights, taillights, and lenses are all very nicely presented. Glass and surrounding trim are also in excellent condition, consistent with the overall beauty of the exterior presentation.
The impressive tan interior presents in excellent condition. The elegant, curved bucket seats are correctly pleated in supple leather showing only mild stretching as typically found on the inside seat bolster corners. The surrounding materials are correct and in excellent condition accented by beautifully finished chrome details. The carpet is correctly trimmed, and edge bound, showing typical shoe wear around the footbox. The dashboard and instruments are beautifully maintained exhibiting excellent color, clarity, clear numeric indication, and fine detailing attributed to the exceptional restoration work performed by Palo Alto Speedometer. The wood rimmed Nardi steering wheel is a fantastic touch adding to the sporting nature of this handsome Lusso, also restored by expert hands. Finishing off the interior, the various details, switches, and inner door jambs are all properly presented. Overall, the interior components have been addressed with care and integrity matching very well with the exterior finish. The trunk compartment is finished with charcoal grey carpet and retains a Borrani spare wire wheel shod with a matching Pirelli tire.
Under the hood, the correct 275 GTB engine bears the single strike number 06905 attributed to the original car that surrendered the engine in the 1960s. The engine confidently remains in place as it has for more than 30 years. The engine delivers a nice, gently settled cosmetic impression, prepared with correct finishes, proper hoses, lines, and correct fasteners, all of which were part of the professional restoration carried out by Patrick Ottis and other specialists. Despite the passage of time, the engine exhibits a handsome, high-quality, accurate presentation of the more powerful 3.3 liter 275 engine. Details include Weber carburetors, beautifully finished textured black cam covers, correct oil filters, yellow spiral fuel lines, and correctly traced wiring and lines. As a sporting detail, each of the three Weber carburetors are trumpeted and screened, allowing visual access to the mechanism normally obscured by a large air filter element, here revealing the beautiful Italian mechanical artistry evoked in these incredible machines.
The underside of the car is exceptionally well restored and worthy of show field presentation. Finishes are correct and authentic including correct exhaust and mufflers, beautifully finished suspension components, and excellent engine and gearbox castings all of which are correct and consistent with the cohesive visual and mechanical integrity and exceptional restoration.
The car starts easily and warms to idle smoothly on choke, delivering a sweet and tight V12 sound with just the right amount of exhaust burble. The original numbers-matching gearbox engages easily while the clutch takes up smoothly as the revs increase, revealing the historic and unforgettable V12 sound. Acceleration is brisk as power comes on with each gear change. On the highway, the Lusso reveals the GT heritage with excellent cruising comfort and substantially more power on tap due to the higher horsepower 275 GTB engine. Braking is very good, coming down from highway speeds with excellent pedal pressure, even tracking, and responsive suspension. The driving manners of this Lusso will confirm to anyone behind the wheel that this final iteration of the venerable 250 GT is even more exhilarating given the added power of the 275 GTB engine. This Lusso is accompanied by restoration records and service invoices covering current ownership, photographs of the restoration process, correspondence with the agent of the current owner of 275 GTB s/n 6905 discussing the possible purchase of engine 6905, its original belly pan and air cleaner housing with correct three-ear wing nuts, and a set of floor mats.
Supported by a superb restoration performed by a cadre of Ferrari experts and enhanced with a correct and original 275 GTB engine, this wonderfully presented Lusso is a fantastic capture of the 250 GT series combining the best of Ferrari history and performance. One of only 351 examples built, this elegant Pininfarina bodied Lusso is ready to deliver superlative performance, elegant touring pleasure, and the delight of owning one of the most beautifully crafted sportscars – one that epitomizes the excellence and excitement of the vintage Grand Touring experience.
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