Celebrity Owned 1963 Ferrari 250GT Lusso Set to Take Center Stage at Russo and Steele Monterey 2015!
Company press release.
Scottsdale, Arizona (April 15, 2015) – By the early 1960s, Ferrari's racing and street cars began to diverge in basic essence, with the Scuderia's competition cars quickly becoming more specialized and the road cars reflecting the growing demand among Ferrari buyers for more comfort and luxury. Debuted at Paris in 1962, the Grand Touring-oriented 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso of 1963-64 was quite similar in appearance to the outgoing 250 GT SWB (short wheelbase) Berlinettas of 1959-62, but outfitted with more luxurious and usable interiors.
Designed by Turin's Pininfarina, the Lusso's sleek body was rendered by Scaglietti mostly in steel, with the doors, hood, and trunk lid made of lightweight aluminum. The Lusso's chassis and engine were closely related to those employed by the competition 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO. The Colombo-designed 60-degree SOHC V-12 was only somewhat detuned for road use with triple, as opposed to six, Weber twin-choke carburetors and lower 9.2:1 compression. As installed in the Lusso, this engine was quoted at 240-250 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. Performance was excellent as expected, with Road & Track testers recording 0-60 acceleration in 8 seconds, the quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds at 91 mph, and a top end around 150 mph.
Famous Lusso owners included Battista 'Pinin' Farina, the head of the Pininfarina design works, and Hollywood's iconic 'King of Cool,' Steve McQueen. First and foremost a driver's car, the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso or simply 'Lusso,' Italian for luxury, was priced from $13,375. Just 350 of these achingly beautiful performers were built in all during 1963 and 1964. Today, the Lusso remains a stylistic tour de force and, simply put, it stands tall as one of the finest all-around Grand Touring machines ever conceived.
Bearing serial number 5003 GT, this 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso was sold new in 1963 via Chinetti Motors in New York City. Subsequent ownership includes one Dr. Shockley, a neurosurgeon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for whom 5003 GT was restored by McCabe Auto Restoration near Chicago, and the V-12 engine was rebuilt by John Hadjuk of Noblesville, Indiana's Motor Kraft. Eventually, the Lusso was acquired in 2007 by Kevin Dwyer of Illinois, passing in April 2009 to Paul Schwartz of Orinda, California , with whom 5003 GT won the Ferrari Cup in 2011 and 2014 at the Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours and First in Class at Concorso Italiano in 2014.
During September 2014, 5003 GT was acquired by Adam Levine, the noted classic sports-car enthusiast, Maroon 5 front man, and panelist on NBC's hit TV show, The Voice. Given Mr. Levine's well-known love for actually driving his cars as they were originally intended, 5003 GT was recently given a comprehensive service at Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach, including attention to its braking, cooling, electrical, fuel, and ignition, systems, plus carburetor tuning and more. As offered, 5003 GT is highly attractive in black over red leather, complemented by iconic Borrani wire-spoke wheels, and accompanied by books and a tool roll. Attractively presented, this wonderful and rare Lusso is a truly exciting find as a striking, yet highly drivable example, offering a virtually unmatched opportunity for astute Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Experience the power, the beauty, the prestige and the prominence of this incredible Ferrari 250GT Lusso and experience the refreshing Russo and Steele difference for yourself, as we celebrate 15 years of the hottest nights in Monterey! Our Monterey '15 auction takes place August 13-14-15 on the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf in Beautiful Downtown Monterey. Auction previews run daily from 10:00 AM Wednesday August 12th through Saturday August 15th. Be sure to contact us for advance bidder registration and accommodations or to register your premium consignment today! For updated information regarding our Monterey '15 auction and the exciting selection of featured collector automobiles we are busy assembling, visit our all new official website at www.russoandsteele.com. For further supporting documentation, high-resolution images, or more advance information, please contact Darin Roberge at darin@russoandsteele.com.
Scottsdale, Arizona (April 15, 2015) – By the early 1960s, Ferrari's racing and street cars began to diverge in basic essence, with the Scuderia's competition cars quickly becoming more specialized and the road cars reflecting the growing demand among Ferrari buyers for more comfort and luxury. Debuted at Paris in 1962, the Grand Touring-oriented 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso of 1963-64 was quite similar in appearance to the outgoing 250 GT SWB (short wheelbase) Berlinettas of 1959-62, but outfitted with more luxurious and usable interiors.
Designed by Turin's Pininfarina, the Lusso's sleek body was rendered by Scaglietti mostly in steel, with the doors, hood, and trunk lid made of lightweight aluminum. The Lusso's chassis and engine were closely related to those employed by the competition 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO. The Colombo-designed 60-degree SOHC V-12 was only somewhat detuned for road use with triple, as opposed to six, Weber twin-choke carburetors and lower 9.2:1 compression. As installed in the Lusso, this engine was quoted at 240-250 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. Performance was excellent as expected, with Road & Track testers recording 0-60 acceleration in 8 seconds, the quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds at 91 mph, and a top end around 150 mph.
Famous Lusso owners included Battista 'Pinin' Farina, the head of the Pininfarina design works, and Hollywood's iconic 'King of Cool,' Steve McQueen. First and foremost a driver's car, the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso or simply 'Lusso,' Italian for luxury, was priced from $13,375. Just 350 of these achingly beautiful performers were built in all during 1963 and 1964. Today, the Lusso remains a stylistic tour de force and, simply put, it stands tall as one of the finest all-around Grand Touring machines ever conceived.
Bearing serial number 5003 GT, this 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso was sold new in 1963 via Chinetti Motors in New York City. Subsequent ownership includes one Dr. Shockley, a neurosurgeon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for whom 5003 GT was restored by McCabe Auto Restoration near Chicago, and the V-12 engine was rebuilt by John Hadjuk of Noblesville, Indiana's Motor Kraft. Eventually, the Lusso was acquired in 2007 by Kevin Dwyer of Illinois, passing in April 2009 to Paul Schwartz of Orinda, California , with whom 5003 GT won the Ferrari Cup in 2011 and 2014 at the Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours and First in Class at Concorso Italiano in 2014.
During September 2014, 5003 GT was acquired by Adam Levine, the noted classic sports-car enthusiast, Maroon 5 front man, and panelist on NBC's hit TV show, The Voice. Given Mr. Levine's well-known love for actually driving his cars as they were originally intended, 5003 GT was recently given a comprehensive service at Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach, including attention to its braking, cooling, electrical, fuel, and ignition, systems, plus carburetor tuning and more. As offered, 5003 GT is highly attractive in black over red leather, complemented by iconic Borrani wire-spoke wheels, and accompanied by books and a tool roll. Attractively presented, this wonderful and rare Lusso is a truly exciting find as a striking, yet highly drivable example, offering a virtually unmatched opportunity for astute Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Experience the power, the beauty, the prestige and the prominence of this incredible Ferrari 250GT Lusso and experience the refreshing Russo and Steele difference for yourself, as we celebrate 15 years of the hottest nights in Monterey! Our Monterey '15 auction takes place August 13-14-15 on the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf in Beautiful Downtown Monterey. Auction previews run daily from 10:00 AM Wednesday August 12th through Saturday August 15th. Be sure to contact us for advance bidder registration and accommodations or to register your premium consignment today! For updated information regarding our Monterey '15 auction and the exciting selection of featured collector automobiles we are busy assembling, visit our all new official website at www.russoandsteele.com. For further supporting documentation, high-resolution images, or more advance information, please contact Darin Roberge at darin@russoandsteele.com.
