1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

The Lusso was the last of the Ferrari 250 road cars and while its predecessor, the 250 PF, was restrained and elegant, the Lusso was stunning and dynamic. Its graceful yet elegant stance was lower and wider, and the Kamm tail treatment at the rear modernized the aesthetic of the car considerably. Positioned between the more luxurious 250 GTE 2+2 and the competition-oriented SWB (short wheelbase), the Lusso combined the best quantities of both, providing an athletic Gran Turismo with arresting visual presence with a comparatively civilized cockpit and driving experience. Equipped with the best features of its predecessors, the 250 GT/L Berlinetta, known simply as the 'Lusso,' is regarded as the most developed evolution of the revered 250 GT lineage.

The Pininfarina coachwork concealed Ferrari's classic ingredients that included the venerable 3.0-liter outside plug Colombo V-12 engine that had proven so successful in the 250 Testa Rossa and California spider racing variants, disc brakes, a suspension with Koni shock absorbers at each corner, and a rear Watts linkage that had been perfected on the legendary 250 GTO. Scaglietti's realization of Pininfarina's design proved to be a Paragon among their creations, with classic early cues such as the egg-create grille, ample glass all around with thin A-pillars, delicately curved fenders, long and flowing proportions, and a fastback profile punctuated by a Kamm tail.

Production
Ferrari introduced the 250 GT Lusso two-seat GT Coupe in 1962 at the Paris Motor Show, and it would remain in production through 1964 with 351 examples built. It was replaced by the Ferrari 275 GTB equipped with a 3.3-liter V12 engine that offered between 260 and 320 horsepower.

Specifications
The 250 GT/L rested on a 94-inch wheelbase which was identical to the 250 GT Berlinetta but shorter than the 100-inch platform of the 250 GTE '2+2.' Its tubular steel structure was adopted from the 250 GTO but with narrower tubes and suspended by double wishbones and coil springs at the front. The rear used a live axle, leaf springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and semi-elliptical concentric coil springs. Stopping power was courtesy of four-wheel disc brakes with hydraulic controls. The polished aluminum Borrani wire wheels with knock-off hubs were wrapped with 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 tires.

The heart of the Lusso was the refined V12 engine that developed 240 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 178 lb-ft of torque, endowing it with enough power to rank as the fastest passenger car of that period. Zero-to-sixty mph took only 7 to 8 seconds and its top speed was 150 mph. The engine used two chain-driven valves per cylinder, three dual-barrel Weber 36 DCS carburetors, and one overhead cam head through the cylinder bank.

Interior
The spacious interior was accomplished by moving the engine as far forward as possible, a very unfamiliar and non-traditional concept for Ferrari, as it placed luxury over weight distribution. The interior accommodated comfortable seating for two and there was a fairly spacious boot space with a parcel shelf covered in quilted leather. A row of five round dials resided in front of the three-spoke Nardi steering wheel, while two larger dials, positioned towards the driver, were in the center of the dashboard. The two large dials were the speedometer and the tachometer, with the tachometer having a 'red zone' beginning at 8,000 RPM. The instrument panel was covered with soft and black leather, another unusual feature for Ferrari. With leather upholstery and luxury amenities, the Lusso recalled the elegance of the earlier coachbuilt offerings.

The Lusso was a mature and revered example of Ferrari's road-going 250 GT series, combining race-bred mechanical underpinnings with a handsome exterior design. It was the direct relative of the 250 GTO racecar, with a well-tended V-12 and plush leather interior, offering a supremely rewarding grand touring experience.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2021