Ferrari 250 GT Lusso

Last updated
Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta.jpg
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso at the Goodwood Breakfast Club 2008
Overview
Manufacturer Ferrari
Also calledGTL, GT/L
Production1962–1964
(351 produced)
Assembly Modena, Italy (Carrozzeria Scaglietti)
Designer Pininfarina
Body and chassis
Class Grand tourer
Body style Coupé
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 3.0 L (2953.21 cc) Tipo 168U Colombo V12 [1]
Transmission 4 and 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in) [2]
Length4,410 mm (173.6 in)
Width1,750 mm (68.9 in)
Height1,290 mm (50.8 in)
Curb weight 1,020–1,310 kg (2,250–2,890 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Ferrari 250 GT Coupé
Successor Ferrari 275 GTB

The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso is a GT car which was manufactured by Italian automaker Ferrari from 1962 [3] to 1964. Sometimes known as the GTL, GT/L or just Lusso, it is larger and more luxurious [lower-greek 1] than the 250 GT Berlinetta. The 250 GT Lusso, which was not intended to compete in sports car racing, is considered to be one of the most elegant Ferraris. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Development

Keeping in line with the Ferrari "tradition" of that time, the 250 GT Lusso was designed by the Turinese coachbuilder Pininfarina, and bodied by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Although the interior was more spacious than that of the 250 GT, the 250 GT Lusso remained a two-seat GT coupe, unlike the 250 GTE. The car was manufactured for only eighteen months, from 1962 to mid 1964, and was the last model of Ferrari 250 GT generation.

Auto shows often provide an opportunity for manufacturers to introduce new designs publicly. Ferrari did so at the 1962 Paris Motor Show to unveil, as a prototype, the 250 GT Lusso. [4] The prototype was almost identical to the production version, and only minor details changed thereafter. [5]

The new model was a way for Ferrari to fill a void left between the sporty 250 GT SWB and the luxurious 250 GTE 2+2, [8] [lower-greek 2] the Lusso met the new demands of the 1960s. Indeed, fans of sporting driving of the time became as fond of civilized designs, that is, comfortable and spacious, as they were of radical sports cars. [5] [9] Ferrari did not skimp on details in the GTL, which shows on the scales; weight ranged from 1,020 to 1,310 kg (2,250 to 2,890 lb), depending on equipment. [10]

Unusually brief for a Ferrari model, GTL's production began in 1962 and ended August 1964. According to a longstanding American expert on Ferrari, Peter Coltrin, the construction of the 250 GT Lusso must have begun soon after the presentation of the prototype of the Paris Motor Show. [11]

Although it was not intended to compete, the 250 GT Lusso made a few appearances in several sporting events in 1964 and 1965, such as the Targa Florio and the Tour de France. The final iteration of the 250 GT series, 351 copies of GT Lusso were produced before being replaced by the Ferrari 275 GTB. (Note nomenclature change due to increase in engine cylinder capacity.) [4] Originally sold for $13,375, the 250 GT Lusso saw sales in 2021-2022 between $1.2 million to $2.1 million. [12]

External appearance

The rear window provides good visibility Ferrari 250 GT Lusso 2.jpg
The rear window provides good visibility

Using certain aesthetic and aerodynamic features of the 250 GT and 250 GTO, Pininfarina led the design of the 250 GT Lusso, [lower-greek 3] regarded by many as one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made; [4] [12] it attracted notable personalities of that time, such as Steve McQueen and Eric Clapton.

As usual, the company Carrozzeria Scaglietti was responsible for the manufacturing of the body. The body was made of steel with the exception of the doors, boot lid, and bonnet, which were made of aluminium. [13] The stern of the body featured a small integrated spoiler; the 250 GTL became the first Ferrari to incorporate such aerodynamic appendages, [13] concluding with an abrupt Kammback rear. [8] [14]

The short rear is also characterized by a bezel that slopes down to the "tail" of the car. [12] The glazed surfaces, including the rear window and triangular quarter windows, provided good visibility. [12] [15] The 250 GTL came with four round headlights in the front with the exception of a few versions, like an early London show car s/n 4335GT, that was used by Battista Pininfarina himself, featuring two covered headlights and an elongated nose section, like on previous style Ferraris. [16] Numerous details of the body are unique to the 250 GT Lusso, such as the rectangular air vent placed on the hood, curved wings, and chrome bumpers, which were mainly decorative and positioned vertically beneath the indicator lights. [17]

Interior

The instrument panel of the 250 GT Lusso had an unusual design for its time. Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Inside.jpg
The instrument panel of the 250 GT Lusso had an unusual design for its time.

As a variation of the luxurious 250 GT, the 250 GT Lusso had a spacious interior, made possible by the forward position of the engine; this was an unusual design choice at the time for Ferrari, known for their sports cars which emphasized even front/rear weight distribution. As the car was only a two-seater, there was a fairly capacious boot space with a parcel shelf, covered in quilted leather. [4] [18]

While 250 GT Lusso was a civilized sport car, it was nevertheless "recommended in preference to young and flexible passengers" due to the fixed-position seatbacks. Despite this, the pedals were adjustable to 5 cm (2.0 inches), as in the racing versions. [18] The design of the instrument panel, covered with soft and black leather was unusual; the tachometer, with a red zone beginning at 8,000 rpm, and the speedometer were placed at the center slightly tilted towards the driver. Five additional gauges were positioned in front of the driver, behind the three-spoke Nardi steering wheel made of wood and aluminium, placed almost vertically. [13] [19]

Specifications

Chassis, brakes and suspensions

The 250 GT Lusso has a short wheelbase of 2.40 m (94 in). Ferrari 250 GT Lusso 4.jpg
The 250 GT Lusso has a short wheelbase of 2.40 m (94 in).

Contrary to the 250 GTE "2+2" which had a wheelbase of 2.6 m (100 inches), the GT Lusso was built on a short wheelbase of 2.4 m (94 inches), identical to that of the 250 GT Berlinetta. [4] The chassis was adopted from the tubular structure of the 250 GTO, but with narrower tubes. [8] [20] The chassis could, according to Brian Laban, author of Ferrarissime, "brilliantly support the comparison with that of competitors". [18]

At the level of suspensions, the 250 GT Lusso had double wishbones and coil springs at the front, while the rear suspension comprised a live axle, leaf springs, semi-elliptical concentric coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. Braking was provided by four-wheel disc brakes with hydraulic control, placed behind the polished aluminium Borrani wire wheels with knock-off hubs, fitted with 185VR15 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 tyres. [8]

Engine and transmission

Engine compartment of 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Engine Compartment.jpg
Engine compartment of 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso

The 250 GT/L Lusso used a Colombo-designed V12 engine with a displacement of 2,953.21 cc (3.0 L; 180.2 cu in). [1] This engine developed an output of 240 hp (180 kW) at 7,500 rpm and 242 N⋅m (178 lbf⋅ft) torque at 5,500 rpm. It was able attain a maximum speed of 240 km/h (150 mph), thus becoming the fastest passenger car of that period, [7] and required only 7 to 8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph). [4] [18] Certain components such as the valves and the crankshaft, were derived from the engine of the 250 GT SWB, while others, such as the pistons and the cylinder block, were derived from the 250 GTE. [13]

The engine was equally "civilized" as the interior, given that it was provided with just one overhead cam head through the cylinder bank, two chain driven valves per cylinder and three dual-barrel Weber 36 DCS carburetors, compared to the twin-cam heads and six carburetors used on high performance models. [10]

This V12 engine suffered major smoke emissions during high acceleration and vibrations around 3,700 rpm. This was the reason that Steve McQueen, angered by the smoke in spite of persistent engine repairs, sold his 250 GT/L in 1967. [12] [21] The gearbox was also subject of complaints since it was too high geared. [4] [18]

Heritage

Being the last representative of the Ferrari 250 lineage, beginning in 1952 with the 250 S, the end of the production of the 250 GT Lusso in 1964 heralded the beginning of a new generation of Ferraris, increasingly luxurious and refined, such as the Ferrari 275 and 330.

The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso also marked the conclusion of a marketing strategy of Enzo Ferrari, according to which "Ferrari racing cars were sold, for car racing lined with the traffic, so that it can make the race competitive". [22] Thus, Ferrari became a fully functional car manufacturer that attracted important customers interested in funding its passion for motor racing. [22]

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Lusso means "luxury" in Italian.
  2. The 1950s were marked by the rapid evolution of road infrastructure, inducing increased demand for the faster and more balanced automobiles known as Grand Touring. Seating just two in the front and two in the rear, thus 2+2.
  3. The 250 GT Lusso is also the first Ferrari model to have a crest on its Pininfarina body, usually maintained thereafter by the Turin designer.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari</span> Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy

Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), the company built its first car in 1940, adopted its current name in 1945, and began to produce its current line of road cars in 1947. Ferrari became a public company in 1960, and from 1963 to 2014 it was a subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A. It was spun off from Fiat's successor entity, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, in 2016. In 2024, the Wall Street Journal summed up the company's reputation in this way: "Ferrari has been synonymous with opulence, meticulous craftsmanship and ridiculously fast cars for nearly a century."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dino (marque)</span> Motor vehicle

Dino was a marque best known for mid-engined, rear-drive sports cars produced by Ferrari from 1957 to 1976. The marque came into existence in late 1956 with a front-engined Formula Two racer powered by a brand new Dino V6 engine. The name Dino was used for some models with engines smaller than 12 cylinders, it was an attempt by the company to offer a relatively low-cost sports car. The Ferrari name remained reserved for its premium V12 and flat-12 models until 1976, when "Dino" was retired in favour of full Ferrari branding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB) is series of sports cars produced by Ferrari in Italy between 1973 and 1984. The BB was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina. The first BB model, the 365 GT4 BB, replaced the front engined Daytona and was the first in a series of road-going Ferraris equipped with a mid-mounted flat-twelve engine. It was also the first mid-engined road-car to bear the Ferrari name and the Cavallino Rampante logo. The 365 GT4 BB was succeeded in 1976 by the BB 512, equipped with a larger displacement engine, then by the fuel-injected BB 512i in 1981. The series was discontinued in 1984 when the BB 512i was replaced by the Testarossa, which used a revised version of the flat-twelve engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand tourer</span> High-performance luxury car

A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement. Grand tourers are most often the coupé derivative of luxury saloons or sedans. Many iconic car models, such as the Ferrari 250 GT, Jaguar E-Type, and Aston Martin DB5, are considered classic examples of gran turismo cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 GTO</span> Car model

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a grand tourer produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 for homologation into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. It was powered by Ferrari's Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine. The "250" in its name denotes the displacement in cubic centimeters of each of its cylinders; "GTO" stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for "Grand Touring Homologated".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 275</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari 275 is a series of front-engined V12-powered grand touring automobiles with two-seater coupé and spider bodies produced by Ferrari between 1964 and 1968. The first 275 series cars were powered by a 3.3 L (3286 cc) overhead camshaft Colombo 60° V12 engine producing 260–320 hp (190–240 kW). An updated 275 GTB/4 was introduced in 1966, with a revised four overhead camshaft engine producing 300 hp (220 kW). The 275 series were the first road-going Ferraris equipped with a transaxle and independent rear suspension.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 550</span> Grand tourer produced by Ferrari

The Ferrari 550 Maranello is a front-engine V12 2-seat grand tourer built by Ferrari from 1996 to 2002. The 550 Maranello marked Ferrari's return to a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout for its 2-seater 12-cylinder model, 23 years after the 365 GTB/4 Daytona had been replaced by the mid-engined Berlinetta Boxer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250</span> Series of sports cars and grand tourers built by Ferrari from 1952 to 1964

The Ferrari 250 is a series of sports cars and grand tourers built by Ferrari from 1952 to 1964. The company's most successful early line, the 250 series includes many variants designed for road use or sports car racing. 250 series cars are characterized by their use of a 3.0 L (2,953 cc) Colombo V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. They were replaced by the 275 and 330 series cars.

The Ferrari P was a series of Italian sports prototype racing cars produced by Ferrari during the 1960s and early 1970s.

The Ferrari 330 was a series of V12 powered automobiles produced by Ferrari in 2+2 GT Coupé, two-seat Berlinetta, spyder, and race car versions between 1963 and 1968. The name "330" refers to the approximate displacement of each single cylinder in cubic centimeters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 S</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari 250 S was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1952. It was the first in the long lineage of Ferrari 250 road and race cars powered by a ubiquitous 3.0-litre Colombo V12 engine. In 1952 the 250 S won the Mille Miglia and 12 Hours of Pescara. At the Le Mans, the same year, it clocked the fastest race lap time. Only a single example was produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari Monza</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari Monza is one of a series of cars built by Ferrari. In the early 1950s, Ferrari shifted from using the compact Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine in its smallest class of sports racers to a line of four-cylinder engines designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Inspired by the success of the light and reliable 2.5 L 553 F1 car, the four-cylinder sports racers competed successfully through the late 1950s, culminating with the famed 500 Mondial and 750 Monza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 458</span> Italian mid-engine sports car by Ferrari

The Ferrari 458 Italia is an Italian mid-engine sports car produced by Ferrari. The 458 is the successor of the F430, and was first officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was succeeded by the 488 GTB in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari F12</span> Grand Tourer produced by Ferrari as the successor to the 599 GTB

The Ferrari F12berlinetta is a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari. The F12berlinetta debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and replaced the 599 grand tourer. The naturally aspirated 6.3 litre Ferrari V12 engine used in the F12berlinetta has won the 2013 International Engine of the Year Award in the Best Performance category and Best Engine above 4.0 litres. The F12berlinetta was named "The Supercar of the Year 2012" by car magazine Top Gear. The F12berlinetta was replaced by the 812 Superfast in early 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina</span> Prestige sports car by Ferrari, 1957–1962

The Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Pinin Farina, occasionally referred to as the 250 GTC, is a prestige sports car developed by the Italian carmaker Ferrari. A "cabriolet" version of the 250 GT sedan, it was designed by Pinin Farina of Turin; it was also bodied by him - an exception for Ferrari, since another coachbuilder, Scaglietti, usually did the work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 410 S</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari 410 S was a sports racing car produced by Ferrari in 1955–1956. After the racing successes of 375 Plus, mainly in 1954 Carrera Panamericana, Ferrari decided to prepare another model for this marathon. The 410 S was intended as a long-distance race car originally designed for the 1955 Carrera Panamericana and was the final model of the Lampredi V12 sports car lineage. The next generation of sports racing cars that replaced the 410 S were powered by the new Jano V12 engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is a sports car developed by the Italian car manufacturer Ferrari. It is presented by the brand as Ferrari 250 Gran Turismo Spyder California or simply Ferrari 250 California. Its name is sometimes incorrectly written Spider instead of 'Spyder' which indicates it is similar to a convertible. It was designed by Pinin Farina and bodied by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Starring in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it became one of the most popular Ferraris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale</span> 1966 concept sports car

The Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale was a concept sports car designed and produced by Pininfarina and Ferrari in 1966. It featured a mid-engined layout of a donor racing car chassis and three-seat arrangement with a central driving position, as later popularised on McLaren F1. It was the first purpose-built, mid-engined, road-going Ferrari-branded car. Other similar Ferraris at that time were road-usable race cars like the 1965 250 LM 'Speciale'.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso". auto.ferrari.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  2. "1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso". supercars.net. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
  3. "Ferrai 250 GT/L - Register Part 1". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gilles Bonnafous (April 16, 2002). "Ferrari 250 GT Lusso" (in French). Motorlegend. p. 2. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 B. Laban, Ferrarissime, 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, p.77
  6. Martin, Keith (2004). Keith Martin on Collecting Ferrari. Motorbooks International. ISBN   978-0-7603-1971-0 . Retrieved December 4, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. 1 2 Adler, Dennis (1997). Ferrari. Motorbooks International. ISBN   978-0-7603-0273-6 . Retrieved December 4, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso". QV500.com. p. 1. Retrieved 25 June 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. Gunn, Richard (2006). Supercars : les voitures les plus extraordinaires au monde [Supercars: the most extraordinary cars in the world] (in French). Gremese Editore. ISBN   978-88-7301-623-6.
  10. 1 2 B. Laban, Ferrarissime, 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, p.78
  11. "Ferrari 250 GTL – Berlinetta Lusso". Ferrari For Sale. Archived from the original on August 30, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "MARKET PRICES Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso". Collector.com. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso". How Stuff Works ?. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  14. B. Laban, Ferrarissime, 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, p.81
  15. H. Lehbrink et al., Ferrari, 250 GT Lusso, p.142/
  16. "250 GT Lusso s/n 4335GT". barchetta.cc. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  17. "Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso". QV500.com. p. 2. Retrieved December 4, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 B. Laban, Ferrarissime, 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, p.80
  19. H. Lehbrink et al., Ferrari, 250 GT Lusso, p.142
  20. H. Lehbrink et al., Ferrari, 250 GT Lusso, p.143
  21. H. Lehbrink et al., Ferrari, 250 GT Lusso, p.146
  22. 1 2 B. Laban, Ferrarissime, 250 GTE (250 GT 2+2), p.59

Bibliography