Bring a Trailer auction in progress: 275 GTB Powered, comprehensively rebuilt and restored. Originally blue with red leather. A gentleman's Hot Rod!1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (Auction ends October 11th, 2023)
Chassis No. 44213.3L Engine No. 06905 (from 275 GTB s/n 6905)Black with Tan Leather InteriorHistory of the Ferrari 250 GT LussoFerrari 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 #4421According 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. Offering an attractive 50 additional horsepower than the stock 250 GT/L V-12, it is a formidable attraction to an already stunning car. It is reported that at least two other Lussos were refitted with 275 GTB engines in period due to the desirable increase in performance. 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. As the car had only covered 60,000 kms by the 1990s, it was revealed during the restoration process to be very much original, retaining all its original body panels, trim, correct wire wheels, and undamaged original chassis components. Even the fuel filter retained the preserved original stenciled paint graphic and the floor pans, underbody and belly pans remained original, undamaged, and unmodified. 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 steering box and idler arm were rebuilt and refinished with new correct seals, plating, and adjustments. 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 PresentationToday 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 beauti