It has nothing to do with the numbering of the car when the latest addition does give you all that you want. But the 250 GT/L Berlinetta “Lusso” does at least give you hint as to its purpose right in the name, as “lusso” is
Italian for “luxury.”
RM Auctions has one of the just 350 units of the Lusso built, and it’s going up for auction soon. There is not a single Ferrari 250 that even comes close to being what you would call ugly, but even in such attractive company, the Lusso body is exceptionally striking. The design, unsurprisingly, comes from Pininfarina, while the bodies were actually built by Scaglietti. The chassis uses a tubular design, similar to that of the 250 GTO.
The body is mostly made of steel, but the doors, hood and trunk lid are all made from aluminum, and the car is indeed very light. The Lusso has also borrowed suspension components from the GTO, despite, again, not being built for the track.
Exterior design
There were actually a fair number of motorsport components that went into the Lusso, as Ferrari apparently couldn’t help itself. But this is fine, touches like the Kammback rear end of the car look good no matter what the purpose, and it makes for an interesting footnote in Ferrari history. The back end of the car includes a small spoiler, and this marks the very first time that one was incorporated into the bodywork of a Ferrari.
Interior design
As good as the Lusso looks from the outside, it is the interior that is the car’s raison d’etre. With the engine mounted much further forward than was the norm, all versions of the 250 had unusually spacious interiors, even short-wheelbase versions like the Lusso. The interior isn’t quite as spacious as that of the 250 GT/E, which was a 2+2 version of the 250, but without the back seats, the driver and passenger still end up with more space. Not to mention, there is a bigger trunk and a parcel shelf behind the seats. This shelf, as well as pretty much every other surface in the car, is covered in high-quality quilted leather. This particular Lusso has had its interior changed a few times, but the leather has been returned to its original color and style. All of which is Ferrari Classiche certified.
Prices
RM Auctions hasn’t listed an official estimate, but for such a recent restoration and to have all the numbers matching, this probably won’t go for any less than $2 million, likely topping out around $2.5 million. Even unrestored barn find Lussos generally don’t go for much less than $1.8 million.
Why you must take it
People bought GTOs because they won races, but the people who are taking them today at auctions aren’t getting them for full-on, fender-rubbing racing, they get them as investments or as something to take out every once in a great while for some cautious driving. As such, you might as well get a comfortable one.
