Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
The Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso (Lusso meaning 'luxury' in Italian) is considered by many to be the most beautiful car Pininfarina ever designed, and arguably the most elegant Ferrari of all time. Introduced at the 1962 Paris Motor Show, the Lusso was the final and most refined expression of the legendary 250 GT series.
Where the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta was an aggressive, competition-focused machine, the Lusso was conceived as a pure grand tourer — a car for covering vast distances in speed, comfort, and style. It shared the SWB's 2,400mm wheelbase but carried entirely different bodywork designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti.
The Lusso's design is a masterpiece of flowing curves and restrained elegance. The long, sensuous hood sweeps back to a fastback roofline that tapers gracefully to a Kamm tail — a feature that was both aerodynamically effective and visually striking. The large, curved rear window wraps around the greenhouse, while the front features a delicate oval grille flanked by faired-in headlights. Every line is purposeful yet beautiful, with not a single surface wasted.
The interior was equally distinguished. The driver faced a large central tachometer and a secondary instrument binnacle offset to the left, all housed in a sculpted dashboard. High-quality leather, deep carpeting, and thoughtful details like a parcel shelf behind the seats reflected the Lusso's touring mission. Steve McQueen famously owned a brown 250 GT Lusso, one of several notable celebrity owners.
Power came from the proven Colombo V12, the same 2,953 cc unit that had powered the entire 250 series. In Lusso specification, it was tuned for tractability rather than outright power, producing 240 horsepower at 7,500 rpm through three Weber 36 DCS carburetors. This was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive, providing relaxed high-speed cruising.
The chassis followed established 250 GT practice: tubular steel frame, independent front suspension by double wishbones and coil springs, live rear axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs. Disc brakes were fitted to all four corners. At 1,310 kg, the Lusso was heavier than the SWB Berlinetta — a consequence of its more luxurious appointments — but it remained a swift and capable car, reaching 150 mph and dispatching 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds.
Approximately 350 Lussos were built between 1963 and 1964, making it one of the more plentiful 250 GT variants yet still decidedly rare by modern standards. The relatively short production run ended as Ferrari transitioned to the 275 series with its independent rear suspension and larger displacement engines.
The 250 GT Lusso remains one of the most universally admired Ferraris. Its combination of sculptural beauty, mechanical refinement, and V12 character makes it an aspirational car for collectors. Values have risen dramatically, with excellent examples now commanding $2-3.5 million. It is frequently chosen as the 'most beautiful Ferrari' by both design professionals and enthusiasts — a testament to the timeless perfection of Pininfarina's vision.
The 250 GT Lusso is one of the most desirable and livable classic Ferraris. Matching numbers (engine, gearbox, and rear axle) are crucial for value. Verify through Marcel Massini research. Ferrari Classiche certification (Red Book) is highly recommended. The steel body is prone to rust in the lower fenders, rocker panels, and around the windshield. Check for accident damage — the long nose is vulnerable. Interior originality (Lusso-specific dashboard, instruments) matters. The Colombo V12 is well supported by specialists. Common upgrades include five-speed gearbox conversions and Koni shock absorbers — these can reduce value if originality is compromised. The overdrive unit sometimes fails — check operation.
Approximately 350 units produced from late 1962 to mid-1964. All bodies were steel with aluminum doors, hood, and trunk lid, built by Scaglietti to Pininfarina's design. The car was sometimes referred to as the 250 GT/L (for Lusso). US-market cars received slightly different bumper configurations. The Lusso was the last Ferrari to use the original Colombo short-block V12 in standard production form.