Advertise for Free
Advertise for Free

Ferrari 250 Lusso 3.0 Litre 12-Cylinder no. 4635GT 1963

General description : 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
s/n 4635GT, engine no. 4635GT
Grigio Argento Italver with Red Interior

The last and best of the Ferrari 250 road cars, the 250 Lusso is also widely agreed to be among the most beautiful classic Ferraris. While its predecessor, the 250 PF, was restrained and elegant, the Lusso was dynamic and stunning. It was appreciably lower and wider, and the Kamm tail treatment at the rear modernized the aesthetic of the car considerably. Slotted between the larger and more luxurious 250 GTE 2+2 and the competition-oriented SWB, the Lusso split the difference, providing an athletic GT car with arresting visual presence with comparatively civilized cockpit and driving experience.

Under the Pininfarina coachwork was Ferrari’s venerable and by this time fully developed 3.0 liter outside plug Colombo V12 engine, giving the Lusso the classic Ferrari ingredients. Disc brakes were fitted while aluminum deck lids and doors reduced weight somewhat. The interior was trimmed to high standards and featured a unique centrally mounted tachometer and speedometer, which are among the cars signature design elements. Production was relatively brief, from January of 1963 to August of 1964, and just 350 examples were built. Very much the road going version of Ferrari’s legendary 250 SWB, the Lusso is now very much a blue-chip collector quality Ferrari which, like all classic Ferraris, has enjoyed fantastic appreciation in recent years.

This particular example, s/n 4635GT, is the 79th Lusso built. We know from fabulous early SEFAC documentation on file that it was delivered new to Garage Francorchamps of Brussels, Belgium, in the Grigio Argento Italver with red interior it wears today. In keeping with its European Market specification it was equipped a speedometer in kilometers, and poised on Boranni 15x6.5 RW3801 wheels, shod with Dunlop 185-15 tires. The SEFAC paperwork further specifies delivery with a tool roll, two sets of keys, driver’s and passenger’s lap belts, and a single tin of touch up paint. What a fantastic sight this Lusso must have been, and for a mere $7,500 at the time!

While the early history is not well known, we know from a historical synopsis on file by Ferrari historian Marcel Massani that this Lusso was in Germany by 1993, and was painted red with tan leather at that time. The owner at that time had the unfortunate occurance of a bank in Dusseldorf repossessing the car, at which time it was sold to Herbert Karner of Atadecken-Elsheim, Germany. Karner owned this car up through 2000. During his custodianship regular maintenance was carried out, as well as an engine rebuild. Mr. Karner was a sporting Ferrari enthusiast and exercised s/n 4635GT on several time-accuracy and regulatory speed events including the Tour Auto, as well as in select concours outings. In June of 1997 Mr. Karner had a minor accident involving the right front corner. Repairs were effected immediately, together with other restoration work, which totaled $36,000 at that time. Bare metal pictures of the recent restoration work shows the extent of the damage to have been limited to the right front headlight area, which was subsequently replaced in 2014 at the time of the most recent restoration work.

This restoration work was a rotisserie undertaking overseen by Seattle area historic race and show car specialists J&L Fabrication. This work was performed in an no-expense-spared fashion, with the resulting total in excess of $600,000. Paint was applied from bare metal by Jon Byers, with the upholstery work done by Shawn Parkhurst, both with Pebble Beach accolades under their belts. The engine was removed, partially disassembled, found to be in good health from its 1996 rebuild in Germany (compression 165-180 on all twelve cylinders, with 2-5% leak down readings). It was detailed and resealed, and dyno tested. The engine bay was detailed to show condition, as were the underside, suspension, wheels, and brake components.

The resulting car is difficult to fault in its cosmetic presentation. Virtually everything is as-new, or possibly better; from the sparkle of the deep dish Borranis, pronounced black crackle finish on the valve covers, to the rich red diamond stitch of the rear parcel shelf. With the arduous restoration in the rear view mirror, it awaits its next custodian, and is ready to show or drive anywhere.

Featured in Cavallino magazine (issue #93, #99), and in Prancing Horse (issue #124) this beautifully restored and well regarded example- in what many believe to be the most attractive color combination available when new- will be sure captivate the attention of the most discerning Ferrari collectors. It is accompanied by wonderful early documentation, a high quality modern production tool roll, the Ferrari Classiche Certification “Red Book”, a Marcel Massini report, and a beautiful photo book by Allan Rosenberg http://www.allanr.com.

http://fantasyjunction.com/cars/1887-Ferrari-250%20GT/Lusso-3.0%20Litre%2012-Cylinder

1963 Ferrari 250 Lusso 3.0 Litre 12-Cylinder no. 4635GT is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Emeryville by Fantasy Junction for Not priced.

 

Car Facts

Car type : Car Make : Ferrari Model : 250 Lusso Model Version : 3.0 Litre 12-Cylinder no. 4635GT Engine size : 3.0 Model Year : 1963 Location : Emeryville

Sold

Seller Information

Sold

ClassicDigest Market Radar on Ferrari 250 Lusso

$ £

People who viewed this Ferrari 250 Lusso also viewed similar Ferrari listed at ClassicDigest

Ferrari 250 Lusso
2195000 $
Emeryville
Ferrari 250 Lusso
Emeryville
Ferrari 250 Lusso
Ashford Kent
Ferrari 250 Lusso
249-251 Merton Road, London, SW18 5EB, United Kingdom

Other cars listed for sale by this dealer

Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto
Emeryville
Ferrari 308 GTS
Emeryville
Honda S2000
Emeryville
Ford Pick Up
Emeryville
Ford De Luxe
Emeryville
About Ferrari
The first Ferrari road car was the 125 S introduced in 1947 and powered by a 1.5 L V12 engine, right?
Well it's not quite that simple, Ferrari did in fact produce e Tipo 815, in 1940. Tipo 815 was designed by ex-Alfa Romeo engineers Alberto Massimino and Vittorio Bellentani and by Enrico Nardi under Enzo's company but legal issues with the former associate Alfa Romeo prevented Ferrari from launching the Ferrari marque at that point.

Enzo did produce a series of fine road cars in the 50's and 60's but they were merely to finance his true passion racing, wheather GT/Sports car or Grand Prix. The 50's saw the birth of Ferrari's most memorable cars, 250 GTB (tour de France) 250 Testa Rossa, 250 GT swb just to name a few.

Under the surface tension was growing though. In November 1961 long-time sales manager Girolamo Gardini made an ultimatum to Enzo: if tensions continued, he would leave the company. As a result, Gardini was ousted, as well as Scuderia Ferrari manager Romolo Tavoni, chief engineer Carlo Chiti, experimental sports car development chief Giotto Bizzarrini, and a number of others who stood by them.
Without Chiti and Bizzarrini the development of what was to become the most quintessential Ferrari and today the world's most expensive car, 250 GTO, was at a pivoting point. 250 GTO project was saved by a young engineer Mauro Forghieri and long-time racing bodyman Sergio Scaglietti who stepped in and took over the program with known results.

In addition to 250 GTO, Ferrari launced such master pieces as 250 LM, 250P, 275 GTB, 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" during the the 60's
By the late 60's Ferrari's prototypes' success came to a sudden halt by a new competitor, GT40. Ford turned to Lola to produce a Ferrari beating long distance racer after Enzo had cut the deal off with Henry Ford II making the latter absolutely boil with fury. The collaboration between Ford and Lola created the mighty Ford GT40 that gave Ferrari some heavy hits in Le Mans 24 to come.
By the end of the 60's FIAT purchased 50% of the company, starting a development that has led to a new mass-produced era of Ferraris.

Whether you are selling or looking for a classic Ferrari www.classicdigest.com is the place to check out.