1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso — The Most Beautiful Ferrari Ever Made
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso — The Most Beautiful Ferrari Ever Made
When automotive enthusiasts debate the most beautiful Ferrari ever created, one name consistently rises to the top: the 250 GT Lusso. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the Lusso (Italian for "luxury") is widely regarded as the pinnacle of 1960s Ferrari aesthetics — a perfect blend of elegance, proportion, and restrained aggression.
Introduced at the 1962 Paris Salon, the 250 GT Lusso was the final evolution of the legendary 250 GT series. It combined the mechanical excellence of Ferrari’s Colombo V12 with a body that many consider the most graceful design to ever wear the Prancing Horse badge. Only 350 examples were built between 1962 and 1964, making it a rare and highly sought-after collector piece.
Under the Bonnet
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2,953 cc Colombo V12 (Type 168) |
| Power | 240 hp at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 214 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm |
| Top Speed | ~240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual + overdrive |
| Weight | ~1,200 kg (2,650 lbs) |
| Production | ~350 units |
| Designer | Pininfarina (body), Scaglietti (construction) |
The 3.0L Colombo V12 was Ferrari’s most famous engine family, originally designed by Gioacchino Colombo in 1947. By 1963, it had been refined with larger valves, improved intake manifolds, and three Weber 36 DCS carburetors. The Lusso used the same Tipo 168 engine as the 250 GT SWB but with a more road-friendly state of tune.
Design That Transcends Eras
The Lusso’s silhouette is unmistakable. The long, low bonnet sweeps back to a fastback roofline that terminates in a distinctive Kamm tail. The small, wraparound rear window and delicate C-pillar give the car a lithe, almost feline stance. Every line flows into the next — there is no wasted surface, no unnecessary ornamentation.
Pininfarina’s chief designer at the time, Leonardo Fioravanti (who would later pen the Daytona, Dino, and 308 GTB), described the Lusso as his most satisfying early work. The interior was equally refined, with Connolly leather, a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, and a banjo-spoke design that framed Veglia Borletti instruments.
The Colombo V12 Experience
Firing up a 250 GT Lusso is an event. The starter motor whirs, then the V12 catches with a deep, resonant bark that settles into a smooth, mechanical idle. The engine is flexible enough to potter through town in top gear, yet it pulls eagerly past 5,000 rpm with a rising, melodic wail that only a Colombo V12 can produce.
The gearbox is a 4-speed with an electrically engaged Laycock de Normanville overdrive on top gear, giving the Lusso relaxed cruising ability. The steering is light and communicative, the brakes (discs all round) are progressive, and the ride — while firmly vintage — is supple enough for grand touring.
The Ferrari 250 GT in South Africa
Ferrari has had an official presence in South Africa since the 1960s, with early models imported through agents like Maranello Motors in Johannesburg and Cape Town. While the 250 GT Lusso was never officially assembled locally, a small number of examples have made their way into South African collections over the decades.
Today, the prides of place in the Ferrari Owners Club of South Africa, occasional entrants at the Knysna Hillclimb and Kyalami Classic events. The 250 GT Lusso in particular is a halo car in South African classic car circles, with values ranging from $1.5–$3 million depending on provenance and originality.
Legacy
The 250 GT Lusso represents the end of an era. It was the last front-engine V12 Ferrari before the 275 GTB introduced independent rear suspension and a more modern chassis. It was also the last road car to use the single-cam Colombo V12 before the 275’s double-overhead-cam engine.
Today, the Lusso is considered one of the most collectible Ferraris ever built. It has graced the covers of virtually every classic car magazine and is a perennial favourite at Pebble Beach, Villa d’Este, and Villa Erba. Enzo Ferrari himself was said to have a particular fondness for the Lusso, calling it “the gentleman’s Ferrari.”
More than sixty years on, the 250 GT Lusso remains the benchmark for what a grand tourer should be: fast, beautiful, and effortlessly elegant.
Sources:
- Wikipedia — Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
- Hemmings — Buyer’s Guide: Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
- Ferrari Owners Club of South Africa
- RM Sotheby’s — 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso is often called the most beautiful Ferrari ever. Do you agree, or does another model — like the 275 GTB, Daytona, or 250 GTO — deserve that title?