THE BERLINETTA LUSSO

By the early 1960s, Ferrari’s racing and street cars began to diverge in basic essence, with the Scuderia’s competition cars quickly becoming ever more specialized and the road models reflecting growing demand among buyers for greater comfort and luxury. Debuting at Paris in 1962, the grand touring-oriented 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso of 1963 was quite similar in appearance to the outgoing 250 GT SWB (short wheelbase) Berlinettas of racing fame produced from 1959 through 1962.

Importantly, the Lusso was outfitted with a more luxurious interior replete with a full accompaniment of creature comforts. This fantastic base was further bolstered by chassis improvement that included four-wheel disc brakes, a suspension with Koni shock absorbers at each corner, and a rear Watts linkage that had been perfected on the legendary 250 GTO.

The Lusso’s powerplant was closely related to those employed by the 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO. Only somewhat detuned from competition spec for road use, the Columbo Tipo 168U V-12 engine featured triple Weber twin-choke carburetors and 9.2:1 compression which provided a factory-rated output of 250 horsepower at a heady 7,000 rpm.

Scaglietti’s realization of Pininfarina’s design proved to be one of the coachbuilder’s most beautiful creations yet, with classic early cues like the egg-crate grille and delicately curved fenders giving way to long, flowing proportions, ample glass all around the luxuriously trimmed cabin, and a fastback profile punctuated by a Kamm tail.

Originally owned by jet-set luminaries and celebrities such as Steve McQueen, the Lusso was built in a modest quantity of just 350 examples over roughly two years of production. As essentially the final and most developed evolution of the revered 250 GT lineage, the GT/L has since become one of Maranello’s most collectable production models.

CHASSIS NUMBER 5003

Bearing chassis number 5003, this magnificent 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso is the 108th of 350 examples produced. It was completed in late September 1963 at Maranello, and released several days later to its first owner, Ivo Coughi of Modena. According to records compiled by marque expert Marcel Massini, Coughi enjoyed 5003 regularly until July 1965, whereupon he sold the car to a resident of Rome then showing over 24,200 kilometers (~15,000 miles). Shortly thereafter, 5003 passed to an American expatriate living in Rome. By February 1981, 5003 is noted as having been in the United States for some time and appears for sale at FAF Motorcars of Tucker, Georgia with approximately 47,000 kilometers (~29,200 miles) indicated.

Subsequent ownership includes one Dr. Shockley, a neurosurgeon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for whom 5003 was given a complete and masterful restoration by noted marque specialists at Skip McCabe’s Automotive Restoration in Mundelein, Illinois. Much of the mechanical work executed during this restoration was completed by noted Ferrari specialist John Hajduk at Motorkraft of Noblesville, Indiana. In 2007, the Lusso was acquired by Kevin Dwyer of Illinois, before passing in April 2009 to Paul Schwartz of Orinda, California. 5003 was regularly exhibited by Schwartz during his ownership and was awarded the coveted Ferrari Cup during the 2012 and 2014 editions of the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Schwartz’s last notable exhibition of 5003 was in August 2014 during the 29th Annual Concorso Italiano in Seaside, California.

Just one month later, Schwartz sold 5003 to Adam Levine, the noted classic sports car enthusiast, Maroon 5 front man, and panelist on NBC’s hit TV show, The Voice. Given Mr. Levine’s well-known love for actually driving his cars as they were originally intended, 5003 received a comprehensive service at Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach, including attention to the braking, cooling, electrical, fuel, and ignition systems, plus carburetor tuning. Over $9,000 USD in invoices for this work are on file.

As now offered for sale, this Lusso features a splendid black over red leather color combination, enhanced by a tidy set of Borrani wire wheels. In July of 2021, this exemplary Lusso was successfully certified by Ferrari Classiche as a numbers-matching example retaining its original engine, gearbox, differential and body. 5003 is accompanied by service invoices, copies of previous Italian ACI registrations, tools, original jack, books, and a spare Borrani wheel.

The Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta, Lusso is without a doubt one of the most successful and visually arresting grand touring cars ever built. The apogee of the 250 GT platform’s mechanical development, the model further benefits from a sporting exterior that is among the most acclaimed designs of all time. Recently certified by Ferrari Classiche, with a well-preserved professional restoration, this wonderful and rare Lusso is a truly exciting find, offering a stellar opportunity for the most discerning and astute Ferrari collectors.