Page 1 of 2 Next >> Alongside the highly successful three litre engine racing cars, Ferrari built similarly engined road cars; both were known as the 250 GT. The two versions shared many components and the road cars helped Ferrari finance the expensive racing programs. Additionally, it offered Ferrari's customers to enjoy the racing pedigree during a Sunday afternoon drive in the country. Towards the end of the 1950s the 250 GT road car line-up became increasingly diverse with some versions more aimed and luxury and the others more suited to the spirited driver. All versions continued to share the basic Colombo designed V12 engine that had achieved legendary status powering Ferraris to dozens of victories.
At the turn of the decade, Ferrari introduced a short wheelbase (SWB) version of the 250 GT with a 2400 mm wheelbase; some 20 mm shorter than its predecessor. The Italian company needed to produce at least 100 examples of this new version to homologate it for road use, so they offered it as an aluminium bodied competition car and steel bodied street version or 'Lusso'. Both were mechanically almost identical and many owners also raced their steel bodied cars. The long wheelbase chassis was retained for the more luxurious 2+2, the 250 GTE. Production of the steel and alloy short wheelbase cars ceased in 1962 and for racing purposes the more radical 250 GTO was introduced.
The replacement of the steel SWB came at the Paris Auto Show late in 1962, simply dubbed the 250 GT Lusso. Like its predecessor, the Lusso's body was penned by house designer Pininfarina, but this time the elegant coupe design was from identical to the racing car. Especially the nose still reminded of the previous model and like the GTO, the tail was chopped off in a Kamm-style fashion. Extensive tests had shown that a clean cut greatly helped the airflow to get detached from the body, which improved high speed stability. The overall design was received to universal acclaim and still ranks as one of the finest. The steel bodies were built by Scaglietti. Page 1 of 2 Next >>
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250 GT Lusso
Alongside the highly successful three litre engine racing cars, Ferrari built similarly engined road cars; both were known as the 250 GT. The two versions shared many components and the road cars helped Ferrari finance the expensive racing programs. Additionally, it offered Ferrari's customers to enjoy the racing pedigree during a Sunday afternoon drive in the country. Towards the end of the 1950s the 250 GT road car line-up became increasingly diverse with some versions more aimed and luxury and the others more suited to the spirited driver. All versions continued to share the basic Colombo designed V12 engine that had achieved legendary status powering Ferraris to dozens of victories.