Unique 250 Lusso, anyone know its history

I hate to say this because it may be a very historical car but... it looks a bit like one of those 240Z fake GTO's.

I like the original Lusso better. Sorry.

 

#4383.

 

See page 8 of Cavallino magazine, issue #31.
See page 12 of Cavallino magazine, issue #50.
Conversion not done by Fantuzzi but by Tom Meade in Modena 1976, similar to another Lusso #4867 GT.
4383 GT started life as a regular Lusso. It lost its original engine in the early 1970s.

Marcel Massini

 

Discussed here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=137829027

According to the listing when 4383 was being sold by Fantasy Junction, Fantuzzi did the nose and tail mods in the 60s and Tom Meade added the GTO-style vents in the 70s. See the text below and the pics of the Fantuzzi mods here:

http://www.coachbuild.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=20056&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

http://www.coachbuild.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=20052&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

http://www.coachbuild.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=20048&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

http://www.coachbuild.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=20047


Fantasy Junction listing:

1963 Ferrari 250GT Lusso Speciale by Fantuzzi
s/n 4383, Engine no. 4383 (internal no. 1704/62)
Red with Black Interior

The Lusso represents the ultimate development of the road-going 250 series. Extraordinarily elegant, but also aggressive in a subtle but commanding way, these cars are widely regarded as being among Pininfarina’s best work. With just 350 examples built, it is with good reason that these cars have enjoyed fantastic appreciation over recent years.

This particular car enjoys a colorful, unique, and uninterrupted history. Although there is much lore surrounding this car (the majority of which is false), the current owner set about comprehensively researching its history, and was able to assemble the correct story by contacting almost every owner of the car from new, including the original owner. The 16th Lusso built, this car was originally grey metallic with a black interior, and was sold new to Luciano Pederzani, who, along with his brother Gianfranco, owned Tecno, a builder of Forumla 1, 2, 3, and 4 cars. In 1964, Pederzani took the car to famed coachbuilder Fantuzzi who created a one-off treatment with more aerodynamic front end, faired in headlamps, and more pronounced rear spoiler. The color was changed to gold metallic at this time as well. The car was sold to an owner in Venezuela in 1966, and by 1968, the car was in New York, owned by a Richard Trask. He had the car stripped to bare metal and repainted red. The car had a few more American owners during the 1970`s, and the GTO style vents were added to the nose and fenders during this period by then owner Tom Meade. At some point in the car’s relatively early history the engine was replaced with the correct “tipo 168” engine, bearing numero interno 1704/62, which was originally fitted to 250 Lusso, s/n 5193. The engine number pad has been restamped to match the chassis number of 4383. In 1977, the car was shipped to Honolulu, where it was driven a further 4,400km before being laid up for storage in 1981.

The car remained in storage until 2005, when it was purchased by its current owner who had the car shipped to the San Francisco area, where it remains today. The car had covered 64,864km (38,918 miles) from new, and was subsequently recomissioned. Much restorative work was performed in a sympathetic manner. Wherever possible, parts were detailed and cleaned, rather than being refinished, to preserve the patina which is becoming so rare on classic Ferraris. Mechanically, the car received a thorough going-over, which included rebuilds of the braking system (master cylinder, wheel cylinders, booster, stainless steel lines, and pads), full suspension system, distributors, and all three carburetors. The leaf springs, shock absorbers, bearings, king pins, bushings, and seals were renewed. The clutch was also replaced, the transmission and differential resealed, and the fuel tank and lines restored. The water pump, radiator, fuel pump, and starter were rebuilt, and a stainless steel exhaust system fitted, along with new spark plug wires. The motor mounts were also replaced, the driveshaft balanced, and two new wheels fitted, two of the wheels restored, and all four fitted with new tires.

The car presents as a very original example that has seen very little cosmetic restoration. The body is extremely straight and solid, with excellent gaps. All panels open and fit well. There is some non-structural corrosion in selected areas, and the paint displays much cracking, imperfections, and peeling. The chrome remains original and shows some pitting, while the glass is very original across the board, but well-preserved. The original Marchal headlamps are still present, and protected by the aerodynamic headlight covers, in excellent shape.

The interior also displays much patina. The carpets and seats were upholstered some time in the past using incorrect materials, but are still quite serviceable. The center tunnel has been recently reupholstered to the highest standards in black leather, and the steering wheel has been totally refinished. The remainder of the interior is likely original, including the rear parcel area, headliner, and dashboard.

The trunk remains unrestored and very original, while the engine compartment has seen some detailing but remains predominantly original and correct. It has been cosmetically cleaned and feels quite original, with an original style battery is installed, and covers for the top of the shock absorber mounts.

The car drives superbly, with a certain coherence that is present in cars that have never been mistreated or taken apart. The engine is responsive, with crisp throttle response and excellent oil pressure. The car is very tight but also displays excellent composure, and the gearbox performs well. The car is mechanically sound and can be driven anywhere in confidence.

This is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to acquire a stunning one-of-a-kind Ferrari. The history of this car is both fascinating and irreproachable, while its uniqueness and originality are unrepeatable. Given its wonderful driving experience, and lack of mechanical needs, this car would make an excellent event car, or could be restored to make a truly unique show car.

Included along with the car is a 1:43 scale model of this particular car with its special bodywork. The model was produced by BBR, who is highly regarded for their outstanding quality miniatures and specializes in Ferraris. In fact, they are officially sanctioned by Ferrari S.p.A. It is number 53 of a limited edition of 200 manufactured, and its original cost was several hundred dollars.

See: http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/631-Ferrari-250GT%20Lusso-3.0L%20V12

 

Completely different info about conversion. Mr. Massini please enlighten us who and when modified the car?

 

By the way exist any period photos of 4383 GT?

 

In the meantime I spoke to Fiorenzo Fantuzzi.

Marcel Massini

 

Leave it to Tom Meade to think he could restyle a Lusso - and make it better looking.

 

See the coachbuild.com links I posted above