1963 250GT Lusso Reverse Light

Can anyone elaborate on the use of a reverse light on the 250GT Lusso? I am working on #5003 and it does not have a reverse light at present. Of the roughly 50 cars I have viewed, half have a reverse light and the other half do not. I appreciate the help.

 

Mine #5147 (production date 11. Oct. 1963) had two Carello mounted under the rear bumber. But I don't know if that was standard, an option or put on at a later time.
Who knows if those Carellos were already available in 1963?


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Here's 5003 GT photographed 9 years ago (14 August 2012 in Carmel) and without a reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Suggest first check if your Lusso has a reverse light switch: I would expect it to be at the gearbox.

 

This has been a subject of debate for many years. I am still not sure Lusso's had backup lights, pending somebody showing me a verified photo of a Lusso when new. Unfortunately, the 1963 and 1964 factory yearbooks only show photos of Lusso's from the front, so it is not possible to verify if the cars had backup lights. However, if they had them, they would be the single unit with the "tit" in the lens, the same as a 275 GTB. Over the years, I have seen a number of Lusso's with this light, but still have no proof they were built that way.

 

Here's an old photo showing the rear of 250 GT Lusso 5123 GT taken on 15 October 1963, just eight days after delivery to the first owner (7 October 1963).
NO reverse light, or it has fallen off already........

Marcel Massini

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^ the tires look like radials. did lussos come w radial tires?

 

Here's the prototype 250 Lusso #3849 GT in Maranello on the 1st December 1962.
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Marcel: That is the photo we needed! I knew I could depend on you. While it does not address the question if "all" Lusso's did NOT have backup lights, it does confirm that at least SOME cars did NOT have them. If 5123 did not have them, we can, with some level of comfort believe that Lusso's up to this number range were not equipped with backup lights. For years, I was of the opinion that the cars originally had backup lights, but over time, I have come to believe they did not.

 

Here's 4297 GT at the factory in February 1963.
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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The tires in the photo of 5123 GT provided by Marcel appear to be the period Dunlop SP Sport 57. At least one of the Factory specification papers for the Lusso lists tires "Pirelli CINTURATO HS" and "Dunlop SP". Radials.

 

Here's 4335 GT at the London Motor Show 16 October 1963.
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Period front view of 5123 GT showing tires.
Taken 15 October 1963.

Marcel Massini

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Thank you Marcel. Yes, for certain that is the Dunlop SP Sport tread.

 

Here's a great period color photo showing the brand new 250 GT Lusso #4359 GT on the day of delivery 6 May 1963. Blu Scuro 18942 Italver with Arancia VM 3104 interior.
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Here's 250 GT Lusso #4403 GT on 9 July 1963, three months after delivery.

Marcel Massini

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Here's 250 GT Lusso #4445 GT in January 1964, four months after delivery.
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Another way to confirm or figure out if an individual (perhaps late production ?) example possibly had B-U light(s) is to inspect/study its wiring harness, assuming that harness still the same the given car left the factory with.

 

Here's British collector David A. Clarke with his 250 GT Lusso #4845 GT (and his 250 GTO).
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Here's 250 GT Lusso #5283 GT in 1964.
NO reverse light.

Marcel Massini

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Just a thought, perhaps the emergence of the lights was prompted by changes in regulatory rules for vehicle registration in various countries.

 

interesting that Clark put snap exhausts on the lusso. do the snaps change the exhaust sound?

 

Dyke is there a factory Lusso bodyparts manual? If so it would show whether there were backup lights.

 

375+: I have never seen a Lusso Body Parts Manual.

 

I believe, so far as the Lusso goes, the reversing light was more of a market or customer requirement. I have seen very late Lussos without the light. The reversing light position would typically be plugged off on the gearbox, and if a light was to be installed, a plunger switch would replace this plug. This is the box from an early 1964 Lusso and you can see that the reversing light position is plugged off.

john




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