Lusso v.s. sn 275 gtb

Hi, have driven a 275GTB shortnose and and several 250's but not a Lusso.

My experience the 275GTB is a better drive, better road manners and superior handeling. But there is nothing wrong with a well set-up 250!

Which would make sense:
* better weight distribution with the 275gtb having a transaxel
* independent rear suspension ie double wishbone setup and floating driveshaft versus fixed rear axel

Mark

 

Not to hijack the thread but the dialogue reminded me of something.

On a recent episode of Chasing Classic Cars, they auctioned off a Lusso. I could have sworn that Wayne Carrini indicated the Lusso had independant rear suspenion. I kind of raised my eyebrows thinking that ... huh???

Not sure if I misheard, if Wayne mis-spoke, or if there are any Lusso's with IRS?

 

Hello Jay,

No. The Lusso has no IRS!...But a Watt linkage and in addition to the leafspring an helicoidal spring around the rear shockabsorber.

Raymond

 

Raymond-

yes I know- my Lusso has the standard solid axle as does everyone I have seen BUT Mr. Carrini seem too well informed to have made that error so it got me wondering if there were any special cases.

 

Maybe I AM a dinosaur, but I prefer the Lusso (and I have had several examples of each). The Lusso gearbox is very direct, while the GTB's is "notchy", for lack of a better word. In terms of handling, the Lusso, while a bit nose-heavy, seems very connected to the road. The GTB, on the other hand, feels somewhat goosey to me. I was never a race driver, so I am not talking about ultimate adhesion to the road, but merely spirited driving. One additional comment: GTBs are very sensitive to mis-matched rear tires, which will result in "throttle-steer" which can be quite disconcerting.

 

I find it interesting that they still kept the live rear axle for the 365 Cali and only switched to IRS for the 365 GT 2+2 one year later.

 

scribed because these cars are great and I'd like to know more.....but if I may add.


This thread is useless without pictures of said cars.

 

These discussions are helped immensely when you define your personal interpretation of "handling." Cornering grip, high speed stability, ride quality, etc. Everyone's definition is different and similar vehicles frequently serve different tastes or attributes.

 

I agree with Ed Niles, his comments reflect my own as I currently own both models and drive them both. The Lusso is the best of the older technology, and the 275 is the beginning of the later technology. Both have their place in history and both are great to drive. Jim

 

I personally never thought the lusso was very nice to drive. Slightly weird seating position, a long reach to the gearbox, antiquated suspension for the period, really felt like the best of the 50s cars, carried into the 60s. It was great to look at, however- perhaps the prettiest coupe made by Ferrari IMHO

 

Any more thoughts on this?

I have been thinking about a 275, but having had one before, am more drawn visually to a Lasso, but I have another 250 series.

Hmmm...

Keep up the comments!

 

Wow! Talk about problems. I have never driven a 275 or a Lusso. But I remember when you couldn't give a Lusso away. A 275 is a full-on sports car. A Lusso is what you had to buy so Enzo would sell you a 275.

 

We had a Lusso and an alloy 275 GTB in the family for forty years so I have had plenty of seat time in both. While I would say that the 275 is a more modern feeling and better handling car than the Lusso, I always felt that the Lusso provided a more elegant driving experience - visibility is far better in the Lusso creating a more relaxed drive. You are more encouraged to push the GTB since its handing is more precise and it is quite a bit quicker. I always felt that they sounded different as well. The 275 howls and the Lusso barks.

 

Great feedback.

So your preference is the Lusso over the GTB, all factors considered?

To take out on a back road?

I have driven the GTB but not the Lusso and worry about he weight balance forward.

 

Without question the GTB is the better car for back road driving. Personally I find them to be a near toss up in desirability. Both are beautiful but I find the Lusso exterior and interior to be just a bit prettier and more unique (I am referring to the long nose GTB as the short nose has never really floated my boat).

 

You have to look out for the driveline problems on the early short nose GTB's. They can be an alignment nightmare.
I think the Lusso is more of a GT, while the GTB is more of a sportscar. Very "mechanical".

 

I had a torque tube 275 so never experienced the driveshaft of earlier ones.

On a short nose can a top shop like Patrick Ottis align them so it's not an issue or is it always going to be a problem?

What premium would you put on an alloy 275?

 

Some people don't like the central rev counter and speedo of the Lusso. Some people do.

 

^^ I have some trouble with that myself actually.

 

[QUOTE
What premium would you put on an alloy 275?[/QUOTE]

VS a standard LN 275 GTB I would guess 400-800k Perhaps even more but I am biased...

Ciao
Oscar

 

I believe that the driveline set up on the earlly 275's is poor. The engine mounts have adjustments. the transaxle is on adjustable rubber mounts and the center bearing is on adjustable rubber mounts. All that stuff is connected by a solid driveline that has rigid couplings on both ends.
I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has successfully kept the driveline in alignment for an extended period of time and use. I never could.
The later cars were much better.

 

Hi,
Mine is intermediate (just before the torque tube came in) and as the alignment is ok, no issues. And I have the car some 14 years.....

At the time I bought it I also considered a Lusso and actually loved the dash. A 275 drives much better though. I drove the Lusso through a lot of traffic in London and that on its own was quite an experience....

Ciao
Oscar

 

I think its a tough choice. I could make arguments on all sides. All things being equal, I come down on which one you think is better looking. I give the edge to the 250 GT Lusso.

For me the things that count are the really elegant looks, the first production Ferrari with a Kamm tail, the first time Ferrari split their production between road and race (250 GTO) and yet many people took the 250 GT Lusso racing and enjoyed some success, and finally the last of the historic 250 series.

However, I wouldn't argue if you said you like the 275 better.

 

See posts in the links below by Dyke Ridgley re the 275 GTB drive shaft alignment:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142761020-post19.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142764163-post24.html