250Lusso.com

A More Detailed Look

A lot of hearsay and gossip has surrounded this car since the mid 1970’s and as a result, much of the information on this car espoused by American “Ferrari Historians” is false.

The current owner has spent three years and a lot of effort documenting the actual history of this car. This has included a trip to Italy to meet with the original owner Gianfranco Pederzani and a visit to the Ferrari factory. He has personally met with, or spoken to, most of the people who have owned this car, in order to get first hand reliable information.

This particular car is a very special example of Italian coach building at its finest. As Marcell Massini points out in his excellent article in FML, Medardo Fantuzzi was responsible for most of Ferrari’s racing cars from 1959 to 1966. Some of his designs, such as the 1959 250 TR, and F1 156 (“Shark Nose”), are recognized as some of the most significant and beautiful Ferraris ever made. This Lusso Speciale is another example of his outstanding eye for beautiful design.

In 1966, the Pederzani brothers sold the car to someone in Venezuela. By summer of 1968, the car turned up in New York and was owned by Richard Trask. In the mid 1970’s, the three vents across the nose of the car and the vents behind the rear wheels had been added. Terry Kramer bought the car in 1977 and shipped it to Honolulu. The car went through Collier Thelian’s hands in 1978 and was sold to Gerald O’Conner in 1979 (mileage certified at 60,449km). Gerald put roughly 4,400 km on the car, then placed it into storage in 1981. The car remained in storage for the next 24 years, until the present owner acquired it.

Coming out of storage in 2005, with a mileage of 64,864 km (38,918 miles), the car was incredibly straight, solid, and correct. Since then, the car has been thoughtfully and sympathetically restored. Wherever possible, the parts have been detailed and cleaned, rather than being refinished, in order to preserve the patina which is becoming so rare on classic Ferraris. The car presents well and there are many original components still in place. Much of the chrome and trim has not been restored or replaced, and the windshield is original. The result is an extremely coherent and satisfying car that still speaks of its origins with refreshing honesty.

On the whole, the shut lines of the doors are excellent and close smoothly. The panels are straight, close inspection of the shut areas of the trunk and engine compartment reveal evidence of Maranello’s craftsmen at work. These traces are usually removed during restoration, but in this case, they have been retained and this car is better for it. The chrome is a mixture of original and refinished components that collectively are very attractive, while the grille, front bumper, and door handles are original.

The interior tells a similar story of sympathetic care. The leather seats and transmission tunnel cover were renewed with quality materials to original standards, while much of the trim and switches are original, but still very attractive and presentable. The headliner and visors are excellent, as are the instruments. The clock and oil gauge have been refurbished and all instruments are in working order.

The trunk and engine compartment are both well detailed. Both are extremely tidy and feature the correct semi gloss black finish to the panels. The trunk mat is original and has been retained, and shows some patina. The engine compartment is in keeping with the spirit of the rest of the car. Most components have been cosmetically cleaned and refurbished, including the brake system, which has been completely rebuilt with stainless steel sleeves. Pierce Manifolds rebuilt the carburetors. The fuel pumps and gas tank have been done. The distributors have been rebuilt and new ignition wires fitted. A new stainless steel exhaust system has been installed. The radiator has been refurbished and the water pump rebuilt. The complete suspension, at all four corners, has been rebuilt, including bearings, king pins, bushings and seals. All four wheels have been restored, mounted with new tires and balanced and aligned. Most recently, the car has had a new clutch installed. This car is mechanically sound and can be driven anywhere with confidence.

Driving this car is one of those rare and satisfying automotive experiences. This car has a certain wholeness and solidity that is present in cars that have never been mistreated or taken apart, and feels like a well cared for, low mileage car. The engine is extremely responsive, with very crisp throttle response and excellent oil pressure. The car displays excellent composure over bumps and road imperfections, and the gearbox works very well. The original mileage of 70,400 km (42,300 miles), is from new. The one–off body not only looks spectacular, but seems to improve the performance of the car, with its superior streamlining over a typical Lusso.

The history of this car is documented and irreproachable and the sympathy of the restoration is unique in a sea of over–restored and under–enjoyed cars. This is truly a car for connoisseurs who can appreciate the uniqueness of its beautiful one–off design and coupled with the honest presentation.

For additional information, please contact Mark Robinson.

 

Medardo Fantuzzi

Scans of an article on Medardo Fantuzzi in the January 2000 edition of the Ferrari Market Letter (volume 25 number 2).