250 Lusso

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 5:34 pm

I'm not sure why I felt the need to bring this up, but does anyone remember the silver Lusso that was on Ebay in 2001. The car was a terrible mess, photographed inside what appeared to be a concrete bunker or a coop. A couple of guys wrote to this site seeking advice on whether they should buy it.

I have recently been communicating with the fellow that ended up buying the car. He is a Belgian and the car is in Belgium getting a total restoration.

John Vardanian

Post by **tyang** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 10:59 pm

Hi John,

I remember the car well. Francois had mentioned the car to me before I bought my 330 America because he heard of the chicken coop the car was stored in out in NJ. If my memory serves me correctly, it sold for somewhere at $75K. That was crazy money back then because Lussos were selling for about $125-150K. Now it doesn't seem too bad of a price when Lussos seem to be selling for over $200K.

Is the current owner willing to share pictures of the current restoration?

Tom

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:45 am

Tom,

He did promise me some pictures. I will remind him.

john

Bryan P · Post by **Bryan P** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 11:25 am

was it in New Jersey, or one of the Walt Medlin cars down in Florida? I seem to remember seeing pics of a silver or light metallic blue Lusso that was being liberated from one of Medlin's storage units about 2 years ago . . .

barchetta · Post by **barchetta** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:20 pm

I believe that the Lusso, as well as an unrestored California Spyder and a 275 GTB/4 were all offered for sale by Basil Shadlun of New Jersey. I believe that he owned some or all of above vehicles for quite some time. I know that the Lusso and California Spyder were offered on e-bay. The Lusso was a pretty good value in light of the the current marketplace.

David Booth · Post by **David Booth** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 12:50 am

I remember this car crossing the e-bay block as well. Seeing the car in its dank-looking cinder block cell like some automotive Prisoner of Zenda was almost as bad as the 330 America in that awful Alabama (?) lean-to a few months back.

And if I remember correctly, at the time the main topic of conversation was all about the outrageous asking/selling price and the horror show that awaited the unfortunate buyer when he proceeded to restore the thing. Funny how the passage of a relatively short period of time can change the prevailing opinion on what constitutes a decent price/ fair value/ good investment, huh?

John Vardanian · Post by **John Vardanian** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 1:35 am

Interesting, contemplating the passage of time and its effect on the value of things ... I wonder if the time will come when people will seek to reunite chassis of 2+2 cars that are living with fake racers with their rightful body shells?

Maybe the question should not start with "if" rather it should start with "when".

John Vardanian

Post by **tyang** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 11:19 am

Although I'm very happy with my 330 America, I have always dreamed about owning a 250 Lusso. Unfortunately, even when I heard about the Lusso in NJ, I just didn't have that kind of money! It always seems like I'm chasing the tail of a that horse! The good thing is I got my 330 America, and I won't have to chase those rising prices!

Tom