1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe

Specifications:
4390 cc light alloy 60 degree V-12 engine, dual overhead camshafts each bank, six Weber twin-choke 38 DCOE side-draft carburetors, five-speed manual transmission, independent front and rear suspension, ZF limited slip differential, four wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 98.5”

In March 1971, a new Ferrari ‘Deluxe Tourer’ was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model was the 365 GTC/4 and as usual for Ferrari , designed by Pininfarina. The car clearly showed its descent from the very popular and powerful Daytona Berlinetta, but had none of the competition aspirations that applied to that car. The design principle was for a true touring car, intended for the sportsman that wanted a better ride and more amenities and space.

PininFarina and Ferrari met the challenge and gave the GTC a new chassis based on a stretched Daytona platform. This removed the expensive transaxle and allowed the gearbox to be mounted conventionally which was thought to be prudent as the car was clearly designed for the U.S. market. The mechanical specification was essentially that of the Daytona but modified to meet the new U.S. emission controls. To leave the center of the V open for emissions equipment, the manifolds for the six Weber side-draft carburetors were incorporated into the exhaust cam covers. The fuel mixture was fed from the top of the head rather than the side which made the engine lower and wider and helped reduce the hood height.

Bodywork was executed in steel with pop-up headlights and a low, narrow oval grille which incorporated fog lights and turn flashers surrounded by a black polyurethane ‘bumper’ which met the U.S. low-speed crash requirements. The interior appointments were designed to give real comfort for the discerning driver with leather trim and options for cloth or sheepskin inserts, deep pile carpets, and a large central console and control panel. This was matched with air conditioning, power windows, power brakes, and ZF power steering, the latter making this heavy car much easier to drive than the Daytona.

Until the last five years or so, the different look of the 365 GTC/4 styling has set it aside from the attention of mainstream collectors and recognition for this great V-12 Italian GT has come slowly over the years. For Ferrari it was another sales success, and it took just two full production years to sell the 500 units deemed sufficient before the car was replaced and superseded by the 2 +2 version with updated wedge-type styling. For the American enthusiast the GTC represents one of the last of the breed – a true front-engine V-12 Ferrari with its own style, and it is as usable and practical today as it was in period.

Restored in Switzerland, the owner of this car during that time spared no expense as his restoration costs were $256,000 in today’s dollars. The car was then maintained to show standards by respected Italian sports car shop Ken McKay’s Boston Sports Cars at Weston, MA.

That owner traded the car to well known dealer Symbolic Motor Cars in 2001 who then sold it to the current ownership (a noted high-end Ferrari collector). Since then, the car has traveled barely 500 miles and has been fastidiously serviced and maintained by the owner at a reputable Florida facility. The odometer reads 6,344 kilometers, but the title says exempt and therefore is not verifiable at the time of catalogue. It is hard to imagine given the outstanding condition of this example that even 500 miles are on the car. The exterior finish, interior appearance, and the mechanical condition and presentation are flawless.

The car being offered exhibits the attention to detail and finish befitting a multiple award winner – one of the very rare cars that is truly exceptional in every respect. It is perhaps the highest quality of the 365 GTC/4 two-door coupes available anywhere. If a show-stopping Ferrari is on your wish list, look no further than the example presented here.