Ferrari Classiche Restored 275 GTB/4 Twin Cam V12

Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October, 1966, the 275 GTB/4 is the last of Ferrari's true dual-purpose sports cars. The Pinin Farina designed, Scaglietti-built coupe has a perfect blend of sensual beauty and brute strength that immediately tells the onlooker: this is a vehicle that goes as well as it looks. And, thanks to a continuously refined design, it's literally a 165 MPH supercar that can drive straight off the race circuit and right down the boulevard. Approximately 330 of these highly sought Ferraris left the factory during their two year production run, immediately snatched up for both outstanding track capability and refined road manners. And today the 275 GTB/4, regarded as one of the last hand-built Ferrari V12 models, is especially prized for its chic 60s styling and revered Colombo motor. This 1967 GTB/4 is a freshly restored investment piece that's suitable for exhibition at finer concours d'elegance and the world's most discerning FCA events.

Ferrari's storied 275 was a 2-seat, front-engine Gran Turismo sports coupe produced from 1964 to 1968. The car used a 3.3 liter Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 for motivation, and introduced an integrated transmission and rear axle concept that's now known as the transaxle. The 275's Pinin Farina designed body was a graceful evolution of Ferrari's 250 predecessor, yet strongly contrasted the firm's replacement Daytona. And Sergio Pinin Farina would go on record stating the 275's resemblance to the Ferrari 250 GTO was anything but coincidence, as he and his design staff purposely looked to the all-conquering endurance racer when creating the GTB's familiar berlinetta shape. Fast forward a couple of years, and three major steps spearheaded the development of this near-perfect 275 GTB/4. Early 275s were equipped with a 'short nose' which was promptly lengthened to improve high-speed stability, giving birth to the 275 GTB 'long nose'. Many laps around the race track resulted in a torque tube being added at the start of 1966. And, just in time for the aforementioned Paris show, a four-cam version of Colombo's 3.3 liter V12 was fitted with dry-sump lubrication and six 2-barrel Weber carburetors to achieve a potent 300 horsepower.

If someone asked any 1960s schoolboy to draw a sports car, chances are the end result would be something akin to what you see here. But, as is almost always the case, the simplest designs are the hardest to execute. Enzo Ferrari was a relentless competitor who constantly looked for an edge. Not satisfied with his company's international preeminence, he had his design team work with consultant Pinin Farina on a special aerodynamics study in the months leading up to the 51st annual Salon de Automobile. What Pinin Farina came up with was a clean-looking front end with headlights faired beneath glass covers, a rear lip spoiler that would become a trademark of Ferrari's sport and grand touring cars, and a ton of research that led to the creation of the 275 GTB berlinetta. According to Ferrari archives, this particular 275 was originally delivered to a French concessionaire in July of 1967 and rarely put into competition. In addition to its characteristically powerful Colombo drivetrain, the car featured an unusually beautiful and refined Blu Sera over Blue Chiaro color scheme; otherwise translated as Evening Blue over Special Light Blue. And when the car's most recent owner, a longtime Ferrari collector, confirmed it as a numbers-matching GTB/4, he ordered an exacting restoration that wouldn't disturb any of its faultless, original elements. The 275-mint Ferrari was promptly shipped to Ferrari Classiche where the highly supervised reboot was completed by July of 2012. And today, the car's spectacular fit and first class finish create one of the world's finest collector cars!

While this 275's 'Disegno di Pinin Farina' body certainly looks the part, Ferrari is best known for its killer powerplants. Enzo had long admired the V12 engines of Packard, Auto Union, and former employer Alfa Romeo. And it seemed only fitting that his first homegrown mill would be a V12 that, like its beautiful shell, saw continual refinement. Designed by Gioacchino Colombo, also a former Alfa Romeo employee, Ferrari's original V12 powerplant scaled from the diminutive 1.5 liter unit found in the firm's 125 S to the 3.3 liter unit fitted in this GTB/4. Like its predecessors, this car's Ferrari-certified-original engine still features two valves per cylinder. Unlike its predecessors, it spins four overhead camshafts and sips fuel through six Weber 2-barrel carburetors. That departure from previous logic allowed the engine's valve angle to be reduced for a more compact head design. The aforementioned dual-cam set up allowed those valves to be “correctly” aligned, instead of patterned in their traditional SOHC Ferrari offset. And the entire set up was converted to a dry-sump lubrication system that features a huge 17 quart pan capacity. Colombo's proven design would be the primary motivator for the company's consumer products throughout the 50s and 60s. While a “4” was added to this car's designation to signify an additional pair of cams, its model-branding 275cc cylinder capacity remained unchanged. And this variation of the Ferrari V12 would actually last well into marquee engine designer Aurelio Lampredi's tenure.

With an almost identical footprint to its GTB predecessor, this GTB/4 retains the same wide track, wider and longer body and tubular steel frame that had become its proven performance attributes. Sporting a four wheel independent suspension that's equipped with Koni shocks and a thick anti-roll bar, this 275 features Ferrari's first completely independent set up; and that track-ready chassis has been further strengthened by a mandatory torque tube that connects the car's engine directly to its transaxle. That tweaked transaxle, which is certified by Ferrari as original to this car, features factory-correct Porsche synchronizers that improve shifting, reliability, noise levels and vibration. And at the corners of that drivetrain, four wheel disc brakes provide ample stopping power. During this GTB/4's detailed restoration, its transaxle was completely rebuilt by renowned Ferrari specialist Patrick Ottis of Berkley, California. Its clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, and mechanical and electric fuel pumps were replaced just the same. All of the car's suspension and ancillary components were replicated with brand new, original-specification items. A new, and equally correct, Ansa exhaust system was bolted up. And finally, four new wheels, produced on special order from Borrani, were shod with correct 205VR14 Michelin XWX tires. The result is one spry supercar that, with a weight-to-power ratio of just 8 to 1, incites breathtaking track times!

Despite its awesome performance, this Ferrari is quite civilized inside, featuring well-formed seats, a wood-trimmed dash and power windows as standard equipment. Large and easy-to-read gauges, which came from the factory measuring miles per hour, sit front and center. There's a gorgeous 3-spoke steering wheel in your hands, and a small chrome shifter to your right. The Connolly leather buckets are surprisingly comfortable, without being too confining or tight. The car's restoration-fresh dash is excellent, with no shrinkage or warping. Supple door panels and like-new carpeting show no signs of wear. And everything works as it should including a small center console that's fitted with chrome power window switches.

Documentation and accessories are two of the most important aspects of Ferrari ownership. As expected, the purchase of this pristine 275 GTB/4 included a complete set of original owner's manuals, a complete set of reproduction tools, a fifth wire wheel that's fitted with a fifth Michelin XWX and, of course, an all-important Classiche Red Book that includes detailed photos of the car's restoration.

The 275 GTB/4 was the final development of Ferrari's 275 series and the first production Ferrari to be fitted with a four cam engine. An immaculate example, this car is a freshly restored investment piece that's ready for primetime duty on any show circuit in the world. The name Ferrari commands strong feelings from its owners and admirers, and this spotless coupe's unmatched combination of style, performance and pedigree is the literal embodiment of why.