1974 Ferrari 365 GT/4 2+2

Details

The late 1960’s and early 1970’s were a fabulous time for Ferrari. Its flagship 365 GTB/4 Daytona was a resounding success and Enzo’s ‘big risk’ the Dino 246 was also selling very well. At that time Ferrari wanted to continue with his tradition of producing high performance ‘Grand Touring’ cars with a 2+2 configuration and the 365 GTC/4, which was a successor to the 365 GT 2+2 and 365 GTC, filled that niche. The early 1970′s were a time of innovation and Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati et al continued to introduce new models in an endeavour to trump the other. The 365 GTC/4 was only in production in 1971 & 1972 and its successor the 365 GT/4 2+2 was first shown in October 1972 at the Paris Motor Show. This car, designed and built by Pininfarina, featured unique styling and whilst the sharp angular lines were ‘very new’ for Ferrari is did share the characteristic design feature of a swage line dividing the body into an upper and a lower half with the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Unlike the GTC/4 the GT/4 2+2 could seat four people in relative comfort. Mechanically the 365 GT/4 2+2 was almost identical to the 365 GTC/4 and its 4390 cc quad cam V12 engine with six Weber 38DCOE side draught carburettors put out an impressive 320 bhp and was capable of propelling the car from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/hr) in a healthy 6.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150 mph (250 km/hr).

In period the car was well regarded though the oil crisis of the 1970′s made the car somewhat difficult to sell and only 524 examples were built from 1973 to 1976.

Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer this 1974 Ferrari 365 GT/4 2+2.

This particular car is Australian delivered (compliance plate 10/74), factory RHD example, matching numbers (chassis, engine, gearbox and differential) with books (including the original warranty card) and jack kit. The car is finished in its original colour of ‘verde seabird’ with a beige interior.

Delivered new by WH Lowes on the 5th December 1975, the car’s first owner was a Mr Edward Huglin from North Caulfield in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Huglin enjoyed his Ferrari for some six years and its ownership transferred to its second owner on the 12th January 1981. At that time the odometer was 65,000km. The car changed hands again on the 19th November 1984 at 78,000km and again on the 16th June 1987 at 88,066km. At this time the car was registered in Victoria as DAY 860. There is a registration receipt on file dated 4 December 2000 in the name of the fourth owner.

Over the next few years the car’s ownership history is not known thought it may have been sold by Duttons and/or Ian Cummins. What is known is that the car was sold by Ian Cummins on the 15th October 2003 to its next owner from Cooke Plains some 150km south east of Adelaide in South Australia. At this time the odometer had just ticked over 100,000km. This owner sparingly used the car and in fact when it changed hands again in May 2009 the car needed recommissioning. The odometer was now at 105,088km.

The new owner of chassis 18117 was committed to returning the car to its former glory and had it recommissioned by Car Craft Services in Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. The paint was in poor condition and Autocar Creations from Strathalbyn in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia took the car back to bare metal where necessary and repainted it in its original colour of ‘verde seabird’. The body was in remarkably good condition with relatively minor rust repairs required. There is a CD with a number of photos of the body restoration / repaint on file.

By early 2010 the car was back on the road and its new owner used it sparingly over the next few years before it was again sold in 2015. This was the new owner’s first experience with classic cars and whilst he enjoyed driving the car he preferred the creature comforts of a modern car. The car was subsequently acquired by Oldtimer Australia and given to a respected Ferrari specialist to fully sort. The car has been fully checked over, serviced, had the shock absorbers rebuilt and been generally ‘tidied up’ over the last few months.

Today the car presents and drives beautifully. Whilst it has had a number of owners it has clearly been very well cared for. The colour combination of ‘verde seabird’ with a beige interior is one of the best on this model and the paintwork presents really well. The underside of this car is excellent and consistent with the cars overall condition and presentation. Similarly the external trim, lenses and glass are all in really good condition. The cabin is clean and tidy and presents well. Overall the cars condition belies its age of 40 + years.

Whilst this car looks the goods it really gets exciting when you turn the key. The engine starts easily and soon settles into a smooth idle. Once on the move you realise that the gearbox is very tight and all the sycnhros are excellent. The oil pressure is good and the V12 sounds ‘just right’. It revs easily and pulls strongly through the rev range. Having now done a few miles in the car it seems to get better and better with every outing. It just needs a new owner to use it and enjoy it!

The car is ‘matching numbers’ and it has books (the original owner’s manual, parts manual, warranty card, dealer directory, although water damaged, even a polishing cloth in the original pouch), a reasonable history file and a jack kit.

We have had the pleasure to handle three or four examples of this model over the last few years and this is one of the best.

This has to be the last of the relatively affordable classic front engined V12 Ferraris.

The odometer is now at 107,429 km which is genuine.

The car is competitively priced for a quick sale.

 

 

---