Lot 153: 1974 Ferrari 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer

Unquestionably one of the greatest cars Ferrari has ever built, the 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer debuted at the 1971 Turin Show in prototype form and commenced production in 1973 almost unaltered. An entirely new model and the first road-going Ferrari not to have a vee-configuration engine, the 356GT4 reflected Ferrari's motor racing heritage; its 4.4-litre, four-cam, 'boxer' engine drew on experience gained from the Maranello firm's World Championship-winning, flat-12 F1 and sports-racing units and developed no less than 360bhp at 7,700rpm. Rumours abounded that the prototype Boxer had run at over 180mph, and even though the production version managed 'only' around 175mph, there can have been few disappointed customers. The mid-located engine gave near-perfect balance and ensured that the Boxer's handling matched its stupendous straight-line speed.
A combination tubular/monocoque chassis housed the mid-mounted engine/five-speed transaxle package that ingeniously placed the motor above the gearbox and final drive, thus avoiding an overly long wheelbase. The ensemble was clothed in elegant, low-slung Berlinetta coachwork by Pininfarina. The result of extensive wind tunnel testing, Pininfarina's masterpiece was assembled at Modena by Scaglietti and comprised a superstructure mixing aluminium-alloy and steel panels, complemented by matt black-finished glassfibre elements beneath the front and rear overhangs. At the time of its introduction the 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer was the world's fastest and most expensive car. Only 367 were constructed between 1973 and 1976 and it remains one of the most desirable and sought after of all Ferraris.

Supplied new to Switzerland, this left-hand drive Berlinetta Boxer is finished in the most desirable combination of rosso corsa with black interior. Accompanying documentation includes invoices from Autotechnica (Italy) for refurbishment of bodywork and engine (1984), TüV records (1987), ‘accident-free’ declaration from Peter Rosenmaier Ferrari (1984) and German registration papers. We are advised that the engine does turn over.

Vendue neuve en Suisse, cette Berlinetta Boxer à conduite à gauche est finie dans la plus désirable des combinaisons de teintes ‘rosso corsa’ et intérieur en cuir noir. Les documents qui l'accompagnent comprennent des factures d'Autotechnica (Italie) pour le reconditionnement de la carrosserie et du moteur (1984), le dossier du TüV (1987), l'attestation de non-accident de Peter Rosenmaier Ferrari (1984) et les documents d'immatriculation allemands. Le fonctionnement du moteur est attesté.