Lot 226: 1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4 Berlinetta

First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, the four-seater 365GTC/4 was a short-lived model that bridged the gap between production of the 365GT 2+2 and 365GT4 2+2. The 365GTC/4 was a contemporary of the awe-inspiring Daytona, although a far more practical and user friendly Grand Tourer, using a similar chassis and a wet-sump version of the latter’s 4,390cc four-cam V12 coupled to a conventional five-speed gearbox rather than the Daytona’s transaxle. Altogether more civilised and easy to drive than the brutish Daytona, the 365GTC/4 came with ZF power steering and servo-assisted brakes as standard, the option of air conditioning and an especially luxurious interior featuring individual reclining front seats and column-mounted switchgear. In spite of the increasing emphasis on refinement, the 365GTC/4 gave nothing away to its rivals in the performance stakes, racing through the standing quarter-mile in under 16 seconds and on to a top speed in excess of 150mph. Just 500 cars were made during 1971/72 only, almost all of which went to the USA.
Ferrari 365GTC/4 chassis number ‘14579’ was sold new in the USA, where it was seen in New York by the brother of the current owner, a well known collector working in Swiss television. The latter (its third owner) purchased the car and had it shipped to Switzerland where work was carried out by Loris Kessel Auto in Grancia, Lugano. Subsequently the car was taken to the workshop of ex-Ferrari employee Silvano Togni in Maranello where the cylinder heads were replaced, the brakes overhauled, various other maintenance works carried out and the bodywork refurbished. Finished in silver with beige leather interior, the car displays a total of circa 56,000 kilometres on the odometer and is reported as accident free. It is offered with Swiss registration papers.