Lot 396: 1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4 Coupé

Contemporary of the awe-inspiring Daytona, the 365GTC/4 was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971. A short-lived four-seater model that bridged the gap between production of the 365GT 2+2 and 365GT4 2+2, the 365GTC/4 used a chassis similar to the Daytona’s and a wet-sump version of the latter’s 4,390cc four-cam V12 coupled to a conventional five-speed gearbox rather than a 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.
One of just 32 right-hand drive examples built, chassis number ‘15999’ was acquired by the private vendor in 2004 at Bonhams Goodwood Revival auction (3rd September Lot 187), having previously been fastidiously maintained as part of two large and important private collections during the 1980s and 1990s. Invoices on file show regular servicing by recognised specialists such as Graypaul, and the car benefits from the fitting of a stainless-steel exhaust system. While in present ownership the car has been regularly serviced by DK Engineering and used sparingly for special occasions and only in dry weather, covering fewer than 2,000 miles in the past four years. Finished in chiaro blue with black leather interior, it is presented in good condition in every respect and offered with service manual and history, sundry invoices, current road fund licence/MoT and Swansea V5 registration document.