Lot 224: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB

For most enthusiasts the ideal Ferrari is the one that is most like their racing cars and yet practical enough to drive on public roads. With this in mind the company produced from its earliest days sporting 'berlinette' that fulfilled such criteria, which included the famous 250 SWB and GTO models. With the demise of these, the company was left with nothing in the way of a top-level customer car, the sort of performance flagship that could be used as easily for regular transport as it could for serious competition. Thus began an intensive programme to create a worthy successor to the legendary 250 series. The sensational new 275 GTB made its debut at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, and is recognised as an important milestone in Ferrari history. It was the first Maranello product to be equipped with independent rear suspension and a 5 speed gearbox, the latter unified with the rear axle to allow better weight distribution. The engine was still basically a Colombo design, with a bore and stroke of 77 x 58.8mm, giving a capacity of 3,285cc. The factory had tested this unit in the 275P and 250LM racing cars, and it was now producing between 280 and 300bhp. The bodywork was largely reminiscent of the 250 GTO, with a few developments for road use, and was built in either steel, or occasionally in aluminium, by Scaglietti. The 275 GTB proved itself to be a formidable car indeed, and was rewarded by success both on the track and in terms of sales figures. 7781 is an excellent example of the early 'shortnose' style, the front bearing a strong resemblance to the 250 LM. Restored by respected specialist Garage Fortek Of Zurich in the late 1980's, and subsequently maintained to a very high standard by Bruno Wyss. The car has covered less than 50,000 miles from new. Sitting proudly on it's Borrani wire wheels, and finished in the traditional Rosso Corsa with beige leather interior, this highly desirable Berlinetta represents perhaps the ultimate in Italian sports touring design of the 1960's. As a 1965 car it is hugely eligible for the numerous historic events for which later cars would be excluded.