Ferrari 275 GTB 2 (1966)

By the mid-1960s it seemed Ferrari could do no wrong, winning on all fronts from sports car racing to Grands Prix and producing the most beautiful cars in the world. Ferrari's dual-purpose cars seemed unstoppable combining race-winning performance with film star good looks. As the legendary 250 GT LWB "Tour de France" gave way to the marvellous 250 GT SWB Berlinetta - and led ultimately to the awe-inspiring 250 GTO in 1962. Introduced at the 1964 Paris Auto Show, the new 275 GTB gave Ferrari a chance to incorporate all the best characteristics of this fabled bloodline. Many consider the resulting car to be the finest production Ferrari ever built, combining the thoroughbred mechanical pedigree of its road racing forebears with sufficient creature comforts to make the 275 GTB a superlative grand touring automobile.

Under the skin, the 275 GTB incorporated the best Ferrari chassis design, starting with the oval section tube backbone chassis. Independent suspension was fitted all around for the first time on a road-going Ferrari, and a 5-speed gearbox was also included in the specification. The transmission was mounted at the rear of the car for improved weight distribution in a transaxle. Now enlarged to 3.3 litres, the 60-degree V12 engine remained the familiar Colombo type, in standard form producing 280bhp at 7,600rpm. A higher, claimed 300bhp, state of tune was available by employing six Weber carburettors instead of the standard three. In addition, customers purchasing a 275 GTB for road use could also specify aluminium coachwork.

This coachwork was all new too, a stunning Pininfarina design that evoked the graceful lines of the legendary 250 GTO. A long bonnet combined with a fastback rear body created a striking profile, while vents in the front wings gave the car a muscular edge. Vents in the sail panels added to the effect and paid tribute to the 250 GT "Tour de France" Berlinetta’s. A smoothly integrated rear spoiler helped give the car a strong visual identity. Although the 275 GTB was a car of many firsts, it was also the last car that could be considered a true coach built road/race Berlinetta in the great Ferrari tradition. Although most lived their lives on the streets, many led a dual life, winning on road courses and hill climbs on the weekend, while providing stylish and exciting transportation during the week.

Originally supplied to the UK by Maranello Concessionaires to Group-Captain Geoffrey Edwards, this long-nose, torque tube 275 GTB, Edwards part-exchanged his one-year-old short-nose 275 6-carb for this GTB. The torque-tube greatly improved driveability, reducing vibration in the drivetrain and certainly an addition that made later cars so much more enjoyable. Whilst fitted to all 4-cam examples, just 8 RHD twin-cam examples were produced.

The car was sold by Edwards one year later to a business colleague who retained the car a further year before selling it to John Godfrey of Grantham. Godfrey has since had notable Ferraris to his name including a 290 MM.

Stephen Pilkington purchased the car in 1974 and would keep it for 14 years. In the last 4 of those years, the GTB would sit proudly alongside his 250 GTO in his garage. Next, the car was put into the name of Rardley Motors in 1988, before transitioning to Dudley Mason-Styron – Rardley’s founder. Mason-Styron gently restored the car, paying a keen eye to its originality.

In 2004, the 275 was purchased by Nigel Williams of Clevedon, who acquired FIA papers for the car and had marque specialists Mortimer, Houghton and Turner prepare the car for track competition. In 2007, he competed in the Modena Centre Ore. The following owner, Mr Lucas of Watersfield also competed in the car, including racing the car at Silverstone Classic. Since then, the car has remained with two further keepers and has since been returned to road-going trim. In 2016, the car was awarded Ferrari red book Classiche certification.

This 275 has a fully documented ownership record from new. With 13 owners since 1966, the accompanying history file is thorough and the car presents today as a testament to the continued care of its custodians. The history file shows a thorough maintenance record from new and most recently received regular service work with marque specialists Bob Houghton, GTO Engineering and Neil Twyman.

A fantastic and very desirable 275, this example is accompanied by its thorough history folio including its original green logbook + continuation & service handbooks. It is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.