Ferrari 275 GTB 6C (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, and recalled the 250 GTO. Vents in the sail panels added to the effect and paid tribute to the 250 GT "Tour de France" berlinettas. A smoothly integrated rear spoiler, also clearly borrowed from the GTO, 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 coachbuilt 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.

This exceptionally rare factory RHD example offered for sale is the 7th right hand drive long nose Ferrari 275 GTB built. However, and more importantly, it is one of just six examples built in RHD with the superior specification of an all-aluminium body and six carburettors from new! Supplied on February 17th 1966 to Bertie Bradnack from Walsall via Colonel Ronnie Hoare's Maranello Concessionaires it was specified to have Dunlop SP tyres fitted, and the latest modifications including larger rear luggage space, larger rear window and "new type nose" (Bradnack's understanding of what was to become the longnose) supported by copies of the original Sefac order forms contained within the file. Bradnack's ownership continued until 1971 when the car was subsequently sold to J. Rigby located in Suffolk. In 1973 it was sold to its next private owner Mr Victor Beazley, who kept the car into the late period of the 1970's on the registration '8 PH'. It later belonged to B M C Harnden of Chesterfield who reunited the car with the original registration 'JJJ4D'.

When Frederick Pesenti of London purchased the car in 1985 the decision was made to restore the car in November of the same year. The car was appropriately sent to DK Engineering where an extensive restoration took place over the next 18 months, taking the cars body back to bare metal before being re-painted. During this time the gearbox, transaxle, engine and all related components were all completely overhauled. Pesenti sold the GTB just 1 year later to UK dealer William Loughran at which time it was registered 'KAO 572D'. In 1990 the car passed via dealer to the late Dodi Al Fayed where it remained under his ownership until his passing. The car was later sold at auction in 2007 with an odometer reading of 41,433 Miles. Sold to its most recent custodian by DK Engineering in 2014, the car now presents in a stunning shade of Blu Scozia.

Today this exceptional 275 is accompanied by an extensive history file supporting that this car has been cared for with no expense spared from new. Supplied with all important Classiche Certification this UK Supplied GTB is located in our showrooms just outside London and is available to view immediately.