Ferrari 365 GTC (1969)

The 330 GTC was replaced in 1968 by the superior 365 GTC. The styling remaining almost the same with differences being limited to non-vented front wings and the addition of new vents on the bonnet. The engine was of course an enlarged 4.4 Litre engine boasting more torque and horsepower. This vastly improved the cars performance. The 365 GTC retained the independent rear suspension employing coil springs and wishbones, the same of its immediate predecessor, though this was a relatively recent departure for Ferrari. Brakes and transmission were also substantially improved to match the upgraded motor. Stopping power came from servo-assisted disc brakes all-round with a split circuit system. Integrating the gearbox with the final drive gave the car a balanced 50:50 weight distribution. A 365 GTC is a super rare and highly desirable beast with just 150 examples being built (including 22 UK RHD supplied examples) between the 1968 and 1970 with an on the road price when new of £7,900 (£1,384 more than the outgoing 275 GTB/4).

This matching numbers example was manufactured in 1969 by Ferrari as one of a series of 125 similar, left hand drive cars produced between 1968 and 1970. Supplied in the stunning combination of BluRibot over a Nero Hide interior, it was sold to its first private owner Mr. Rizzoli of Milan, Italy in May 1969 via market dealer Crapaldi. Sometime later the car was sold and subsequently exported to the United States of America in the early period of the 1990's. In June 1995, it was offered for sale by the Symbolic Motor Car Company in the Ferrari Market Letter described as being Rosso over a Black Hide with the advertisement text reading "Superbly original car, meticulously maintained, perfect mechanicals".

In August 1996 it was sold to Terry O'Reilly, an attorney from San Francisco with a reading of 67,000Km on the odometer. O'Reilly, a keen enthusiast, exercised the car on many events across California and Arizona. In April 2000, it was driven by Terry in the Copperstate 1000, Arizona and later shown at the Concorso Italiano, Monterey, California in August 2002. Mr O'Reilly placed the car for sale via Fantasy Junction in September 2006, at which time it was sold to a British Real Estate Agent and was subsequently exported to the United Kingdom where it was UK registered on the registration "ANK345G" in February 2007. The car remained in London until November 2008, when it was sold via Hall & Bradfield to Mr. Maximillian Zu Furstenberg of Wareham, England.

Its most recent owner acquired the car in December 2010. Under this period of ownership, it has been maintained fastidiously and in 2015, a sympathetic yet substantial restoration was embarked upon. During this extensive restoration, the engine and associated components were rebuilt to the highest standards by well-respected Ferrari Specialist Neil Twyman who also carried out extensive detailing work and a suspension overhaul. Then the car was stripped to bare metal and repainted in the Blue shade it is presented in today. Finally the trim received the necessary attention from Rorky at O'Rourke Coachtrimmers.

Today this exceptional 365 is accompanied by an extensive history file especially detailing its recent restoration, it is confirmed as matching numbers by Tony Willis of the Ferrari Northern Europe and as expected this GTC presents superbly as a result and is located in our showrooms just outside London and is available to view immediately.