Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (1975)

The 365 GT4 BB replaced the immortal 365 GTB/4 Daytona. It would be substantially different from previous models in two respects. Firstly, Ferrari opted for a Flat-12 engine as opposed to the traditional V12. Equally importantly though, the F1-derived motor would be mounted in the middle of the chassis to improve handling. Lamborghini had adopted the mid-engined layout nearly seven years earlier with their incredible Miura. 1973's BB production car was inspired by the unique P6 Berlinetta Speciale, a one-off shown on Pininfarina's stand at the 1968 Turin Salon. The mid mounted Flat-12 featured a displacement of 4390cc and was clearly derived from the three-litre motors used so successfully in the 312 B and B2 Grand Prix cars raced by the Scuderia Ferrari between 1970 and '74. These engines are always referred to as a Flat-12 over-square Boxer, the dimensions of these engines are actually more like those of a V-banked engine with an angle of 180°. Hence the car was give the "BB" suffix for "Berlinetta Boxer"

With a top speed in excess of 175mph and 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, the GT4 BB was an impressive performer in 1973 and remains so even today. The 365 GT4 BB was launched at the Paris Salon during October 1973, although the first prototype had been seen as long ago as Turin '71. Production continued until late 1976, by which time the successor to this 4.4-litre 365, the new 5-litre 512, had replaced it. Just 387 GT4 Boxers were completed in little more than three years, 58 of which were in right-hand drive.

This exceptional 365 GT4 BB is one of just 58 examples brought to the UK. Order number 762 was placed by Maranello Concessionaires in June 1974 and completed in December that year being specified in the stunning colour combination of Azzurro Metallizzato 106-A-32 Salchi over a Pelle Blu VM 3015 Hide. Once delivered to the UK in February 1975 it was immediately invoiced to the Hong Kong based Maranello Concessionaires Far East Ltd and was delivered to the Royal family of Brunei.

The car remained in Brunei for the next 12 years until a UK dealer subsequently purchased the car and re-imported the car back into the United Kingdom. Remarkably it had covered just 3,198 Miles during its first 12 years of life, document in the file written by that dealer reads, "the car was absolutely mint when it arrived but obviously had not been used for a very long time".

Over the next year a full re-commission of the car was completed, during which time a major mechanical service was carried out, the colour was changed to Rosso Corsa as well as the interior being changed to the stunning shade of Tan as seen today. Maranello Concessionaires continued to look after the car for the following years and in February 1989, it was sold to its 2nd UK owner Mr Nicholas James Gill.

Mr Gill continued to use Maranello and well-respected specialists to service the car and in 1990, this exceptional motor car was featured on the front page of magazine Supercar Classics as well as a 10 page article which accompanies the history file. Mr Gill subsequently sold the BB in November 1991 with circa 5,100 Miles to the cars longest standing owners Andrew and Susan Geal. Mr and Mrs Geal had the car meticulously maintained with no expense spared throughout their prolonged ownership which lasted until February 2007 when Mr Nick Frost purchased the car via Italia Autosport.

At the time of sale a major mechanical "engine out" service was completed by Italia Autosport as well as a thorough detail to restore the cars paintwork to an outstanding condition. Nick continued the cars fastidious service record and attended a number of events during his ownership including Ferrari Owners Club meetings as well as the 2010 Mille Miglia Tribute. Jeff Fosker of Foskers Engineering, an avid fan of the Ferrari BB models, purchased the car from Nick in 2011 with just 14,589 Miles to be retained in his own personal collection. Jeff placed the car carefully into storage where it remained covering just 150 Miles over his 3 year ownership period.

Its most recent owner purchased this exceptional BB from Jeff in September 2014 after one year of searching for only the best BB. During this new owners search no less than 6 RHD BBs were inspected with the assistance of leading Ferrari experts Tony Willis and Iain Tyrell of Chesire Classic Cars. It was immediately decided to subject the car to a sympathetic originality-preserving restoration by Chesire Classic Cars. The restoration included a thorough re-commission of all mechanical components with a major service being completed as well as suspension and braking systems stripped and rebuilt. Inside, new carpets were fitted. The air boxes were replaced (but retained) with open polished trumpets and a new correct type exhaust with minimal silencing was fitted. Since said restoration the car has been exercised on a number of European trips with the Ferrari owners club. When not being used it has been stored at Maranello Egham amongst the remainder of the current' owner's most cherished collection. It has been comprehensively serviced at regular intervals to ensure that it remains in an exceptional mechanical condition and was last serviced by Maranello Egham in December 2016 with 15,716 Miles showing.

Most recently in July, 2017 it was granted Classiche certification and comes accompanied by the famed "Red Book". Today having covered a believed genuine 15,723 Miles from new this remarkable example is accompanied by a most extensive file documenting its fastidious service record as well as unique history. The car is UK registered, Classiche certified and is located in our showrooms just outside London and is available to view immediately.