Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (1967)

The two-cam 275 GTB was built in two series – the early ‘short nose’ bodywork giving way to the revised ‘long nose’ cars during 1965. Then, in 1966, it was replaced by the 275 GTB/4. The capacity of the Colombo powerplant remained at 3286cc but it now featured two overhead camshafts per bank and competition-inspired dry-sump lubrication. The four-cam layout had been used on the Scuderia’s 275 P2 prototype racers during 1965, but this was its first appearance on a Ferrari road car. With six carburettors as standard, it produced 300bhp at 8000rpm, and a bonnet bulge was added in order to accommodate the air cleaners.

The model earned its motorsport stripes via a very small run of much-modified aluminium-bodied competition variants, examples of which won their class at Le Mans in both 1965 and 1966. Primarily, however, this was a high-performance road car, the finest expression of Ferrari’s GT know-how.

This example was supplied new to the Italian city of Perugia in April 1967. Completed as one of just two examples in the exceedingly rare and elegant Verde Scuro over Arancia Connolly hide. Its first owner, Marino Mignimi purchased the car in May and would keep the car until August the following year. The 275 had seen occasional use and by March of 1969, it had covered just over 21,000 km when it was serviced by Ferrari in Modena. Its second keeper, Guiseppe Zappala of Sicily would keep the car in his care for 4 years.

In 1972, Zappala sold the car through Dino Armando Genghini, a local dealer who saw greater demand for the car overseas and had the 275 exported to the USA. By 1981 the car had been repainted and retrimmed in Black on Black, although in an era with an even greater affinity for Rosso Ferraris, the 275 was advertised for sale over two years without interest.

December of 1983 saw the 275 refinished in Rosso a few months later the 275 would find its next custodian. Between 1992 and 2013, the 275 was owned by a prominent comedian and actor in Philadelphia.

In 2013, the 275 was imported into the UK by JD Classics, shortly thereafter sold into the car of Mr Gilbert. The car was restored and refinished in elegant and timeless Grigio over Bordeaux.

Purchased by the current owner in 2018 after discovering the original colour scheme, the 4 cam was dispatched immediately to Italy. Over a three year period, the car was stripped to bare metal and both cosmetically and mechanically restored. Invoices on file from renowned craftsmen Cremonini, Bonini, Gatti and Maieli total in excess of €300,000 including materials, and for the first time in 50 years, the 275 was once more resplendent its original colours; Verde Scuro over Arancia Connolly.

Testament to the quality of restoration and without doubt the rarity of its stunning original colours, this 275 GTB/4 was presented at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022 in Class D: Eight Decades of Ferrari represented in eight Icons. Residing within a significant global collection, this example presents on the button.

Today this 275 presents superbly, fitted with full body paint protection film to ensure enjoyment on the open road is guaranteed. Accompanied by its Ferrari red book Classiche certification this wonderful example is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.

• Presented at 2022 Villa d’Este
• Restored by Cremonini, Bonini, Gatti & Maieli in 2019 at a cost of over €300,000
• Original Colours; 1 of 2 examples in Verde Scuro over Arancia Connolly
• Classiche Certified
• Full paint protection film fitted