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 performance of the car. 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 Ferrari 365 GTC was ordered new by Mr G.B. Pilkington, the managing director of Vibroplant Limited. At the time, Vibroplant Limited was the market leading plant hire company specialising in road construction equipment. The company was going from strength to strength, rolling out its equipment that would help to build Britain’s motorway network throughout the 1960s and 70s.

In early 1969, Mr Pilkington began communication with Michael Salmon of Maranello Concessionaires, the sole UK importer of Ferraris, looking to learn more about the latest models available. Copies of the original communication between Pilkington and Salmon are contained within this car’s impressive history file.

Originally ordering his GTC to be supplied in Blu Tourbillon over a scarlet hide; after ‘a complete change of heart’ the order was amended, and his allocation change to car already in build. In early July 1969, Ferrari invoiced Maranello Concessionaires for this 365 GTC, one of only 22 examples to be finished in right-hand drive. The car was finished in his revised choice of Oro Nashrullah with a Nero interior.

However, Mr Pilkington had wanted to amend the Nero interior to a Pelle Beige VM 3218 interior. To later to be completed by the factory, the car was returned to Pininfarina before delivery to be fitted with a beige interior. The Ferrari invoice also notes that the car was to be delivered via air freight, quite unusual for this era but perhaps a result of the delay incurred by having the interior changed.

By the end of July, Maranello Concessionaires delivered this 365 GTC to Mr Pilkington, whilst also accepting his Mercedes Benz 250 SL, valued at £3,500, on part exchange. Copies of this correspondence and original sales invoices are contained within the history file. Interestingly, on the Maranello Concessionaires invoice, we can see that a “radiomobile with twin speakers, etc” was also fitted, costing in excess of £55! The car was UK registered on license ‘DYG 921H’.

Mr Pilkington had a passion for luxury cars and regularly made visits to his various plant depots in the north-east. We can see from further period documentation that he requested and arranged with Maranello Concessionaires for his personal mechanic to travel to London for a week, where he would receive specialist Ferrari training, working exclusively on 365-engined road cars to enable him to maintain the 365 GTC.

Later, this car was re-registered in the UK with license ‘YGV 81G’ before being exported to Australia by Maurice Quincey, a well-known, Melbourne-based motorcycle racer and dealer, who imported the car alongside another 365 GTC. Passing to Harley Archer, the car was then purchased by Tony Hargreaves, who attended to replacing the clutch and tending to some bodywork, namely new panels and sills fabricated by Peter Tommasini.

The next owner would be Mr David Rodd, a resident in Victoria, Australia, an avid Ferrari enthusiast, who also owned a 1951 195 Ghia Aigle Coupe and a 1967 275 GTB/4. Rodd continued the restoration, commissioning further work to the car’s interior, mechanical and paint. Whilst ‘Down Under’, the car was regularly maintained by Sports and Classic Car Services.

Also during its time in Australia, this 365 GTC was bought by Mr Brian Meredith and was then returned to the UK by Mr Yates in late 2012. A few months after the car’s return in early 2013, the car would see its first visit to our own workshop where improvements were made to the running condition, and a subsequent road test by David Cottingham resulted in the car being signed off as the ‘best 365 GTC driven of late’ at that point in time.

In June of 2024, the GTC benefitted from a major service at an expense of over £5,000 at marque specialists GTO Engineering. Presented today in Verde Scuro Metalizzato over Pelle Beige, this wonderful example is available to view immediately at our showrooms just outside London.

• 1 of 22 RHD UK Supplied examples
• 1 of just 150 cars
• Ordered new in Oro Nashrullah over Pelle Beige
• Presented today in period-correct Verde Scuro Metallizato over Pelle Beige
• Accompanied by thorough history file and tool kit
• Classiche Certified
• Major service done in June 2024 by GTO Engineering
• A superior car to a 330 GTC with more power, better brakes and a stronger gearbox