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.

Please note, this vehicle is no longer for sale.

The order for this 275 was placed on 1st May 1967 marking 1 of just 27 UK supplied RHD examples of the 4-cam model. Ordered new by Maranello Concessionaires as a demonstrator, this example stands apart, demonstrating to the truest extent, Colonel Ronnie Hoare’s affinity towards the colour blue.

Both earlier and later 275 demonstrators of Maranello Concessionaires were finished in silver featuring blue in the specification; through subtle and restrained interior trimmings. This 275 GTB/4 is understood to be the sole 4-cam built new in Azzuro La Plata.

Motorsport until the late 1960s saw countries compete by national colour. Colonel Ronnie Hoare found (British Racing) green to be unlucky and as such, ensured that his cars raced in Rosso with their livery in Cambridge Blue. When the order for this 275 was placed in May of 1967, Maranello’s top level sports prototype, the 412P had just completed its Le Mans test and placed 3rd OA at the 1000km Spa at the hands of Richard Attwood and Piers Courage, Rosso with its centre stripe and nose in light blue.

Ferrari’s interpretation of the colour came in the form of Azzuro La Plata, a shade that found its origins as the national racing colour of Argentina and worn by Ferrari drivers and mechanics alike and this example was completed with an interior in Nero with carpets in light blue. Following on from its duties as a demonstrator, the car sold to its first keeper, Mrs Sheila Davis of Berkshire on 13th July 1967. A keen and wealthy motorist, Mrs Davis had owned multiple cars at a time including Alfa Romeo and several Bentleys. The car bore the registration mark ‘NHV 8E’ for the first 6 months of ownership until the application of a private registration, ‘SMD 4F’ in January 1968. In November of the following year, the 275 was placed for sale with supplying dealership and found its next custodian 3 months later.

Maranello sold the car once more a year later to Mr Price who suffered an engine failure whilst driving in October of 1971. Mr Price owned a second 4-cam engine which he supplied to Maranello to fit in the interests of cost and time saving to get the car back on the road. For almost 30 years, the car would be non-matching until DK Engineering returned the original unit to the car in 2009.

1973 saw the car purchased by notable collector, photographer and research scientist Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey. Having already owned a long-nose 3-carb example, Sir Charles fondly recalled his memories of the car and its abilities over and above, to the current keeper in 2016. By this time the car had been repainted in dark metallic blue and photographs from his sale of the car are included in the car’s extensive history records as well as the purchase note from the succeeding keeper.

Ownership of the 275 is known and documented from new, with the car passing through 2 further keepers until purchase by long term custodian Clifford Lawrence in 1982. Now refinished in Rosso Chiaro The sale was handled once more, by supplying dealership Maranello Sales.

Sharing the garage with his 288 GTO, Mr Lawrence would use the car for regularly and keep the servicing up to date using a network of marque specialists. During his 33 year ownership, he would average 600 miles a year in the 275. Numerous servicing records and MOT records document the mileage covered. Extensive works were carried out by DK Engineering in 2009, including works to return this example to the desirable ‘matching-numbers’ status, having located the engine in another 275 in our care.

Purchased by the current keeper in 2015 and entrusted into our care, DK Engineering set about a bare metal restoration to return the car to its original specification. We were pleased to find the body to be in great condition underneath, making the restoration much more straightforward and demonstrating the great care that has been shown to this example over its lifetime.

In 2019, this example was shown at the Heveningham Hall Concours in Suffolk where it took home the 'Post-War Class' Trophy, four years later it was shown on the red carpet of the Savile Row Concours in London where, supported by DK, it was awarded the prestigious 'Best of Show'.

Refinished in its original Azzuro La Plata hue, this 275 has since been used sparingly and kept within our secure storage facility. Today this example presents superbly, accompanied by its original warranty card, a toolkit, original seats and comprehensive history folio.