One family and only 53.000 kms from new
1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupé

Footnotes

"Each new Ferrari model brings some noteworthy advance over previous ones. The GTC/4's is mechanical refinement. Less mechanical thrash comes through from the engine room than in any previous Ferrari, and the controls are smoother and lighter than ever, making the car deliciously easy to drive well. And the lack of mechanical clatter does not deprive us of entertainment; there's just the right amount of purr from the four tailpipes, and when working hard in its upper rev range the engine sings the familiar and beautiful V12 song." - Road & Track.
A short-lived interim model that bridged the gap between production of the 365GT 2+2 and 365 GT4 2+2, the 365 GTC/4 was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971. A contemporary of the awe-inspiring Daytona, the 365 GTC/4 used a similar chassis and a wet-sump version of the former's 4,390cc four-cam V12 in a slightly lower - 320bhp - state of tune, which was coupled to a conventional five-speed gearbox rather than the Daytona's transaxle. Cylinder heads revised to accommodate side-draught carburettors enabled stylist Pininfarina to achieve an elegant, low profile bonnet line. "In all, a graceful, clean and understated design with subtleties one discovers only by looking it over carefully. One might say this model is a Ferrari for the mature enthusiast," observed R&T.
Altogether more civilised and easy to drive than the heavy Daytona, the rapid 365 GTC/4 came with ZF power steering and servo-assisted brakes as standard, the option of air conditioning, and an especially luxurious interior featuring individual reclining front seats and occasional rear seats. In spite of the increasing emphasis on refinement, the 365 GTC/4 gave nothing away to its rivals in the performance stakes, racing through the standing quarter mile in under 16 seconds on its way to a top speed in excess of 240 km/h. By the time the model was withdrawn in October 1972, production had totalled only 500 units, making the 365 GTC/4 eminently collectible today.

The example offered here, chassis number '15135', was delivered new through the official Ferrari importer and gentleman driver, Jacques Swaters, of Garage Francorchamps in Belgium. This car is a desirable European version, manufactured in left-hand drive configuration for Belgium and equipped with air conditioning, power steering, stereo radio/cassette, and electric antenna. The Ferrari was ordered by Garage Francorchamps on 8th August 1971 and completed in March 1972. It was sold to its first owner, the current vendor's father, on 2nd March 1972. Garage Francorchamps' invoice records the colour scheme as Marronne Colorado with a beige leather interior with cloth inserts.

The owner covered a little over 50,000 kilometres with his Ferrari between 1972 and the mid-1990s when the car was put aside. It has remained off the road in storage until today. The old sticker in the door, suggesting the next service be done in 1994, is still present. In need of full mechanical re-commissioning and sympathetic restoration after a period of nearly 30 years in dry storage, the car seems to have had an amateurish over-spray in the original colour, presumably at the end of the 1980s, after which it was used infrequently (the owner moved on to other daily-driver Ferraris).
The paint shows signs of age and wear, but the body seems straight with excellent lines and shut gaps suggesting original factory fit (the one and only owner confirms the car was never damaged). In order to make excellent, the Ferrari would benefit from a full re-spray and needs cosmetic attention to the body in various areas, the right front lower end showing signs of rust. The brakes were freed off by us to move the car from storage; the engine appears to turn freely but hasn't been run for close to 30 years, and the entire interior can be preserved.

'15135' is fully documented and comes with the original sales invoice; the service book and warranty card; Belgian registration documents; Massini report, sundry invoices for work carried out; and even pre-sale correspondence with Garage Francorchamps. The latter lists the prices of the then available Ferrari 330 GTC and 275 GTB/4 (second hand) at 400,000 Francs whereas the 365 GTC/4 would be 906,000 Francs including VAT! A staggering price...

A most rewarding project, coming from single family ownership of 50 years and with only one driver from new, in a magnificent and exceptional colour scheme and fully documented.