1969 Ferrari 365GTCThe ex-London Motor Show, Eric Clapton, Ferrari Classiche Certified, 31,000 miles from new
1969 Ferrari 365GTC Berlinetta
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Registration no. ENZ 365
Chassis no. 12721

'Pininfarina clothed it all in a beautifully refined bodyshell employing the nose lines of the 500 Superfast and the tail treatment of the contemporary 275GTS. It was built at Grugliasco by Pininfarina themselves...' - Hans Tanner & Doug Nye, Ferrari, 1984. In essence a closed version of the 275GTS, the 330GTC – immediate forerunner of the 365GTC - was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966. Beneath the understated Pininfarina coachwork there was the 4.0-litre version of Ferrari's familiar Colombo-designed two-cam 60-degree V12 (as used in the 330GT 2+2) mated to a five-speed all-synchromesh transaxle. The chassis was of relatively short wheelbase (2,400mm) and the suspension independent all round by wishbones and coil springs. Naturally, there were disc brakes on all four wheels. Introduced late in 1968 as a replacement for the 330GTC and given its first public airing at Geneva in March 1969, the 365GTC was virtually identical in appearance apart from engine cooling vents relocated in the bonnet, a feature it shared with last of the 330s. Installing an 81mm-bore 4.4-litre V12 in place of the 300GTC's 4-litre unit boosted mid-range torque and flexibility while maximum power was raised to 320bhp at 6,600rpm; acceleration improved markedly and the luxury coupe's top speed increased to over 150mph. Less obvious to the eye were the refinements made to the drive-train that achieved a marked reduction in cabin noise, a sign that Ferrari understood that 365GTC customers valued comfort as well as high performance. A sumptuous leather-trimmed interior, electric windows and heated rear screen were standard equipment, while air conditioning could be ordered as an option. Like so many European sports cars, the 365GTC (and convertible 365GTS) would fall victim to increasingly stringent US safety and emissions legislation, production ceasing after less than one year during which time around 150 GTC and 20 GTS models left the factory. Examples of this strikingly handsome, startlingly fast and much under-rated Ferrari Gran Turismo model rarely appear at auction. The right-hand drive example offered here was delivered new to Mr J R Knowles of Reading as evidenced by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd's purchase invoice on file. Mr Knowles had the car, originally registered 'APJ 14H', annually serviced by Maranello Concessionaires (see 12,000-mile service invoice dated 1973 on file). In 1985 the Ferrari was sold to an unknown buyer who in turn sold it on to Mr P A Teichman in 1987. Mr Teichman then sent the car to Nick Cartwright at Phil Wood Specialist Services for a full restoration (all invoices on file). In 1992 Mr Teichman sold the Ferrari via the Bramley dealership to Mr Peter Lloyd of Oxshott, Surrey who had it bare metal re-sprayed by Maranello Concessionaires in 1993 (all invoices available). The odometer reading at this time was 23,373 miles. Mr John Devine of Eaton Square, London SW1 was the next owner, acquiring the Ferrari in 1997, and there are various invoices on file for work done by Maranello Concessionaires and DK Engineering for general servicing during his ownership. In 2003 the car was purchased by Raoul San Giorgi of Belgium, a respected Alfa Romeo authority, who kept it only briefly before selling it to rock music guitar legend, Eric Clapton. While in Eric Clapton's ownership the Ferrari was re-sprayed by DK Engineering (invoices on file) the odometer reading at this time being 28,374 miles. Mr Shamir Deen of Wembley, North London purchased the car from Eric Clapton in 2006, the registration number being changed to 'ENZ 365'. Acquired in 2010 by the Rohan Fernando Family Foundation in Jersey, the car was then re-sprayed from silver back to the original colour combination of Bianco Polo (Polar White) and the interior leather trim from black back to Pelle Blu (blue). The current owner acquired the Ferrari via Talacrest in 2011. It has been fitted with a new set of wire wheels but comes with the original Borranis. The car comes with full Ferrari Classiche certification in a red box file; current MoT certificate; Swansea V5C registration document; and a very detailed history file containing MoTs dating back to 1974 verifying the mileage of circa 31,000. Presented in concours condition, '12721' represents a rare opportunity to acquire a low mileage Ferrari 365GTC possessing excellent provenance.