1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4 Berlinetta
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Registration no. CAU 741K
Chassis no. F101AC101 15543

'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 365GT4 2+2, the 365GTC/4 was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971. A contemporary of the awe-inspiring Daytona, the 365GTC/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 365GTC/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 365GTC/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 150mph. By the time the model was withdrawn in October 1972, production had totalled only 500 units, making the 365GTC/4 eminently collectible today.

Of the 500 Ferrari 365 GTC/4's produced, only 41 were right-hand drive cars and this example is one of a mere 31 delivered new to the UK. Chassis number '15543', was ordered through Maranello Concessionaires on 13th October 1971 and sold via Sytner of Mapperley to its first owner, a Mr Michael Home, on 6th June 1972. Remarkably, Mr Home kept the Ferrari until 2007, by which time the odometer reading was a little over 40,000 miles. The car has been maintained regularly by specialists such as Sytner, Graypaul, and Shiltech, and since Mr Home parted with it has had only three additional private owners, who between them have added 6,000 miles to the total.

As one would expect of such a low mileage example, the degree of originality is exceptional, and the car comes with its original leather wallet, parts book, Voxson 8-track stereo (with electric antenna) and tool kit. The Ferrari presents beautifully in its original Marrone Colorado with beige leather interior, and comes with an excellent history file containing correspondence between the factory and the original dealers, numerous invoices, MoT certificates, and notes from the original owner. A fabulous opportunity to acquire a true 'time warp' example.