In October 1964, the 275 GTB made its landmark debut at the Paris Motor Show alongside its open 275 GTS stablemate to replace the outgoing and long-running 250 GT and its many variants. The 275 GTB signaled an important evolution in Ferrari road cars, as it had a fully independent suspension layout, which had been tested, developed, and proven on the track beginning with the famed Testa Rossa in the early 1960s.

For the 275, the size of the V-12 engine was increased from the three liters of the outgoing 250 GT to 3,286 cc, with each cylinder now displacing roughly 275 cc, hence the new model’s “275” designation. Designed by Pininfarina and bodied by longtime Ferrari partner Scaglietti, the 275 GTB echoed many of the purposefully aggressive outward cues of the 250 GT Tour de France and 250 GTO. Today, it remains one of the most sought-after and collectible Ferraris ever produced, particularly in the ultimate four-cam 275 GTB/4 specification. The example offered here, chassis 10803, was discovered in 2013 and is highly desirable as an unrestored and almost entirely original vehicle.

Launched in Paris in October 1966, the celebrated four-cam 275 GTB/4 marked what the vast majority of Ferraristi regard today as the finest evolution of the series. Pininfarina had already designed an elongated long-nose treatment that promoted greater stability by reducing front-end lifting tendencies at speed, and the 275 GTB/4’s chassis was mostly unchanged, with the exception of a 24 mm increase in its track dimension. The small hood bulge was the only external giveaway of the new four-cam engine. Designated tipo 226, the upgraded 275 GTB/4 engine now featured revised cylinder heads with four overhead camshafts – two per cylinder bank – and developed as much power for the road as Ferrari’s two-cam racing engines. Additional race-proven tweaks applied to the tipo 226 power unit included dry sump oiling and six twin-choke Weber carburetors. All told, this formidable engine delivered a factory-rated 300 hp and propelled the GTB/4 to more than 160 mph. Now, with the four-cam V-12, competition power levels were available to Ferrari’s clients, right off the showroom floor.

The engine, driveline, and rear-mounted transaxle of the GTB/4 were combined into one subassembly, mounted to the chassis at four points, producing a rigid car with superb and neutral handling and a near-perfect 50/50 weight bias. Although the 275 GTB/4 was a trendsetting road car in many regards, it was also the last true coachbuilt dual-purpose road/race berlinetta in the greatest Ferrari tradition. Accordingly, many examples led a dual life, winning at road courses and hill climbs on weekends while being utilized for stylish and sporty transportation during the week.

Chassis 10803 has had limited ownership and use over its life and carries fascinating early documentation, creating a truly outstanding opportunity in today’s market. Following completion and shipment to the US, 10803 was sold new by official Ferrari distributor Luigi Chinetti Motors in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Edward A. Skae, a resident of Lake Forest, Illinois. As documented by a copy of a check issued from Chinetti in the amount of $5,000, Mr. Skae traded a Lamborghini Miura and a Maserati Ghibli for the 275 GTB/4. Interestingly, Harley Cluxton picked up 10803 at Chinetti’s and drove it to Mr. Skae’s home via Ontario, Canada. To Ferrari enthusiasts, Harley Cluxton is well known as an eventual Ferrari racer (with Luigi Chinetti’s backing), among his many exploits.

In August 1969, Mr. Skae sold the Ferrari to Carl C. Gagliano of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who used it only sparingly while providing proper maintenance and garage storage. A body-shop receipt in the amount of $200 documents very minor damage incurred when the front of the car was scraped by the family lawn mower. Mileage under Mr. Gagliano’s tenure was apparently quite limited, as shown by an oil-change sticker still on the car; dated May 30, 1982, it lists mileage as just 9,690. Following Mr. Gagliano’s passing in 1996, the Ferrari went to his son Bill, a long-running, Milwaukee-area SCCA member, who drove the car sparingly before preserving the underside and wheels, and placing it onto stands in long-term garage storage.

Peter Klutt acquired this remarkable, virtual time-warp 275 GTB/4 in early 2013, believing it to retain the majority of its factory-original paint finish. The drivetrain and interior are original, as are the tires, which accompany the car. This wonderful preservation – specifically, the astounding condition of the undercarriage with the original plating and finishes, and fine details including stencils, decals, hardware, and factory markings – led to the car winning multiple awards at top-level events including the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, where it earned a Second Place in the Postwar Preservation Class.

Subsequently offered and sold by Mr. Klutt at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions in 2015, 10803 has passed through the hands of two significant collections with its last owner engaging Motion Products Inc. to perform a thorough but sensitive mechanical overhaul with the aim being to ensure both originality and usability. Any part removed and replaced during that mechanical work was carefully packaged, retained, and added to the spares that accompany the car so allowing the owner to both drive the car as he wished, while also revelling in its unique originality.

The 275 GTB/4 is one of the most beautiful, purposeful, and sought-after models ever built and, with its exceptional originality, 10803 is a time-warp example that is certain to delight its fortunate new owner. Offered with books and factory-original tool roll, it shows just under 10,800 miles at the time of cataloguing and stands as likely one of the most original 275s remaining in existence.