Launched at the Turin Auto Show in 1971, the 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer was aimed squarely at the potential buyers of Lamborghini’s Miura and Maserati’s Bora. It was Ferrari’s first road car with a mid-mounted flat 12-cylinder, and was most controversial as the model that indicated that Enzo Ferrari had finally backed down in terms of his legendary insistence that they would continue building front-engined cars.

At its Turin debut, the 365BB was pitched directly at the Lamborghini Miura, however as things turned out, it was the Muira’s unexpected successor, the Countach, that became its showroom rival. Although absolutely stunning, Bertone’s Countach design ignored one or two necessary practicalities, making the more approachable Boxer the sensible choice. The Pininfarina-penned and Scaglietti-built 365 BB however, managed, despite its now classic seventies wedge shape, to still be a usable supercar. Equally impressive was the Formula One inspired flat-12 ‘boxer’ engine, which was shallow enough to house the gearbox underneath the block whilst still maintaining a low centre of gravity, allowing for a short wheelbase and overall a smaller, more nimble car.

Contemporary road tests praised the 365 BB as being the fastest Ferrari yet, high praise indeed for a car the ‘boss’ was initially reluctant to engineer. Despite the complimentary press, Enzo was also reluctant to officially export the car to North America, thinking the market would fail to understand it and that regulations would dampen the 365 BB’s lively nature. Therefore, just 387 of these, now-revered, models were built over a three-year period between 1973 and 1976, with only 86 in right hand drive. Succeeded by the heavier, less powerful and more portly 512 BB, the 365 BB remains the connoisseur’s choice with recent price expectation in the retail arena seemingly confirming this fact.

This right-hand drive Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer, chassis number 19153, according to the inside of the Owner’s Handbook, was delivered new to a Mr Ivan Butterworth of Melbourne, Australia. Other records indicate that the car was later owned by a Mr Graeme Rapier, in Australia. The odometer currently reads 730 kilometres. Since being in the UK, the car has been in the care of renowned Ferrari specialists Foskers, who had it fully resprayed in the correct Rosso Chiaro and have detailed the Nero leather interior. The engine was fully serviced, new cambelts fitted and the brakes received appropriate attention, and the car was prepared to be returned to the road. The account for all this work totalled in excess of £25,000. Accompanying the car is an owner's handbook, tool roll and tool kit in its fitted attaché case. Currently on a NOVA number with UK taxes settled, the new owner will need to register the car with the DVLA.

]]>