Ferrari 365 GTC by Pininfarina 1968, Itália

Ferrari 365 GTC by Pininfarina 1968, Itália
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Replacing the 330 GTC in late 1968, the Ferrari 365 GTC offered increased displacement over its predecessor, the SOHC V-12 engine now displacing 4,390 cc and with 320 bhp on tap. Furthermore, the 365 also benefitted from the gearbox being integrated with the differential, which gave the car 50/50 weight distribution. Finally, this would be the first road-going Ferrari to feature a fully independent suspension. Autocar magazine’s May 1969 issue quoted a 0–60 mph time of 6.3 seconds, leading to a quarter-mile time of 14.5 seconds at 90 mph with a top speed of 151 mph—performance figures that were very impressive at the time and still more than capable of dispatching the majority of cars on the road today.

The fourth 365 GTC produced, chassis number 11969 was originally finished in Azzurro Hyperion over Nero Franzi leather and was completed in November 1968 by the factory in Maranello. A few weeks later, the car was delivered new to the official Ferrari dealer in Geneva, Switzerland. Spending its first few years in Switzerland, the car was eventually exported from Switzerland to the U.S., where it has remained ever since. In September of 1976, the 365 GTC was noted as being sold by an owner in Florida to Michael F. Stevenson of Atlanta. Stevenson kept the car for only two years, selling it to Dr. Ron Freireich of Riverdale, Georgia, who had the car repainted ivory. Freireich went on to keep the car for the following 18 years, ultimately selling 11969 to Dick Hansen in 1996.

Receipts from Mr. Hansen’s ownership reflect that he commissioned a major engine rebuild shortly after his acquisition, which was performed by the Bobileff Motor Car Company of San Diego. Two years later, this Ferrari was purchased by Illinois-based collector John Santucci. Receipts from this period reflect that Mr. Santucci regularly serviced the car as needed, with major work including a rebuild of the engine crank pulley and a full rebuild of the suspension.

Purchased by Bill Levine of Long Beach, California, in 2005, the 365 GTC was entrusted to Ferrari specialist Norbert Hofer of Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach. With him, the car was fitted with period-correct Campagnolo alloy wheels, the brakes were rebuilt, the interior was fully restored, and some chrome work was completed. Leo Lee of Los Angeles was the next owner, acquiring the car in 2008 and keeping it through 2011. Further mechanical and cosmetic refreshing was completed in December 2011.

Presently finished in traditional red over a beige leather interior, the car is presented in excellent, driving condition. More recently, the GTC was comprehensively serviced by GTO Engineering in Los Angeles between 2017 and April 2019, ensuring that the car was ready to be driven and enjoyed as Ferrari intended. Amongst the rarest production Ferraris of its era, the 365 GTC is considered by many to be a truly exceptional and very capable all-around driver, more than ready to comfortably cover large journeys with two passengers and their luggage.