Ferrari 365 GT4 BB By Scaglietti 1974, Itália
Fotografia
For as long as Ferrari has been producing road-going sports cars, its model line-up has been characterised by evolution of design. The “Berlinetta Boxer” platform was integral to the Maranello marque’s sustained success in the 1970s, and continued progression thereafter. Introduced as a successor to the popular 365 GTB/4 “Daytona”, the 365 GT4 BB was the first model of this new generation to feature a mid-engine layout and the “boxer” engine—so named for its horizontally opposed pistons—would find a home in future Prancing Horses including the 512 BB and Testarossa. The mid-mounted position of the engine gave the 365 GT4 BB key handling advantages over its front-engine forebears.
The “Berlinetta Boxer” family of flat-12-powered Ferrari models would share more than engine configuration. The introduction of the 365 GT4 BB—first offered for sale at the 1973 Paris Motor Show—signified a new era of “wedge” design, inspired by Pininfarina and brought to life under the supervision of Leonardo Fioravanti. Production of the 365 GT4 BB bodywork was carried out by Scaglietti, with final assembly taking place at Ferrari’s famous Maranello factory. Between 1973 and 1976, 387 units were made in total, with only 58 examples configured in right-hand drive and destined for the UK market.
The example offered here, chassis 17967, is one of those few sold new in the UK, originally ordered on 2 April 1974 and supplied via Maranello Concessionaires. The attractive coupé left the Ferrari assembly line finished in Rosso Chiaro over a Pelle Blu interior. Original shipment notes from the Ferrari factory can be found in this car’s history file, further to reports by marque experts Marcel Massini and Tony Willis. In its earliest years, the Ferrari changed hands between private owners in the UK, gaining the registration number “BB 365” soon after sale by auction in 1989. This cherished plate will be transferred to the new owner of this Ferrari.
The car would go on to feature in books and magazines while in the care of Richard Dyke Price, winning concours prizes including the Prescott Concours in 1985. All the while it was maintained by marque specialist DK Engineering. Later, the car was acquired by Jon Wijaya, of Southeast Asia, in whose ownership it was refinished in Rosso Corsa with Nero door sills and a Crema interior, as it is seen today. A report by Mr Wijaya on the car appeared in the March 2013 issue of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars.
The car is accompanied by the all-important Ferrari Classiche “Red Book”, which notes the retrimmed Pelle Beige interior and replacement correct-type “F102” engine, fitted at an unknown point in the car’s life. The engine is acknowledged and accepted by the Classiche certification, issued in March 2015. The car’s odometer reads 39,139 miles at the time of cataloguing.
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