1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4

The Ferrari 365 GTC/4

For collectors today, there is very little to dislike about the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 today. The imposing and curvaceous coachwork retained Pininfarina’s characteristic elegance and softness of line, despite the stringent North American regulations surrounding impact protection. Not only is the spacious interior an exercise in ergonomics, but the air-conditioning is positively arctic and, of course, there’s ample space for four people (the benefit of moving the gearbox from the rear of the car to just aft the engine).

Beneath the bonnet is the commanding 4.4-litre four-cam V12 we came to know and love in the ‘Daytona’, just with more torque thanks to revised valve timing. And more torque is never a bad thing. Power steering as standard takes the sting out of long journeys – especially those which encompass city stops and don’t avoid them. And the 365 GTC/4 is a seriously rare car: only around 500 ever left Maranello, of which only 31 were in right-hand drive for the British market.

Best of all? The value – especially compared to both its spiritual and actual predecessors: the GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ and the 365 GTC.

Chassis no. 16153

On 20 June 1972, the Ferrari factory in Maranello received a telex from Maranello Concessionaires in London confirming the order of a new right-hand-drive 365 GTC/4. The car in question was this, chassis number 16153, which boasts a quite remarkable story and which, as a result, we’re delighted to be offering.

Later that year, on 9 October, a Mr. R Wilcox from Buckinghamshire took delivery of this Ferrari, parting with £8,956 for the pleasure. He opted for a particularly elegant colour combination for the handsome Gran Turismo: Rosso Nearco, a luxurious deep subtly-metallic shade of red, over black leather and red carpets. As its accompanying ultra-rare factory warranty card attests, Mr. Wilcox returned chassis 16153 to Maranello Concessionaires to be serviced thrice in his first year of ownership, during which he covered just over 9,000 miles.

Between Mr. Wilcox and one subsequent owner, a further 21,000 miles – including a trip to Maranello – were added to this Ferrari’s odometer reading before 1985, when it was acquired by one Mr. J W M Miller from Uxbridge. Mr. Miller took the decision to take this 365 GTC/4 off the road. Remarkably, as the plethora of accompanying invoices illustrate, what followed for chassis 16153 were 33 years of careful storage and maintenance.

This Ferrari was only woken from its slumber in 2018, when it was subjected to a major service (including replacement of the self-level shock absorbers), issued an MOT certificate (the mileage was noted as 30,836 miles) and bought by its current owner. In the years since then, chassis 16153 has been serviced, had its Borrani wire wheels refurbished and been professionally detailed. The odometer currently reads 31,524 miles.

Given the care that has been bestowed upon it by its mere four owners and, of course, the three decades it spent being carefully stored, this Ferrari 365 GTC/4 presents in beautifully original condition – it pervades that distinctly satisfying feeling from behind the wheel that only an old car that has never been restored offers up.

Crucially, chassis 16153 retains all its original factory paraphernalia, including its leather documents pouch with manuals and the aforementioned warranty card, its tool kit, jack and even its ultra-rare first-aid kit.

Citing a lack of commercial interest, Ferrari abandoned its V12 2+2 concept after the 365 GTC/4, waiting two decades before finally introducing a successor in the 456 GT – a Gran Turismo whose Pininfarina lines do certainly echo those of this car. It’s for very good reason why this a Ferrari that’s becoming increasingly desirable. Chassis 16153 is certainly the finest example we’ve encountered.