1974 Ferrari 365 GT4/BB

At the 1971 Turin Motor Show, Ferrari debuted the 365 GT4/BB. Mounted mid-ship was a 380 horsepower horizontally-opposed 'boxer' 12-cylinder engine. The 4.4-liter engine was based on the successful Ferrari 312B F1 Racer. Zero-to-sixty took just over five seconds and the top speed was reported to be around 180 mph. There were a total of 387 examples constructed with all original sales being for markets other than the US. Only recently have the 365 GT4/BB been brought to the states.

It had become clear by the dawn of the 1970s, the Ferrari's front-engined, Daytona's replacement would need a mid-engine configuration in order to remain at the forefront of the supercar market. Lamborghini had its popular Miura that was selling well, and Maserati had just introduced the mid-engined Bora, and even the attractively priced DeTomaso Pantera offered an exotic layout.

The Daytona had become known as the ultimate Grand Tourer and building a suitable replacement seemed an impossible feat. Nevertheless, Ferrari forged ahead, introducing the all-new 365 GT4/BB at the 1971 Turin Motor Show where it received a rapturous reception. The design was streamlined and low, with very aggressive lines. This was the first production Ferrari to be powered by the boxer-type twelve-cylinder engine derived from the F1 unit. The longitudinally-mounted engine featured opposing cylinder banks, a technological approach that had not been pursued by any of the classic front-engine V12s. The two Bs represented Berlinetta Boxer and the 'Boxer' reference was derived from the fact that the cylinder banks form an angle of 180°, producing an engine with a flat, rectangular shape that allowed the car's center of gravity to be lowered. The gearbox received equal attention and thought, being placed under the engine and next to the oil sump. The chassis was a tubular steel spaceframe that was reinforced by the addition of integral steel panels around the cockpit section, making it virtually a 'monocoque' construction.

The wedge shape design of the nose has many similarities to the 1968 Pininfarina P6 concept car. The lower section of the nose contained a full-width aluminum egg-crate radiator grille, from the upper edge of which an indent line traversed around the perimeter of the body, visually creating an upper and lower half and adding to its streamlined appearance. Two-tone paint emphasized the separation, the lower portion being matte black and the chosen body color on the upper section. This contrast in color enhanced the cars sporty and modern appearance.

With the 380 horsepower from the 4400cc engine, the 365 GT4 BB had a top speed of around 180 mph, earning it the 'fastest car in the world' when it was unveiled. Contemporary road tests were complimentary, praising the 365 BB as being the fastest Ferrari to date. Despite the accolades and great press, Enzo Ferrari was reluctant to officially export the car to North America, worried that US regulations would dampen the 365 BB's lively nature. This belief resulted in just 387 examples built over the three-year period, between 1973 and 1976.

The 365 BB was succeeded by the less powerful, heavier, and more abundant 512 BB.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019