1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4

Enzo Ferrari selected his favorite venue, the Paris Salon, to introduce his new Berlinetta, the 275 GTB, in October of 1964. That same month, John Surtees was crowned Formula 1 World Driver's Champion at the final Grand Prix in Mexico, driving a Ferrari Type 158. The team also claimed the Constructors' Championship, the International GT Constructors' Championship, and the International Speed and Endurance Challenge. Despite the success, this was the year that the American automotive giant, Ford, began negotiations with Enzo Ferrari to buy his company. To Ford's humiliation, the bid failed and spawned the famous 'Ford vs. Ferrari.'

Competition cars introduced that year included the Type 512 powered by a horizontal twelve-cylinder engine. Newly introduced road-going cars included the 330 GT 2+2, 500 Superfast, and the 275 GTB.

Ferrari's racing program influenced the development of the 275 GTB, including its innovative new chassis and fully independent suspension for the first time on a production road car. The suspension was comprised of independent A-arms, coil springs, and telescopic shocks. Another new racing-derived feature was the rear-mounted five-speed gearbox, independently supported from the chassis frame, which offered better weight distribution and superb handling.

Ferrari's P2 won the International GT Prototype Trophy and the World Speed and Endurance Challenge in 1965. It won the Targa Florio, where it was driven by Nino Vaccarella and Lorenzo Bandini. The four-camshaft cylinder heads of the 275 P2 were designed by Mauro Forgheri and soon implemented on the road-going production cars.

The Ferrari 275 GTB was replaced by the 275 GTB4 Berlinetta which was introduced at the 1966 Paris Auto Salon. The main difference being the addition of a four overhead camshaft, two per bank, V12 engine. The new 275 GTB/4 engine was designated Type 226 and differed in several other ways from the 275 GTB's Type 213. It had dry-sump lubrication and the camshafts acted directly on the valves. It offered 300 horsepower at 8,000 RPM, an increase of 20 brake horsepower from the previous model, while maximum torque increased from 217 to 240 foot-pounds at 6,000 RPM. It had the same 3,286cc capacity, with a bore and stroke of 77mm x 58.8mm, with the sparking plugs sited between the camshafts. It had a bank of six Weber 40 DCN9, 17, or 18 carburetors, with a rear-of-the-engine mounted distributor ignition system. Just like the late series two camshaft models, the engine drove through a shaft in a torque tube to the five-speed transaxle, and then by drive shafts to the independently suspended rear wheels. The 2400mm wheelbase chassis, with factory reference numbers 596, were numbered in the odd chassis number road car sequence. Although its factory reference number differed from the two cam cars, the chassis was virtually identical, with the revised number due to differences in the drive train layout.

The only visually distinguishing feature of the 275 GTB/4 from its 275 GTB predecessor was the profile of the bonnet which had a shallow central bulge running from front to rear. Just like the two camshaft versions, Pininfarina designed the body while Scaglietti in Modena handling the construction, normally in steel with aluminum doors, boot lid, and bonnet. A few examples were fully clothed in lightweight aluminum. The stance was aggressive and the design was elegant, and the rounded contours added to the aerodynamic presence. Several visual cues were sourced from the all-conquering GTO race car including the integrated rear spoiler, side vents, a laid-back cockpit, Plexiglas-covered headlamps, and a long hood. The interior was simple yet elegant with a wraparound dashboard connected with the door panels. The driver gripped a three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel while sitting in the conservatively bolstered buck seat, without a headrest. Catering to the needs and desires of its clients, the 275 GTB/4's interiors could be customized as needed, with colors and trims that included yellow, blue, red, or black.

Like the 275 GTB, the 275 GTB/4 was available in right or left-hand drive configuration. The standard alloy wheels had a ten-hole design, similar to the Ferrari sports racing cars of the period. Borrani wire wheels were optional.

European-spec models had unique rear light lenses that were different from those sent to the United States. The European versions had a central circular reflector and an orange upper section for the turn signal. The U.S. versions were red with a central horizontal rectangular reflector.

The 275 GTB remained in production until March 1968, with 330 (as many as 331) examples manufactured in the chassis number range 09007 to 11069. A new 275 GTB/4 cost between $16,000 and $17,000.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2020