1965 Ferrari 275

By the mid-1960s it seemed Ferrari could do no wrong, winning on all fronts from sports car racing to Grands Prix and producing the most beautiful cars in the world. Ferrari's dual-purpose cars seemed unstoppable combining race-winning performance with film star good looks. As the legendary 250 GT LWB "Tour de France" gave way to the marvellous 250 GT SWB Berlinetta - and led ultimately to the awe-inspiring 250 GTO in 1962. Introduced at the 1964 Paris Auto Show, the new 275 GTB gave Ferrari a chance to incorporate all the best characteristics of this fabled bloodline. Many consider the resulting car to be the finest production Ferrari ever built, combining the thoroughbred mechanical pedigree of its road racing forebears with sufficient creature comforts to make the 275 GTB a superlative grand touring automobile.

Under the skin, the 275 GTB incorporated the best Ferrari chassis design, starting with the oval section tube backbone chassis. Independent suspension was fitted all around for the first time on a road-going Ferrari, and a 5-speed gearbox was also included in the specification. The transmission was mounted at the rear of the car for improved weight distribution in a transaxle. Now enlarged to 3. 3 litres, the 60-degree V12 engine remained the familiar Colombo type, in standard form producing 280bhp at 7, 600rpm. A higher, claimed 300bhp, state of tune was available by employing six Weber carburettors instead of the standard three. In addition, customers purchasing a 275 GTB for road use could also specify aluminium coachwork.