Chassis No.: 11969

Engine No.: 11969

Location: Amelia Island, Florida

$385,000 - $450,000 USD | Not Sold

320 bhp, 4,390 cc SOHC V-12 engine, three Weber twin-choke downdraft carburetors, five-speed manual rear transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 94.5"

• One of only 168 produced

• Thoroughly documented since 1978 and maintained by respected marque experts

• Cosmetically freshened in late-2011

• Elegant late-’60s Ferrari grand tourer

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When the 330 GTC first debuted on Ferrari’s stand at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, many enthusiasts thought that the rightful successor to the venerable Lusso had finally arrived. Combining several design motifs borrowed from other premium Ferraris, including the tail of the 275 GTS and the front end of the 400 Superamerica, the GTC offered exquisite Pininfarina styling and trademark Ferrari power care of the frontally located V-12. In late 1968, the original GTC’s engine displacement was enlarged to 4,390 cc, and the 365 GTC was born.

Combining the luxurious quality and good looks of its predecessor with improved acceleration, the new GTC saw only modest styling changes that most notably consisted of the relocation of the engine cooling vents to the hood. Only 168 examples of this more powerful Gran Turismo Coupe were produced between late 1968 and 1970, making it one of the rarest production Ferraris of the period. To this day, the 365 GTC is considered by many aficionados to be the finest all-around road-going Ferrari produced prior to the mid-1990s.

According to Hilary Raab’s definitive Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, 2nd edition, this Ferrari was clothed with body number C0710. Build sheets suggest that the car may have been only the fourth example produced of the 365 GTC. Manufactured to European specifications, the car was initially dispatched to an owner in Switzerland before surfacing in the United States in September 1976, when it was purchased by Michael F. Stevenson, an Englishman working at FAF Motorcars in Atlanta, Georgia.

Then Atlanta’s official Ferrari dealership, FAF served for many years as a resource and home to the area’s numerous marque enthusiasts, some of whom have since established national reputations in the Ferrari collectors niche. During Mr. Stevenson’s ownership, it is reported that this car was sometimes stored in the garage of Gerald Roush, the esteemed founder of the Ferrari Market Letter who was also an FAF employee.

In May 1978, this 365 GTC was acquired by Dr. Ron Freireich, a cardiologist living in Atlanta. A rich compendium of service receipts reflects that Dr. Freireich continued to take the car to FAF, where it was regularly tended by Terry Girone, a respected marque expert who has worked on vintage Ferraris since the 1960s. In addition to basic servicing, Mr. Girone undertook some more significant measures, including a complete rebuild of the transaxle and the renovation of the air conditioning system.

After retaining possession of this dashing GTC for 18 years, Dr. Freireich sold the car in 1996, at which time it passed through a dealer to Dick Hansen of Southern California. Receipts from Mr. Hansen’s ownership reflect that he commissioned a major engine rebuild in late 1996, which was performed by the Bobileff Motor Car Company of San Diego. Two years later, this Ferrari was purchased by Illinois-based collector John Santucci, who continued to faithfully supplement the car’s impressive maintenance record. Receipts from this period reflect that Mr.

Santucci regularly serviced the car as needed, with major work including a rebuild of the engine crank pulley and a full rebuild of the suspension and shocks. Photographs of this work, performed by Lake Forest Sportscars of Lake Bluff, Illinois, accompany the car’s deep file of documentation.

In May 2005, this handsome 365 GTC was purchased by Bill Levine of Long Beach, California. Engaging the legendary Ferrari expert Norbert Hofer of Gran Touring Classics in Long Beach, Mr. Levine commissioned over $25,000 worth of work, including the installation of period Campagnolo alloy wheels, a rebuild of the brakes, a complete interior restoration featuring a correct Becker Europa radio and a myriad of re-chroming. Following Mr. Levine’s ownership, the car was acquired in 2008 by Leo Lee of Los Angeles, who retained possession until 2011.

In preparation for this sale, the consignor has recently freshened the car with a number of cosmetic measures undertaken in December 2011. This work included a complete refinishing of the undercarriage in a period-correct fashion, as well as a similar detailing of the engine compartment, most notably replicating the authentic wrinkle-finish on the cam covers and heat shields. The fine Rosso paint has been color-sanded and buffed, all chrome has been fastidiously polished, and the striking alloy wheels have been mounted with period-correct Michelin XWX tires. Mechanical steps taken during this process included reconditioning the air cleaner box and exhaust system and adjusting the engine’s timing.

Offering desirable rarity, this ravishing and elegant 365 GTC bears stunning testament to the genius of Ferrari’s luxurious touring cars of the 1960s. It is a meticulously documented example that reliably operates with trademark Ferrari performance and presents with voluptuous flair. Accompanied by a deep file of receipts as well as the original jack and toolkit, this powerful and suave GTC offers its next owner exhilarating V-12 acceleration with the luxurious tractability of a Ferrari grand tourer. Its sublime style and sporty performance would grace the finest of collections.

https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/am12/lots/r198-1968-ferrari-365-gtc-by-pininfarina/