One to Buy: ex-London Motor Show 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC
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Despite having utilised a mishmash of styling features from other Ferrari models, the Pininfarina-designed 330 GTC ranks among the prettiest Italian sports cars from a golden age of automotive design.
While the combination of a 500 Superfast-style front merged with a back that resembled a 275 GTS with Hardtop may have sounded an odd proposal, the GTC’s refined elegance and perfect proportions made it no less appealing than some of the more rakish offerings sold alongside.
With tastes rapidly evolving during the late 1960s as stylists embraced the moved towards Wedge design, it says a lot that Ferrari elected to make only the mildest of cosmetic tweaks to the GTC when, after two years in production, the original 4-litre 330 version was replaced by a 4.4-litre 365 iteration.
Aside from engine cooling vents relocated from the sides of each front fender to the trailing edge of the hood, the second generation GTC sold from 1968 to 1970 was almost identical to its predecessor.
As a consequence of its beautiful lines, the GTC looks great in practically any colour scheme, but one of the best is the rarely seen combination you see here: Bianco Polo with Blu upholstery.
Currently, this superbly configured machine is on offer through Broad Arrow’s Private Sales department in the UK. One of just 27 365 GTCs built in right-hand drive, chassis 12721 was ordered by Ferrari’s British distributor, Maranello Concessionaires, to appear on its stand at the 1969 London Motor Show.
The car was subsequently registered APJ 14H and delivered to its first private owner, J.R. Knowles of Reading, who continued to have Maranello Concessionaires carry out maintenance work. After several years of enjoyment, the Ferrari was placed in storage for approximately a decade as a consequence of Mr. Knowles' ill health.
Since the late 1980s, chassis 12721 has passed through the hands of several more British-based collectors, one of which was renowned guitarist, Eric Clapton, with whom it resided between 2003 and 2006.
Today, the car is being offered in excellent condition throughout complete with Ferrari Classiche certification confirming its matching numbers status. Furthermore, chassis 12721 is accompanied by a substantial history file dating back to its first service in December 1969 and which confirms the mileage of just over 32,000 as genuine.
