One to Buy: ex-Melbourne Motor Show 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
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Famously reluctant to adopt a mid-engined layout in Formula 1, Enzo Ferrari also erred on the side of caution when it came to replacing his esteemed line of 12 cylinder front-engined road cars with a mid-engined model. The new 365 GT4 BB that ultimately emerged in production-ready trim at the Paris Motor Show in October 1973 also broke with convention owing to its Flat 12 as opposed to V12 engine layout.
By the time the Berlinetta Boxer arrived, Lamborghini were already producing their second generation twelve cylinder mid-engined model, the Countach, which had arrived six months prior. However, the two cars were quite different in character, with the 365 GT4 BB a slightly more refined proposition in terms of design, road manners and comfort.
When production ended in mid 1976 (to make way for the 512 BB), 387 of these first generation Berlinetta Boxers had been built.
Just 58 cars from the 365 GT4 BB production run were completed in right-hand drive, one of which is currently on the market with Classic Motor Hub in the Cotswolds.
Dispatched to Australia in October 1974 finished in the handsome and rarely seen scheme colour scheme of Argento with beige upholstery, chassis 18159 was destined to the Victoria-based importer for Australia, WH Lowe, who displayed it at the Melbourne Motor Show in March 1975.
Today, this lovely early Berlinetta Boxer is offered in excellent condition throughout having been the recipient of much recent expenditure.
