Ferrari 275 GTB/4

Ferrari 275 GTB/4

The 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 represents the pinnacle of Ferrari's front-engined V12 grand touring cars of the 1960s. The '/4' designation indicates the four-cam (DOHC) version of the Colombo V12, a significant upgrade from the single-cam engine in the standard 275 GTB. With 300 horsepower, a rear-mounted transaxle for improved weight distribution, and a body designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the 275 GTB/4 was the most sophisticated and desirable Ferrari road car of its era.

The four-cam V12 was a natural evolution of the Colombo engine that had powered Ferraris since the late 1940s. The addition of double overhead camshafts on each cylinder bank allowed higher valve lift, more aggressive timing, and higher safe operating speeds. The result was an engine that produced not only more power than the two-cam version but delivered it with a smoothness and urgency that was remarkable for the period. Six Weber 40 DCN carburetors fed the engine, and the exhaust note was, in the words of contemporary road testers, one of the most glorious sounds in all of motoring.

The 275 GTB/4's chassis featured a tubular steel frame with independent suspension at all four corners -- a rarity for Ferrari road cars at the time. The rear-mounted transaxle, combining the gearbox and differential in a single unit at the rear axle, provided near-ideal weight distribution. The five-speed manual gearbox featured a classic open-gate shift mechanism that has become an iconic Ferrari design element, providing precise if somewhat agricultural shifting.

Pininfarina's body design for the 275 GTB/4 is widely considered one of the most beautiful shapes ever to clothe an automobile. The long hood, short rear deck, sensuous fender forms, and delicate details like the chrome-surrounded headlights and egg-crate grille created a car of timeless elegance. The body was hand-formed in steel (with aluminum hood, trunk lid, and door skins) by Scaglietti's craftsmen in Modena.

Driving a 275 GTB/4 is one of the definitive automotive experiences. The four-cam V12 pulls with silken authority from low rpm and builds to a crescendo of power and sound at the 7500 rpm redline. The rear transaxle provides neutral handling balance, the steering is direct and communicative, and the brakes -- upgraded to disc all around -- provide confident stopping power. The overall experience is of a car that encourages spirited driving while never feeling crude or overwhelming.

The 275 GTB/4 was produced for only two years (1966-1968), with approximately 330 examples built. Today, it is among the most valuable and sought-after Ferrari road cars, with prices typically ranging from $2.5 million to $4 million or more depending on history and condition. The car's combination of four-cam V12 power, Pininfarina styling, and limited production ensures its place among the most desirable automobiles ever created.