1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Berlinetta

1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Berlinetta
Coachwork by Pininfarina
Registration no. UIG 363
Chassis no. 13857
Engine no. 13857
• Rare right-hand drive example
• Brought to the UK in 1974
• Believed restored in the early 1990s
• Recently recommissioned by Autofficina
• Under 40,000 miles from new

By the mid-1960s, 50 percent of all Ferraris produced were being built with four seats, and following on from the success of its first such model, the 250 GTE of 1960, Ferrari introduced the 330 GT 2+2 in January 1964. The newcomer's steel tube chassis was 2" longer in the wheelbase than that of its predecessor and featured independent front suspension and a live rear axle. Beneath the 330's more-spacious Pininfarina coachwork was a 300bhp, 4-litre V12 coupled to a four-speed overdrive gearbox. Its replacement, the 365 GT 2+2, was launched at the Paris Salon in October 1967. Sleekly styled in the manner of the limited edition 500 Superfast, the 365 GT 2+2 was the most refined Ferrari to date.

Based on that of the contemporary 330 GTC, the chassis was made up of Ferrari's familiar combination of oval and round steel tubing, and as well as featuring independent suspension all round (for the first time on a Ferrari 2+2) boasted Koni's hydro-pneumatic self-levelling system at the rear. Further refinements included mounting the engine and drivetrain in rubber bushes to insulate the car's occupants from noise and vibration, and offering ZF power-assisted steering and air conditioning as standard equipment. Developing 320bhp in its 365 GT incarnation, the well-proven 4.4-litre V12 engine was coupled to a five-speed gearbox, while the car's blistering performance - top speed 150mph, 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds - was restrained by Girling ventilated discs all round. A total of 800 cars had been completed by the time production ceased in 1971.

Endowed with fine handling and a supple ride, the 365GT 2+2 was rated by Car magazine as "the most civilised Ferrari yet". Impressed by the car's build quality, Car & Driver reckoned it, "prototypical of the new Ferraris where everything fits and falls together accurately, as needs must if Ferrari is to survive in the US market". The respected American magazine found the overall effect to be "one of a very real and serious, ultra luxurious, high-speed touring machine," yet no compromises had been made in the handling department: the 365 GT 2+2 remained very much a driver's car in the traditional Ferrari manner. Road & Track agreed: "Out on the open road this car really comes into its own, as does any Ferrari; the power steering makes it seem light on its feet and the giant Michelin XVR tyres furnish high cornering power with little fuss."

Factory records show that this matching numbers 365 GT 2+2 was sold new to TECO in Hong Kong (believed to be the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) and first owned by one J Tuby. The car was delivered in right-hand drive configuration equipped with air conditioning and Voxson radio, and was finished in Oro Kelso (gold metallic) with Nero (black) Connolly leather interior. In September 1974 the Ferrari was shipped to the UK, enjoying a further four owners in this country (list on file) before passing on one G Swarbreck in 2003 at 37,435 miles. Previously registered 'GPF 946J', the car would appear to have been restored in the early 2000s while owned by Mr G Swarbreck (there are numerous invoices of file from Nick Cartwright Specialist Cars and other firms). Mr Swarbreck owned the Ferrari for the next ten years, and in April 2013 it crossed the block at Bonhams' RAF Museum Hendon Sale (Lot 385), passing to a Dr J Hull.

Since its recent acquisition by our vendor the car has been sent to London Ferrari specialists Autofficina where it was recommissioned at a cost of £13,000 (bills on file). Fewer than 100 miles have been covered since the works' completion out of the fewer than 40,000 miles the car has covered from new.