The single most important car I have ever owned was a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. It had been my dream car since I was 13 years old, and owning one was a dream come true. The Daytona completely delivers on the Ferrari experience in every way, but unfortunately they have become much more expensive since I had mine. In addition, the one downside of the Daytona is that it has the heaviest slow-speed steering ever, making parking lot maneuvers a rather serious workout. Happily, there is a car that offers just about everything that the Daytona does, adds power steering, and costs much less. That car is our Pick of the Day, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The 365GTC/4 styling was penned by Filippo Sapino at Carrozzeria Pininfarina in the first half of 1970. By September of that same year, a prototype had been built and was being tested by Ferrari. Interestingly, there was little said to the press about 365 GTC/4 as a new model prior to its launch.
Ferrari debuted the 365 GTC/4 model at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 1971. It was intended to be more civilized and practical, more in line with the 330 GTC and not a replacement for the old 365 2+2. Having driven a 365GTC/4 on multiple occasions, it is in essence a roomier and more luxurious version of the Daytona.
These are fast cars, sharing the basic DOHC V-12 engine of the Daytona, but with six sidedraft Webers instead of the downdraft ones used on the Daytona. Another change is the gearbox, which is mounted behind the engine instead of being mounted at the rear like on the Daytona. This gave the 365GTC/4 a 49/50 weight distribution front to rear.
The car featured here is one of 505 365GTC/4s built. It is finished in Marrone Colorado (“reddish brown”) over a tan leather interior. The condition of the exterior looks excellent in every way. Some folks haven’t warmed up to the exterior styling of the 365 GTC/4 but, in the right colors (anything but red), these cars can look striking. They have a lot of the DNA of the Daytona but are a bit softer. The side view is especially amazing.
The seller states that this car was owned by its original owner from 1972-2006, something almost unheard of in a classic Ferrari. It is a U.S.-spec example delivered new to Beverly Hills. I love that it rides on Borrani wire wheels, an option that fits this car perfectly. This car includes all books, complete tool kit, and years of service records — something nice to have on any classic V-12 Ferrari.
The 365 GTC/4 is one of the best 1970s Ferraris to take on a long-distance road trip, say from New York to Dallas. These cars were designed to be used as an alternative to air travel for those who would rather drive than fly to a far-off destination. They can literally cruise at 150 mph all day, making them one of the fastest cars of the era.
While I would hesitate to call this classic V-12 Ferrari affordable, this 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 is definitely a pretty serious value at an asking price of $224,900. It certainly is a lot of money but less than half the price of a comparable Daytona while delivering the complete V-12 Ferrari experience.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
