The 3.3-litre Ferrari 275GTB and the open iant, the 275GTS, were launched simultaneously at the Paris Salon of October 1964, sharing a common chassis and engine design. And, boy, are they rare.
The GTB was intended to be a more sporting car than its predecessor, the lovely 3-litre 250 Lusso, and an increase in engine bore to 77mm now displaced 3,285.7cc. In initial form with three Weber carburettors, this latest 2-cam Ferrari V12 produced 280bhp at 7,600rpm.
This particular car features the preferred 6-carburettor option, which offered an additional 20-plus horsepower to create a genuine 300bhp road car of explosive performance. The greatest chassis innovation embodied within the new type was its independent rear suspension, replacing the live axle of preceeding Ferrari designs and achieved with double pressed steel wishbones, concentric coils springs and adjustable shock absorbers.
An anti-roll bar was actuated from the lower wishbones and from either side of the limited slip differential, universally jointed sliding spline shafts driving the rear wheels.
A 5-speed transaxle transmission was also adopted, offering much improved weight distribution with improved handling and cornering to match. The clutch remained in-unit with the engine, and the slender propellor shaft was supported amidships by a roller steady bearing as initially specified.
The body was another highly successful co-production by stylist Pininfarina and manufacturer Carrozzeria Scaglietti, this 'shortnose' car typifying the highly acclaimed Ferrari 275GTB in its original form. In the interests of a smooth body line, even the petrol filler was housed inside the boot. Many regard these quite rare GTBs as the finest road-going Gran Turismo cars ever produced by Ferrari.
