Ferrari 365 GTB/4 – Driven To Write

Maranello Old Master.

The romantic’s Ferrari.

Marque iconographies can be somewhat unhelpful at times. Being so one-dimensional, it often requires an effort of will in the observer to see outside of their often-rigid narratives. The mythology surrounding Ferrari for example has become so infused by images of crimson-red racing cars and strumpet-Berlinettas that it is possible to neglect the fact that the less strident grand turismo was an intrinsic part of Maranello’s arsenal, almost from the outset.

Indeed, such machines were once the Scuderia’s primary source of income, and the primary means by which the racing cars were funded. Nevertheless, the road-going Ferraris occupied only as much of Enzo Ferrari’s thinking as was strictly necessary. He had them built, his wealthy customers would purchase them at suitably eye-watering prices and that was that. The Commendatore condescended to Continue reading “Maranello Old Master.”

A Mighty Wind – [Part Two]

Getting in shape.

By 1965, Giorgetto Giugiaro was already a name of significance amid Turin car design circles – and by the mid-point of the 1960s, there were no design circles more influential or significant than those within the Piedmontese capital. The year in question was a highly significant one for the 27-year old automotive designer, having departed Stile Bertone somewhat abruptly that November, leaving behind several partly completed designs for his successor to complete.

It did not matter, Giorgetto was moving on; first to carrozzeria Ghia where a position awaited him, but he had other, more elaborate plans. His stay at Ghia therefore was brief; a couple of commissions, a pair of designs for the de Tomaso concern^[1], and more significantly, the Ghibli gran turismo for Maserati, making its debut as a prototipo at that November’s Turin motor show.

By the end of 1966, he was gone, this time to Continue reading “A Mighty Wind – [Part Two]”

Bruto Bello

An anachronistic brute in finely tailored Italian couture, the 1968 Ferrari 365GTB/4 successfully transcended its fin de siècle status.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta (Daytona). Image: (c) Ferrari.com

Sometimes mythology and fine tailoring cloaks a less than fully rounded motor car. This is especially true of the products of Maranello, prized for their exclusivity, competition-bred spirit, and in many (if not all) cases, a strong visual allure. The 1968 365 GTB/4 combines a good number of those positive traits yet was regarded in its day as something of an anachronism – also coming up slightly short on the pure aesthetic side of the equation. Yet it is now amongst the most revered of its breed. How is this so? Continue reading “Bruto Bello”