For some it was the "little brother" of the 250 GTO, the culmination of the long-berlinetta family with 3-liter V12 engine, which many successes (commercial and recreational) had given Ferrari since the mid 50 to mid 60's. But the 275 GTB was something more: it was the first of a new family (which continued with the 330 and 365 during the 70) offered both sportiness and ride comfort. Nothing radical, as had been done before is that the GTB entonces.Y was neither a super-250 GT Lusso ambitions or a small, but something original to thereafter define the concept of "Ferrari" for the public : able to go to the opera or a rally.
In the second half of the sixties was the undisputed king of the Italian production, harvesting a remarkable sales success at the same enviable sports scores. Therefore, we could not resist to try the Italian elegant coupe, designed by Pininfarina, without numbers on the doors. This unit, one of the first produced in 1964 (year of presentation), currently owned by Spanish collector Carlos de Miguel.
He has played with numerous international events, from France to Bahrain, including many Tours de France Auto. He has for twenty years, although the car still went to Spain in 60 when the pilot Oscar Caprotti it acquired its first Swiss owner. So think you have registration Lugano. No, because it is Lugo. Caprotti suffered a spectacular accident on a hill climb Lugo. The Ferrari was repaired "in situ", but the bill was so high that pilot and mechanic ended up in court. There he researched the car and walked rather as "scarce" paper, was confiscated and later auctioned.
Interestingly, only the body-without motor went to auction, to be awarded by a very low price to the figurehead of a local authority ... garage which miraculously appeared on the V12. Hence the current time after its registration. Anecdotes aside, this 275 GTB is a bit special. It is true that Maranello had several options for improvement, ranging from a full aluminum body enhancement engine 280 hp to 300. This unit has only aluminum hoods and doors, keeping the sheet steel body, which rigidified the chassis tube. But also got six double Weber carburetors (instead of three) that allowed him to reach 300 hp at 7,500 rpm. This V12 Colombo created by the engineer was basically the same as the 250LM (275LM at once), all aluminum, and cubed 3286 cc.
Remember that Ferrari nominate their models based on the unit cylinder at the time (250 x 12 3 liters, 275 x 12: 3.3 liters, 330 x 12 4 liters ...) However, its aluminum cylinder heads had only one camshaft per bank. Just a couple of years later offered the GTB / 4 with dual overhead, power equivalent but better pair. Our V12 has already enjoyed two major revisions in its later period: the specialists and Silingardi Diena, Modena, I remade again in 80, and last year, the restorer number one from Italy, Corrado Patella, Treviso, made thoroughly reviewed the entire car, including the engine. You now have a sharper performance than before, giving the power from 5,500 rpm. What is lost in low has gained the upper zone, but without losing the tractability below that figure. With 3.3 liters, the V12 pulls from very low revs eagerly, differing much from their predecessors, much more brutal
Patella also returned to the original body color that came out of the Scaglietti factory: steel gray. Less spectacular than the "rosso corsa" that showed before, is more elegant and in any case, what he was. And no more talk. The oval tube chassis was not a prodigy of stiffness and significantly strengthen the whole body. The theme of the torque is negligible on the road. So predictable and pleasant car battle "short" with 2,400 mm wheelbase! but profoundly affects one of the greatest technological advances of the GTB: transmission. For the first time and differential change Ferrari placed the rear, connected by a shaft (slightly flexible) with the front engine. This scheme "transaxle" mass distributed much better and allowed more space and less heat, in the cockpit, but suffered with the twists.
The last units of GTB and all the GTB / 4 was improved with the shaft inserted into a rigid tube linking the engine and change. In our unit, its absence requires periodic reviews and re-tightening every 2,000 km, especially in rally conditions. For the 275 GTB is a perfect "router", but also used extensively in circuit. Unlike its predecessors, has independent rear suspension with springs and dampers and swings of stamped sheet metal. Some refinements will greatly enhance the usability of the vehicle, which remains one of its strengths. 300 hp trasaxle independent suspension, five synchronized gears change, a beautiful body, Campagnolo alloy wheels ... a fault-aside from the price-should have. Indeed, the tires of 14 "forced to use disc brakes (four) of small diameter and quite thin. The 1,100 kg weight did you overheat easily, by boiling the liquid or pills scorching of the time. The discs have not grown today, but with better pads and fluid DOT 5, the braking is much more stable. Anyway it is a car for 40 years and must be allowed meters to stop, especially since neither is based on very wide tires. But get behind the wheel (that beautiful varnished wooden hoop) is moved to another era.
Of the great flyers, hard clutch and dual clutch changes. The box was already full of 275 and has five synchronized gears very well staged, but with a hard handle the awkward grid driven Ferrari that does not allow mistakes. And as usual, with the first back. The cabin is reduced by the absence of dark rear windows and upholstered in black leather, but not too narrow, except for the domed ceiling. Very athletic, very Ferrari. Although the clocks mounted on the dashboard of wood are matte black and chrome, denoting that we are in the second half of the 60. The arched and low windshield reveals the great curvature of the front fenders. No doubt Pininfarina signed one of their best work in the 275 GTB, with an air of "retro" that paid tribute to the GTO, the LMB, to 250 Tour de France ... berlinetta the most beautiful ever. Therefore, I had a slight defect in his nose spoiler that produced the high-speed lift and reduced management. Therefore, the last units of GTB and all GTB / 4 became "long nose", improving the top speed of step (8 km / h). A 275 GTB "short nose" and reached 257 km / h.
The 300 hp engine are not wild, but they are properly tamed. The accelerator is in charge. Below 5,500 rpm the vehicle behaves as a citizen and docile. Above, the gallop right foot comes when you want: more speed, greater droves. So consume over 25 liters per hundred. But who cares?
Although the behavior is quite neutral, with plenty of weight in the rear, oversteer is easy to do. Just a decisive blow to gas. But as is easily controlled with a flick of the wheel.
