That signature eggcrate grille. The sculpted waistline that looks as though it was drawn with one effortless swoop of the pen. Those proud open headlights. That large wooden-rimmed steering wheel. And those four suggestive ANSA-branded exhaust tips. The 365 GTC is a 1960s Ferrari Gran Turismo alright.

The 365 GTC was a fittingly impressive end to what had been a superb decade for the Prancing Horse. Ferrari had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times, the Formula 1 Constructors’ title twice and forged a range of Gran Turismo models that won adulation around the world.

Changes to the outgoing (and brilliant) 330 GTC were minimal – this was a case of evolution rather than revolution. The 4.0-litre Colombo V12 was bored out to 4.4 litres, offering a touch more horsepower and, more noticeably, a dollop more torque. And there were a smattering of small styling changes – we’re sure you’ll agree Pininfarina’s handsome design didn’t need ‘fixing’.

Of more interest to marque enthusiasts and collectors today is the incredibly short window of time in which the 365 GTC was produced: a little over a year. As a result, it’s a very rare car. Compared to the preceding 330 GTC, of which some 600 were built, just 168 365 GTCs left the Ferrari factory.

A lady by the name of Giuliana Rubeo originally ordered this 365 GTC, chassis number 12049, from the Ferrari concessionaire Motor S.a.S. di Carla Allegretti e C in Bologna. Clearly a lady of distinguished taste, Rubeo opted for the beautifully understated shade of Grigio Ortello for the exterior and sumptuous Pelle Nera inside.

The Campagnolo alloy wheels lend the handsome Pininfarina design a more modern feel befitting of its time at the close of the 1960s. Of particular note in the factory records is that, before delivery, this 365 GTC was sent to Ferrari’s Assistenza Clienti department in Modena, where the differential was replaced. The car was delivered to Rubeo at her home in Rome and assigned the local registration ‘Roma E64756’ on 4 October 1969.

Chassis number 12049 is charming because it’s remained in Italy its entire life, as evidenced by the comprehensive registration history we have on file. Rugeo was the first in a short list of Italian owners, the last of whom – the motorsport magnate behind the history-steeped Scuderia Italia BMS outfit, Giuseppe Lucchini – acquired the car in May of 2012. By this point it wore the black Firenze registration plates it retains to this day.

A Ferrari collector of the most discerning standards, Lucchini took the decision to comprehensively restore this Ferrari to its original condition and ultra-desirable specification. The company entrusted with the not-insignificant project was Carrozzeria Quality Cars, the famous workshop in Padova to where the Ferrari factory itself sends its prestigious Classiche restorations to be undertaken.

As the detailed report and circa-750 photos we have documenting the process, chassis 12049’s restoration was nothing short of exhaustive. After disassembly was complete and the paint stripped, Quality Cars notes the bodyshell was found to be in excellent condition and no major repairs were necessary. Following application of the primer and several pre-assembly checks, the coachwork was resprayed in its fabulous original shade of Grigio Ortello.

Following paint and polishing, the brightwork was completely re-chromed, the interior expertly retrimmed and the 4.4-litre engine and drivetrain – themselves fastidiously restored by Lucchini’s racing team Scuderia Italia BMS – were married to the chassis and bodyshell. The painstaking nature of the final assembly, as documented in the photographs, is evidenced in the exquisite quality of this restoration.

We’re confident in saying this 365 GTC now looks even better than the day it left the factory over 50 years ago. And owing to the original specification and the matching-numbers chassis and engine, chassis 12049 was duly awarded full red-book Ferrari Classiche certification in the summer of 2021. For further reassurance, we also commissioned the world-renowned Ferrari historian and expert Marcel Massini to produce one of his respected reports about the car, confirming its provenance.

An ultra-rare 1960s Ferrari Gran Turismo styled by Pininfarina at the very peak of its powers and fitted with a potent 4.4-litre version of the mighty Colombo V12 – what more is there to say? Chassis number 12049 distinguishes itself in a number of ways, not least its fantastic specification, entirely traceable Italian history and painstaking Quality Cars restoration. We don’t expect her to hang around for long.

Price Upon Application