Chassis no. 18145

The 365 Berlinetta Boxer offered here, chassis 18145 was ordered by UK-importer Maranello Concessionaires on 28th June 1974, order number 800. Interestingly on the order acknowledgement form dated 2nd July 1974 the Maranello factory specifies it as a ‘Lusso’ version. Chassis 18145 was invoiced by the Maranello factory on 24th Spetember 1974. It was finished in Rosso Chiaro (20.R.190) with a Beige leather (VM 3234) interior and Beige carpets, the exact same configuration as it is presented today.

Chassis 18145 was originally fitted with engine 00206, which it retains to this day, as confirmed in the Ferrari Classiche Certification process which is nearing completion as this is written. Maranello Concessionaires would go on to import only 58 right hand drive 365 GT4 BBs, a staggeringly rare car, even more so considering total production was only 387 examples! As acknowledged on the factory invoice, Maranello Concessionaires chose to display chassis 18145 on the Ferrari stand at the 1974 Earls Court Motor Show, held from the 16th to 26th October, an image of which accompanies the car. After the cars public appearance, it was delivered to London Sports Car Centre where it was registered on UK license ‘HLD 15N’ at a cost of £14,255.81.

The latest and greatest Ferrari available was, as always, highly desirable, and on 3rd February Mr James Robert Porter, bought chassis 18145. Then in April 1975, Mr John Peter Millward who was an enthusiastic gentleman racer took ownership. Interestingly, this BB is also featured in Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer by Mel Nichols (1979) and shows Mr Millward participating with the car during a club event at Silverstone.

Mr Millward chose to sell the car in June 1978, however he almost immediately regretted his decision and less than a year later he repurchased it having moved from Bedford to Marlow. However, Mr Millward chose to eventually part company with chassis 18145 for good in April 1980 at which point ownership was passed to Mr Leonard Potter of Newbury who would re-register the car on UK license ‘111 HLM’.

In November 1981, the Boxer was purchased by Mr Nigel Walker, of Modena Engineering in East Horsley, who commissioned Autokraft, of Webridge, to remove the roof panel, converting the car to a unique targa. It remained in this configuration for over three decades, being featured in some archival texts, such as the sixth edition of Ferrari by Hans Tanner and Doug Nye (1984) and Ferrari Supercars by Nathan Beehl (1986), where it was described as being a “one-off spyder version of the 365 Boxer – an appealing, attractive alternative for a fresh air aficionado” (pg. 17).

Upon purchase the current custodian entrusted the world’s leading Ferrari specialists in Maranello, the home of Ferrari, to commence a complete, no-expense spared 18-month restoration of the car including instalment of the roof panel and return to its unique original colour combination with works totalling €190,000.

Since its completion the car has been sent to Ferrari Classiche in Maranello to be certified, from where we have recently received confirmation that it has been full certified as retaining its original chassis, engine, and body.

The 365 GT4 BB is by far the rarest and most desirable of the whole Boxer series. Only 58 were built specifically for the UK market, and this was the only originally finished in Rosso Chiaro over a Beige interior, a combination which is wears superbly now it has been fully restored back to as-new condition. With a known history from new, being the car chosen to be displayed on the Ferrari stand at the 1974 Earls Court motor show, fresh from an exacting restoration, this has to be the very best example currently available!