Few classic cars in automotive history evoke the same awe and admiration as race-bred Ferraris. Among them, the Ferrari 275 GTB holds a special place, embodying an era where beauty and performance were inextricably linked. With its graceful curves and stunning proportions courtesy of Pininfarina and undeniable Italian flair, it was a grand tourer built to excel should its owner decide to try their hand at one of the many numerous road races during its time. Today, however, it has become a collectible, with the few that exist currently sitting in temperature-controlled storage spaces as they go up in value. But before we tell you how much one will set you back, let's take a look at what's under the hood of the Ferrari 275 GTB.
The Ferrari 275 GTB is powered by a twin-carb 3.3-liter Colombo V12 with two overhead camshafts. If healthy it should make 280 horsepower sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transaxle. Not impressive by today's standards, but for 1964, it was something else, especially considering the transmission was independently supported by the tubular chassis frame. Due to the car's high-performance nature, the 275 GTB was made with an independent front and rear suspension with unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars. Acceleration numbers remain unclear, just like the torque figures, but flat out, the top speed should max out at approximately 160 mph.
Inside, the Ferrari 275 GTB is a classic example of 1960s Ferrari cabin design. The overall layout is simple and functional, incorporating only the essentials. Wood and leather are, of course, the most common materials used, and they are heavily present on the seats, doors, dash, and center console. Some examples even have leather covering the transmission tunnel. What we love most is the deeply curved windshield and the analog gauges and radio on the dash as they set the overall tone for a car made in the 1960s. The three-spoke steering wheel is visually intriguing as well, but it can be a handful if you've never driven a classic car before.
One look at the Ferrari 275 GTB, and it's instantly recognizable as a Ferrari classic with its long nose and a set-back cabin falling into the short tail, even without seeing the Ferrari emblem on the grille or between the headlights. Its appeal is minimalistic, unlike the GTO, which has race-inspired design cues. However, its overall appeal is more aggressive than that of its predecessors, especially at the front, thanks to the larger grille with Ferrari's symbolic egg-crate pattern vents. If the car is all original, the headlights should be covered with plexiglass for enhanced aerodynamics since they are deeply recessed. An update introduced later during production saw the 275 GTB get a longer, slimmer nose with a flat hood, replacing the previous hood with a raised center section.
Not much was available for 1965, but the Ferrari 275 GTB was made with the best available then. Inside, you only get a radio and air conditioning, but some examples have neither. The technology is mostly evident from the exterior, though not in the way you'd expect. Remember the aerodynamic headlight covers we mentioned earlier? The hood and windshield were designed with a similar concept, giving the car a slight performance edge over its competitors. On the front wheel arches, you'll notice shark-like-gill vents designed to extract air from the engine bay, thus cooling the engine better. Lastly, the grille is angled rearward at the lower edge to improve airflow to the radiator.
Limited to 442 examples built from late 1964 to mid-1966, with 236 Series I 'short-nose' and 206 Series II 'long-nose' cars, the Ferrari 275 GTB is a prized possession commanding a significant price tag today. Finding one for sale is rare, and those that have sold average $2.5 million, but prices can go as high as $3.5 million. We might not have one for sale, but check out our Ferrari listings, which have several Ferrari classics for sale.
There are classic Ferraris, and then there's the Ferrari 275 GTB. It's a true icon of automotive design, engineering brilliance, and a golden era of motorsport-inspired grand touring. With its elegant styling, thrilling performance, and rarity, it is one of the most sought-after classic cars today. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today.
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