Ferrari 365 GTC/4

At a glance: Ferrari 365 GTC/4

The GTC/4 shares its mechanical base with the Daytona and belongs to the classic front-engined V12 Ferraris listed in the Ferrari catalogue.

History of the Ferrari 365 GTC/4

The two-seat 365 GTC was discontinued in 1970, and in 1971 Ferrari presented its successor, the 365 GTC/4. The new car had two small extra seats in the back and a softer, better-equipped character than the Daytona. Production lasted only until 1972, when the 365 GT4 2+2 took over, and 505 cars were built.

Like other Ferraris of the period, its name describes the engine: "365" is the capacity of one cylinder in cubic centimetres, and "4" refers to the four overhead camshafts.

Design by Pininfarina

The body was designed at Pininfarina, credited by Wikipedia to Filippo Sapino under the supervision of Aldo Brovarone. It is a wedge-shaped fastback with hidden headlamps. The body is steel, with aluminium doors and bonnet; Pininfarina built the bodies in Turin and Ferrari assembled the cars in Modena.

All GTC/4s have a matt black panel around the rear lights. Ferrari offered 48 factory colours, the same palette as for the 365 GTB/4 and the Dino 246. The interior combined leather and tartan cloth, with full leather as an option.

Engine and drivetrain

The engine is the Tipo F 101 AC version of the Colombo V12, with 4,390 cc, an aluminium block and heads with cast-iron liners, four chain-driven overhead camshafts and two valves per cylinder. Instead of the Daytona's downdraught carburettors it uses six twin-choke side-draught Webers, which allowed a lower bonnet line. Output is 250 kW (340 PS), less than in the Daytona, for a smoother response. American cars, with air injection, an evaporative emissions canister and a different exhaust, were rated at 235 kW (320 PS).

Unlike the Daytona, which has its gearbox at the rear axle, the GTC/4 has a five-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox bolted directly to the engine, with a torque tube connecting it to the rear differential. The weight distribution is about 51:49 front to rear.

Chassis and equipment

The tubular spaceframe and the 2,500 mm wheelbase come from the 365 GTB/4. Suspension uses transverse wishbones with coil springs around the dampers - doubled at the rear - and anti-roll bars at both ends, with a softer spring rate than in the Daytona. Brakes are ventilated discs at all four wheels. The standard wheels are cast magnesium with Rudge knock-off hubs; Borrani wire wheels were optional.

Comfort was a priority. Hydraulic power steering, electric windows and air conditioning were all standard. The kerb weight is 1,450 kg.

Compared with the Daytona

The GTC/4 and the 365 GTB/4 Daytona share their basic mechanical design, but the two cars were tuned for different buyers.

The GTC/4 gave up some power and accepted more weight in exchange for two extra seats, power steering, air conditioning and a softer ride.

Legacy

The 365 GTC/4 was built for less than two years and is much rarer than the Daytona, of which about 1,400 were made. Its role as Ferrari's V12 2+2 passed to the 365 GT4 2+2 in 1972. For the history of the brand, see our history of Ferrari.

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