The Ferrari 365 GT4 BB is a significant model in Ferrari's history because it was the automaker's first mid-engine production car. It replaced the iconic, front-engined Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Grand Tourer and was the first Ferrari's Berlinetta Boxer (BB) series of high-performance sports cars produced between 1973 and 1984. Leonardo Fioravanti designed the 365 GT4 BB at Pininfarina. It is powered by a 360-horsepower 4.4L flat-12 engine. According to Classic.com, a 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB sold for as much as $500,365 in September 2023. Want to find out more? Read on. This Ferrari 365 GT4 BB review explores the history of this legendary car and the various aspects that made it one of a kind.
Enzo Ferrari was hesitant about transitioning to mid-engined cars for a long time because he believed that front-engine, rear-wheel-drive body layouts were the best option for high-performance/race cars. With Ferrari's success with this layout in motorsports in the '60s and '70s, it is easy to see why Enzo had this opinion. However, the market shift towards mid-engined sports cars was undeniable. When the rear mid-engined two-seater Lamborghini Miura was revealed at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, it became apparent that Ferrari had to move with the tide or risk being overtaken by its key rivals. Other mid-engined sports cars that set the pace for the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB were the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette C3, Maserati Bora, De Tomaso Pantera, and Porsche 914. So, after introducing the 365 GTB/4 Daytona in 1969, Ferrari engineers, led by Dr. Ing. Angelo Bellei, started working on the 365 GT4 BB, the model that would succeed the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The prototype of the 365 GT4 BB was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1971. The prototypes were refined for the ideal 365 GT4 BB model design. Thankfully, the engineers introduced the 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer in 1973 as a mid-engined 12-cylinder road car. The 365 GT4 BB was different in layout from the front-engined 365 GT4, so it offered a different driving experience altogether. The production version of the 365 GT4 BB was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1973. Due to an oil crisis, Ferrari planned to produce only 25 cars. Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) had declared an oil embargo targeted at nations that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The oil crisis even led to a significant increase (approximately 300%) in oil prices. After the crisis, as oil demand increased, so did car production. Ferrari then produced 387 GT4 BBs, and 88 of them were right-hand drives. Even after the oil crisis receded, the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB still achieved buoyant sales, and the automaker produced 1400 more of the model. The 365 GT4 BB was replaced by the BB 512 in 1976, and the BB 512 was replaced by the BB 512i in 1981. From 1973 to 1976, when the production of 365 GT4 BB ended, the company produced 387 cars.
Dr. Ing. Giuliano de Angelis developed the Tipo F102A engine used in the 365 GT4 BB. The design ideas were borrowed from the Mauro Forghieri-designed Tipo 001 3.0-litre flat-12 engine used in the Ferrari 312B Formula One car developed in 1969. The 365 GT4 BB's engine has a bore of 81 mm and a stroke of 71 mm, and a displacement of 4390.35 cc. This engine propels the 365 GT4 BB from 0 to 100 km per hour in 5.4 seconds, which puts it on par with the Lamborghini Countach. The engine block is made of silumin alloy, and the cylinders have cast iron liners. The engine crankshaft is made of forged steel, and the pistons are fashioned from a light alloy. The engine also had dual overhead camshafts, and each cylinder had two valves. Two timing belts drove the four camshafts in the system. This innovation helped to reduce the weight and noise produced by the timing chains in the earlier engines. The engine had four 3-bbl Weber 40 IF 3C carburetors, which supplied the air and fuel mixture to the combustion chamber. On the other hand, the engine is ignited using an ignition system with a single Magneti Marelli distributor and two coils. A wet sump lubricated it and was later replaced by a dry sump during the upgrades. The engine produced 360 bhp at 7,500 rpm and propelled the car to a maximum speed of 302 km/h. The engine also cranks out a maximum torque of 311 ft-lb of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine has a 5-speed manual transaxle and limited-slip differential. The transmission and differential were mounted underneath the engine alongside the oil sump. Also, a standard single-plate Fichtel & Sachs dry clutch clutch is located at the rear of the engine.
On the inside, this two-seater 365 GT4 BB offers bolstered yet comfortable sports seats for the driver and passenger. Premium leather upholstery on the seats, dashboard, and center console is standard. It also has a 3-spoke leather-swathed steering wheel with Ferrari's prancing horse logo in the center. Because the engine is positioned just behind the front seats, it fills the cabin with glorious sounds as it revs through every gear. Also worth noting is that this car offers commendable ride quality thanks to its front and rear double wishbone independent suspension system.
The body was also styled at Pininfarina under Leonardo Fioravanti's supervision. The Ferrari P6 Berlinetta Speciale influenced its design, and the prototype was presented in 1971. The 365 GT4 BB had a wedge-shaped nose with hidden headlights. The car also had a steeply raked windshield and a wide rear section. Due to its high aerodynamic features, the car had a spoiler behind the passenger compartment. The spoiler reduced the drag to improve the car stability and direct air intake on top of the engine cover. The body's central section is made of steel, and the front and rear doors and covers are made of aluminum alloy. The front and rear bumpers were made of fiberglass, which made it easier to maintain the car. The 365 GT4 BB features three rear lights and three tailpipe tips on each side. The full-width grille on the front hid the driving lights, while the side profile is brilliantly finished to give a clean look. The model came with two-tone paint schemes as an option, and all four wheels had double wishbone independent suspension. The car had a single coil spring and shock absorber for each front wheel and a pair for each rear wheel. The model also had dual anti-roll bars, a non-powered rack, and four-wheel disc brakes. The front tires are 215 70 VR 15, while the rear is wider.
Regarding technology, the 365 GT4 BB has power steering, electric windows, an air conditioning system with controls on the center console, and a Blaupunkt Car Audio in-dash unit with a cassette player. The car also has a spoiler and a wedged body design for aerodynamics, reducing wind drag. Under the hood, the 365 GT4 BB's flat-12 engine features innovative packaging. The heads of its 12 cylinders are at a vee angle of 180 degrees.
You can expect to pay between $240,000 and $500,000 for the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB. Yes, the car isn't cheap, but you'll love everything it offers. These prices vary because they're determined by the car's condition, mileage, and location. For instance, a well-maintained 365 GT4 BB with a low mileage can go for up to $500,365. Some upgrades can also increase the car's price. The average cost between 2021 and 2023 is $327,563; the lowest price ever sold is $248,598.
The Ferrari 365 GT4 BB is raw and fully engaging, with no intrusive electrical systems taking away any of the fun. It is a testament to an era long past, and its performance stands out despite being on the road for several decades. It is so iconic that even modern-day cars have emulated its technology and design cues. Check out our Ferrari listings for this and many more classic sports cars. Exotic Car Trader is the ideal platform that guarantees safe and effective car buying and selling processes. Online car purchase processes on Exotic Car Trader are well-defined, and financing options are clearly stated. All the fees and packages at the Exotic Car Trader provide buyers with seamless experiences. The Ferrari 365 GT4 BB has all the hallmarks of a legendary vintage sports car – a potent, naturally aspirated engine, a steering system that provides outstanding steering feedback, excellent handling, and superb balance and composure thanks to its mid-engined layout and low center of gravity. What more could you ask for?
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