Ferrari 365 GTC / GTS ~ 1968-70

After creating the understated and very capable 330 GTC, Ferrari brought us its evolution and twin sister in 1968 with the Ferrari 365 GTC. The philosophy behind this easy to drive and comfortable two seater came from the Superamerica and Superfast series also used on a shorter scale in the elegant 275 GTS convertible.

The 365 GTC was an intermediate model lodged between the top of the line Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (Daytona) and the four seater 365 GT 2+2. The PininFarina design came straight from the 330 GTC and was also built with steel panels and aluminum doors, trunk and hood lid. The chassis used was the same 2400 mm (94.5 in) short wheelbase unit with Girling disc brakes fitted all around, as was the independent suspension, which gave the 365 GTC a composed ride.

Like the 330 GTC the front was an extrapolation of the 500 Superfast and the 275 GTS, but unlike this last one, the nose was extended and ended in a small front oval egg-crate grill surrounded by two thin chromed split bumpers. The side front fender’s three slatted air vents also seen on the Superfast and 275 GTS were replaced by two screened black plastic air vents relocated on the hood by the windshield. The very thin pillars gave a wonderful all around visibility, which was accentuated by a comfortable upright driving position. The rear-end didn’t change, and kept its cat tongue shaped taillights, that were placed just above the chromed split bumper fitted with overriders. And as usual the traditional quad-exhaust system underlined this clean back-end. Ten hole Borrani alloy wheels were standard, but wire wheels from the same maker were available as an option.

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The interior was also retained with the two main Veglia gauges and three annex dials under the same binnacle. This dashboard had plenty of warm teak veneer and was complemented by the traditional wooden Nardi steering wheel. The center dash had three more small dials including a clock, while a center console housed three round air vents, which matched the three dials above. A row of switches were placed in between included the now standard electrically powered window switches and radio. The traditional ashtray with Ferrari and PininFarina emblems on it could be found next to the five speed exposed metal transmission gate. The main interior differences between the 330 and 365 GTC came from the different door panel armrests, the two additional round interior air vents on top of the dashboard, and the two vent sliders in the middle of the wooden dash replacing the previous single one. The Ferrari 365 GTC had two non-bucketed seats, but don’t be alarmed, this sweet cruiser had other priorities in mind with well-padded seats giving its focus to long, fast and easy journeys. To make your experience even more pleasant, air conditioning was available as an option to tame the heat coming from the large glass surface area.

The single-cam per bank front engine V12 was enlarged to 4.4 liter (268 cu in). It now developed 320 hp at 6600 rpm instead of the 300 hp found in the 330 GTC. This allowed it to get to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds with a marginally faster top speed of 151 mph (243 km/h). Numbers don’t tell everything though because its extra torque now 268 lb-ft instead of the 240 lb-ft found at the same 5000 rpm on the 330, made the 365 GTC stand out as a beastier machine, and was able pull away far more willingly at lower revs than the 330 could. As in the previous model the transaxle transmission set at the back for better weight distribution received a torque tube to preserve the drive shaft from wearing out too quickly unlike the 275 GTS.

Later on that year in 1968, Ferrari introduced the convertible labeled, the Ferrari 365 GTS (Spider/Convertible). The 365 GTS retained everything from the coupe aside from the rear fenders, which had a very slightly raised shoulder line and came down on the recessed trunk lid on the end of the tail. And off-course its fixed metal roof was replaced by a canvas top with a clear plastic rear window, while a hardtop could be purchased separately. The 365 GTS was only produced until 1969, while the coupe was produced until 1970. Needless to say that with only 20 Ferrari 365 GTS produced, it quickly became a very desirable vintage Ferrari amongst collectors.

For a long time the 365 GTC had been set aside as a forgotten and bland Ferrari due to its less charismatic and automatic comparison with the godly gorgeous 365 GTB/4 (Daytona), but everything about the GTC was mature and well mannered from the driving position to the perfect all around visibility, without forgetting its independent suspension, disc brakes and five speed gearbox. And with its torquey and powerful engine this made the 365 GTC more popular than ever with newly awakened car collectors and car fans around the world.

JJP.