Many people tend to use “Ferrari” as a ubiquitous term for fancy, high-end, or expensive items. “That is the Ferrari of vacuum cleaners.” You get it. The truth is, not all Ferraris were created equally, and as such, some models got left behind over the years. The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” is one of these legendary models. However, the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 debuted simultaneously, and almost no one bought it. Are you familiar with the tale of the “forgotten Ferrari”?
Ferrari 365 GTC/4, also known as the “Forgotten Ferrari.” | Wikimedia Commons
What is the forgotten Ferrari?
The story of the Forgotten Ferrari is a sad one. According to Silodrome, when the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 debuted in 1971, the US was reforming safety standards, eliminating the blazing chrome bumpers of the 1960s. This safety update resulted in a great many rubber-bumper stinkers. Thankfully, Filippo Sapino at Carrozzeria Pininfarina had superior taste compared to the rest of his industry and cleverly erased the chrome bumper without ruining the 365 GTC/4.
No matter how well he did with the new 365, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona was simply so much better looking that the GTC/4 didn’t stand a chance at competing. Making matters worse, the only other model Ferrari produced at the time was the Dino. The Daytona and the Dino. This lesson in bad timing resulted in one of the rarest Ferrari models in the brand’s history. Ferrari ended up making only 500 examples of the Forgotten Ferrari.
Ferrari 365 GTC/4 specs
As Silodrome points out, the lack of popularity for the Forgotten Ferrari isn’t very fair. The 365 GTC/4 was shockingly close to the 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Both cars shared tweaked versions of the same chassis and essentially the same 4.4-liter Colombo V12.
Although Ferrari double-dipped on the engine, GTC/4 had “modified double-overhead-cam heads that allowed the use of side draught Weber carburetors, with the intake now passing between the cams rather than into the V of the V12.” Silodrome explains that Ferrari did this, in part, to lower the hood line. The results were a 340-hp little ripper that deserved a bit more love.
The Ferrari 365 GTC/4 had independent front and rear suspension, with unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, and an anti-roll bar front and back. Silodrome also points out that the GTC/4 didn’t have a transaxle in the rear, unlike the more popular Daytona. Instead, it rocked the more traditional style of transmission that Ferrari bolted to the rear end.
How much is a Ferrari 365 GTC/4 worth?
1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 | Wikimedia Commons
This one here is currently available for bidding at Collecting Cars in Surrey, England. The bidding is currently at £100,500. Aside from its rarity and beauty, this car also belonged to Ronnie Driver, WWII hero, millionaire businessman, and father to renowned actor Minnie Driver.
After its stint as a celebrity-owned car, it was sold to British racing driver John Coombs. After that, it was sold to Ferrari collector and racer Pierre Mellinger. This car is largely original, except for a few tasteful modern alterations, like an updated stereo designed to fit the 1971 styling.
The Forgotten Ferrari is a fine car indeed. It has most of the styling cues from the Daytona, the same engine, and nearly the same chassis. But the car that no one wanted back then is hotter than a two-dollar pistol today.
Keyword: Have You Heard the Tale of the ‘Forgotten Ferrari’?