1965 FERRARI 275 GTB

Chassis #06691
Engine #06691
Gearbox #58

- The first Ferrari 275 GTB imported into France by Franco Britannic Autos
- Ferrari Classiche-certified; retaining its matching-numbers V-12 Colombo engine
- Presented in its factory-correct colour combination of Grigio Argento over a Nero Connolly leather interior
- Used for the French homologation road test and as a press car for Sport Auto
- Transmission upgraded to desirable CV joints
- Long-term ownership since 1998, with historic racing entries from 1998 to 2006

The 275 GTB was a two-seat grand touring coupé produced between 1964 and 1966. The name of this model was derived from the engine's per-cylinder displacement of 275 cc and the Italian designation Gran Turismo Berlinetta.

The 275 GTB used a double overhead cam 3.3 litre Colombo-designed 60º V-12 engine designated Tipo 213. This engine was the final development of the Colombo V12, with a stroke of 58.8 mm and a bore of 77 mm. The internal parts of the engine were derived from those used in other Ferrari models including the 250 GTE 2+2, 250 Lusso and 250 GTO. Three twin-choke Weber 40 DCZ 6 or 40 DFI 1 carburetors were equipped as standard. Power was claimed to be 280 horsepower at 7600 rpm, but provided closer to 240-250 hp in actual use. The rear wheels were driven by a 5-speed manual transaxle with Porsche-style syncromesh and a limited-slip differential. This was the first time a transaxle was used on a Ferrari production road car, although they were used on some earlier Ferrari competition models such as the 250 Testa Rossa.

The 275 chassis was a conventional ladder frame design fabricated from oval-section steel tube. Mike Parkes had a major role in developing the 275's suspension, which employed many technologies tested in earlier Ferrari racing cars such as the 250 TR and 250 LM. Double wishbone independent suspension was used at all four wheels along with Koni shock absorbers and coil springs. The 275's four-wheel independent suspension was a first for Ferrari road cars, which were previously equipped with live rear axles. Dunlop disc brakes were equipped at all four wheelsand cast magnesium 14 inch diameter wheels were standard equipment, with Borrani wire wheels available as a factory option.

The coupé body was designed by Pininfarina and manufactured by Scaglietti. The standard 275 GTB body was fabricated in steel with aluminum alloy doors, hood and boot lid.

A year after the 275 GTB’s 1964 debut, a second series was unveiled that featured a longer nose, a modification intended to aid aerodynamic downforce at high speeds. Despite the technical improvements, many enthusiasts prefer the first-series cars’ proportions and purity of design. Early short-nose Series I examples remain the rarest of all iterations of the 275 GTB non-competition cars, with only approximately 250 examples built.

CHASSIS NUMBER 06691

This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB short-nose—chassis number 06691—reached completion at the Maranello factory on 21 January 1965. The car was finished in a beautiful shade of Grigio Argento, with the cabin upholstered in Nero Connolly leather. Destined for Paris, chassis number 06691 was the first 275 GTB imported into France by the famous dealership, Franco Britannic Autos (FBA).

Being one of the earliest examples in France, this 275 GTB was used as the control car for the French homologation road test, a document on file titled “Procès verbal de reception” confirms that chassis number 06691 passed the road test on 25 June 1965. In July 1965, this example was used as the press car for the French publication Sport Auto, of which a copy is present on file. Following a busy first six months of its life, the car was then registered by FBA on 13 September 1965, with the license plate “6498 RV 75”. Following its registration, this Ferrari featured in a photoshoot with the famous French singer, Johnny Hallyday. Digital photographs of Hallyday and “6498 RV 75” are on file.

Following the photoshoot with Hallyday, FBA sold 06691 to Charles Pozzi on 5 November 1965, prior to him founding his own Ferrari dealership in 1968. By 10 April 1966, this Ferrari 275 GTB had found its second private owner, Paul Faucher, a chemist who resided in Paris and was a close personal friend of Pozzi. Monsieur Faucher retained the car for over two years, before selling to a Monsieur Pardo of Saint Hilaire, Paris—the car was noted as having covered 43,000 km at that point. Monsieur Pardo parted ways with chassis number 06691 on 1 July 1976, when this Ferrari was registered by Alain Garnier of Menneval with the license plate “5837 QT 27”. On 28 December of that year, Mr Garnier, who was living with Marcelle Lesage—his mother-in-law—decided to change the name on the Carte Grise to hers. It is believed he was contemplating the sale of this Ferrari when he made this decision, which was correct, as Ms Lesage would be the final French owner of this 275 GTB.

On 28 June 1978, the Ferrari was exported from France to Belgium. It is known that the Belgian collector, Vincent Gaye, took ownership of the 275 GTB in August 1979. At this point in the car’s life, the Grigio Argento paintwork was tired and Monsieur Gaye sent his Ferrari to the renowned workshop, Swaters – Garage Francorchamps, where the body was finished in red. At an unknown point in the 1980s, Maurice Harlaux acquired this Ferrari from Gaye and enjoyed the car over several years of ownership. Harlaux sold this example to the current owner on 17 November 1998.

Previous Owner

At the time of purchase, the previous owner noted that the transaxle in the car—originally numbered “43”—had been replaced with a unit numbered “58”, most likely when the prop shaft was upgraded with CV joints. In 1998, the car participated in the Liège-Rome-Liège Rally. This would be the first of many historic racing events in which chassis number 06691 would feature. For 1999, the Ferrari was fielded in the 2nd Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, and that same year from 9 to 14 April, the car was fielded in the Tour Auto. From 2001 to 2006, chassis number 06691 was driven in the Tour Auto, Tour de España Classic, and Tour Auto Lissac.

In 2009, this 275 GTB was displayed on a stand at Rétromobile in Paris by its owner alongside the cars of Johnny Hallyday. The consignor decided to return chassis number 06691 to its original colour of Grigio Argento, with the work undertaken by Bachelli & Villa of Modena, Italy. Following the return to Grigio Argento, this example was inspected and certified by Ferrari Classiche on 13 February 2019, and is presented with its “Red Book”.

The certification by Ferrari has confirmed chassis number 06691 retains its factory-correct colour scheme, original chassis and matching-numbers engine. This Ferrari is accompanied by a French ownership history document, Massini Report, and copies of the 1978 attestation, the Procès verbal de reception, the Sport Auto July 1965 road test, spare wheel, and tool kit.

This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB has lived an exciting and eventful life and being such an early French example, its connection with Johnny Hallyday, modern racing history and Ferrari certification, make it an excellent proposition for any Ferrari enthusiast.