Introduced in 1973, the Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer (BB) marked a significant departure for Ferrari, being the company’s first mid-engine, 12-cylinder road car, a layout previously reserved for their Grand Prix and prototype racing machines. This groundbreaking shift was driven by Ferrari’s need to compete with newcomers in the supercar landscape, such as the Lamborghini Miura and Maserati Bora. In order to compete, Ferrari placed a unique 4.4-liter flat-12 “boxer” engine, which produced 380 hp and allowed for a lower center of gravity – a stark contrast to the traditional front-engine layout of its predecessor, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

Particularly impressive was the way in which the Berlinetta Boxer combined performance with innovative design and construction techniques. Its sleek, aerodynamic wedge design, penned by Pininfarina, was characterized by a low-slung, angular profile, accentuated by modern pop-up headlights. Its construction utilized a tubular steel chassis and lightweight body panels, enhancing performance through reduced weight and a near-perfect weight distribution. Only 387 units were built between 1973 and 1976 before being replaced by its successor, the 512 BB, and later the 512 BBi. Each would continue the Boxer lineage but refine the concept and retain the core principles introduced by the 365 GT4 BB.

Chassis 17649, presented here, is one of just 58 examples originally delivered to the UK market in its right-hand-drive configuration. Completed on February 5, 1974, it was originally finished in Blu Chiaro (Light Blue) with a beige Connolly leather interior. Its first owner, D.K. Shead, purchased the BB in March of the same year from Colonel Ronnie Hoare’s Maranello Concessionaires and registered it as “77 D.” Throughout the early 1980s, the car changed hands multiple times, acquiring several registrations including “CJ 15,” “RLJ 565M,” and “8332 RE,” reflecting its ownership by A.G.F. Oldworth, Peter English, and Roger L. Earl, respectively. In the mid-1990s, Christopher Roberts owned the Ferrari, registering it as “DBY 462M,” the number plate that has remained with the car to this day.

The BB remained in the greater London area throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s in largely original condition. During this time, it was cared for by Bob Houghton Ltd. of Gloucestershire, and received a new gearbox and speedometer replacement at just over 42,000 miles. By June 2012, it had changed hands once more before being subjected to an extensive restoration. The restoration was ultimately completed by marque specialists Keys Motorsport Ltd. of Silverstone between 2014 and 2020, costing a substantial £94,000. Since its completion, 17649 has been treated to a pampered lifestyle with very few miles accumulated post-restoration. Do not miss this opportunity to acquire a stunning example of an early UK-market 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer.