www.QV500.com - Ferrari 275 Part 1: 275 GTB/2 Series I Short Nose
 

275 GTB/2 Series I Short Nose chassis 6601 GT

Alongside great competition-inspired models like the 250 Tour de France, SWB and GTO, Ferrari had always offered a more road-oriented production Berlinetta. During the early sixties, this niche had been filled by Pininfarina's beautiful 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, the 275 replacing that car for 1964. It ranks as perhaps the most desirable series production Ferrari ever built, Pininfarina's bodywork having been on a par with Lamborghini's Miura and Jaguar's E-Type in the beauty stakes. Between 1964 and '68, they were produced in no less than eight configurations.
   

There were twin cam Berlinetta's in two distinct series (Short and Long Nose), a twin-cam Spyder with entirely different bodywork, a four-cam Berlinetta and a new four-cam Spyder (now executed in a GTB-style but with the roof removed). There were also three distinct series of competition cars, all of which carry the designation GTB/C for Competizione. The earliest twin cam 275 GTB's covered here are from the first twelve months of production (October 1964 until October 1965) and commonly get referred to as the Series I Short Nose (although this name was never officially used by the factory). Designated Tipo 563, the chassis was the first on a Ferrari road car to feature independent rear suspension and a rear-mounted five-speed gearbox. The Tipo 213 60° V12 twin-cam engine meanwhile was a direct evolution of the Tipo 210 and 211 as used on Ferrari's awesome 3.3-litre 250 LM. With its displacement of 3286cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 77mm x 58.8mm, the new cars Tipo 213 motor developed an impressive 280bhp at 7600rpm. These engines made extensive use of Silumin light alloy for the cylinder block, heads, sump and cam covers, compression being set at 9.2:1 and either three Weber 40 DCZ/6 or DFI/1 downdraughts carbs coming fitted as standard. Performance was very impressive with just 6.3 seconds required for the 0-60mph sprint, top speed exceeding 160mph.

 

275 GTB/2 Series I Short Nose chassis 6601 GT		 Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the GTB's lines are stereotypical of its era and were clearly influenced by the 1962 and '64 250 GTO's. Elegant features were it's covered headlights, rakish cabin and those bulbous rear wings. Fabricated predominantly from steel, light alloy was used for the doors, bonnets and bootlids. The interior was as stylish as the outside and featured a teak-veneered facia, vinyl-covered dash and three-spoked wood rimmed steering wheel, Pininfarina once again producing an interior of immeasurable class.
   
All the period trademarks were there, the chrome-plated ashtray, the open gate gearshift and the yellow-on-black horn push with its Cavallino Rampante steering boss. Other nice touches were the teak veneer oddments tray and leather luggage straps for storage behind the heavily bolstered bucket seats. Launched alongside the 275 GTS at October 1964's Paris Salon, the GTB was very well received thanks to its outstanding specification and sultry Pininfarina bodywork. A host of potential upgrades were available via the options list, these including a 300bhp six carb 40 DCN3 conversion if the standard 280bhp triple carb motor wasn’t quite hot enough for your liking. Often referred to as 275 GTB/6C's these cars can normally be identified by a bonnet blister much wider than later GTB/4's. In addition, lightweight all-alloy bodies could be fitted along with Monza quick fuel filler caps, both of which are extremely sought after today. Borrani wire wheels could be fitted instead of the beautiful new Campagnolo ‘Starburst’ alloys, other options providing a choice of either cloth, perforated vinyl or leather for the seat centres while vinyl or leather could also be specified for the bolsters. Additionally, dimpled vinyl could be fitted instead of carpeting to provide a more sporting feel. Following the completion of 205 Series I 275 GTB's, Ferrari launched the Series II Long Nose at 1965's Paris Salon.
 

275 GTB/2 Series I Short Nose chassis 6601 GT