www.QV500.com - Ferrari 365 California Part 1: 365 California
 

365 California chassis 8347

Ferrari's 365 California was the last in a long line of exclusive luxury models that had begun with the 340 America back in 1950. 342 and 375 America's were subsequently produced along with 410 and 400 Superamerica's before this cars predecessor, the 500 Superfast, was launched in 1964. Reserved for the very wealthiest customers, buyers for such machinery were scarce as Enzo Ferrari recalled; "we see just a small number each year, nearly always accompanied by breathtaking women who exercise a magnetic effect on every mechanic in the workshop".

   
He continued, "with these clients, the discussion of their car - needing much patience - is chiefly concerned with the colour of the body, the shade of the upholstery and the various internal fittings." Buyers were limited to a handful of property magnates, publishers, dictators and other assorted playboys. The chassis was similar to the Tipo 571 used on Ferrari's 330 and designated Tipo 598, the most important of the few modifications required having been strengthened mounting points for the larger displacement engine. Another crossover from the 330, rear seats made the California a rare breed of open sports car - one capable of seating four adult passengers. All examples used the Tipo 598 chassis except for the prototype (08347) that was built onto a Tipo 571 frame. The engines were enlarged 4.4-litre versions of Colombo's 60° V12 as fitted concurrently to the aforementioned 330 GT (Tipo 209). Designated Tipo 217 B, these units benefited from Ferrari’s experience with their 365 P2 sports prototypes used during 1965, some historians even suggesting that it is this motor (designated Tipo 214), that the 217 B is most closely related to. Regardless, capacity came in at 4390cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 81 x 71mm while an output of 320bhp at 6600rpm was achieved with compression set at 8.8:1 and three Weber 40DCI/4 or DFI/4 carburettors.
 

365 California chassis 8347		 Unsurprisingly, the bodywork was designed by Pininfarina who had built up a long-standing rapport with Ferrari. From some angles, the 365 California looked like one of the most beautiful cars in the world while from others it could be curious in its features and detailing. There were nose-mounted retractable headlights, a rare Pininfarina bow to contemporary fashion that, when raised, looked more than a little peculiar. Another interesting feature were the air scoops that Pininfarina had successfully used on mid-engined vehicles to channel fresh air into the bay.
   

Incorporated purely for decorative purposes, the fake ducts were almost exact replicas of what would later be found on the Dino. The California's tail treatment mixed sharply creased wings into what was otherwise a curvaceous design but somehow Pininfarina got it all right and the car was a decadent sensation. Cabins were generally trimmed in full Connolly leather with a generous helping of polished teak veneer for the dash and centre console. Extremely luxurious but in no way overly opulent, the 365 California knew it was a high performance sports car and not a boulevard cruiser. Introduced in March 1966 at the Geneva Salon, many believe this model initially began life as a show car that was eventually produced in tiny numbers after several requests for facsimiles. This explains the prototype's Tipo 571 chassis. Surprisingly though for such an expensive car, official options were few - only cast alloy wheels could be specified as opposed to the standard Borrani wires. Considering the lavish customisation seen on some 410 Superamerica's where clients could specify almost anything they wanted, California alterations were spartan by comparison. Genuinely bespoke, custom built motorcars were a dying breed by the late 1960’s and only fourteen California's were built. It was a gloriously outdated dinosaur, the last of a grand line that had begun back in 1950.

 
Chassis PF No. Notes
8347 99647 Azzuro Met over black and white cloth, initially fitted with flush tail lights, 1966 Geneva Salon car, featured in the 1966 365 California sales brochure, sold new to Dino Fabri, Milan.
9127 99649 Ivory over blue leather, sold new through Luigi Chinetti Motors, New York, to the Marquise De Cuevas.
9447 99650 Rosso Chiaro over tan leather, sold new to Staute, Piacenza. 1967 Turin Salon car.
9615 99651 Grigio Argento over tan leather, delivered new through CAG, Madid, to exiled Dominican Republic dictator Rafael Trujillo. Crashed by his son (who died) in the late 1960's. Wreck rebuilt and restored.
9631 99652 Met. beige over tan leather, 1967 Geneva Salon car, delivered new to Trans America Car Leasing, wrecked when a garage collapsed on it in the mid 1970's.
9801 99653 Rosso Chiaro over black leather, 1967 New York Auto Show car, sold new through Luigi Chinetti Motors, New York, to Rabinoff.
9849 99654 Bianco over black leather, sold new through Luigi Chinetti Motors, New York, to Bud Bickel, New York.
9889 99655 Azzuro Met over black leather, sold new through Crepaldi, Milan, to Natale Toffoli, Milan.
9935 99656 Rosso over white leather, sold new through Luigi Chinetti Motors, New York, to Waldorf Leasing Corporation, New York.
9985 99677 Blu Sera over beige leather, right hand drive, sold new through Maranello Concessionaires, Surrey, to Paul Kay, Hertfordshire.
10077 99657 Rosso Rubino over tan leather, sold new to Samuel Goldstein, USA.
10155 99658 Bianco over black leather, sold through Auto Becker, Dusseldorf. 1967 Frankfurt Motor Show car and pictured in that year's Ferrari Yearbook, delivered new to Harry Richter, Bonn. Remains supposedly in a New York junk yard!
10327 99659 Rosso Chiaro over white leather, delivered new through Luigi Chinetti Motors, New York, but damaged while in transit shortly afterwards.
10369 99678 Blu Chiaro Met over beige leather, right-hand drive, sold new through Maranello Concessionaires, Surrey, to Harry Hyams, London. Crashed into a British Army truck in '69 and restored by Pininfarina who fitted a power operated hood. Still in its original ownership.