www.QV500.com - Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Part 1: 365 GTC/4
 
The 365 GTC/4 was sold alongside Ferrari's GTB/4 Daytona for 18 months between 1971 and '72. A Coupe rather than a Berlientta as the designation would suggest, these cars occupy an often-misunderstood place in Ferrari history. Since discontinuing production of the gorgeous 365 GTC in early 1970, Ferrari had been without a luxurious Coupe to sell alongside their flagship Berlinetta. Combine this with the impending death of the huge four seat 365 GT (scheduled for early 1971) and Ferrari were convinced they needed a model that satisfied both markets.
   

The GTC/4 arrived in March 1971 and was conceived as a more civilised version of the Daytona offering additional luggage space and two very small rear seats. Only one version was ever made of which Ferrari completed 500 examples. It used a welded tubular steel chassis designated Tipo F101 AC 100, this a clear evolution Ferrari's Tipo 591 spaceframe seen previously on the massive 365 GT 2+2. Wanting the C/4 to appeal to buyers of both two-seat Coupes and larger 2+2’s, Ferrari cut 150mm from the wheelbase to give more sporting handling characteristics. There was independent suspension all round and again, much like the 365 2+2, power steering was fitted as standard with hydraulic self-levelling ride height at the back. Cromodora alloy wheels were fitted as standard but Borrani wires were optionally available. Designated Tipo F101 AC 000, the C/4's powerplant was similar to the DOHC Tipo 251 60° V12 found in the Daytona. Displacement of both was 4390cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 81 x 71mm respectively, however, the F101 featured new heads, wet sump lubrication, a lower compression ratio of 8.8:1 and six sidedraught Weber 38 DCOE carbs. Output of the European version was 340bhp at 7000rpm while Ferrari's emissions-equipped US-bound units lost around 20bhp.

Performance wasn't far behind the crushingly fast Daytona, 340bhp versions sprinting from 0-60 in 6.1 seconds while a top speed of 163mph was possible. As usual, the bodywork was designed by Pininfarina, but unlike the Daytona whose shells were made by Scaglietti in Modena, C/4 panels were fabricated by Pininfarina in Turin and shipped to Maranello for completion. Finished almost entirely from steel with the exception of alloy for the bonnet and boot lid, some commentators knocked the styling, citing its apparently ‘un-Ferrari-like’ appearance.

Distinctive details were the matt black synthetic resin noseband that replaced traditional chrome bumpers at the front, matt black also being used for the rear bumper although this was a more conventional piece of painted steel. The cabin was completely new and featured an integrated dash and centre console that lent a very contemporary feel. It was more comfortable and refined than the Daytona and offered a good deal more luggage room. There were two tiny rear seats although these were best folded down for additional storage space. Air conditioning was fitted as standard but so were cloth seat centres, a full Connolly leather interior being an optional extra. Launched during March 1971's Geneva Salon, the GTC/4 surprisingly received a lukewarm reception with some mild negativity being directed towards Pininfarina's styling (although most was aimed at the lack of rear seat space). Many journalists subsequently found that the C/4 to be a more pleasant drive than the Daytona though, making these cars overlooked gems. Production continued for 18 months, during which time 500 were constructed. The last new cars weren't sold until late 1974 - almost two years after production ended - 41 being completed to right-hand drive while two cars were later re-bodied by Michelotti, one as a Beach Car, the other a Shooting Break.