Description
The Ferrari 275 GTB Lightweight was a special competition-focused variant of the 275 GTB, created in very small numbers for endurance racing and serious privateer competition. Built between 1964 and 1966, these cars retained the fundamental beauty and proportions of the standard GTB but were engineered with a clear emphasis on weight reduction, improved performance, and durability under the rigors of long-distance racing.
Like the road-going 275 GTB, the Lightweight model was powered by the Colombo-designed 3.3-liter V12 engine. In competition specification, with six Weber carburetors, higher compression, and revised tuning, output could approach 300 horsepower, providing strong performance across a broad rev range. The power was delivered through the rear-mounted five-speed transaxle, a layout that helped optimize weight distribution. Fully independent suspension and large disc brakes at all four corners provided the handling precision and stopping power needed for competitive racing.
The key to the Lightweight’s performance was its construction. Scaglietti built these bodies almost entirely from thin-gauge aluminum alloy, rather than the heavier steel used for standard production GTBs. The panels were often hand-formed and slightly less refined in finish, prioritizing reduced weight over cosmetic perfection. In some cases, even interior elements such as floor panels and trim were made from lightweight materials, and soundproofing was largely omitted. The result was a significant weight saving — in some cases over 100 kilograms lighter than the road cars — which improved acceleration, braking, and agility.
Visually, the Lightweight cars could be identified by subtle differences in detailing. Some featured riveted body panels, additional cooling vents, or slightly altered bonnet and tail designs to suit racing requirements. Most were fitted with Plexiglas side windows and minimal interior trim, reinforcing their competition purpose. While many retained the “Short Nose” profile of early 275 GTBs, a few later examples incorporated the “Long Nose” front end for better high-speed stability.
Several of these Lightweights were entered into major international endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Targa Florio, and the Nürburgring 1000 km. Their blend of Ferrari’s grand touring chassis with stripped-down, race-focused engineering made them effective and competitive, particularly in GT racing categories. Some were run directly by factory-associated teams, while others were supplied to privateer racers with strong ties to Ferrari.
Production numbers for the 275 GTB Lightweight were extremely limited, making them among the rarest of all 275 variants. Surviving examples are now among the most valuable front-engined Ferraris of the 1960s, prized not only for their scarcity but also for their dual nature as both works of design and serious competition machines. They stand as a reminder of an era when a Ferrari GT could be driven to the track, raced for 24 hours, and then driven home — all with the unmistakable style and engineering excellence of Maranello.