Description
The Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer, unveiled at the 1973 Paris Motor Show, was the production version of Ferrari’s first mid-engined 12-cylinder road car, carrying forward the ideas previewed by the earlier Berlinetta Boxer Prototype. It marked a major departure from Ferrari’s traditional front-engined grand tourers, placing the Colombo-designed 12-cylinder engine directly behind the driver, in line with Ferrari’s racing philosophy.
At the heart of the 365 GT4 BB was a 4.4-litre flat-12 engine, producing around 380 horsepower at 7,700 rpm. Although often called a “boxer,” the engine was technically a 180-degree flat-V12, with opposing pistons sharing crankpins. This layout allowed a very low bonnet line and a compact overall package, contributing to excellent weight distribution. Power was sent through a five-speed manual gearbox mounted transversely behind the engine, and performance figures were impressive: 0–100 km/h in around 5.5 seconds and a top speed close to 300 km/h, making it one of the fastest cars in the world at its debut.
The body was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti. Its sharp, wedge-shaped lines, pop-up headlights, wide stance, and Kamm tail were very much of the early 1970s supercar school, but Ferrari’s execution was elegant and restrained. Early cars featured a black satin finish on the lower half of the body, visually lowering the profile even more. The rear deck housed a large louvered engine cover, and the car’s proportions made it instantly recognisable.
Inside, the 365 GT4 BB offered a blend of racing influence and grand touring comfort. The cabin featured leather seats, a clean dashboard with classic Veglia instruments, and a driving position that gave a strong sense of being at the centre of a racing machine. Though not as luxurious as Ferrari’s front-engined GTs, it still provided the refinement expected of a flagship model.
Production ran from 1973 until 1976, during which 387 examples were built, making it the rarest of the Berlinetta Boxer line. It was later succeeded by the Ferrari 512 BB, which introduced a larger 5.0-litre engine and other refinements.
Today, the 365 GT4 BB is admired as the purest expression of the Berlinetta Boxer series. Its rarity, design purity, and connection to Ferrari’s move into mid-engined supercars give it an iconic status, while its flat-12 engine remains one of the most charismatic powerplants Ferrari ever produced.
Would you like me to also explain how the 365 GT4 BB compares to its successors, the 512 BB and 512 BBi?