A big change from its predecessor, the legendary 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, Ferrari’s mid-engined 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer debuted at the 1971 Turin Show as a prototype and commenced production in 1973 almost unaltered. This entirely new model was the first road-going Ferrari not to have a vee-configuration engine, and the 365 GT4 reflected Ferrari's motor racing heritage; its 4.4-litre, four-cam, 'boxer' engine drew on experience gained from the Maranello firm's World Championship-winning, flat twelve-cylinder F1 and sports-racing units and developed no less than 360 bhp at 7,700rpm. Rumours abounded that the prototype Boxer had run at over 290 km/h, and even though the production version managed 'only' around 280 km/h, there have been few disappointed customers. The mid-located engine gave near-perfect balance and ensured that the Boxer's handling matched its stupendous straight-line speed.

A combination tubular/monocoque chassis housed the mid-mounted engine/five-speed transaxle package that ingeniously placed the motor above the gearbox and final drive, thus avoiding an overly long wheelbase. The ensemble was clothed in elegant, low-slung Berlinetta coachwork by Pininfarina. The result of extensive wind tunnel testing, Pininfarina's masterpiece was assembled in Modena by Scaglietti and comprised a superstructure mixing aluminum-alloy and steel panels, complemented by matt black-finished glassfibre elements beneath the front and rear overhangs. At the time of its introduction the 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer was the world's fastest and most expensive car. Only 367 were constructed between 1973 and 1976 and of those, only three were originally finished in Oro Chiaro, including the example presented here.

Chassis no. 18261 was delivered new to the U.S. in January of 1975 and purchased by J.G. Walker Jr. of Tyler, Texas through Luigi Chinetti Motors. By 1983, the car appeared for sale in the Ferrari Market Letter, described as being finished in “Champagne” paintwork with black boxer trim and a tan interior, showing 6,000 miles. By the end of the year, the car had moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and remained there until at least April of 1987, offered for sale again in the Ferrari Market Letter, now sporting 11,000 miles from new.

In 1988, the car was exported from Pennsylvania to Sweden. Interestingly, the car would remain with that owner for the following twenty-seven years before being sold to the consignor in 2016. Invoices on file show that the car’s timing belts were replaced in Sweden in 2015, and the car has been driven roughly 300 km since. Earlier this year, the 365 GT4 BB was sent to Fernandes Oldtimertechnik where it received a comprehensive servicing at a cost of over €30,000 which included attention to the carburetors, fuel hoses, front axle, brakes, and steering box. Both the timing belt and tyres was inspected and assessed to be in good condition and was not replaced.

Still retaining its beautiful, original beige leather interior with black inserts, its presents well in its highly attractive colour combination and would stand proud in any collection.