Lot 278

The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection

1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4

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$40,000 - $50,000 USD  | Offered Without Reserve

United States | Los Angeles, California

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Chassis No.
15633
Engine No.
00427
Gearbox No.
422
To be offered on Saturday, 26 October 2024
  • Delivered new to Bill Harrah’s famous Ferrari distributorship, Modern Classic Motors
  • Retains its original color combination of Blu Ribot over Nero Cogolo leather
  • The 423rd of 500 examples produced
  • Previously owned by noted Hollywood producer and director, James R. Burroughs; acquired hence by Porche Foreign Auto during September 1977
Addendum: Please note that this vehicle is being offered as parts only.

Penned by Filippo Sapino of Pininfarina, the Ferrari 365 GTC/4’s flowing wedge shape was a significant departure from the more traditional profile of its predecessors when it debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. Proportioned like a two-seater coupe while cleverly incorporating fold-down rear seats, the GTC/4 effectively replaced two models, the 365 GTC and 365 GT 2+2. Both in design and performance, the 365 GTC/4 was more subdued and luxurious than the aggressive 365 GTB/4, its two-seater contemporary built on the same chassis. Ferrari produced approximately 500 examples over 18 months, the bulk of which were sold in the United States.

After completion in Maranello during May 1972, this 365 GTC/4, chassis 15633, was imported to the United States for distribution through William Harrah’s famous Ferrari distributorship, Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada. It was finished as it presents today in Blu Ribot (2.443.631) over Nego Cogolo leather and optioned with power windows and air conditioning. According to the car’s Pininfarina body number, 15633 is the 423rd completed example of this short-lived model.

By February 1977, 15633 had entered the garage of noted Hollywood producer and director James R. Burroughs and he had the car registered to his Beverly Hills address bearing the registration number “966 MOX.” Unfortunately, only a few short months into their tenure together, Burroughs and the car were involved in a traffic incident on 30 July 1977.

On 13 September 1977, Rudi Klein purchased 15633 from Burroughs (and the car’s lienholder) for $10,000 cash. Historic images (on file) from the moment of the car’s arrival at the Porche Foreign Auto yard not only reveal the seemingly minor extent of damage suffered by 15633, but also that a prior owner had painted the car’s bonnet intake scoops with black paint––rather like an American muscle car. Klein immediately sold this bonnet, as well as the car’s center-lock Campagnolo wheels, but otherwise appears to have left 15633 largely intact.

Since entering Klein’s secret horde of classic sports cars, this 365 GTC/4 Berlinetta remained entirely obscured from public view until July 2024, when RM Sotheby’s staff arrived on-site at Porche Foreign Auto to catalogue and photograph the entire collection. Available now for the first time in nearly five decades, it represents an enticing opportunity to return one of Ferrari’s uncommon and appealing 2+2s to the road.