344 bhp, 4,390 cc horizontally-opposed, DOHC 12-cylinder engine, four Weber triple-choke carburetors, five-speed manual gearbox in rear transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension with unequal-length A-arms, with coil springs and anti-roll bars, twin coil springs at rear, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 98.4"

- Ferrari’s first road-going flat 12-cylinder “Boxer” design

- Approximately 17,300 original miles

- One of only 387 built

Ferrari’s stunning 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer debuted at Turin in 1971, and its exotic mid-mounted 4.4-liter flat-12 engine was derived from the company’s three-liter Formula 1 car. Production finally commenced in late 1973 as a ’74 model, with 387 built before the release of the 512 in 1976. Road & Track hit 175 mph and called it “the fastest road car we’ve ever tested” in 1975. Ultimately, the BB series marked Ferrari’s last entirely hand-built production car, and today, astute collectors prefer the early 365 GT4 BB above all variants for its striking purity of design.

This early-production car was completed on November 29, 1973 and factory-equipped with air conditioning and a Voxson radio. In December 1974, it was sold new by the factory to Renato Nocentini’s Garage La Rotonda, the official Ferrari dealer in Prato near Florence, Italy. In 1974, it was sold to its first private owner, a resident of Florence, and then in 1975, it was exported to the USA. By the late 1970s, it was listed under the ownership of Phil Conte, the noted West Coast racing team manager, who retained the car until 1985. Mr. Conte had the Boxer federalized at great effort and expense. In 1978, the car was damaged in an accident at Riverside Raceway and was subsequently repaired.

The car remained in sunny, dry California for several years thereafter and was acquired by Bob Law in 1987. He commenced a complete restoration of the car in 1988, including a bare-metal refinish with the front and rear glass left in place to avoid damage, and the virtually irreplaceable original “mouse hair” dash was retained. The engine was rebuilt and blueprinted by the chief technician at Ferrari of Los Gatos, with new stainless-steel valves, bronze-alloy valve guides and hardened valve seats fitted to permit unleaded-fuel use, while the camshafts were re-profiled and an MSD electronic ignition was added.

The last new transaxle assembly was located at Ferrari’s UK parts center and installed. A new high capacity, copper-core radiator and a new later-series multiple-disc clutch were fitted. The shock absorbers and springs were replaced at all four corners by new items from Conte Racing, which also installed an Ansa exhaust. Other upgrades include 9½-inch rear wheels and tires as used on later Boxers, a Clarion radio and Recaro seats.

The Boxer was enjoyed, shown and carefully maintained by Mr. Law. In late 2008, the paint finish was restored, and then in 2009, Ryan Falconer, of Ryan Falconer Racing Engines and IndyCar fame, replaced the engine’s timing belts and fitted new tensioners. A complete valve job was performed, all cylinders were inspected for wear with no issues found, and the complete exhaust system was bead-blasted and painted. Other touches include specially woven floor mats by Kevin Collins Designs and a UHMW high-wear plastic lower front panel, and the long-since unobtainable original fog lamps were replaced by new high-output units.

With only about 900 miles covered since the engine rebuild, mainly during classic tours, the Boxer now shows approximately 17,300 miles. Thoughtfully upgraded and maintained without regard to cost, this stunning first-year Berlinetta Boxer is complete with all original books and tools.