The first turn of the ignition key begins a “click-click-click” sound as the fuel pumps prepare to awaken the Ferrari’s six gorgeous side-draft 38 DCOE Weber carburetors. Momentarily, the Colombo derived V-12 jumps to life and begins its song. At 7,000 rpm the legendary 4.4-liter motor produces a robust 320 horsepower, accompanied by music only Maranello can create.

Debuting in 1971, the Ferrari 365 GTC/4 rode a wheelbase of 98.4 inches (stretched four inches from a Daytona) and was clothed in graceful, subtle Pininfarina styling. The quoted 0–60 mph time for this Ferrari 2+2 was 6.7 seconds, with a 163-mph top speed—yet with ZF power steering, vented disc brakes on all corners, air conditioning, and a Blaupunkt radio, it was not only quick, but comfortable and confident as well.

This example, chassis 15317, was built in February of 1972. One of 500 examples produced, of which only 194 were designated for the US, it was sold new through Luigi Chinetti Motors of Greenwich, Connecticut. After a relatively short stint with its first owner, it was acquired by its long-term second owner, William Beach, who in a recent conversation recalled purchasing it from an estate; it had been driven only approximately 700 miles at the time.

Beach was the car’s steward for nearly 48 years, enjoying both driving it and maintaining it in optimal condition. Invoices on file from Evans Automotive Repair of Columbus, Ohio spanning 2014–2018 detail over $81,000 in work lavished on this Ferrari during Beach’s tenure. This included an engine rebuild undertaken with an eye on a European tour. This planned tour did not happen, however, and the car was acquired by only its third owner in January 2020. At this time, its odometer indicated 3,633 miles.

Acquired by the consignor in April 2021, this 365 GTC/4 shows just 4,201 miles at time of cataloguing. Reflecting its limited mileage, it is as beautiful and functional beneath the hood and on the undercarriage as it is on the outside. Its correct Grigio Argento exterior (paired with correct Nero Cogolo interior with red carpets) is believed to have received some corrective paintwork over the years, contributing to its highly appealing presentation today.

The 365 GTC/4 is considered by many to be a more user-friendly iteration of the famed Daytona, and like any four-passenger Ferrari it is an ideal grand tourer blending luxury with Italian engineering and sporting dynamics. With its history of dedicated stewardship, this wonderfully preserved example retains its numbers-matching engine and rear axle, and is accompanied by tools, jack, and hammer, owner’s manuals, and documentation including service records and Massini Report. It represents an excellent opportunity to add a low-mileage front-engine V-12 Ferrari to your stable.