Ferrari’s stunning 365 GT/4 BB debuted at Turin in 1971. It was the company’s first road going model with a mid-mounted, flat 12-cylinder engine, which was subsequently nicknamed the “Boxer”, for its opposing pistons. The exotic design was derived from the company’s three-litre Formula One car, and it took two years to bring into production. It was finally launched in late 1973, as a 1974 model, and only 387 were built in the following three years. Road & Track hit 175 mph in one during a road test in 1975, allowing it to dub the original Boxer “the fastest road car we’ve ever tested”.

As the replacement for the iconic 365 GTB/4 Daytona became the 365 GT/4 BB, and it was produced alongside the Daytona before Ferrari fully transitioned to the Berlinetta Boxer, the company momentarily abandoned the front-engine layout in favour of mid-engine cars for its top-performance models. This 365 Boxer was produced between 1973 and 1976, before production changed over to the 512 BB.

The car offered here, chassis number 17967, is documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini as an original right-hand-drive car, supplied in the United Kingdom through Maranello Concessionaires. The BB was ordered on 2 April 1974 and was invoiced on 19 June by Ferrari SEFAC to Maranello Concessionaires. Then, on the 15th of May of the following year, it was sold to Bert Caira, of Scotland. It was later owned by John Spooner and Anthony Pittam before being sold in 1989 at a UK auction for ₤200,925, which was, at the time, a world record for a 365 GT4 BB!

The buyer at that sale proudly re-registered the car as BB 365, the cherished registration which is offered with the car today. The car was featured in numerous books and magazines before winning several concours awards whilst in the ownership of Richard Dyke Price, in whose care the car was maintained by the specialists at DK Engineering. Later, the car was acquired by Jon Wijaya, of Southeast Asia, in whose ownership it was refinished in Rosso Corsa with Nero door sills and a Crema interior, as it is seen today. A report by Mr Wijaya on the car appeared in the March 2013 issue of Thoroughbred & Classic Cars.

During a recent inspection, the car was determined to have its original chassis number stamping. The car has just completed a major engine-out belt service and has been Ferrari Classiche certified. Additionally, the BB is offered with a substantial file of documentation covering its life, including copies of original Maranello Concessionaires sales paperwork, as well as a set of proper tools.

Thrilling and elemental, the 365 GT4 BB is the most desirable of the Boxer Berlinettas. Offered here is one known to British enthusiasts by its famous registration plate: one of only fifty-eight original, right-hand-drive UK-delivered examples with known, documented history, making it suitable for the finest of collections.