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As unveiled at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, the 275 GTB was a road car with race-inspired engineering. Features such as an all-independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, a five speed, all-synchromesh transaxle and an optional alloy body distinguished the 275 from the much larger 330 GTC built beside it and the 250 Lusso built before it.

At the time, Ferrari's street coupes were contrasting more with their race cars. However, after the rear engine 250 LM was denied homologation, Ferrari had to modify the recently released 275 GTB into a more purposeful racecar, thus bridging the diverging requirements of road and race into one dual-purpose sports car.

Initally Ferrari prepared a trio of cars known as the Competizion Speciales. The first prototype was chassis #06021 and it had several new ideas such as a revamped nose, an aluminum body, rear wheel vents and a hood scoop. After some positive testing, Ferrari was motivated to finalize this specification with hopes of selling a series competition GTBs. Mauro Forghieri was ordered to redesign his road car into a race car which would be a true successor to the legendary 250 GTO.

Upon first glace, some of Forghieri's body modifications are apparent: The front of the car lends traits from the 330 LMB including a small front intake and oversize fenders to accommodate wider wheels. What isn't instantly apparent is the 10 percent reduction in overall size, or Plexiglas windows and the easily dented 21 gauge alloy body. This is the one car that you don't lean on!

Like the body, chassis arrangements focus on reduced weight. A smaller diameter chassis is used and, like the GTO, has a separate structure to support the roof and body. Furthermore much of the tubes and chassis details are drilled, the interior is completely stripped and magnesium is used for various engine and transaxle castings to reduce weight.

Powering the Speciale is a modified version of the 275 engine which is almost a six carb version of the 250 LM unit. In 1965, power was rated at 300 bhp, but it has been postulated that this engine can produce much more, since the figure was advertised for homologation purposes.

As a completed car, Ferrari had produced a 275 that was too reminiscent of the 250 GTO project. Even the FIA was convinced of this fact, and they refused to homologate the car as a GT condender because it was 500 lbs lighter than the road-going GTB. This angered Enzo Ferrari and after threats of abandoning GT motor sport, a middle ground was met. With some reluctance, the GTB was homologated mid-season, albeit with ballast weight that put it at 2156 lbs.

The highlight of the very brief racing career for these cars came at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. At this event, a yellow GTB/C Speciale, chassis #6885 was prepared by Ferrari for the team Ecurie Francorchamps from Belgium. While the Cobras and prototype entrants took the lead from the start, the 275 was more reliable and was in third place by the morning. During the very hot day, the car was overheating and leading the GT class in front of five Cobras. A quick decision was made to cut open a hole in the front of the car and, aside from hampering aerodynamics, the cooling problems were alleviated. After 24 hours, the car placed third overall and first in the GT class, marking the first racing victory for the 275 GTB, and its first race as a GT class contender.

The Three Chassis

Only three examples of the Speciale were produced. After these cars, 22 subsequent competition GTBs were made to more outwardly reflect the production version. These cars were very successful, taking many class victories and adapting refinements first used with the Speciales.

Chassis 06885GT - This was the first official Competition GTB and the most prolific. After brief stints at the Nurburgring and Targa Florio where it raced as a prototype, it was painted yellow as raced by Ecurie Francorchamps drivers Mairesse and Blaton. After being homologated, they raced the car at Le Mans and placed first in the GT class, gaining the first 275 GTB victory. This was followed up by an outright win for Charlie Kolb at Nassau. In 1988 the car was sold to Preston Henn for a rumored 10 million. He has since shown it several times in throughout America and it was one of the highlight cars at both the 40th anniversary reunion and the 2004 Ferrari FCA meet in Monterey.

Chassis 06701GT - Used only in testing, this Speciale was sold before the 275 was homologated. As such it has no race history. In 1995 it was sold to Brandon Wang who comprehensively restored it after a crash during the 1997 Tour Auto. During the restoration the car received three GTO style louvers above the grill to alleviate the cooling problems known to exist with the standard configuration.

Chassis 07185GT - As the third and final example produced, this chassis raced Sebring but did not finish. It currently has a much different body than the first two versions with a much taller rear end and larger front air intake. It was offered for sale my Michael Sheehan, who had the car for sale in 1998 for $1 500 00 USD. It is currently owned by Robson S. Walton of Bentonville, AR, USA.

Bluemel, Keith. 'The 275 GTB/C Speciale'. Cavallino, Vol 110. 1999 Jones, Gordon et. al. The FORD That Beat FERRARI, Kimberley's, London: 1985. Ridgley, Doug. 'The 275 GTB/C'. Cavallino, Vol 48. 1989 Rogliatti, Gianni Ferrari: Ecurie Garage Francochamps, Nada: 1992. Sonnery, Marc. '275 GTB S/N 6885'. Cavallino, Vol 81. 1994 Webb, Ian. Ferrari 275 GTB & GTS, Oprey Publishing Limited: 1981

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net