1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
A marvel of Italian automotive artistry, the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS first graced the stage of the Paris Salon in October 1964, alongside its closed berlinetta (GTB) counterpart.
Both models bore the unmistakable signature of Pininfarina’s design prowess, yet their production paths diverged, with Scaglietti overseeing the berlinetta’s creation while Pininfarina’s Grugliasco facility assumed stewardship of the open-top spider.
Beneath its distinctive steel body, adorned with aluminum doors, hood, and trunk lid, the 275 GTS harbored a soul akin to its performance-oriented sibling, the 275 GTB. The spider’s visage was punctuated by uncovered headlamps, triple-louvered fenders, and a tapered posterior, while Borrani wire wheels served as its standard footwear.
These defining traits would later be inherited by the 330 and 365 GTS iterations that followed in its wake.
Yet, it is imperative to recognize that beneath this unique exterior, the 275 GTS shared its mechanical heart with the 275 GTB, including a rear-mounted transaxle that optimized weight distribution and mass allocation. As a consequence, both body styles of this remarkable model have earned acclaim for their exceptional balance.
Under the hood, the 275 GTS is propelled by a formidable Colombo-designed V12 engine, displacing 3.3 liters and producing an impressive 260 horsepower. This powerplant, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, endows the convertible with lively performance, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 6.6 seconds and attaining a top speed of 149 mph.
The interior of the 275 GTS is a study in understated elegance, with supple leather upholstery, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and an array of gauges that keep the driver apprised of the car’s vital signs.
During its fleeting 18-month production span, a mere 200 examples of the 275 GTS emerged from Pininfarina’s studio, rendering it considerably scarcer than its closed counterpart. While many perceived the 275 GTB as the more assertive of the duo, its fixed roof lending itself to high-performance exploits, the 275 GTS was no laggard.
Road & Track‘s rapturous review, featured in the September 1966 issue, waxed lyrical about the 275 GTS, remarking that “with the top down, all the extraneous noises disappear and one simply exults in the purr from those beautiful tailpipes. Sheer ecstasy.”
Today, the 275 GTS is revered by marque aficionados as the opulent grand touring embodiment of the lauded 3.3-liter platform. It has ascended to the pantheon of the era’s most sought-after open Ferraris, cherished for its sublime coachwork, exhilarating open-air driving experience, and potent drivetrain—the quintessence of Maranello’s finest creations.
Credit: RM Sotheby’s
