<< Prev Page 2 of 2 The Geneva show car was built on a 330 GT 2+2 Type 571 chassis, while the remaining run used the bespoke but virtually identical Type 598 chassis. The main difference was the use of coil springs at the rear instead of the semi-elliptic leaf springs previously used. The single overhead camshaft engine was also an evolution of the V12 fitted to the 330 GT 2+2, bored out to 81 mm for a total displacement of 4,390 cc or roughly 365 cc per individual cylinder. The refined V12 produced around 320 hp.
Formidably expensive, the 365 California was built to custom order only and most were sold to the United States. Among the customers was a Marquis and also one of the sons of notorious dictator and car enthusiast Rafael Trujillo. Each example differed in detail and particular the controversial tail lights were finished with at least five distinct designs. As mentioned before, eventually only 14 examples were produced with the final car being delivered to its British customer late in 1967.
By this time both Ferrari and Pininfarina realised that a production run this limited no longer made financial sense. Instead, the lavish California was replaced by the altogether more understated 365 GT 2+2 of which an impressive 800 were built between 1968 and 1971. In more recent years the two longtime partners have reintroduced the option for customers to order something truly bespoke but based only on one of Ferrari's mass produced models. Long overlooked, the last truly custom Ferrari has quickly gained in appeal and value over the last few years. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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365 California Spyder
The Geneva show car was built on a 330 GT 2+2 Type 571 chassis, while the remaining run used the bespoke but virtually identical Type 598 chassis. The main difference was the use of coil springs at the rear instead of the semi-elliptic leaf springs previously used. The single overhead camshaft engine was also an evolution of the V12 fitted to the 330 GT 2+2, bored out to 81 mm for a total displacement of 4,390 cc or roughly 365 cc per individual cylinder. The refined V12 produced around 320 hp.