The production of these luxury sports cars included models such as the Ferrari 342 America, 375 America, 400 Superamericaand 410 Superamerica plus the 1964 Superfast 500 , which was replaced by 365 California.
These cars with very particular characteristics and low production numbers had a limited and exclusive audience, most of them being tycoons or characters such as film directors or presidents of large companies.
Enzo Ferrari noted that those extravagant customers presented themselves “with their wealth”. He also claimed that they spent a lot of time and patience while choosing finishing details and other matters such as color combinations and leathers for upholstery.
The 365 California had a chassis similar to the “Type 571” used in the Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2. The main difference was in the reinforcements included to support a larger and more powerful engine than the one used in the 330.
The engine used in the 365 California was a 60º V12 designed by Colombo and modified for this car especially. Called 217 B, this 4.390 cm3 impeller equipped with 3 Weber 40DCI/4 carburetors (or DFI/4) delivered a power of 320 hp at 6,600 rpm. With this V12, the 365 California reached a top speed (approx.) of 250 km/h. The transmission included a 4-speed manual gearbox.
One feature that makes this Ferrari 365 so exotic is its status as a convertible with four seats to transport four adult passengers. The design of the body was carried out by Pininfarina, who by this time was almost a symbol of Ferrari"s evolution. The aesthetic work done at 365 California was almost controversial, as it had extremely exquisite details and typical of Italian design such as the front and profile; while from behind it looked unharmonious.
Other rare details on the body were the retractable lights located at the front and the stylized side (non-functional) air intake located at the door handle. This air intake was being used in the first vehicles with engines located behind the passenger compartment, so they were little needed in this front motor sport. The lights mentioned above looked very bad when they were actuated, as they stood out interrupting the formal continuity of the tube.
Inside the Ferrari 365 California there was a good combination of luxury and sporty spirit. The leather seats combined with polished wood panels on the top and the centre console provided elegance, while the shape of the seats and the instruments reflected the essence of the Ferrari.
Perhaps the most curious thing about the manufacture of this model is that there were no optional options for the customer, who could only choose between 15-inch Borrani steel wire rims or lightweight alloy wheels. This is strange because in models such as the 410 or 340 America the customer could choose between infinite options.
© Adrián Blanco 2006 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
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