The 365 GT 2+2 was presented at the 1967 Paris Motor Show, and was heir to the 500 Superfast, upholding the traditions of the 250 GTE and 330 GT 2+2. With its elegant, imposing lines, it was the first Ferrari to feature power steering and air conditioning as standard for the American market, as well as a spacious luggage compartment and two proper rear seats.
The 365 GT 2+2 Coupé was presented at the 1967 Paris Salon to replace the 330 GT 2+2, and stayed in production for just over three years until early 1971. The body was by Pininfarina and the cars were constructed and trimmed at their works, before shipment to the Ferrari factory for fitment of the mechanical components.
The new model bore a resemblance to the 365 California at the front, although the quarter bumpers were bulkier, and incorporated side/turn light assemblies in the front face that were unique to this model. It also featured black plastic engine bay exhaust air louvres on the scuttle, either side of the trailing edge of the bonnet.
The five-glass cabin profile was longer than that of its predecessor, the 330 GT 2+2, with a longer and shallower slope to the rear screen, which ran into a virtually flat boot lid terminating in an angular Kamm tail. The tail panel had a pair of horizontal triple circular lens light assemblies mounted in a rectangular chrome surround bezel, below which was a full width chrome-plated bumper.
A hydro-pneumatic, self-levelling rear suspension system was developed with Koni to guarantee excellent road-holding whatever the load. Approximately 800 cars were built between 1967 and 1971.
Although the 365 GT 2+2 shared the same wheel base as the 330 GT 2+2, it was wider, and whilst low and elegant looked big, due to increased front and rear overhangs, which extended the overall length by more than 130 mm. Initially it was fitted with similar design 10-hole alloy wheels as had been used on the Series II 330 GT 2+2, and then later with five-spoke ‘star’ patterns.
Borrani wire wheels remained available as an option throughout production. At about the same time as the change of wheel design, the plexiglass covers over the headlights were deleted, although the light position in deep wing recesses remained.
The bodies were mounted on a 2650 mm wheel base chassis, which had factory reference number 591, and all were numbered in the odd chassis number road car sequence. It was constructed along similar lines to the preceding model, with large section oval main tubes, substantial cross bracing, and sub-assemblies welded to the main frame to support the body, plus ancillary equipment. An innovation to this model was the self-levelling independent rear suspension, to maintain a constant ride height irrespective of load. It was also the first large series production Ferrari to feature power-assisted steering as standard, and was available as either left-or right-hand drive.
The engine was a single overhead camshaft per bank 4.4 litre V12 unit, with factory type reference 245. It had a total cubic capacity of 4,390 cc and a bore and stroke of 81 x 71 mm, with outside the vee spark plug arrangement, fitted with a bank of three twin choke Weber 40 DFI/5 carburettors. A twin coil and distributor ignition system mounted to the rear of the engine claimed to produce 320 hp. The engine was coupled to a 5-speed, all-synchromesh gearbox, with final drive through a propeller shaft to the differential unit, with drive shafts to each independently sprung rear wheel.