As a young man in his first job with Alfa Romeo, Luigi Chinetti met another young mechanic named Enzo Ferrari. Over the years their fates would entwine until Chinetti became the first factory representative in the US for Ferrari. Chinetti owned the North American Racing Team (NART), sponsoring privateers in premier endurance races under the Ferrari brand. Needless to say, Chinetti had the ear of Enzo Ferrari, and in the mid-1980s he used that influence to transform two 365 GTs into spyders, sanctioned by Ferrari. This was not Chinetti’s first rodeo on the custom car carousel. In 1967 he made what is considered one of the most beautiful cars in the world, the 275 GTB/4 NART spyder. An example of this car held the world record for a car at auction for several years. But the 365 GT intrigued Chinetti because the chassis was tubular alloy and the motor offered scads of performance; if the car could be stripped to the basics, and lightened by several hundred pounds, it could be very fast. Chinetti received permission for this new NART spyder and set about redesigning the 365’s body. Here at Autogalerie in Sinzig, Germany, is one of the two 365 GT-based NART spyders ever made, with an asking price of approximately $1.4 million. Kyle K. gave us this fantastic tip – thanks!
The listing doesn’t include engine photos, but since it is one of two examples, it wasn’t hard to find the car covered at a few other venues. Voila! Here is the magnificent 4390 cc V12 with triple twin-choke Webers, NART-designed manifolds, capable of generating 360 bhp. Chinetti was true to his word, shaving roughly 1000 lbs off the original car’s weight. That and tuning encourage sixty mph to arrive in six seconds from a standstill. The gearbox is a five-speed manual.
The interior is champagne and black leather and appears to be in near-new condition. This car has spent its entire existence in Germany; obviously, someone made sure it was well cared for. The layout is simple as a stone with no frills. Gone is the air conditioning, and most of the rest is from a 308.
The panels are aluminum. From this perspective, its lines appear graceful enough, but other views reveal its ungainly height and awkwardly narrow nose. I don’t care for the splashy prancing horse badging, and when erected, the top looks like it doesn’t really fit. Chinettia himself, in this interview, breezily claims the designers misinterpreted his clay model, and that he wasn’t involved enough in the manufacturing process to save the car from its ugly duckling demeanor. The other of the two 365-based NART spyders has a similar vacuum cleaner appearance. Valuing this car is difficult since sales occur so rarely but I am going to say there’s room to bargain.
Ugly works. Surprised it’s badged a Ferrari.
It’s sad 2 365GT’s died for these. Very awkward design. I learned something new this morning. Up to now I never knew this existed. Thanks for the story behind this car. Another case where the story is more interesting that the car that was produced.
Another special Ferrari going on the block! Hmmm..
The lines are gorgeous, until you get to the front view and see the English Bulldog underbite. As Mel Brooks once famously said, “Woof!!”
You’re right, Michelle-with a nose like there’ll be some $$ bargaining room regardless how well it sings.
Ferrari Anteater?
Wow that’s awful. Looks like a Fiero-based wanna’ be.
Hello, is this yours? Is it a kit car?
It’s got the same steering wheel as my Ferrari Mondial and the same ashtray as my Fiat Dino.
If a car could be a butterface…
It makes its own clothes..
Dio mio!!! My first thought was somebody did something cruel and unusual to a 1987 Corvette convertible. And, as a product of the union of two Italians, I am ashamed to see this design. I need to go look at some Riva speedboat and Sophia Loren images to get this brutal sight off my mind. A small glass of wine wouldn’t hurt either. Ciao!
Exactly. Looks like a late ’80s Corvette with the headlights and grille of Toyota 2000GT grafted on. I can also recommend Gina Lollobrigida, circa 1950s.
It’s going to be frustrating for the new owner to pay over a million for something that everybody is going to think is a kit car from the 80’s and are wondering why it was allowed in a prestigious Italian concourse. Might be a hit at a Radwood show though.
Ugly goes clear to the bone…
So, according to the seller. If you have to ask about an engine? You can’t afford the car. Weird.
No pictures with the pop up headlights raised, I cringe thinking how much more uglier it would look.
If only the grill was squared off in the corners, it wouldn’t look like it is cringing itself. 😬
Welp, now we know it is possible to turn a beautiful Ferrari into an ugly Ferrari. $1.3 million for a Fiero kit car lookalike? No thank you. The next owner is going to be sorely disappointed when they take it to a car show and everyone asks what year Fiero they used to build it.
Let it be clear that this was not styled by Luigi Chinetti but rather by his son, Luigi Jr.
Was he the son who refused to wear glasses?
I never thought I’d say this, but that is one butt-ugly Ferrari.
This is really sad to see,as a Daytona is one of the nicest
looking cars ever made.
Why do I keep getting signed off here?
I just signed in a few minutes ago,then I got
signed off.
Its not ugly, its just not the right color. Its not red! I’m sure no one would kick this car out of their garage.
I wouldn’t even ALLOW it in my garage.
Wrong.
Chinetti Jr was responsible for some awful Feŕrari makeovers. This is one. He did some ok stuff, but his real talent was for making a profit.
Thankfully they only made two!
Crows Nest Pete.
Love learning from Michelle’s great research on all velocipedes and unique comments, they are only surpassed by the members wisdom and true feelings on same, we are all VERY different !!
I’m an “F” car owner and am prepared to slash my wrists if they ever design anything like this “Bulldogs breakfast” again.
i;m not the sharpest tool in the shed & i’m an total vw nut, but i don’t get the below comment from the sellers web page. i had an old 57 bug that could stop in those times.
“accelerates from 6 to 0 km/h in about 100 seconds”.