1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4: Derek Bell’s Favorite that Got Away
Jamie Ong
1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4: Maranello’s Last Handcrafted Icon
If the Ferrari 250 GTO is the Mona Lisa, the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is the Sistine Chapel – built at a time when craftsmanship wasn’t an option, it was the standard. Before computers, before wind tunnels, before mass production - there was this. The 275 was the last dual-purpose Ferrari grand tourer with racing DNA and road manners, the final act of Ferrari’s golden era of front-engined V12 grand tourers. The car Enzo kept for himself. The car that Derek Bell - five-time Le Mans winner - called the only machine he ever regretted selling.
Fully restored. Matching numbers. Ferrari Classiche Certified. This is what generational wealth looks like in twelve cylinders.
Designed to Be Driven, Built to Be Remembered
The 275 GTB/4 debuted at the 1966 Paris Motor Show. A 3.3L Colombo V12 with quad cams, dry sump, rear transaxle, and fully independent suspension - tech straight from the track, dressed in the finest Pininfarina tailoring.
Without driver aids and any compromise, just a gated 5-speed, a spine-tingling wail at 8,000 rpm, and perfect 50:50 balance that made Alpine passes feel like home.
The GTB/4 is what happens when old-school grit meets engineering swagger. And this one? Restored to perfection, matching numbers, Ferrari Classiche certified - with a Le Mans legend in the logbook.
The Powertrain: Colombo’s Final Masterpiece, with a Twist
Under the hood lives the legendary Tipo 226 - a 3.3L Colombo V12 with four overhead camshafts (the “/4” in GTB/4), three Weber carburetors, and a soundtrack that belongs in a cathedral.
The 275 GTB/4 was the last of Ferrari’s classic front-engine V12 Berlinettas before the Dino and mid-engine V12s took center stage. It’s often viewed as the pinnacle of the golden age of Enzo-era road cars.
- Engine: 3.3L DOHC V12 (Tipo 226 - first production car with a dual overhead cam)
- Output: ~300 bhp @ 8,000 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed rear-mounted transaxle (weight balance: chef’s kiss)
- Chassis: Tubular steel, independent rear suspension (first Ferrari road car to have it)
- Top Speed: 160 mph (257 km/h), barefoot in a suit
The result? A V12 Ferrari that doesn’t just run - it sings. Mechanical, analog, and brutally elegant.
Derek Bell’s Ferrari. That Should Stop You.
Let’s talk provenance. This is Derek Bell’s GTB/4. A man who’s lived flat-out in 917s, 956s, and Formula 1 - but still called this road car “the one that got away.”
I wish to God I’d never sold that Ferrari.
Bell signed the title and drove the car. To Maranello. Across Europe. Built memories over miles. Most Ferraris have a history. This one has pedigree.
I drove pretty quickly. I suppose I’ve always had the need for speed.
Design: Where Form Follows Emotion
Styled by Pininfarina, hand-built and bodied by Scaglietti in aluminum and steel, and drawn in the language of passion. The 275 GTB/4 is all haunches, scoops, and sinew - like a ballet dancer with a jawline. Many 275 GTB/4s were built with only aluminum bodies for competition - making the 275 incredibly rare.
- Long-nose body, Kamm tail aerodynamics
- Wire Borrani wheels wrapped in period-correct rubber
- Subtle hood bulge (because 4 cams need space to breathe)
- Interior in Nero Connolly leather - pure Italian noir
Every angle is photogenic and the details are deliberate. This isn’t a car you drive to impress. You drive it because it’s the only thing on earth that feels like this.
The Investment Case: Blue-Chip in Rosso
When the world’s market wobbles, collectors go back to the sure bets. The 275 GTB/4 is that bet. At auction, 275 GTB/4s have routinely surpassed €2.8 million to €9.3 million, depending on rarity, ownership, and originality. Some alloy-bodied or historically significant examples have sold for well over €18.5 million.
- Total Production: 330
- Auction Comps: €3.46 - €4.10 million
- Market Trend: Stable upward pressure among long-hold collectors
- Insurance Category: Grade A collectible (Hagerty Insider Market Report, May 2024 - Classic Ferrari Market Analysis)
Celeb Provenance is Real
The celebrity provenance of the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 adds a fascinating layer of allure and mystique to its already legendary status. Owned by iconic figures such as Steve McQueen and Jane Fonda, these cars are more than just masterpieces of engineering - they are rolling pieces of Hollywood history. McQueen’s Chianti Red 275 GTB/4, for example, became a symbol of style and performance, fetching multi-million-dollar prices at auction due in large part to its star-studded past.
Similarly, the fact that this model was cherished by cultural icons and passed through the hands of artists like Roger Vadim and Miles Davis only deepens its narrative, making each car a living testament to the glamorous and storied lives of its owners. This blend of high-profile ownership and exquisite craftsmanship ensures the 275 GTB/4 remains a timeless icon both on and off the road.
Final Word: Enzo’s Last Love Letter
The 275 GTB/4 is the last Ferrari Berlinetta built with Enzo’s fingerprints still on the blueprint. Before regulations. Before emissions. Before things got quiet. It’s the last unapologetic Ferrari. The last road car before regulations softened the bite.
The last time Enzo said, “make it fast, make it loud, and make it by hand.”
This isn’t for speculators or spreadsheet warriors. It’s for the romantic. The driver. The guardian of Ferrari’s soul. With Bell’s name on the history, a Classiche badge on the firewall, and every mechanical system restored to concours standard - it’s the kind of car you protect and pass down.
And this particular car? Sourced through our trusted international network, this 275 GTB/4 represents the highest standards of authenticity and provenance. With matching numbers and well-documented history, it exemplifies the quality and heritage collectors seek. Discover your next timeless classic with Auto Icons where legacy, performance, and lasting value come together via Whatsapp, email, or through the contact form.