Sometimes you find a picture that is worth more than 1000 words. Literally. I know it sounds like a cliche but let me explain.
The 275 GTB Ferrari is one of the most beautiful Ferrari’s ever made. It is the ultimate dual purpose Ferrari. Fast on the track and on rallies but equally drivable to the movie theatre or opera. But the 275 GTB is a complex animal to understand. There were so many versions.
Short versus long nose are the most obvious versions. But there were also: Short nose 3 carb. Short nose 6 carb. Normal 2-cam short nose. Alloy body short nose. A four cam which was by definition a long nose. A four cam alloy. How about a long nose but only only 2 cam. To top it all off there was also a few lightweight 275 GTB/c which were racing versions (only 12 made). In addition there were only three ‘speciale’ 275 GTBC (competizione) including one which won Le Mans in its class (this car, Chassis Nr 06885 GT – is more valuable than any 250 GTO). Confused?
Not to worry. We won’t go into all the differences of the 275 GTB’s but lets examine one big difference which many readers and people ask me about. What exactly is the difference between a ‘short’ and ‘long’ nose?
This is where the main picture above is quite helpful.
Ferrari first introduced the 275 GTB short nose (car in yellow) in 1964 but soon realised that the car at high speeds would have slight front end lift. So it redesigned the car with a longer nose (grey car). The short nose has a wider mouth and grill opening. The lights were positioned further infront which the picture perfectly shows. Many view the short nose (including myself) as optically the more attactive car.
So there you have it. The short nose versus the long nose – best explained by the main picture. Simple as that.
In part II we show you the difference from the front (see post here).
(picture credit: Michael Di Pleco – Sportscar digest).
For those interested in the four cam 275 GTB or Ferrari 275 GTB/4 car please see our in -depth report here.
