Michael Bayer's 365GTC4

I began looking for a Ferrari 365GTC/4 about 3 years ago. Given the small number built (500) and my guess of only 375 survivors, I knew it would take time to find the car I wanted. I must have looked at 20 cars from New York to California. Most were red, not my preferred color for this car, though after careful consideration I decided against each on other grounds, though wiser from each review.

Then in March 2005, I received a call from Phil Hammel who told me of his California car, #14947 which was purchased new (344 miles) 3/4/73 from Taylor Rolls Royce by Dexter Coffin of Palm Beach, FL. The car was later sold 12/14/99 (8868 miles) to Patrick Hart of Redmond, Washington where it was added to his collection of 40 classic cars (including 6 other Ferraris). Mr. Hart had a full-time Ferrari mechanic on staff -Mr. Anthony Garmey- who serviced and maintained this vehicle as part of his duties. Phil was a friend of Mr. Hart, and when Hart passed away and his collection sold, Phil purchased the car 7/1/2002 with 12,688 miles. My conversation with Phil was long and detailed, and I was more than interested. Phil then sent me a set of photos and after I saw them, I was ready to have the car inspected. I asked Tom Shaughnessy, who had written a terrific FORZA article on the GTC/4, to do the pre-purchase inspection. Tom agreed, and following three hours with the car, gave it a rave review. I closed the deal with Phil that afternoon and 30 days later it arrived with 13,800 miles from new, and all the extras as Phil had described: tools, books and documentation. I then had Chuck Wray go through the car and Delphos Collision paint the front bumper to match the body.

The sound it makes as it goes through the gears is terrific, it is a joy in the curves and its top speed well exceeds my comfort zone! #14947 is a terrific car,in great part from the excellent care it received from each of its previous owners.

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