Mark L's 365GTB/4


I have been car crazy since I was 5 and started collecting the gas powered Formula One cars that went in a circle at about 200 MPH on a ten foot wire. Fortunately I lived through adolescence and moved up to British Sports Cars ( 2 MGB's) in high school and early Porsches after college. I have been racing in the Skip Barber Formula Dodge Series for about ten years and would find my way into a Porsche Club race on occasion as well.

Through the years I always had an eye out for my high school dream car, just waiting for the right car at the right time. Well, last January the stars were in alignment and after only 4 months negotiation a black 2 owner 365 GTB/4 made it's way to my garage. It was a true 10 footer. Looked great on paper but was a very tired old car. The first owner drove the car 10 years during which time it was rode hard (65,000 miles) and put away wet. During the next 22 years it was barely rode at all. With only  6500 additional miles showing on the clock. It got plenty of routine maintenance, but time and inactivity took a toll.

I drove the car all summer putting about 2000 miles on her just to get a feel for the car. Straight pipes went on in early June and the bark became alittle more serious. By August all of the little noises were getting louder and the oil blow by alittle more copious so it was time to get serious. My plan from the beginning was to do the motor and the paint and freshen everything necessary along the way. Well, needless to say it has become a complete restoration. The motor is being done by a couple of Ferrari guys I trust and a local friend who specializes in Jaguars and Maseratis is doing the body and mechanicals. When done we will have taken a few liberties such as velocity stacks, higher compression pistons, P6 cams and straight pipes. Found some wider Cromodoras in FML and may even track it once or twice to get a feel for the car on the track. With a little luck a year from now I can send you some after pictures.

Mark L
1971 365 GTB/4 #14155

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