1969 FERRARI 365

Ordered from the Ferrari factory by Maranello Concessionaires, this was the tenth of just 22 examples built specifically for the UK market and is believed to be the 118th of only 150 cars produced worldwide.

First registered YPA 14G on 19 May 1969, the Ferrari was collected the following day by its first owner, Mr Jonathan A. Astor, as a 21st birthday present. It was delivered in the striking combination of Blu Tourbillon with Beige leather, Blue Scuro carpets and a Grigio Chiaro headlining.

Mr Astor retained the car for approximately one year before it passed to Mr Don Nelson of Leicestershire, a serious Ferrari collector who subsequently acquired a 250 GTO from Sir Anthony Bamford in 1972.

In 1977, chassis no. 12447 was acquired by Mr T. Armstrong, before being sold in November 1978 to Mr A. P. Bamford, now Sir Anthony Bamford of JCB. Bamford registered the Ferrari APB 7, which was later transferred to JCB Sales Ltd.

In August 1983, we acquired the Ferrari, marking the beginning of our association with this exceptional 365 GTC. We registered the car KP 53 before selling it in October 1984 to Mr Robert Cooper of Cooper Metals (Holdings) Ltd.

Mr Cooper entrusted the Ferrari to Maranello Concessionaires, where it underwent a comprehensive overhaul and was repainted in Mercedes-Benz Forest Green. The car was subsequently sold by Coys in July 1993 for a reported $72,250.

After passing to Mr D. F. Smith of Berkshire, the Ferrari was sold by Brooks at Olympia in December 1996 to renowned Ferrari collector Carlos Monteverde. Under his ownership, Talacrest identified the car's original factory colour and stripped it to bare metal before refinishing it in Blu Sera – today's equivalent of Blu Tourbillon. Further mechanical work included a new radiator, track rod ends and carpets, with approximately £18,000 spent.

Talacrest later acquired the Ferrari and offered it at the 1999 Goodwood Festival of Speed auction, where it was purchased by Porsche specialist Mark Sumpter.

Remarkably, the car was subsequently tracked down by the son of its original owner, Toby Astor. In October 2000, Jonathan Astor was reunited with his 21st birthday present, purchasing the Ferrari directly from Mr Sumpter.

During its return to Astor ownership, Talacrest rebuilt the engine at a cost of £22,000, while Graham Cooper retrimmed the interior in Sabia hide for a further £5,000. Annual maintenance was initially carried out by Talacrest before moving to Rardley Motors from 2002, where Jonathan Astor continued to have the car serviced and MOT'd each October for many years.

With just 150 examples produced worldwide and only a small number delivered to the UK, the 365 GTC is an increasingly rare and desirable Ferrari. This example boasts an exceptional history, including ownership by Sir Anthony Bamford and Carlos Monteverde, and the unique distinction of returning to its original owner more than 30 years after he first acquired it.