Horacio Pagani has spent his career building some of the most extreme hypercars in the world, from the Zonda to the Huayra and Utopia. So when he gives a closer look at a car from his own collection, enthusiasts pay attention. His Ferrari 275 GTB/4, one of the most admired grand tourers of the 1960s, offers a fascinating window into the influences behind Pagani’s own design philosophy.
Who Is Horacio Pagani?
Born in Argentina in 1955, Pagani moved to Italy in the early 1980s and worked at Lamborghini, where he became a pioneer in the use of carbon fibre. In 1992 he founded his own company near Modena, and in 1999 launched the Zonda, powered by a Mercedes-AMG V12.
Pagani is famous for obsessive attention to detail. Every bolt, switch and surface in his cars is designed with the same care, and he often cites Leonardo da Vinci’s idea that art and science should work hand in hand. That philosophy makes his appreciation of classic cars especially revealing.
Why the 275 GTB/4 Matters
The Ferrari 275 GTB/4 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and complete Ferraris ever built. Produced from 1966 to 1968, it combined racing-derived engineering with elegant, long-bonnet styling and genuine everyday usability. For many collectors, it represents the high point of Ferrari’s classic front-engine V12 era.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.3-litre Colombo V12 with four overhead camshafts
- Power: around 300 PS
- Fuel system: six Weber carburettors
- Lubrication: dry sump
- Transmission: five-speed transaxle mounted at the rear
- Top speed: around 260 km/h (about 160 mph)
- Production: roughly 330 cars, including a handful of NART Spiders
The “/4” refers to the four camshafts, two per cylinder bank, which made it the first Ferrari road car with a four-cam V12.
The Long Nose Explains Everything
The 275’s proportions, with a long bonnet, set-back cabin and short tail, came from the need to fit a big V12 up front and a transaxle at the back. Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, the body follows those mechanical requirements so naturally that form and function feel inseparable.
Why Designers Still Study It
Designers admire the 275 for its purity. There are no unnecessary lines or decorations; every curve has a purpose. The way light flows over the bodywork, from the oval grille to the tapering rear, remains a reference point for anyone designing sports cars today.
The V12 Under the Bonnet
The Colombo V12, named after engineer Gioachino Colombo, powered Ferraris for decades. In the 275 GTB/4, the four-cam layout improved breathing and allowed higher revs, giving the car a thrilling, smooth power delivery and a soundtrack that still defines classic Ferrari for many enthusiasts.
The Transaxle Changed the Formula
Placing the gearbox at the rear, combined with fully independent rear suspension, gave the 275 better weight distribution and handling than earlier Ferrari grand tourers. Later versions linked the engine and gearbox with a rigid torque tube to reduce vibration. It was a significant step forward in road-car engineering.
Inside the Cabin
The interior is simple and focused: a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a gated gear shifter, clear analogue gauges and leather seats. There are no screens or driver aids, just a direct connection between driver and machine.
What Pagani Notices First
For a designer like Pagani, the details matter as much as the overall shape: the quality of the chrome, the shape of the door handles, the way the gauges are arranged. Classic Ferraris were largely hand-built, and that craftsmanship echoes in Pagani’s own workshop, where much of each car is still assembled by hand.
Why Analogue Ferraris Still Influence Hypercars
Modern hypercars are packed with electronics, but the best ones still aim to deliver the feeling of connection that cars like the 275 offered. Pagani has repeatedly emphasised manual gearboxes, beautiful mechanical details and visible engineering, all qualities that trace back to cars of this era.
Collector Value
Ferrari 275 GTB/4s regularly sell for several million dollars at auction, with rare versions like the NART Spider achieving far higher prices. But for owners like Pagani, the value lies as much in history, design and driving experience as in investment potential.
Why It Still Feels Current
More than half a century after it was built, the 275 GTB/4 still looks fresh. Its proportions, simplicity and sense of purpose have aged far better than many more extravagant designs.
A Reflection of Pagani’s Philosophy
Pagani’s own cars combine cutting-edge materials with an almost old-world love of craftsmanship. The 275 GTB/4 represents the craftsmanship side of that equation: a car where engineering and beauty are inseparable.
Why It Will Always Matter
Trends in car design come and go, but cars like the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 remain reference points. When one of today’s most respected hypercar makers chooses to celebrate it, it shows just how deep its influence runs.
FAQ
Why does Horacio Pagani admire the Ferrari 275 GTB/4?
It represents the blend of engineering, craftsmanship and beauty that he pursues in his own cars.
What makes the 275 GTB/4 special?
Its four-cam V12, rear transaxle, independent rear suspension and elegant Pininfarina design made it one of the finest grand tourers of the 1960s.
How many were built?
Around 330 were produced between 1966 and 1968, including a small number of NART Spiders.
Is it one of Ferrari’s greatest road cars?
Many historians and collectors consider it one of the best Ferraris ever made.
What can modern designers learn from it?
That purity of form, clear proportions and engineering-led design can create timeless beauty.
