Andreas Wuest’s 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 Croisette Shooting Brake by Felber was presented with Magneto’s prestigious Art of Bespoke Award at this year’s edition of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week 2024 The winning Ferrari was gifted a stunning trophy fittingly created by world-renowned Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.
Created in 2023, the Art of Bespoke Award is bestowed on the low-volume or one-off model that best represents the unique appeal of coachbuilt automobiles. The inaugural winner was a one-of-a-kind 1953 Delahaye 135MS CL Spéciale Faget-Varnet owned by Anthony Collé of Switzerland.
Swathes of leather and wood trim are complemented by forward-thinking features such as a fridge, a TV and an ice detector on top of the dashboard
The car started life as a Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, and it was originally shown at the 1975 Geneva Motor Show. The elegant Pininfarina bodywork was then converted to shooting-brake specification by Willy Felber, a Swiss coachbuilder known for crafting premium bespoke vehicles. The work was completed by Felber, but Michelotti is believed to have been consulted to design the conversion.
Felber’s conversion resulted in a vehicle that retained the front end of the original 365 GT4 2+2 but featured a radically altered rear section. The car was also lengthened, and fitted with a hatchback-style tailgate along with extended windows and a more utilitarian boot space.
The interior was modified, too, combining the luxurious, sporting ambience of a Ferrari cabin with the additional space and comfort afforded by the new bodystyle. Swathes of leather and wood trim are complemented by forward-thinking features such as a fridge, a TV and an ice detector on top of the dashboard.
Despite the raft of changes to the bodywork and interior, the car retains the legendary 4.4-litre Colombo V12 that drives the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The sonorous engine develops around 340bhp, which made this one of the fastest five-door cars of the era. For context, a modern 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Estate develops just 316bhp.
A worthy winner, this unique Ferrari blends flamboyant Italian styling and performance with Felber’s masterful craftsmanship. The car was presented with the prestigious Art of Bespoke Award on stage by Magneto founders Geoff Love and David Lillywhite.
