The Ferrari 275 GTS made its debut alongside the Ferrari 275 GTB in October 1964 at the Paris Auto Show. Like its coupe stablemate, this convertible featured all new mechanicals, including its chassis, independent rear suspension, and rear transaxle. Its 3.3-liter V-12 was new, too, and was shared with the GTB, though the Ferrari Spyder’s was rated at 260 horsepower, the Ferrari Berlinetta’s at 280.
Just as important was the coachwork. Designed and built by Pininfarina, the Ferrari 275 GTS had softer lines than the GTB. It took the flavor of its slimmed-down rear section from the four-headlight Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, and in return would give later versions of the four-seater its single headlights and grille treatment.
The GTS was much more luxurious than the Ferrari 275 GTB, with fully adjustable and more-comfortable bucket seats, greater luggage space, and a softer ride. The top was particularly ingenious, capable of being raised and lowered with one hand and stowing in a shallow well behind the seats.
In early 1965, the Ferrari 275 GTS received a minor cosmetic update in the form of front fender louvers instead of vents. Production totaled 200 before its replacement was shown at the 1966 Paris Auto Show as the Ferrari 330 GTS. This was identified primarily by its new nose, a longer tapered affair taken from the Ferraro 330 GTC coupe introduced several months earlier.
The Ferrari 330 GTS used a new 3967cc V-12 making 300 horsepower at 7000 rpm. The car did 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds for Road & Track; the magazine’s test Ferrari 275 GTS had done it in 7.2. The Ferrari 330 GTS reach 100 mph in 17.1 seconds (versus 18.8 for the 275 GTS), and topped out at 146 mph (versus 145).
Production of the Ferrari 330 GTS stopped at 100 units, and Ferrari introduced an even more-powerful version, the Ferrari 365 GTS, in January 1969. The Ferrari 365 GTS was identical to the Ferrari 330 GTS, save yet another change in engine-compartment vents, which moved to the hood. The 365’s 4.4-liter V-12 came from the Ferrari 365 California, and boasted 320 horsepower. Just 20 would be made before the model was phased out in mid 1969, and Ferrari drew the curtain on a run of timelessly classic convertibles.