When the curtain fell at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, all eyes were drawn to the latest machine to emerge from the workshops of Maranello.

Long, lithe, and with barely a straight edge to be seen, the Pininfarina-designed 275 GTB was a sculpted masterpiece that bridged the gap between engineering and art.

As the latest evolution of Ferrari’s 250-series, the 275 GTB was a direct replacement for the 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso, and while not all ranked the Scaglietti-built newcomer the aesthetic equal of its predecessor, the new gran turismo was undeniably superior in almost every other regard.

Gone was the 3.0-litre Colombo V-12, replaced with an enlarged 3.3-litre version boasting a lower overall height that significantly improved centre of gravity.

A rear-mounted five-speed transaxle contributed to near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution, while four-wheel independent suspension ensured the new car was one of the best-handling roadgoing Ferraris to ever leave Maranello.

It was also one ...