The 365 P Guida Centrale first made an appearance on
the Pininfarina stand at the 1966 Paris Motor Show. Of course it is a
mid-engined berlinetta notable for its large transparent glass roof and
three front seats with the drivers position in the middle. So you see,
McLaren, your design wasn't exactly original! Power is provided by a V12
placed longitudinal rather than transverse. Cartoonist Russell Brockbank
immediately published a sketch showing a handsome Italian flanked by two
attractive but distinctly annoyed women....
The chassis was similar to a 250 LM but the dimensions of the wheelbase
had been increased from 2400mm to 2600mm. A 4.4 litre engine (365cc per
cylinder) was fitted similar to the 365 California plus a five-speed ZF
gearbox. The Pininfarina design was later adapted for the Dino 206 GT,
which was the first mid-engined GT to be produced on the assembly line
at Maranello.
Two versions of the 365 P Guida Centrale were built. The first s/n 8815
went to Gianni Agnelli, Chairman of Fiat, and the second s/n 8971 was
for a client of Chinetti. The first car was metallic grey and equipped
with a large spoiler since Agnelli considered the rear to be unstable.
The second car has been with the Chinettis' for most of its life.