Performance Review: Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 365 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Ferrari 365 has a 4390cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 365 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 365's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1500 kgs (3306 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 365 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4390cc 24V V12 engine produces 316 bhp (235 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 268 lb-ft (363.3 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 365 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (235.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 365.

The Ferrari 365 has a Power to weight ratio of 210.6 bhp per ton and 178.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 365 competing with the 2012 Porsche Boxster S 3.4L (235.6 bhp per ton) or the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (235.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 365 generating around 178.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Porsche Cayman GTS PDK 3.4L (203.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS PDK (203.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 365 and the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 365 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.73 secs @ 99.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8 (13.67 secs), the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (13.67 secs), and the 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (13.67 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 has a maximum speed of 151mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 365 equals the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 then how about the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato (162 mph), the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph), or the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo (162 mph).

Related Links:

1966 365 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison