275GTB cosmetic differences

First, there is no SWB vs LWB, they are all the same.

The earliest are the original design shortnose cars - a larger more rectangular grille (relatively) with small bumpers below the outer corners of the grille. The hood has a broad ridge in the hood rising slightly out of the hood surface toward the rear; ridge probably 70% of the hood width. Small rear window, the hinges of the trunk are not visible, as they are inside the trunk. Steering wheel has slotted spokes with slots of unique pattern. Steel floors. 14" Campagnolo "star-burst" wheels (or Borrani wires as option)

The short nose caused lift at higher speeds, so the body was revised to lengthen the nose - hence the reference longnose - to improve stability. Longer nose, smaller grille, recessed into the opening, accompanied by longer front bumpers that now curl into the mouth of the grille. The longnose hood is smooth, no bulges at all. Around the same time, the rear window is enlarged, and chrome trunk hinges become external and visible on the outside. The wheel design is changed to the square hole 14" Campagnolos and again the wire wheels are optional, now the RW4039. During the transition from shortnose to longnose, there are examples of mixed features (example: a longnose with small rear window and inside hinges, earlier wheels). Steering wheel changes to non-slotted style with engraved pattern on spokes. The torque-tube cars have fiberglass floors.

On alloy body cars, there is a visible seam in the roof by the upper corners of the rear window - the visual clue to an alloy car. All cars whether primarily alloy or steel body have alloy hood, trunk and door skins if not mistaken.

Other small features throughout the range that are occassional - outside fuel filler,etc. A few select examples with small accessory chrome trim accents appear here and there. There is a debate whether any of the late longnose cars had a chrome horse on the trunk like a 4-cam (I believe some did, having seen it on an unrestored car years ago.)

Some of the chassis evolution and fuel tank changes influence the shape of the luggage shelf. Some seats made with cloth center inserts instead of all leather, with no particular relationship to production sequence.

4-cam is similar to long-nose (I am not trying to explain the evolution of mechnical differences of the various 275's). The grille however of the 4-cam is a little wider and very slightly different shape; the rear spoiler lip is more pronounced and more vertical; the hood has the narrow pronounced raised bulge from front to back, down the center. The instrument panel is now typically trimmed in black vinyl instead of the typical wood veneer of the 2-cam (I've had the wood judged as both teak or walnut - not sure which is correct). That said, I think there were a few 2-cams with a black vinyl panel.

As for the vent slots behind the rear wheels, reserved for select competition 275GTBs, not the normal road GTBs. Then there is the small range of alloy competition GTB/C, which appear like a GTB, but I think had very slightly wider fenders to accommodate wider racing tires on 15" Borrani RW4010/RW4011, the fronts out-side laced.

Corrections welcome to this general summary of the typical features.

Time to read up, suggest Dyke Ridgley's articles on the 275GTB (I think Cavallino #9?) and perhaps Prunet's book the Ferrari Road Cars, and search this site for similar discussion.

 

sorry typo "mechanical"

 

If anyone had pics of differences... that would be Cool.

 

Very nice explanation Lancia. I might add you can always tell a short nose car from the side by the door locks. The short nose variation has the key insert on the button. Also, short nose wheel size is 6 1/2 x 14 wheels where the long nose cars use 7 x 14.

 

And there are SN with flat bonnets and some with slightly recessed one , but not so much towards the center and not so high as on the GTB/4.
Some think they are related to 3 carbs and 6 carbs, but if fact a lot of those bonnets are on 3 carbs cars, while most if not all 3 carbs LN have flat bonnets.

 

They say pictures say more than words, so hope this helps. Put this together with pictures from Fantasy Junction to clarify the differences. Ties in with what lancia has said.
You guys are all walking encyclopaedias, so this is also a great learning process for me. Thanks.

Edit: since the attachment is so small, click this link for a bigger version:
http://oi42.tinypic.com/2wh36ed.jpg
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Yes, the red car is Alloy bodied. You can tell the Alloy Long Nose cars by the roof rain gutter which extends right across the sail panel. The Short Nose Alloy Competition cars do not have the extended rain gutter.

 

The yellow car above, 06663 was built as a short nose but later modified to long nose configuration.

 

I see you were also at Spa this weekend! Saturday had very un-Spa like weather.
So, in retrospect, I see there were two alloy cars present. The red one (No. 7) like you posted, which can be identified through the extended roof rain gutter. Then there's the other red one (No. 23), which has the additional outside fuel filler cap.
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