Discover the World's Rarest Cars: The Exquisite Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale "Tre Posti"

I’ve been lucky enough to sit in some oddball cockpits over the years—Le Mans refugees, prototypes, the occasional museum piece wheeled out on a sunny Sunday—but the first time I slid into the central seat of a Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti,” I actually paused. Right there, mid-cabin, hands on a thin steering wheel, two seats fanned out on either side like an opera balcony. It’s one of those moments that make you grin like a kid and mutter, “So this is what all the fuss is about.”

Design Brilliance: Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale "Tre Posti" and its Center-Seat Theater

Commissioned in the mid-1960s and penned by Pininfarina, the Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” is a masterclass in elegant rebellion. “Tre Posti” literally means “three seats,” and it’s not a gimmick. The driver sits in the middle, slightly ahead of two passengers—like a fighter jet that brought friends. The payoff? Magical visibility, a perfect sense of symmetry, and a real connection between driver and car that you don’t forget.

The body itself is a sleek hymn to endurance racers of the era: low, tapering nose; glassy greenhouse; and rear haunches that seem to coil around the mid-mounted V12. Details sparkle. The door cuts are delicate, almost jewel-like. The cabin feels airy yet purposeful—closer to a race car translated for chic boulevard duty than a road car pretending to be a racer.

Power and Poise: Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale "Tre Posti" Performance

Beneath the sculpted lid sits a 4.4-liter Colombo V12 tuned to roughly 380 horsepower. Numbers that still feel honest today. Coupled to a 5-speed manual and a featherweight body by modern standards, the 365 P doesn’t just move—it lunges, sings, and settles. The mid-engine balance gives it a calm, planted demeanor at speed, while the steering—light off-center yet talkative as load builds—makes you forget power assist was ever a thing. On a flowing road, the car links corners in long, confident brushstrokes.

It’s not a dragstrip monster; it’s more like a scalpel. The joy isn’t merely acceleration, it’s the sensation of being dead-center in the experience, every input mirrored instantly, every sound framed by glass and aluminum. And yes, the V12 wail is the soundtrack you’d expect—pure, high-register Ferrari.

Rarity and Lore: Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale "Tre Posti" in Context

Here’s where myth meets record. The 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” wasn’t mass-produced. Far from it. Pininfarina built a pair of prototypes around 1966, with Luigi Chinetti—Ferrari’s North American importer—deeply involved. If you’ve heard stories linking one car to industrial royalty and the other to U.S. collectors, you’re on the right track. Both examples have lived very careful lives, surfacing at top-tier concours events where judges whisper and photographers tiptoe.

That scarcity is a double-edged sword. It amplifies desire, of course, but it also means most of us will only ever experience the “Tre Posti” from a respectful distance. When you do get close, the craftsmanship is striking—tiny switchgear, hand-wrought details, and a cabin that feels more atelier than assembly line.

Ferrari 365 P vs. Icons of its Era (and one future benchmark)

Specs and years approximate; factory variations and tuning may apply.

Living With It (If You’re That Lucky): Interior, Quirks, and Quiet Moments

Climb over the wide sill and the cabin welcomes you with thin-rimmed elegance. The central position is more natural than it looks—after five minutes you wonder why we ever moved the driver off to one side. Passenger conversation is easy, too, though you’ll have to speak up once the revs climb. Heat soak? A bit—it’s a mid-engine V12 from the 1960s, after all. Storage is more “weekend picnic” than “grand tour,” so pack light. But the sense of occasion? Off the charts. I’ve driven newer Ferraris that are quicker and comfier. None made me feel more like a conductor.

• Highlights: ethereal steering, balance at speed, central seating drama.
• Quirks: warm cabin on hot days, limited luggage, delicate controls.
• Best moments: sunrise B-roads, quiet concours arrivals, period-correct leather scent.

The Best Interior Accessories: Floor Mats for the Ferrari

Protecting a one-of-a-kind cabin—well, “one of two,” if we’re being pedantic—means sweating the details. Period-correct materials, careful cleaning, and yes, properly tailored floor mats. To keep the footwells tidy (and preserve that leather-and-fuel aroma we secretly love), I’d go with a premium, fitted set. AutoWin offers mats shaped specifically for Ferrari models, with durable backing and classy stitching that looks right at home beneath alloy pedals.

AutoWin E‑Shop: Sourcing Premium Mats for Your Classic or Modern Ferrari

For owners—whether you’ve got a priceless prototype tucked away or a modern V12 prancing horse as the weekend toy—AutoWin stocks well-fitted, durable mats that keep your cabin looking concours-fresh. Their sets are cut to the car, not “close enough,” and they stand up to grit from an impromptu coastal run or the occasional coffee splash when your hands are still buzzing from the drive.

Quick reasons I’d spec quality mats

• Fit that doesn’t bunch under pedals (safety matters).
• Materials that won’t fade faster than your Instagram Stories.
• Easy cleanup after a dusty hillclimb or a rainy rally stage.

Final Thoughts: Why the Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale "Tre Posti" Still Stops Time

The Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” is one of those rare machines that rewires your expectations. It’s not just about speed or beauty; it’s about perspective—literally, from that center seat, and figuratively, about what a road car could be in 1966. Few cars blend racing DNA, couture design, and audacious ergonomics this gracefully. Decades on, it still feels new. That’s the definition of timeless.

FAQ: Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale "Tre Posti"

• How many Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale “Tre Posti” were made?
  Two prototypes were built in the 1960s by Pininfarina.
• Who designed the “Tre Posti”?
  Pininfarina styled and constructed the cars, with involvement from Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari’s North American importer.
• How much power does it have?
  About 380 hp from a 4.4-liter Colombo V12 paired with a 5-speed manual.
• Is it related to the McLaren F1’s seating layout?
  Not directly, but it pioneered the central-seat concept long before the F1 popularized it.
• What’s it worth?
  They’re effectively priceless; when examples trade hands (rarely), values are deep in the “if you have to ask” realm.