In October 1969, a red Ferrari cut through the industrial landscape of New York’s West Side Highway. Behind the wheel sat one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, Miles Davis.
The car was the Ferrari 275 GTB 4 chassis 10669. The photographer was Baron Wolman.
Who was Miles Davis?
Miles Davis was born in 1926 and became one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Across five decades, he constantly reinvented his sound. From cool jazz in the 1950s to modal jazz in the late 1950s and jazz fusion in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Albums such as Kind of Blue changed the course of music. Later, Bitches Brew pushed jazz into electric territory and influenced rock and funk musicians. He was known for creating trends rather than following them.
He was also known for his sharp style and strong personality. Tailored suits, Italian shoes and high end cars were part of his public image. They were statements of control and in a music industry where many black artists were exploited, Davis negotiated from a position of strength.
By late 1969, Davis was moving toward a new direction and so was Ferrari. The era of the 275 would soon give way to the Daytona and then to mid engine road cars such as the 365 GT4 BB in the 1970s.
The story behind the photograph
Baron Wolman had just finished photographing Miles Davis in his apartment near Central Park and he later recalled:
"That photo of Miles and his red Ferrari was taken on New York's West Side Highway in October 1969. We had just shot some portraits in his apartment near Central Park. He said he wanted to go to Gleason's Gym to work out. He was an amateur boxer, as you probably know. Anyhow, we're driving along and I said, 'Miles, pull over. Let's do some shots of you and this totally cool car.' He said 'yes,' we did, and then proceeded to the gym where he threatened to knock me out…"
The West Side Highway in 1969 was rough and industrial, however, the green parkland and grass fill the background and the bright red Ferrari stands out sharply.
At that moment, Miles Davis was redefining modern music. He was also doing something rare for a black artist in America at that time. He owned the written copyright to his compositions. The record companies owned the recordings, but Davis owned the music itself. That distinction meant he earned money on the front end through publishing.
Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 holds a special place in Ferrari history. Introduced in 1966 as an evolution of the earlier 275 GTB, the 4 in its name referred to its four overhead camshafts.
Photo: Andreas Birner
The car used a 3.3 litre V12 engine derived from Ferrari’s racing program. With four camshafts controlling the valves, the engine could breathe more efficiently at high speeds. Output was around 300 horsepower, which was exceptional for a road car in the 1960s.
The 275 GTB series was also important because it introduced independent rear suspension to Ferrari’s road cars. Independent suspension means that each rear wheel can move separately over bumps. This improves handling and comfort. Combined with a rear mounted transaxle, which placed the gearbox at the back for better weight balance, the 275 GTB delivered a more modern driving experience.
Only around 330 examples of the GTB/4 were built. Today, it is considered one of the most beautiful and balanced Ferraris ever made.
Chassis 10669 was completed in 1967. It left the factory finished in Rosso Corsa. The car was delivered new to the United States, where it eventually found its way to Miles Davis.
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