Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' (1971)

The world famous Daytona name was unofficially conjured up by the press in recognition of the firms stunning 1-2-3 victory at 1967's Daytona 24 Hours and - the fact that it was the last front-engined Ferrari GT before the Fiat years also means it occupies a special place in Maranello history. The Daytona was a stopgap model between Ferrari's outgoing 275 GTB/4 and their mid-engined 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer, the development of which was running well behind schedule. Influenced by the fact they were beginning to suffer a number of financial problems, Ferrari decided to produce what was essentially an updated version of an existing model. However, despite the troubled background to its inception, Daytona's themselves were in no way affected. Ferrari produced what became the definitive GT of its time.

The Daytona's motor is essentially an enlarged Tipo 226 60° V12 from the previous 275 GTB/4 and is designated Tipo 251. They have a displacement of 4.4-litres producing 352bhp at 7500rpm. At the time the Daytona became the world's fastest production car with a top speed of 175mph and 0-60 in 5.3 seconds - enough to eclipse every other manufacturer, even Lamborghini. Pininfarina designed the Daytona's bodywork exuding power from every angle. As a result the Daytona remains one of the most jaw-dropping GT's to this day.

The 365 GTB/4 was launched during October 1968's Paris Salon and won enormous praise. It was the fastest production road car available and would be the last of Ferrari's front-engined GT's, a fact not lost on writers at the time. Relatively few official options were available, just wider Cromodora alloys, spoked Borrani wires, front bumper bars and air conditioning having been on the upgrade list. After two years Pininfarina carried out a front-end make-over resulting in retractable headlights in early-1971. As production went on, Ferrari made changes to the indicator lenses, later cars more often than not coming with exclusively orange items whereas earlier examples tended to get combination lenses. There was also a switch from aluminium to steel doors (these providing a little more side impact protection) and the arrival of a smaller-diameter leather-rimmed steering wheel. Production ceased in late 1973 to make way for the overdue mid-Flat-12-engined 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer. By this time, Ferrari had completed 1284 GTB/4's, 158 of which were right-hand drive and came to the UK.

This particular 365 GTB/4 was ordered and supplied in Argento Auteuil with a Blu leather interior (VM3015) and Blu carpets, with Air Conditioning also fitted as a rare optional extra. Production was completed in December 1971; the car was delivered to the UK importer Maranello Concessionaries in January 1972 and sold only a month later to the first owner, N.J. Streeter. During his ownership, Mr Streeter used the "Daytona" on a regular basis, covering more than nine thousand miles during the first year. Coombes of Guildford and Rardley Motors were entrusted with the maintenance whilst Mr Streeter owned the car and a full repaint and re-trim were completed before the car was sold in 1981, after 9 years of ownership, to notable Ferrari collector Mr Martin Hilton. In 1983 the suspension was rebuilt and 12,000 mile service completed, at which point the mileage was recorded as 52,460.

In 1984, classic car dealer Michael Fisher bought the car before selling it via Bramleys of Guildford to Mr Paul Jarmyn in January 1985. The car was maintained rigorously by Mr Jarmyn and extensive invoices detail all the works carried out to the car, which include an overhaul of the brakes and an engine service. Following an inspection by Maranello Concessionaries, the car was purchased by its fourth owner and a complete restoration was carried out by an independent marque specialist. The restoration is documented fabulously, with all invoices present and numerous photographs of the project, which spanned nearly four and a half years. All of this effort paid off, as the Daytona was entered into Class E of the Ferrari Owners Club National Concours and secured first place, with the owner claiming the Targa 365 trophy.

This rare Right Hand Drive car (1 of 158 UK examples) received Ferrari Classiche Certification as matching numbers and original body, engine, transaxle and chassis in 2010 and was chosen to be displayed at Silverstone on the Ferrari Classiche stand at the "Silverstone Ferrari Days". This Daytona is accompanied by the original wallet and manual, Red Book Classiche Certification as well as a truly comprehensive history file, detailing all of the work carried out to date. The recent restoration means that the car is need of no further work and is ready to be cherished by the new owner. The meticulous nature of the previous custodians mean that the car is in superb, award-winning condition and the opportunity to acquire it is not one to be missed.