Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' (1972)

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 desirable European specification "Daytona" was supplied new in 1972 to dealer Sante Pedini, a resident of Perugia, Italy in the vibrant and period colour of Rosso Dino over a Pelle Beige hide. The first private owner from Ancona, Italy, would keep the car for a remarkable 25 years before selling to the car's second owner in Rome, Italy who would keep the car for a further 10 years. In March 2008 the car was sold into the ownership of S.A.M CAR S.r.l., domiciled in Fermo, Italy.
Between 2008 and 2011 the car was meticulously restored to retain its original Rosso Dino colour retaining its original interior. Max Girado acquired the car in 2013 at which point the car was most importantly Classiche Certified in June 2013, confirming it to have matching numbers throughout. Following his ownership the car was sold to its most recent proprietor, who registered the car on UK license plates in May 2015.
This superb Daytona is presented in an outstanding and original condition, in a most desirable colour combination. Extraordinarily accompanied by its original books, documents and spare parts bag this car is UK road registered and ready to be used and enjoyed immediately.