Ferrari 365 GTS/4 'Daytona' Spider (1973)

In 1968, Ferrari saw it fit to replace the four-year-old 275 GTB/4. The 365 the GTB/4 was introduced and Ferrari enthusiasts took it upon themselves to dub it the Daytona in honour of Ferrari's 24 Hours of Daytona win. The nickname was so popular that the GTB/4 became almost more noticeable under its nickname than its given name.

The 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta, that replaced the earlier 275 GTB/4, differed dramatically in styling, though the tubular steel chassis bore many similarities to its predecessor and provided superior balance. Where the curvaceous 275 GTB/4 was clearly a traditional Pininfarina design, the 365 GTB/4 was at once modern, edgy, sleek and forward-looking. Penned by Pininfarina's Leonardo Fioravanti, who continues to maintain an independent styling studio, Fioravanti Srl., outside of Turin, the 365 GTB/4 features a number of styling cues that continue to influence modern Ferrari design.

The outgoing 275 GTB/4 lent the basic design of its 60-degree V-12 engine to the 365 GTB/4, though it was enlarged from 3.3 to 4.4 litres or 4,390 cc. Power output rose accordingly. The new engine, designated Tipo 251, delivered 352 bhp and 315 foot-pounds of torque at 7,500 rpm through six Weber twin-choke carburettors. A five-speed manual transaxle was, of course, the only available transmission. Ferrari debuted the new model at the October 1968 Paris Salon. A handful of coupes were produced for customers in the 1968 model year. At the Frankfurt International Auto Show in September 1969, Ferrari unveiled a Spyder version of the car.

Unsurprisingly, the seductive drop-top enjoyed critical acclaim that continues unabated today. The Frankfurt prototype show car was the only Spyder to be fitted with Perspex headlamps; all subsequent production models utilised retractable headlamps. Production of the Spyder and Berlinetta continued through 1973 before being replaced with the mid-engine 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer. There were several models of the GTS/4, including: European-spec RHD, US-spec LHD and European-spec LHD. Only 19 of the 122 Daytona Spyders built were Euro-spec LHD. The US-spec cars featured rather unappealing additional side lights and slightly less power due to the more complicated exhaust system to combat smog laws.

This left-hand drive factory built LHD European Spyder (chassis 14415) is one of only 19 produced to European specification and was the third Daytona Spyder built. Originally delivered to Italy to Miss Scapula in 1971, 14415 then spent some time in Cherbourg, France before being exported to North America by Luigi Chinetti. By 1975 the car had changed hands to Ed Lazzarin of Miami, Florida- who proceeded to keep 14415 for almost 20 years before parting ways in 1993 seeing the car travel to Japan.

Japan proved to be a short spell and 14415 soon returned to America thanks to prominent Ferrari collector Chris Cox. A full restoration was carried out for brief owner Jim Matthews which saw the Spider refinished in Nero. Cox bought the car back soon after and went on to successfully show 14415 at the Ferrari Club of America Annual Concours, winning the Platinum award for its class. It then lived in both California and Arizona, seeing several local car events before changing hands in 2005. In 2016 the car received a concours level restoration returning to its original colour combination resulting in a Class win at Salon Prive that year.

This Classiche-certified car is a rare opportunity to attain a Ferrari appealing to collectors, drivers and aesthetes. It is available to view at our showrooms just outside London immediately.