Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Compezitione

16425 - The Final Daytona Competizione

The last of 15 Competizione-specification Daytonas built by the factory, chassis number 16425 was completed by Ferrari in 1972 and shipped to Ecurie Francorchamps in Belgium to contest the 1,000 km of Spa and the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven to a 12th overall/3rd in class finish at Spa and a 20th overall/4th in class finish at Le Mans, the car was exported to the U.K. when purchased by a British enthusiast in the late 1970s and was kept in static storage for the last 20 years, a number of which had been spent under the watchful gaze of us here at DK Engineering.

It was decided that the car would be brought out of hibernation and return to the public eye. Left unrestored, a sympathetic overhaul has been carried out to ensure that the essence of Le Sarthe remains on this preservation great. Upon rebuilding the engine, it was noticed that the pistons were dated before the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans so they were removed and preserved for posterity. The car was displayed Royal Concours of Elegance at Windsor Castle and driven on the associated tour, the first appearance of its type in the cars history.

After appearing at some more shows, including the 2017 Cavallino Classic, it was decided that the car would be used as Ferrari would have intended and it received further mechanical work by us at DK Engineering to prepare it for use in the 2018 Modena Centro Ore. Piloted by David and James Cottingham, it attracted a great deal of attention on the tour, not only for its blistering pace, but also for its historical significance and sonorous exhaust note. The Daytona returned to Italy for the Modena Centro Ore the next year, with James and his soon-to-be wife as co-driver. The car performed wonderfully on a mix of roads and circuits, and was awarded the special Brandoli Trophy, for the best preserved car at the event.