Lot 320: 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona 'Plexiglass'

The first cars to bear the name of Enzo Ferrari appeared only 50 years ago, but in that time they have built a legend for delivering uncompromising performance from their V12 power units whilst clothed in some of the most exciting and elegant Italian coachwork designs. From the earlier 275 GTB/4 a natural development was the larger engined 365 GTB/4 (commonly known as the Daytona after the 1-2-3 victory in the 24 hour race of 1967) and this was the swansong for the successful front-engined berlinetta series. The deliberately aggressive shape styled by Pininfarina and the uncompromising mechanical specification ensured its success in the very demanding sports car market.The 352bhp delivered by the race-bred engine was mated to a five-speed rear transaxle mounted in a welded steel tubular chassis frame. Independent road tests gave a top speed of over 174mph in standard form, which in the early '70s was an amazing feat. Such capability confirmed the 365 GTB/4 as the fastest car in the world. With the demise of Ferrari's sports racing programme the Daytona was pressed into service to uphold the marque's honour, contesting the GT category, and winning such classic races as the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours and Tour de France, among others.This early plexiglass Daytona formally resided in the world renowned Ferrari collection of Albert Obrist for a number of years. In its dismantled condition, it is virtually unique today and will make an ideal project. This caris the ideal project and has a number of possibilities, to either restore the car back to its former GTB road car gran turismo glory, to create a very competitive Group 4 race car or equally to convert the car to GTS/4 specification.The infamous Daytona must surely be one of the most memorable road cars ever built by this famous marque. The last of the true front engined GT Ferraris.