Lot 234: 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Plexiglass - RHD

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 car's strong result in the 24 hour race of the same name in 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 delivered via a five-speed rear transaxle mounted in a welded steel tubular chassis frame. Independent road tests gave a top speed of over 170mph in standard form, which in the early '70s was an amazing feat. Such capability confirmed the 365 GTB/4 as the last and fastest in the long line of competition-bred front-engined Ferrari grand touring cars. Coys is delighted to offer the very first right-hand drive 365 GTB/4 Daytona coupe to be delivered new to Great Britain. Originally imported by Maranello Concessionaires, it was sold by John Coombs & Sons (Guilford) Limited to Dick Wilkins, then Dunlop's racing manager, on May 8th 1970. Early correspondence in the accompanying history file reveals that Mr Wilkins placed the order with Maranello Concessionaires for chassis 13271 as early as August 1968, when the official British Ferrari importer confirmed that it would reserve him the first of three cars to arrive in Britain. Wilkins, who knew Enzo Ferrari personally, was clearly a valued customer and at the time was also the owner of a Ferrari P4, chassis 0856, and a 250 Testa Rossa, chassis 0736. Chassis 13271 was specified new in Rosso Chiaro with black leather interior trim, light grey headlining, Cromodora alloy wheels and a tool kit. Subsequent to delivery, Maranello Concessionaires carried out all the servicing of the car before, in May 1977, it passed to Mr D Murphy of Aldeburgh who owned the car for six years prior to it being acquired by Mr Garth Colling of Pulborough; he used the car sparingly and had regular oil changes carried out in his own BMW dealerships. In April 1991, with 27,466 miles on the odometer, Graypaul Engineering carried out a 3,000 mile service, the work including replacement brake hoses and fitment of a new stainless steel exhaust system. Four years later the Ferrari passed into the long-term ownership of Henry Pearman, proprietor of Jaguar E Type specialist Eagle, who maintained and stored the car in totally original condition. With still a mere 28,000 miles recorded, the 365 GTB/4 remains in wonderfully unmolested original condition, without a single hole drilled or modification made to the original specification anywhere on the car. It comes with its original owner's handbook, dealer directory and service books and the original wallet in which they were contained, together with the now rare and valuable tool roll and even two sets of original keys on a Coombs key ring. This therefore represents a truly unique opportunity to acquire a totally original and un-restored, and low mileage, 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and one which is documented as being the very first example of one of the mostly highly prized of front engined Ferraris to be delivered new to Great Britain.