Lot 327: 1969 Ferrari Daytona Spyder Conversion

In the words of one enthusiast, 'There is no greater adrenalin pump' With the Daytona's brutally aggressive yet somehow classically elegant lines and such a wonderful 4.4 litre four-cam V12 engine under its bonnet, there was nothing that could challenge it when new and precious little that can do so today. Indeed, a motor car such as the Daytona, once mastered, can provide thrills beyond its owner's wildest expectations. Yet even more exhilarating is the ultra rare convertible version of the Daytona, the Spyder of which only 125 units were built between 1969 and 1973. These magnificent cars combine the full performance of the coupe with the added excitement and equalled pleasure of open air motoring and are now highly prized. There is nonetheless an alternative for those who wish to spoil themselves with an open Daytona and yet still use the car to its full performance potential; some excellent Spyders were produced by converting Daytona coupes'. Described by one Ferrari expert as the ideal compromise between the coupe and factory Spyder - the logical mans choice. This left hand drive Daytona was delivered to its first Belgian owner Mr Andre Gerard in January 1970 by Garage Francorchamps.It remained in his hands until the mid 1970's when it passed to a well known Swiss collector, a Mr Kryser.The car was taken to Modena, Italy where it was converted to GTS/4 Spyder configuration by coach builders Bacchelli. Such is the exact standards of their work that it is effectively indistinguishable from the standard GTS/4 cars that were built by Scaglietti for the factory from coupe body shells, these cars being the 125 'factory' Daytona Spyders. Being an early Daytona, it has the more desirable and collectible Plexiglass front and finished in traditional Rosso Corsa with Black interior and new hood with the early wood rim Nardi steering wheel, it is further enhanced by the optional Borrani wire wheels. The current owner describes the car as being generally in excellent condition throughout having covered a total of only 90,000 kilometres from new. Having resided in a collection in Holland it comes with both EC and Swiss papers. This example must be arguably one of the most stunning Ferraris ever produced and at a time when the value of Daytona coupes continue to rise. Une des premires Daytona, elle a t converti pendant les annes 1970. De couleur rouge, avec intrieur en cuir noir, elle est mise en vente avec des documents de circulation CE et Suisses.