Lot 105: 1971 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ Berlinetta
Coachwork by Pininfarina

‘It’s a hard muscled thoroughbred, the Daytona - easily the most awesome and yet disciplined road-going Ferrari in that firm’s brilliant quarter century of existence. The Daytona isn’t fast – it’s blinding. It will eat up a quarter-mile of asphalt in 13.2 seconds at 110mph and scream out to 175mph - or it will slug through traffic at 1,500rpm with the Sunday manners of a FIAT. It is the perfect extension of its driver. You can cut and weave through shuffling traffic with the agility of a halfback, or lope down the freeway with the piece of mind that comes from knowing you can contend with anyone’s incompetence. To say, after you’ve driven it, that the Daytona is desirable doesn’t begin to sum up your feelings - you would sell your soul for it.’ - Car & Driver, January 1970.

Every Ferrari is, to a greater or lesser extent, a ‘landmark’ car, but few of Maranello’s road models have captured the imagination of Ferraristi like the 365GTB/4; the ‘Daytona’ name was unofficial, bestowed by the press in honour of Ferrari’s crushing victory at that circuit’s 24-Hour Race in 1967. Responding to the challenge from Lamborghini, Ferrari had introduced its first road-car V12 engine with four overhead camshafts on the preceding 275GTB/4 and this superior type of valvegear was retained for the Daytona. The latter’s engine though, was considerably enlarged, displacing 4.4 as opposed to 3.3 litres, in part to compensate for the Daytona’s increased weight but more importantly to guarantee Miura-beating performance; its 352bhp and 318lb/ft of torque ensuring that these targets were met. Dry-sump lubrication enabled the engine to be installed low in the multi-tubular chassis, which featured all-independent wishbone and coil-spring suspension first seen in the 275GTB, while a five-speed rear transaxle enabled 50/50 front/rear weight distribution to be achieved.

One of Pininfarina’s countless masterpieces, the influential shark-nosed body style combined muscularity and elegance in equal measure. An unusual feature of early Daytonas was a full-width transparent Plexiglas panel covering the headlamps, replaced by electrically operated pop-up lights towards the end of 1970. At the time of its introduction in 1968 the Daytona was the most expensive production Ferrari ever and, with a top speed in excess of 170mph was also the world’s fastest production car. Deliveries commenced in the second half of 1969 and the Daytona would be manufactured for just four years; not until the arrival of the 456GT in 1992 would Ferrari build anything like it again.

Originally produced for the US market and completed on 30th June 1971, chassis number ‘14753’ was extensively restored in 2007, the engine gearbox and transaxle being rebuilt by J-P Ori of Gipimo Automobiles in Brussels. The car is finished in dark blue with black leather interior, the latter re-trimmed by Luppi, and boasts the desirable option of air conditioning. Other noteworthy features include Borrani wire wheels (x4), Cromodora ‘spare’, boot-mounted CD changer and a stainless-steel exhaust system. A total of 1,166 kilometres is currently displayed on the odometer, which is believed to be the distance travelled since restoration. Belgian registered since 28th June 2007, ‘14753’ represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a Daytona fully restored to a good standard.




Produite à l’origine pour le marché américain et achevée le 30 juin 1971, la Daytona châssis n° 14753 fut restaurée en 2007, le moteur, la boîte et le pont étant refaits par J-P Ori de Gipimo Automobiles à Bruxelles. La voiture, peinte en bleu foncé avec intérieur en cuir noir (refait par Luppi), possède un équipement d’air conditionné, quatre roues Borrani (et une Cromodora de secours), un changeur de CD installé dans le coffre et un échappement en inox. Le compteur affiche actuellement 1 166 km, distance probablement parcourue depuis sa restauration. Immatriculée en Belgique depuis le 28 juin 2007, « 14753 » représente une rare occasion d’acquérir une Daytona totalement restaurée à un excellent niveau de qualité.