Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' (1972)

The world famous Daytona name was unofficially conjured up by the press in recognition of the firms stunning 1-2-3 victory at 1967's Daytona 24 Hours and - the fact that it was the last front-engined Ferrari GT before the Fiat years also means it occupies a special place in Maranello history. The Daytona was a stopgap model between Ferrari's outgoing 275 GTB/4 and their mid-engined 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer, the development of which was running well behind schedule. Influenced by the fact they were beginning to suffer a number of financial problems, Ferrari decided to produce what was essentially an updated version of an existing model. However, despite the troubled background to its inception, Daytona's themselves were in no way affected. Ferrari produced what became the definitive GT of its time.

The Daytona's motor is essentially an enlarged Tipo 226 60° V12 from the previous 275 GTB/4 and is designated Tipo 251. They have a displacement of 4.4-litres producing 352bhp at 7500rpm. At the time the Daytona became the world's fastest production car with a top speed of 175mph and 0-60 in 5.3 seconds - enough to eclipse every other manufacturer, even Lamborghini. Pininfarina designed the Daytona's bodywork exuding power from every angle. As a result the Daytona remains one of the most jaw-dropping GT's to this day.

The 365 GTB/4 was launched during October 1968's Paris Salon and won enormous praise. It was the fastest production road car available and would be the last of Ferrari's front-engined GT's, a fact not lost on writers at the time. Relatively few official options were available, just wider Cromodora alloys, spoked Borrani wires, front bumper bars and air conditioning having been on the upgrade list. After two years Pininfarina carried out a front-end make-over resulting in retractable headlights in early-1971. As production went on, Ferrari made changes to the indicator lenses, later cars more often than not coming with exclusively orange items whereas earlier examples tended to get combination lenses. There was also a switch from aluminium to steel doors (these providing a little more side impact protection) and the arrival of a smaller-diameter leather-rimmed steering wheel. Production ceased in late 1973 to make way for the overdue mid-Flat-12-engined 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer. By this time, Ferrari had completed 1284 GTB/4's, 158 of which were right-hand drive and came to the UK.

This desirable European specification ‘Daytona’ was supplied new in 1972 to dealer Sante Pedini, a resident of Perugia, Italy in the vibrant colour of Rosso Dino over a Pelle Beige hide and notably optioned with air conditioning. The first private owner from Ancona, Italy, would keep the car for a remarkable 25 years before selling to the car’s second owner, noted Alfa Romeo collector Fausto Annibaldi in Rome who would keep the car for a further 10 years. In March 2008 the car was sold, once more to a new custodian in Italy.

Between 2008 and 2011 the car was meticulously restored to retain its original Rosso Dino colour over a Pelle Beige interior with Nero Daytona inserts. The car was advertised for sale once more, fresh from restoration. Purchased by noted marque expert Max Girardo for his father, the car would remain in theirl care for two years. During this time, the car was identified as ‘matching numbers’ and awarded its Ferrari Classiche Certification. Girardo sold the car to Mr Clevely of West Sussex in September 2014 who registered the car in the UK for the first time.

Purchasing the car from Clevely, DK Engineering sold this example to its most recent custodian in 2016. Over the course of the past 10 years, the Daytona has resided as part of a prominent Northern European collection.

This superb Daytona is presented in a most desirable colour combination and available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately.

• Supplied new to Italy in 1972
• Resided in Italy for over 35 years
• Optioned new in Rosso Dino over Pelle Beige as it presents today
• Owned by several notable collectors including Fausto Annibaldi and Giuseppe Girardo
• Ferrari Classiche Certified
• Left hand drive & air conditioning
• Offered from 10 years of single ownership