THE ENTHRALLING DAYTONA

The 1968 Paris Salon ushered in a new era of design and cutting-edge performance for sports cars, as it was the event where Ferrari unveiled the new 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta. Everything about the Daytona was cutting edge, and it signaled to the world, and especially to Lamborghini, that Ferrari was here to stay. While the Lamborghini Miura P400 pushed the limits of performance through utilizing a mid-engined layout, Ferrari was persistent that its two-seater front-engined V-12 formula was capable of more extreme performance, and the 365 GTB/4 proved it.

Nicknamed “Daytona” by the press and other automotive enthusiasts in celebration of Ferrari’s incredible 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona, the Daytona certainly did not disappoint in terms of performance. Capable of producing 352 hp at 7,500 rpm from its magnificent V-12 engine, the Daytona could spring to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.4 seconds. Top speed was an incredible 174 mph, making the Daytona the world’s fastest production car, with a top speed three mph faster than the Miura P400.

The Daytona was a dramatic departure in terms of styling compared to the 275 GTB. Instead of voluptuous round fenders and proportions, the Daytona was noticeably more angular and aggressive, utilizing flip-up headlights. Nevertheless, it was instantly recognizable as a Ferrari and helped to push the brand’s design language forward. Design elements first seen on the Daytona carried through to a number of models for many years.

THIS DAYTONA

Chassis no. 14019 was completed in January 1971 as a U.S.-delivery model with engine number B794 (still present today) and factory air conditioning. Indications are that it was to be delivered through Luigi Chinetti Motors to a Mr. McGreene, but Chinetti subsequently repurchased the car for the discounted price of $12,820, on 5 March 1971, and installed Borrani wire wheels. Afterward the car was sold to a New York resident and remained with the same family until 1994.

That year the car was sold to a Japanese enthusiast. It was displayed two years later by the prominent Tako Sagagawa collection at the TI Circuit in Aida, then in 2000 offered for sale in Tokyo. Several years ago it returned to the U.S., where it remains a well-preserved and handsomely presented Daytona. In 2014 the car received a complete rebuild of its transmission, with new synchros and bearings; services to the choke cable; and a recovering of the dashboard in the proper mouse hair fabric. More recently further cosmetic work was performed, along with a service of the alternator, including the installation of new brushes.

This would be a superb Daytona for an enthusiastic new owner to drive and enjoy.