First shown to the public at the Frankfurt International Auto Show of 1969, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider was, unlike its closed sibling, built in very limited numbers, with just 121 examples built. Unsurprisingly, the model became an instant classic, as it offered the Daytona’s fabled world-beating performance, with the added thrill of top-down motoring.

Completed by Ferrari in December 1973, as one of the last 365 GTB/4s of any kind, chassis number 17051 was, like the vast majority of its brethren, earmarked for the United States market. It was one of only six Daytona Spiders finished new in the striking color of Rosso Dino, of which four were US-delivery examples. In this case, the livery was complemented by a Beige (VM 3218) leather interior with black seat inserts, as well as a radio, air conditioning, and Borrani wire wheels. The finished car was delivered new to Southern California, truly its spiritual home, by John von Neumann’s dealership in Los Angeles.

Although chassis number 17051’s early ownership history is not well known, it appears to have remained in Southern California for the first 10 years of its life. An advertisement for the car appeared in the Ferrari Market Letter in July of 1980, stating that it was still fitted with Borrani wire wheels and had just 6,600 miles on the odometer. Later that year, it was sold to Levon and Armen Gugasian of Newport Beach, and was soon sold again to Harvey Brian of Long Beach. 

In 1986, the Daytona Spider was purchased by its current owners, joining one of the most significant car collections in the United States, where it has shared pride of place with a number of historically significant Ferraris. Photographs on file from 1986 show that the car has remained largely unchanged for the last 40 years. Further to this, documentation on file from the collection’s in-house mechanics show that the car has been driven less than 2,000 miles since its acquisition by the consignor, with just 16,400 miles showing today. 

Made famous to the world by the model’s starring role in the 1976 movie The Gumball Rally in addition to the hit TV show Miami Vice (which featured a pair of Daytona Spider replicas), the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable and iconic Ferraris ever built. Representing the final open-top Ferrari to feature a derivation of Gioacchino Colombo’s classic short-block V-12, Daytona Spiders remain highly sought-after today for not only their rarity but also for their superlative driving experience. Boasting low mileage and offered in nicely preserved condition, after nearly 40 years of single ownership within one of the world’s great collections, this is a Daytona Spider to be cherished.