Intended to bridge the gap between the outgoing 275 GTB/4 and Ferrari’s forthcoming rear-engine flat 12, the 365 GTB/4 surprised Maranello brass by becoming the brand’s bestselling V-12 car to date. The innovative, shark-like styling by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti and the first dual-cam, 4.4-liter engine fitted to a Ferrari road car proved to be immensely popular, forever sealing the model’s place in company lore. Though Enzo Ferrari furiously squashed any official use of the Daytona moniker after the name was inadvertently leaked to the press, it remains in popular use to this day, forever commemorating Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Revered by tifosi and general sports car aficionados alike, the 365 GTB/4 is particularly notable as the last of Maranello’s legendary vintage V-12 road cars.

This pristinely restored Daytona is believed to be one of the most exhaustively refurbished examples ever to become available at auction, with a thorough and painstaking degree of attention put into its restoration. Originally completing factory construction on July 18, 1973, chassis number 16691 was finished in Rosso Chiaro (light red) paint and was appointed with a beige interior and factory air conditioning. The car was one of many Ferraris of this period distributed for retail to William Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors, in Reno, Nevada, then one of America’s principal retailers of Maranello road cars.

The car was initially purchased by a Mr. Chess, of California, who retained it for as many as five years before offering it through the Los Angeles Times in July 1978, through the Porsche/Audi dealer in Westwood. The Daytona was advertised by another Los Angeles-based owner in 1983, and it was likely purchased at that time by an enthusiast in Florida, as the car was next offered three years later by Ed Waterman’s Motorcar Gallery, of Ft. Lauderdale. Advertised as a long-time California car, the Daytona was mounted with Borrani wire wheels, and it displayed a low odometer of just 22,900 miles. Purchased then by Horst Bauling, of Bamberg, Germany, the Daytona was exported to Europe and minimally used, essentially being stored for a period of almost 20 years.

In 2006, chassis 16691 emerged from a long period of dormancy for availability on the market, and it was acquired by the consignor, a Ferrari connoisseur based in Los Angeles. Recognizing the strong potential of such a well-preserved, low-mile Daytona, the consignor commissioned a ground-up restoration, entrusting Exclusive Motorcars’ highly regarded restorer Rex Nguyen to completely refurbish the car to factory-correct standards. Mr. Nguyen’s superior Ferrari renewals have routinely commanded Platinum Awards at FCA meets over the last few years, and 16691 proved to be no exception.

Completely disassembling the Daytona, Mr. Nguyen authentically refinished or replaced every part and component to factory-correct standards, including every nut, bolt, and fastener. Proper original Maranello factory standards were replicated with respect to color finishes, cad-plating, black-oxide plating, and wrinkle finishes, while correct ladder-ties, zip-ties, and wire-ties were sourced and utilized. Every body bolt was either a proper Lobo or Fiat bolt, and the proper Nylock nuts were integrated, as per original specifications.

The matching-numbers engine was tested and discovered to still develop proper compression and pull strongly, having experienced relatively little use over the years. The motor has since been meticulously detailed, with the carburetors tuned and dialed in as needed. Further mechanical work included the installation of a new clutch and flywheel. The brakes and suspension were rebuilt to proper specifications, including a new master cylinder, brake booster, and calipers, and a myriad of finishing details were addressed, such as the application of proper stickers and decals to various lines, hoses, and clamps.

Mr. Nguyen sent the body to Beckman Metal Works, in Costa Mesa, for a bare-metal repaint in the authentic Ferrari color of Blu Scozia, and a correct interior was sourced from Romano Luppi’s shop in Italy, which is famed not only as one of Ferrari’s original upholstery suppliers, but also for its founder’s 40 years of work for Scaglietti. A thick file of invoices and over 1,000 photographs document Mr. Nguyen’s precise and well-researched work, and the consignor hesitantly admits that the amount of money invested in the process far exceeds the practicality of a standard restoration.

Completing refurbishment by mid-2011, chassis 16691 debuted to stunning effect at Concorso Italiano on August 19, where it earned a Platinum Award from the FCA Pacific Region. Five months later, at the Cavallino Classic XXI on January 21, 2012, the Daytona took First in Class and a second Platinum Award. The car received yet another Platinum Award on May 6, at the FCA’s Southwest Regional Meet at the Concorso Ferrari in Pasadena, while a Best in Class Award followed on June 10 at the San Marino Motor Classic outside of Los Angeles. Confirming the incredibly high level of detail that has gone into its restoration, 16691 seems to garner a Platinum Award wherever it is shown.

Offered now for the first time since its flawless restoration, this Daytona is a verifiable award-generating machine, and future concours acclaim doubtlessly awaits its next caretaker. The car is accompanied by restoration documentation, awards, a complete tool kit, and a full set of owner’s manuals, and it currently displays less than 25,000 original miles (with approximately just 300 miles accrued since restoration). It is rare to come across a 365 GTB/4 that has been refurbished to such a high level irrespective of cost, and the availability of this fantastic example promises to change the perception of the Daytona market’s potential for the foreseeable future.