Ferrari’s 365 GTB/4 was unveiled to the public at the 1968 Paris Salon as the replacement for the highly successful 275 GTB/4, and it sought to raise the bar once more for high-end gran turismo berlinettas. With lines penned by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, its bodywork was an instant styling icon, as it was simultaneously sensuous and aggressive and combined both the sharp angles that would define the 1970s and the flowing curves that characterized cars of the 1960s, making it perfect for any occasion. Even though the public was expecting a mid-engined supercar from the world’s most celebrated sports car manufacturer, as Lamborghini and several other companies had moved to mid-engined layouts for their flagship models, Ferrari retained the tried-and-true formula of placing their V-12 in the front, asserting that this formula could still produce cutting-edge performance.

That front-mounted V-12 was Ferrari’s all-new 4.4-liter unit that was topped with six Weber carburetors, and it had more than enough performance to back up its stunning looks. The engine produced 352 brake horsepower and 315 foot-pounds of torque at 7,500 rpm, resulting in fantastic performance. The Daytona, as it was nicknamed by the press, could launch itself from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 174 mph, which was just 3 mph faster than the Miura P400, making it the fastest production sports car ever built at its introduction.

The Daytona was a staple in the Ferrari market range until production ceased in 1973. In total, 1,284 examples were produced, making it one of the most successful models the company had ever produced. Unfortunately, this would be the last traditional Ferrari grand tourer for quite some time, as it was replaced with the mid-engined 365 GT4 BB. While that type of automobile might have been gone from the Ferrari lineup, the Daytona was never forgotten, and it has always had a place in the hearts of Ferrari enthusiasts for its wonderful looks and driving dynamics.

CHASSIS NUMBER 14819

The car offered here, originally finished in Giallo Fly over Nero, was delivered to official West Coast Ferrari distributor William Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors of Reno, Nevada, and subsequently sold via the Ramsey Motor Company of Monterey, California, to Jack Eiteljorg of Englewood, Colorado. Subsequent owners in 1975 were Neal and Paula Scott of Amarillo, Texas, followed by collector Jeff Gilbert of California. In late 2001, the car was cosmetically refurbished by renowned Ferrari mechanic Norbert Hofer’s Gran Touring Classics of Long Beach, California, who thoroughly freshened all mechanical aspects of the car as needed. Subsequently, the car was refinished in its original color, Giallo Fly, and the interior was restored by K&H European Auto Upholstery of Garden Grove, California.

In 2002, the car was purchased by the late, well-known Los Angeles enthusiast John Spencer Bradley, for whom it was continually maintained by Mr. Hofer. After his passing in 2006, it was sold to a collector in Oklahoma and then joined a prominent Texas stable, from which it was purchased by the present owner.

The current owner had the car serviced extensively by Algar Ferrari of Philadelphia, receipts for which are on file and include such work as replacing exhaust gaskets, overhauling the front brakes and fuel pump system, replacing the steering rod ends, and installing correct muffler centers. The dashboard has been restored with correct mousehair covering. At the time of cataloguing, it had recorded fewer than 27,000 miles, a number that the owner believes to be original.

Remaining its original delivery colors, the car is nicely equipped with a Becker Mexico AM/FM/cassette player and factory air conditioning, and the highly polished Borrani wire wheels are shod correctly in Michelin XWX tires. Aside from the original warranty card, the car is accompanied by a tool roll and jacking equipment, a 365 GTB/4 owner’s manual, an additional instruction manual for U.S.-specification cars, and a copy of its Ferrari certificate of origin. Most crucially of all, it is supplied with its Red Book, recognizing its recent certification by Ferrari Classiche.

This is a fine Daytona for the enthusiast looking to enjoy one of the most rapturous driving experiences of the era.