Introduced in 1968, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4—unofficially known as “Daytona” in tribute to the American racetrack and its 24-hour endurance race, in which Ferrari achieved a storied 1-2-3 finish in 1967—instantly reinvigorated Maranello’s grand tourer lineup. Power came from a front-mounted 4.4-liter “Colombo” V-12 mated to a five-speed manual transmission, but this long-proven configuration was enhanced by sleek, modern bodywork penned by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina. However, the execution of Fioravanti’s design for the 365 GTB/4’s production series was handled by Scaglietti at their factory in Maranello.

The Daytona made good on its nickname with stunning performance specifications: Its V-12, producing 352 horsepower, ensured 5.4-second sprints from 0-60 mph and a 174-mph top speed.

The Daytona’s top speed was 3 mph faster than Lamborghini’s Miura P400, making it the world’s fastest production car at its unveiling. Four-wheel independent suspension, all-wheel disc brakes, and 50/50 weight distribution contributed to excellent handling. Yet this did not come at the cost of comfort, thanks to a tastefully appointed, leather-swathed, two-seat cabin

When new, the Daytona was praised by both customers and the motoring press alike. Perhaps one of the most well-known quotes about the Daytona’s performance came from noted racing driver and later automotive journalist Paul Frère. After reportedly taking the Daytona to 176 mph on the Italian autostrada in 1969, he commented that the radio was useless past 120 mph. He further noted that “if you go faster, it’s the engine that makes the music, the finest music of all to the ears of the enthusiast, and the music he can enjoy in a well-sprung car, fitted with such amenities as electric window lifters, air-conditioning…and a really capacious luggage locker—a grand touring car par excellence.”

The Daytona’s blend of power, luxury, and style proved intoxicating, and 1,284 GTB/4 Daytona coupes were ultimately produced before production ceased in 1973.

This 365 GTB/4 Daytona, chassis number 14663, is a US-specification example completed at Maranello on 5 November 1971 and subsequently delivered new to Yonge Steeles Motors in Toronto, Ontario. According to Hilary Raab’s book Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, the car was shown at the January 1972 Montreal Auto Salon. Despite its Canadian delivery, research by marque historian Marcel Massini notes that 14663 still received all the requisite US-market equipment including power windows, air conditioning, and instrumentation reading in miles.

In the 1970s, it was sold to an owner in Colorado, and by 1978 it was sold to Ferrari of San Diego, California, where it was subsequently offered. Between 1978 and 1996, the car had two California-based owners, having been repainted black in the 1980s. In February 1996, Walter Medlin purchased 14663 from a noted California-based broker of classic Ferraris; at time of purchase, the car wore the California vanity registration “3RED612.”

Though originally clad in the elegant color combination of Rosso Ferrari (20-R-187) over black Connolly leather (VM 8500), today this Daytona’s Scaglietti coachwork is presented with a pleasant, though slightly louder shader of Rosso Corsa applied shortly before Medlin’s purchase. The interior remains trimmed in the correct black shade, although the cabin was improved at some point under prior ownership with the addition of a Momo steering wheel, and an extravagant high-fidelity system which includes a Nakamichi TD-1200 head unit with accompanying PA-300 two-channel amplifier, and ADS PX-1 controller.

Similarly, 14663’s stance has been made markedly more aggressive via a staggered set of 15-inch light-alloy Cromodora center-lock wheels which closely mimic the five-spoke pattern supplied to the Scuderia’s sports prototypes beginning in 1967.

Offered today from the Lost & Found Collection after nearly three decades in private ownership, 14663 remains a prime candidate for restoration. Close inspection confirms that 14663 retains its numbers-matching V-12 engine and Scaglietti body, while its gearbox is of the correct type.

Blending muscular, yet refined looks with impressive performance, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta instantly redefined the Ferrari grand tourer upon its introduction, and the model remains no less appealing today.