Fantasy Junction

Description

1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Chassis No. - 14207
Engine No. - B824
Gearbox No. - 460
Rosso Chiaro with Nero Interior

Debuting at the 1968 Paris Auto Salon, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was nothing short of a revelation of design and engineering. With times rapidly changing and Ferrari needing to re-establish their leadership position against growing and formidable competition, Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina delivered a surprisingly chiseled body design with crisp defining lines and sweeping elegance. The design was not only unique, it placed Ferrari substantially ahead of other sports car manufacturers. The new 365 GTB/4 was a crucial effort for Ferrari, replacing the aging 275 GTB/4 which had been experiencing lumbering sales. And while technology was advancing, and mid-engine layouts were entering production, no one suspected that the Daytona would be the last of the sanctified front engine V12 models for many years to come.

Beautifully appointed and prohibitively expensive when new, the “Daytona”, as it ultimately became known, in honor of the famed 1-2-3 1967 24 Hours of Daytona Ferrari finish, would become a fixture of Hollywood movies and high-end brand marketing. Outfitted with the 4.4 Liter Colombo, quad-cam V-12 engine, fed by six dual-throat Weber carburetors, the Daytona delivered a commanding 352 hp in stock trim with a top speed just over 170 mph. The beautifully sculpted Daytona offered fantastic performance and touring capability in an agile yet comfortable package. With a mere 1,400 produced until 1973, the Daytona remains sought-after by enthusiasts seeking the finest and most original examples for their collections.

According to the Massini Report prepared for this car, this Daytona was logged as assembly sequence number 435 with Scaglietti body number 445 and completed in March 1971. Being specified for US delivery per factory order, the car was fitted with air conditioning, power windows, Silvergrey nose band, instruments in miles, and Borrani wire wheels. The car was finished in Rosso Chiara (red) and trimmed with Nero (black) Connolly leather interior. As supported by copies of the Ferrari Sefac Officina Di Modena accompanying this car, this Daytona was processed and sold to the first owner, Theodore Day, a real estate developer and Ferrari enthusiast who also owned a 275 GTB. Mr. Day picked up his Daytona in Italy and drove the car with Italian plates (front plate still displayed on the car) through Europe before having it shipped to North America. Once in the states, William F. Harrah US West Coast Ferrari distributorship “Modern Classic Motors (MCM), Reno, NV took delivery in May 1971. Day enjoyed his prized Daytona for a remarkable 46 years until offering it for sale through the T. J. Day Family Trust in 2017. In May 2017, in preparation for sale, the Day family enlisted Intrepid Motorcar Company, Sparks, NV to prepare and service the car. Indicating 29,090 miles at that time, services included carburetor rebuild for six carburetors, throttle plates, intake manifold machining, carb. sync tuning and testing, air conditioning recharge, a new thermostat, and a new set of Michelin XWX 215/70 VR15 tires. Under current ownership this Daytona has enjoyed regular service and continued preservation in keeping with the exceptional 46-year ownership history which is supported by documentation including original Ferrari sales information, Italian Autovettura, and Nevada state registration slips dating back to 1972. Under current ownership, services have included brake work, new tie rod ends, the installation of a correct NOS exhaust system, and general review of all systems, fluids, and operational features. Currently indicating 30,393 miles, this exceptional Daytona retains the original matching number engine, gearbox, and the original preserved leather interior.

Today this remarkable Daytona presents in beautiful condition, still reflecting low miles and exceptional care under successive preservation-minded ownership since the 46 years of original ownership. The gorgeous red paint, finished under prior ownership, displays hallmarks of quality workmanship evident in all surfaces including excellent coverage, vibrant color, and deep gloss. The various exterior trim, emblems and details are beautifully finished, including crisp body line detail, smoothly finished door jambs, and detailed inner strike surfaces. Chrome and polished metals are also in excellent condition showing almost no signs of age including excellent window molding surrounding the original defrost wired rear glass and Sekurit branded side glass. All openings function as expected with tight closures and excellent fit for the doors, hood, and trunk lid. The car currently wears a set of 7 ½” x 15” Cromoroda wheels with Michelin XWX 215/70 VR15 tires (4 original Borrani wire wheels are included with the car as spares).

The interior is a refreshing display of original finishes rarely seen in such fine condition. The iconic Daytona seats are in excellent condition fitted with wide competition style seat belts and correct factory headrests. The dashboard still displays the original material, which is clean and taut, though showing evidence of sun exposure. The instrument panel houses a near perfect set of factory gauges with excellent color and numeric indication, fronted by a warmly hued leather wrapped steering wheel. The console and door panels are beautifully preserved, showing excellent fit, crisp corners, and consistent stitching, while the carpet is in excellent condition, appearing to have been replaced sometime ago, likely under original ownership. The headliner, rear panels, polished interior trim, and beautifully preserved switches are original and in exceptional condition. The car is outfitted with factory air conditioning which blows cold when activated and the original Voxson AM/FM 8-Track player stereo system works properly when tapes are inserted. The interior presentation is both remarkable in originality and preservation delivering a cohesive quality to the preserved materials and finishes.

The engine bay and matching numbers engine are correctly finished, indicative of proper car over the dedicated years of passionate ownership. There are mild indications of use as one might expect from a car of this age, but nothing to detract from a very honest and authentic presentation. Everything from the Ferrari crinkle-black quad-cam finish to the diamond tufted silver hood insulation pad, FIAMM air horns, correct original Dinoplexes, correct hood struts, proper engine compartment plaques, factory hardware, and hallmark V12 designations are all beautifully presented, not overdone or obsessively refinished, rather sensitively preserved and maintained as needed. The trunk compartment displays the original black carpet concealing a fifth Cromodora wheel and matching Michelin XWX tire. A factory tool roll and tools, traditionally housed in the trunk compartment are included with the car.

The underside of the car shows excellent detail and tidy finishes with focus on authenticity and cleanliness. Correct exhaust and mufflers terminating with beautiful ANSA branded quad tips, original raw aluminum engine and gearbox castings, correct lines and finishes, and correct component stampings validate the miles and authentic factory features of this Daytona. The chassis is clean and dry, showing no visual evidence of structural damage or compromise to the main components, rocker panels, or suspension mounting points.

The car starts easily on choke as it warms up and settles into a deep, smooth V12 idle. Engaging the first of 5 speeds, the car pulls away with ease as the revs climb on progressive acceleration. The performance is smooth and engaging with excellent gearbox and clutch action, moving through mid-range gears in local traffic with surprising ease. Entering the highway, the engine responds with a delightful surge of power from 2nd to 3rd, rapidly achieving highway speeds where cruising is easily handled in 5th gear. Handling is one of the exceptional features of the Daytona particularly at higher speeds where the car reveals its true GT lineage, covering miles of enjoyable highway enveloped by the captivating V12 four-cam engine and ANSA exhaust note.

This exceptional preserved Daytona is offered with four original Borrani 15 x 8 L Record RW 4301 wire wheels, factory owner’s manuals in the original Ferrari leather case, a set of original tools with tool roll, spare bulbs and case, factory jack and bag, the original safety triangle and blue plastic case, a Ferrari branded car cover and bag, a box of misc. spare parts, tire inner tubes, misc. factory Daytona sales literature, numerous documents supporting the original purchase and ownership spanning 46 years, and nine 8-track cassettes featuring top musical artists from the 1970s.

Beautiful by any measure, iconic for its ground-breaking design, and revered today as a hallmark of Ferrari excellence, this Ferrari Daytona is one of the most exceptional preservation-grade examples available on the market today. Ready for another chapter in ongoing enthusiast preservation and enjoyable driving, this Daytona is poised to continue the traditions of Ferrari excellence it achieved upon debut and will continue to do for future generations of Ferrari enthusiasts to come.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608