Fantasy Junction

Description

1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder
s/n 14813, eng. no. B1332
Red with Tan Leather Interior

Upon its debut at the 1968 Paris Auto Salon, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was not only a revelation of design and engineering, it was just in time. Ferrari was struggling to cling to their leadership position against growing and formidable competition, Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina delivered a chiseled and fresh body design with crisp defining lines and sweeping elegance, placing Ferrari substantially ahead of other sports car manufacturers. The new 365 GTB/4 was a game changing effort for Ferrari, replacing the aging 275 GTB/4 which had already succumbed to slow sales. Although concurrent with mid-engine development for future Ferraris, the Daytona would be the last of the sanctified front engine V12 models for many years to come.

Beautifully appointed and exclusively priced when new, the “Daytona”, as it ultimately became known due to the famed 1-2-3 1967 24 Hours of Daytona Ferrari finish, would become a fixture of Hollywood movies, record album covers, and magazine articles. Outfitted with the 4.4 Liter Colombo, quad-cam V-12 engine, fed by six dual-throat Weber carburetors and 5-speed gearbox, 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 a remarkably agile package. Although 1,400 GTB models were produced until 1973, the Daytona was also available, in very limited numbers and at substantially higher cost, as a coachbuilt Spyder.

All Daytona Spyders were assembled by hand at Scaglietti, Italy. These handbuilt Spyders were rare when new with just 122 built, 96 of which were configured and delivered to the US. All Spyders were constructed using hand-forming and hammer-welding for the steel main structure and aluminum panels for the doors, hood, and trunk lid. Unique retractable headlights were a feature for US bound examples, replacing the former plexiglass banded cover over fixed headlights. Though many coupes have sacrificed their originality for the sake of the rare convertible configuration, the details and construction of the original Scaglietti Spyder make these cars among the most sought after open coachbuilt Ferraris of the V12 front engine era.

This rare and early Daytona Spyder is the 33rd Scaglietti Spyder produced. Experts at the Ferrari Owners Club have suggested this is the first US version factory built Spyder constructed and given the December 1971 manufacturing date and timing for the first owner’s purchase, this is very likely accurate. According to the Ferrari Warranty Card accompanying this car, this Spyder was originally delivered to Dr. Baldhard Falk, Tiburon, CA on March 2, 1972. Dr. Falk had visited Ferrari in April 1970 and had grown familiar with the company and their cars. Prior to his purchase of this Daytona Spyder, he had owned a Ferrari 330, but experienced difficulties with the performance. Armed with legal representation, the good doctor approached Ferrari with a resolution. They agreed to apply the prior equity of the 330 towards the purchase of a new Daytona Spyder. At the time of his visit, Dr. Falk was offered the prototype Spyder that was just finishing construction; however, he elected to not purchase it as the prototypical construction was not deemed appropriate to withstand the stresses of sports car racing – something that Falk was intent on doing.

A copy of the invoice from the selling dealer Modern Classic Motors, Reno, NV indicates the car was delivered to Dr. Falk in Giallo Dino with Beige upholstery, just as he had requested, however some interior color and convertible top material details were not correct which were corrected for Falk by Ferrari. Additionally, Falk found that the paint was not up to his discerning standards and thus it was resprayed. After the items were corrected to his satisfaction, Dr. Falk exercised the car in many Ferrari Owners Club events including Virginia City Hill Climbs, Sears Point Raceway, and finally at Laguna Seca in 1978. It was this last event where the car lost a rear right wheel causing cosmetic body damage to the rear inner wheel arch, front and rear fender areas, and windshield post. Pleased the damage was not serious, Falk retired the car from track events and elected to restore the car to a high standard, efforts of which were primarily confined to the body, paint, and interior features.
Copies of service invoices include a 1979 invoice for door seals, speedo cable, trunk seal, new windshield molding, and other trim parts as part of the sourcing for the restoration. This invoice is consistent with a 1979 Crevier Imports, Anaheim, CA invoice for additional mechanical work and an invoice for body and paint work performed by Bill de Carr also in 1979 refinishing the car in the current shade of red ($11,000.00 – quite the sum in 1979). A letter from Dr. Falk, addressed to the second owner, included with the car explains that the restoration was done retaining all the original body panels and original factory trim, and great care was performed to preserve the factory metal.
The restoration continued with new exhaust, upholstery work, chrome plating, detailing the engine compartment, and a new German cloth sport top installed as well that same year. In 1982, Dr. Falk purchased a set of new Borrani wire wheels which were mounted on the car. Thoughtfully the original wheels were retained. By the mid 1980s, Falk continued his ownership with regular service to the restored Spyder including oil changes, gas tank repair, new upper and lower front ball joints, and stabilizer bushings and continued efforts refining mechanical details. In 1988, Dr. Falk was invited to display the car at the Emilia-Romagna Concours d’Elegance, San Francisco, CA where it won a commemorative medal. In 1990 the car was offered for sale by Falk. At that time, the car reportedly indicated 31,000 miles. Still remaining under Falk’s ownership, in 1995 with 31,643 miles indicated, a new set of front springs were installed at Ferrari of San Francisco with subsequent mechanical work performed through the year 2000.
In 2003, Mohr Imports received the car from Falk where it was extensively serviced and prepared for sale. Under Mohr’s care, the brake calipers were rebuilt, cam cover gaskets replaced, hoses replaced, a new heater valve diaphragm installed, and a very complete and correct interior including correct mousehair was supplied by Luppi, Modena and installed in the car. Additional mechanical services while with Mohr included other mechanical services as noted in the service receipts included with the car. The current owner purchased the car in 2004 from Mohr, becoming the second owner of record. Over the past 20 years of current ownership, the owner has continued to maintain and service it with Ferrari specialists in the Chicago, IL area including regular fluids, brakes, and overall maintenance, as well as bench rebuilding for all six carburetors (2017). A July 2023 invoice performed in preparation for sale includes an oil and filter change, cooling system flush, new thermostat, new upper radiator hose, new radiator cap, brake fluid flush, new fuel filter, new tie rod, new speedometer cable, and four new Michelin XWX 215/70 VR15 radial tires.
Today this Scaglietti Daytona Spyder presents in excellent condition, still reflecting low miles and modest use under current ownership. The current owner, a vintage performance car collector and enthusiast has properly maintained the car for nearly two decades. The paint, though applied more than 40 years ago was expertly done and has proven to be durable over the years still retaining a high gloss, smooth finish, and excellent depth. There is some surface bubbling showing at the very bottom edge of the passenger door and a textured protective coating applied to the rocker panel undercuts on both sides, though both these items are not easily revealed while generally viewing the car. The exterior detailing throughout indicates high quality workmanship, though some areas show signs of age since the body and paint work was completed. The various exterior trim and emblems are beautifully finished, including crisp body line detail, nicely finished door jambs, excellent glass, detailed inner jambs and underside hood/trunk surfaces. Chrome and polished metal finishes are also in excellent condition. All openings function as expected with tight closures and excellent panel gaps to the doors, hood, and trunk. All four Borrani center hub wire wheels are polished and fitted with correctly sized Michelin XWX 215/70 VR15 tires.

The interior was redone in 2003 using experts Luppi, Modena, Italy replacing all interior leather, carpet, console, door panels, and mousehair for the dash pad. The Daytona seats, now famous for the selected black perforated banding, are correctly finished. The stitching and bolster structure are both excellent and deliver a striking visual presence to the elegant tan colored interior contrasting the vivid red exterior. The dashboard is in excellent condition, accented by beautiful instruments, aluminum trim, preserved factory correct switches, and a three spoke steering wheel with central Ferrari logo. The factory air conditioning controls are correct and the AC fan functions when activated. The tan leather console and door panels are taut, showing excellent fit, crisp corners, and very good stitching. The convertible top is serviceable though not to the same standards as the rest of the interior. The correct low pile wool carpet is in very good condition, creating a handsome contrast to the darker material accents. The interior presentation offers a very cohesive high-quality feel from the materials to the fit and finishes, now only lightly settled over time. Another rarely seen feature of the Spyder is the addition of retractable “pull down” sun visor screens, which are unique to the Spyder design and operate freely on both sides.

The engine bay and engine have been correctly prepared and properly detailed to a high standard. The engine block bears a correctly sequenced engine number with single strike numbers in the correct font with the correct location. Having been under known ownership since new, the engine is believed to be original to the car. The inner fender wells are steel construction, and the inner compartment is finished satin black consistent with fabrication standards for the Spyder. The finishes appear to have been correctly applied and properly cared for under current ownership. There are mild indications of age on some of the engine components, and the ignition box has been replaced with a modern unit, but here too nothing of significance to detract from a very pleasing and correct overall impression both in the engine itself and the surrounding engine compartment details. Though restored many years ago, the quality and cohesive engine compartment presents very well. The traditional Ferrari crinkle-black cam cover finish has been faithfully presented, the diamond tufted silver hood insulation pad is in place, and all correct engine compartment plaques, factory hardware, and hallmark V12 designations remain per original specifications. The trunk is correctly finished with black carpet and a removable floor panel that conceals a spare Cromodora wheel and spare tire.

The underside of the car shows correct features and tidy finishes with focus on authenticity and cleanliness, though some areas are showing signs of age and use. The car is outfitted with correct exhaust and mufflers and correct chrome plated quad exhaust tips. Underside features include proper cast aluminum engine and gearbox castings, correct lines, and generally correct finishes. A small section of the right inner rear fender indicates metal repairs consistent with the information shared by the original owner when the car was damaged in the late 1970s. The chassis is clean and dry, showing no visual evidence of structural damage or compromise to main components, rocker panels, or suspension.

This Daytona Spyder is accompanied by the original set of five Cromodora cast wheels, a set of owner’s manuals and Ferrari branded case, the original California windshield mounted operating permit issued to the first owner, the original Ferrari factory warranty card with California location service stamps, a Ferrari Daytona brochure, copies of service records from the first and second (current) owner, and photos of the car taken in 1979 prior to the restoration.

Beautiful, important, rare, and an exceptional statement piece for even highly populated collections, this Daytona Spyder is, by any measure, iconic for its ground-breaking design and revered today as a hallmark of Ferrari excellence. Any factory constructed Ferrari Daytona Spyder is an exceptionally rare find. Yet finding an unexposed, unrestored, two-owner California ownership car adds significantly to the wide range of future possibilities the next may select as part of their ownership experience. Believed to be the first Spyder delivered to the US, the 33rd built, and one of just 96 examples delivered to America, this rare and desirable Scaglietti Spyder is certain to deliver the incomparable driving pleasures of one of the most capable and dynamic Italian sports cars ever conceived.

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