Fantasy Junction

Description

1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona”
s/n 16933
Blu Sera with Tan Leather Interior

As the last of the classic front-engined V12 flagship Ferraris, the 365GTB/4 “Daytona” needs little introduction. Despite retaining the traditional front-engined layout of previous Ferrari’s, the Daytona’s creased styling was decidedly modern, and the specification was very much up to date as well. Its 4.4 liter quad cam V12 produced over 350hp, and was joined to a rear-mounted 5-speed transaxle for optimum weight distribution. The suspension was independent all around, and there were disc brakes at all four corners as well. The car was extremely fast as well, with a genuine 174mph top speed as confirmed by contemporary testers. Despite less than universal praise for the styling when it first appeared, its near perfect proportions have made widely considered to be one of the greatest classic Ferraris of all time. It captures the essence of the classic Ferrari experience while also supplying performance that is exciting even by today’s standards. Indeed, Ferrari’s 1997 return to this layout with the 550 Maranello has proven that the front-engined V12 layout is a timeless concept that still competes with the most exotic mid-engined cars. Just 1284 Daytonas were built before the car was replaced with a new mid-engined car in the form of the Berlinetta Boxer.

This particular car was the 1212th Daytona built, and was completed in October of 1973. It is a USA model car, delivered new in the timeless and elegant color combination it still wears. Originally supplied by Chinetti Garthwaite Imports, Inc., this car was advertised in December of 1979 in the Los Angeles Times as never having been titled. Indeed, it appears that the car was first titled in 1981, and was used sparingly its entire life such that its indicated mileage of 17,000 is almost certainly from new.

By 1990, the car was with an owner in Los Angeles, who sold it to a doctor in New York in 1992. At this time, the car was reported to be all original with about 5,000 miles. That owner showed the car at the 1994 Reading Ferrari Concours in Pennsylvania, where the car is reported to have won best unrestored car. He offered the car for sale in 1996 as a completely original and unrestored car with 6200 miles, and by 2000, the car had 8600 miles on it. Its mileage in 2002 was 12,700, at which point it was acquired by an owner in Oregon who subsequently embarked on a sympathetic freshening in 2006. The work included new paint, selective interior reupholstery and redying, suspension rebuild, water pump, alternator, and cooling system rebuilds, chassis detailing, brake maintenance, and new exhaust system. Much of the work was carried out by Wayne Obry’s celebrated Motion Products. The car was shown and achieved Platinum status at Cavallino in January of 2008, a testament to the car’s correctness and the quality of its preparation. The car comes with a copy of its judging sheet, as well as service records since 1992, its original MSO (manufacturer’s statement of origin) indicating a new price of $27,145, and a wealth of other documentation amassed over the years.

The car’s current owner acquired it with 14,900 miles on the odometer in 2008 and has used the car occasionally, adding a further 2000 miles to bring its total mileage to 17,000. Under the current owner’s care, the car has been sympathetically maintained by Competizione and Sports Cars in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Work performed during this period has included new tires, new ignition coils, and regular servicing and fluid changes. Most recently, the car had an oil change, gear oil change, coolant flush, and brake fluid flush in June of 2012.

Cosmetically, the car is excellent, with well-done paintwork applied to extremely straight panels. The panels fit and operate very well, and the paintwork is generally excellent, although the closest scrutiny reveals a few sanding marks and areas that would benefit from color sanding. Overall, the paint is excellent, and the car achieved Platinum since it was painted. The chrome and metal trim are excellent across the board, as are the lights and glass. There is one area of delamination to the front windscreen at the cowl on the right side. The wheels are essentially unmarked and the car sits on correct Michelin XWX tires.

The interior has an honest and well-preserved feel rather than a sparkling restored feel. The leather has been selectively replaced and redyed and has an even patina. The carpets are in very good shape, and the dashboard is obviously original and in excellent shape considering this. The instruments and controls are in great shape and the car is fitted with both air conditioning and a pinstriped Becker Mexico radio. The headliner and visors are both excellent and a fire extinguisher has been installed as well.

The engine compartment is extremely clean, correct, and detailed. It is representative of how a show car should look, with correct Magnetti Marelli battery, Dinoplex ignition boxes, and correct placards, finishes, and hardware throughout. The trunk is in similar shape, and is correctly carpeted. The car has a full tool roll and book set.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of this car is how well it drives. Oftentimes, show cars disappoint on the road, but this car has that magical coherent feel of a low mileage unmolested car that has never been fully disassembled. The engine is superbly tuned and extremely responsive, a theme that holds true for the remainder of the driving experience, from the brakes to the transaxle to the suspension. This car will appeal to the experienced connoisseur who has driven a lot of Daytonas and demands and can appreciate the best.

This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a true stud of a Daytona. This is one of those cars that just feels right, but is equally impressive on paper. It is extremely complete with books, tools, and extensive documentation, and its on the road behavior and show success demonstrate that it’s a car that manages to excel in both realms. Finished in its lovely original color combination, the car has low mileage but has been kept up to ensure that it doesn’t suffer from “sit-itis”. Instead of being obsessively restored in pursuit of perfection, this car retains an irreplaceable authenticity that gives it more character and is sure to appeal to the sophisticated collector seeking a special example of Ferrari’s last classic front-engined flagship.

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