The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (to use its official title) was the immediate descendant for the much revered 275 GTB/4 and was first shown at the Paris motor show, 1968. The Daytona nickname was supposedly invented by Ferrari aficionados and affiliates of the media in acknowledgment of the factory’s unforgettable 1-2-3 triumph in the 1967 Daytona 24-hour edition. Alternatively, the story is that Ferrari had originally planned to employ the Daytona name, but changed their mind when news of the story leaked prior to the model’s reveal.

The Tipo 251 engine was an improvement of the DOHC V12 of the 275 GTB/4, and at 4,390cc was roughly 33% larger in capacity. Six twin-choke Weber carburettors fed fuel to the engine, enabling it to produce 352bhp at 7,500rpm; enough to propel the 1,280kg machine to 60mph in under 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of around 174mph, with a five-speed transaxle powering the rear wheels.

The Daytona coupe proved to be so popular that the development of an open variant was inevitable, and at the 1969 Frankfurt International Auto Show the 365 GTS/4 was unveiled. Endowed with a purity of line and stance, the new Spyder’s collectability was instantly assured when only 121 examples were produced. As the final front-engine open Ferrari to feature a derivation of Giaocchino Colombo’s classic short-block V-12, the Daytona Spyder was the ultimate evolution of 20 years of development, the final hereditary successor of an entire generation of vintage Ferraris.

The example we are pleased to offer for sale is the 48^th of 121 official cars produced by Scaglietti and was first delivered in March, 1972 to Italy via Milanese concessionaire M.G. Crepaldi Automobili. This car is one of just 18 built to European specification. Original factory equipment included Air Conditioning, Instruments in Kilometres and License plate frames for Italy.

The car was sold in July, 1972 to its first owner a resident in Milan, Italy. It remained in Europe until 1983 when it was exported to the USA and was sold through Stanley Nowak to an excited New York based owner. In late 2010, the car was purchased by a renowned Ferrari collector and imported and registered in the United Kingdom the following year.

In 2022, the car was treated to a no-expense spared restoration with Joe Macari Classics. Included in the works was a full bare metal respray in Grigio Metallizzato and the interior was retrimmed in a stunning Bordeaux hide. Joe Macari Classics also carried out an extensive mechanical overhaul to the car including; a full engine rebuild, new clutch & flywheel, suspension and brake overhaul and a full geometry setup ensuring the car drives as well as it looks!

It sits today in wonderful condition and retains an extensive history file documenting its known ownership history and continuous servicing and maintenance work. It has been documented by Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini and has been awarded red book Classiche Certification from the Ferrari factory, confirming its European delivery, as well as its matching numbers engine.

The Daytona Spyder is widely regarded as one of the most breathtakingly fast sports cars of its era and is a car that would be welcomed into the most prestigious and selective FCA events and concours d’elegance around the world. This recently fully restored, official Spyder wants for nothing and would make for a fantastic addition to any Ferrari collection. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.