The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 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 factory-built examples were produced. As the final front-engine open Ferrari to feature a derivation of Giaocchino Colombo’s classic short-block V12, 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 53^rd of 121 official cars produced by Scaglietti and one of just 18 European supplied Daytona Spyders in existence. The car was first delivered in April, 1972 to Italy via Milanese concessionaire M.G. Crepaldi Automobili and was finished from factory in the stunning combination of Blu Dino Metallizzato over Pella Nera leather. Original factory equipment included Air Conditioning and Instruments in Kilometres.

It spent the first few years of its life in Europe before being sold to a resident of New York and exported to the USA in 1976. The car remained Stateside until the early 2000s when it was sold to Jean Guikas founder of the GTC Collection classic car dealership in Marseille, France. Jean went on to own the car privately for over a decade before eventually selling it to a Stuttgart based collector in 2013. It was purchased by its current owner in 2017 and imported to the United Kingdom in August of that year.

Soon after arriving in the country, the car was sent to Joe Macari Classics who treated it to a full nut and bolt restoration. Included in the works was a bare metal respray in its original shade of Blu Dino Metallizzato and an interior retrim in its factory correct Pella Nera leather. 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 has been awarded red book Classiche Certification from the Ferrari factory, confirming its European delivery, as well as its factory colours and 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, factory built 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.