1973 Ferrari

Introduced at the Paris motor show in 1968, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta - more commonly known as the ‘Daytona’ - was a direct replacement for the legendary 275 GTB. Built by Scaglietti, the Pininfarina-designed Daytona was the work of a young Leonardo Fioravanti, who would go on to pen many other Ferraris including the 512 BB, 308 GTB, 288 GTO and F40.

Its engine is a larger, longer version of the V12 in the 275 GTB/4, with a capacity of 4.4 litres mated to six Weber carburettors, running through a five-speed gearbox. The performance is truly mighty, even by modern standards, with a 1971 road test in Autocar magazine recording a 0-60mph time of 5.4 seconds, and a top speed of 174mph.

This Daytona is one of just 158 right-hand-drive cars imported to the UK. It was ordered in January 1973 by H.R. Owen of Belgravia, London, and was delivered to the UK in August. It was first registered on 1 September 1973 and sold to its first owner from Maranello Concessionaires on 2 October 1973.

It changed hands several times over the next decade, before the fifth owner purchased it in February 1985 from Graypaul of Nottingham. He subsequently commissioned an extensive restoration between October 1985 and May 1986, including a complete re-paint in the popular Rosso Corsa to replace the original Grigio Ferro. The owner assembled a photograph album documenting this process, which remains with the car to this day.

The fifth owner sold the car on in 1989 with a well-documented 31000 miles from new. It passed through several owners in the 1990s, and the history file includes period adverts from 1997 when the car was sold via Duncan Hamilton Limited. The tenth owner purchased the car in 2001 at 35000 miles, and subjected the Daytona to minor restoration works including a fresh re-paint in 2003.

Chassis s/n 16659 was sold to its current owner in 2005 at 39000 miles. The Daytona has since been subject to regular summer use and expert specialist maintenance, with invoices totalling more than £70,000 over the last nine years. The more recent restoration work includes a rebuild of the differential, wheel refurbishment, interior re-trim, re-chroming of bumpers and a complete re-paint and wax-oil to the underside.

The current owner has enjoyed some 22000 miles of driving in the Daytona, mainly racked up during long-distance European trips, including three visits to the Ferrari factory in Maranello. It is a superbly maintained example that also presents very well, as evidenced by its class wins in the Ferrari Owners Clubs national concours in 2008, 2012 and 2013.

Its condition and mileage of 61800 miles is authenticated by the large history file that accompanies the car, which includes myriad invoices, 23 original MOT certificates since 1986 and a complete record of the ownership history from new. Those looking for a lovely Daytona that can be driven and enjoyed immediately should look no further.

For more information, or to arrange an appointment, please contact our sales manager Tony Glynn on 01474 874555 or 07921 430430.