1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona ($989,900)

April 10, 2017

Photography by Nat Twiss

Location: London, England
Chassis: 14445
Engine: 4.4-Liter V12
Transmission: Five-Speed Manual
Mileage: Minimal Mileage Since Restoration
Color: Grigio | Pelle Blu

PRICE: £795,950 GBP | $989,840 USD

DAYTONA: THE PRANCING HORSE GALLOPS INTO THE ‘70s

With the legendary 275 GTB/4’s memory looming large and paired with the increasing domestic competition from Lamborghini’s innovative new Miura, Ferrari faced a delicate balancing act as it prepared to enter the 1970s. Their new gentleman’s express, known as the 365 GTB/4, was not a mid-engined spaceship but rather an evolution of their tried and true formula. The enlarged 4.4-liter Colombo V12 occupied its traditional position at the front under an impossibly long hood, while a five-speed transaxle balanced things out towards the rear. At first glance, this may have been indicative of stagnation, of a company failing to keep up with the times. If anything, though, it resulted in one of the famed Scuderia’s most fabulous creations.

Fresh from a 1-2-3 victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967, the company’s successful racing efforts with the 330s gifted a special name to the new 365 GTB/4. Never an official designation for the car, the “Daytona” moniker stuck regardless, backed by the extraordinary Ferrari performance lurking underneath Pininfarina’s crisp exterior. Only five years later, Ferrari finally caved and replaced the car with a new lineage of mid-engine V12 thoroughbreds. After its retirement, there would not be a two-seat, front-engine V12 Ferrari for decades. The world had moved on, but viewed as the triumphant end of a stunning lineage, the Daytona’s legacy was always secure.

DESIGN

As a rule, when Pininfarina and Ferrari work together, things tend to go well. Leonardo Fioravanti wrapped Maranello’s finest in an intoxicating flourish of sheet metal, exaggerating the car’s significant engine bay with endless sculpted fenders perfectly resolved by the elegant greenhouse and unadorned fastback rear. Early cars featured a bold, futuristic front-end treatment, framing the headlights under clear acrylic panels, while later variants switched to trendy pop-up lamps (per order of new US safety codes).

Inside, rakish, ribbed leather buckets face the traditional Ferrari wheel and dash in a perfect blend of civilized comfort and brutal race car simplicity. The overall result is a brilliant modernization of the classic Ferrari formula, acknowledging its peerless heritage while daring to embrace the stylistic changes afoot in the new decade.

THE CAR

Restored to better-than-factory condition by the team at Joe Macari Restorations in 2012, this ’71 Daytona is the result of fastidious craftsmanship and an intimate knowledge of period Ferrari design. Originally a yellow over black example, the car’s new Grigio paint and blue-gray leather interior complements every line and detail, showcasing the inherent aggression and menace of Pininfarina’s shape. Fully rebuilt and sorted, the car features its correct, matching-numbers V12 enhanced by flawless shifts from a fresh transaxle and the bellow from a pristine set of ANSA pipes. Accompanied with the coveted Ferrari Classiche certification, it heads into its next fifty years better than ever and ready to afford the ultimate Daytona experience to a very fortunate new owner.

EXTERIOR

Body – At these echelons of restoration, the results are concours-level fitment and panel gaps.

Paint – The pristine coat of Grigio is absolutely bewitching, achieving an incredibly deep, mirror-like shine.

Trim and Glass – Brand new glass and perfect chrome is the only proper way to complete such a restoration—both look fabulous on this example.

Wheels – A restored Borrani wire wheel is an intricate sculpture all on its own. Paired with the Daytona’s body, they look even more breathtaking.

INTERIOR

Steering Wheel – The Daytona’s bold wheel is truly the centerpiece of its interior. The stunning combination of chrome, black leather, contrasted stitching, and center horn button are all in perfect condition.

Dashboard & Instrumentation – A purposeful, deep-set array of Veglia gauges presents flawlessly, while the rest of the cabin’s intricate switchgear is intact and truly mesmerizing. No one can provide as much delight in a set of vent levers as Ferrari.

Seats, Trim, & Carpet – Better than factory, the fit and finish inside this Daytona is awe-inspiring and will age extremely well.

MECHANICAL

Engine – The correct, matching-numbers, 4.4L V12 is present, featuring the famous six Weber carburetors atop its vast engine bay.

Original Motor: Yes
Engine #:251 n. 1210
The Drive: 174 miles per hour. In 1971. Need we say more?

Transmission – A gated, five-speed manual transaxle, for that perfect Ferrari “click” every time.

Original Transmission: Yes
Transmission #: Available upon request
The Drive: Precise, purposeful, and perfectly balanced. There is no substitute for a Ferrari gated shifter.

Handling – Completely rebuilt suspension and brakes allow this Daytona to dance as intended, harnessing the immense grunt of the V12 and dispatching rough roads with impeccable manners.

The Drive: Solid, analog, and pure, the Daytona balances its amazing capabilities with traditional grand touring poise.

ORIGINALITY

While this car has been treated to the full Joe Macari Restorations experience, it remains in an exacting period-correct spec and is a recognized Classiche example. Not all restorations are created equal, and a build that respects the car’s heritage while taking it to the absolute limit of perfection is a very appealing approach.

DOCUMENTATION

This Daytona’s restoration was performed in-house at Joe Macari and is fully documented. It also retains the comprehensive Classiche file from Ferrari.

MARKET OBSERVATIONS

Bonhams Scottsdale 2016 – 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona – $1,155,000 – Classiche-certified, low-mileage example.
RM New York 2015 – 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona – $847,000 – Older, award-winning restoration. Classiche-certified and multiple FCA Platinum wins.
Gooding & Co. Pebble Beach 2016 – 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona – $825,000 – Unrestored car discovered after decades hidden away.

GET INSPIRED

Here’s what it’s like to drive a later model Daytona:

OUR THOUGHTS

End of an Era – Two-seater V12s have an impressive lineage at Ferrari, with the Daytona an extremely worthy swan song. Pair it in the garage with a 550 Maranello, and enjoy the connection these two fantastic cars share despite the decades between them.

Fast – Anyone with a penchant for going quickly will appreciate the Daytona’s speedy pedigree. 174 miles per hour, a starring role in the inaugural Cannonball Run, and racing provenance at Le Mans sets this car apart, even among other Prancing Horses.

Value for Money – No, a Daytona isn’t exactly budget transportation, but is still a wildly attractive deal when viewed alongside other period V12 Ferraris. Scoop one up now before they inevitably rocket into the multi-million dollar stratosphere.