1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

Lot details
Registration No: MDP457K
Chassis No: 14677
Mot Expiry: July 2005

The front-engined V12 Ferraris are at the very core of the legend of `The Prancing Horse'. For although the other power configurations employed by the Italy's most celebrated marque certainly do have merits, this is the basis for the classic Ferrari designs of the 1950s and, indeed, the engine at the front driving the rear wheels layout is still being employed today for the most modern Autostrada cruisers from Maranello. Debuted at the 1968 Paris Salon, the 365GTB/4 soon gained the unofficial Daytona nickname with the public through the model's 1,2,3 clean sweep in the 1967 US race.
The model defining shark-nose styling was actually the work of Leonardo Fioravanti, later Pininfarina's celebrated Director of R&D, who has gone on record to say that the Daytona was his personal favourite among the many Ferraris he designed. Extending for almost half the car's length, the horsepower enhancing bonnet was complimented by a compact cabin and short tail. After the prototype had been constructed in the Pininfarina workshops in Turin however, manufacture of production Daytonas was switched to Ferrari subsidiary Scaglietti.
Following final finishing and checks, this particular right-hand drive Ferrari first left the Modena works in 1971 and was acquired by the vendor at auction in 1995 with 18,000 miles displayed - when entered for the sale, this mileage reading had risen to only 21,736. According to the owner, the 4390cc capacity twelve-cylinder engine was renewed or at least rebuilt during the eighties.
The current condition of the Pininfarina-styled two-door coupe - which has been repainted in red, has black leather interior and sits on alloys - can be described as being generally good, albeit from a distance, for there has been some deterioration beneath the paintwork in the middle of the driver's door, on the bonnet and on the nearside rear wheelarch. The chrome would reportedly clean up well and, though likely to benefit from some Connollising, the seat leather is in good condition.
Inside, both dashboard and instrumentation would appear to be correct, while the centre console is fitted with a stereo-cassette player. An underbonnet inspection indicates that, at some stage, air-conditioning and twin air horns have been added, and the brake servo most probably renewed. A new exhaust system has been fitted. Current MOT certificate and tax disc are valid until July.
Yes, this front-engined and likely to be glorious sounding V12 Ferrari fixed head may need some cosmetic attention, but you would be hard pressed to find another with such a realistically set and temptingly affordable guide price.
PLEASE NOTE: The accelerator pedal is faulty on this vehicle.