1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

Lot details
Registration No: MHE211M
Chassis No: 16737
Mot Expiry: Sept 2012

16,000 MILES, FACTORY AIR-CON

"It's a hard-muscled thoroughbred, easily the most awesome but disciplined road-going Ferrari yet. The Daytona isn't just fast - it's blinding. It is the perfect extension of its driver" (Car and Driver, January 1970).

Prized as the last front-engined Ferrari GT to be developed without Fiat's assistance, the 365GTB/4 debuted at the 1968 Paris Salon. An evolution of that fitted to the outgoing 275GTB/4, its Tipo 605 tubular steel chassis frame was equipped with all-round independent double-wishbone suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and precise rack and pinion steering. Notably well-balanced, the model enjoyed 50:50 weight distribution thanks to the rigid torque tube drive which linked its rear-mounted five-speed transaxle and Tipo 251 4390cc DOHC dry-sump engine. Fed via six twin-choke Weber carburetors, the latter was quoted as developing some 352bhp @ 7,500rpm and 318lbft of torque @ 5,500rpm. A further development of Aurelio Lampredi's already race proven V12 design, it reputedly enabled the 365GTB/4 to sprint from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds, 0-100mph in 12 seconds and on to 174mph.

Such staggering performance inevitably brought comparisons with that other contender for the title 'World's Fastest Production Car', the Lamborghini Miura (though, road testers were almost unanimous in placing the Prancing Horse ahead of the Rampant Bull). Where its Marcello Gandini-penned rival charmed onlookers with a combination of sensual curves and delicate detailing, the Pininfarina-styled Ferrari proved a visual masterclass in muscularity and menace. The Lamborghini's headlamp 'eyelashes' being in sharp contrast to the black 'bandit mask' worn by early 365GTB/4s. Bodied by Scaglietti in a mixture of steel and aluminium, the Maranello car utilized fibregalss for its inner tub. Typically inviting, the GT's two-seater cabin played host to a vinyl (later suede) topped dashboard, aluminium fascia panel, leather-trimmed bucket seats and electric windows (while, air-conditioning was a highly desirable option).

Facelifted in early 1971 so as to comply with US safety legislation, the 365GTB/4 gained retractable headlights. Nicknamed the 'Daytona' on account of Ferrari's dominant 1-2-3 finish at the famous circuit in 1967, the model soon acquired a formidable competition pedigree of its own. Campaigned by a variety of independent teams - often with little factory recognition - suitably prepared 365GTB/4s achieved some exceptional results at Le Mans including: 5th o/a (1971), 5th - 9th o/a (1972), 6th and 9th o/a (1973). Though, perhaps even more impressive were the two 2nd places achieved at the 1973 and 1979 Daytona 24 hours. With apologies to Thomas Hobbes, short journeys aboard a 'Daytona' might be brutish and short but long high-speed ones can still be the stuff of motoring heaven. Properly warmed-up and with some clear road ahead of it, a good 365GTB/4 can thrill its pilot like few other cars. A triumphant last stand in the face of the mid-engined revolution, Ferrari called time on the 'Daytona' during late 1973 after some 1,284 coupes had been made (just 158 of which were supplied to UK right-hand drive specification).

This particular example - chassis number 16737 - was ordered from Maranello Concessionaires Ltd by property developer and serial Ferrari owner Clifford Lawrence Esq on 7th May 1973. Taking delivery some three months later, Mr Lawrence was allowed £8,000 in part exchange for his existing 1971 365GTB/4 Daytona against a total purchase price of £11,257.86. Finished in Blue Chiaro Metallic with Beige VM 3218 leather upholstery and boasting the highly desirable option of air conditioning, chassis 16737 was road registered as '3 BYH' on 23rd August 1973. Copy invoices on file show that the supercar returned to Maranello Concessionaires Ltd twice over the next few weeks to have its headlamp wiring modified (313 miles) and be given a service (629 miles). Thereafter the earliest surviving piece of paperwork is a MOT certificate issued by the Derby Road Service Station of Chesterfield on 21st September 1978 which lists the recorded mileage as 12,869; the Ferrari being re-registered from 'WLY 76M' to 'VVO 1' at the same time.

An accompanying V5 Registration Document suggests that the 365GTB/4 Daytona has had just three registered keepers from new, the second being Chesterfield resident Barrie Harnden Esq. who acquired it on 14th June 1979. Like his predecessor, Mr Harnden had various property interests including a garage business and by the end of his custodianship the supercar's odometer reading had risen to 15,619 miles. Sparingly used since entering the Litchfield Collection in late January 1998, chassis 16737 is currently showing some 16,700 miles to its speedometer and while there is insufficient paperwork on file to warrant this figure Mr Litchfield informs us he bought the car on the understanding that it was an unusually low mileage example. Furthermore, we have spoken to Mr Harnden who has confirmed that he (a) similarly purchased the two-seater as a low mileage example, (b) had it repainted red and (c) drove it very little. The lack of wear and tear shown by the interior - still trimmed in its original Beige VM 3218 leather upholstery - is certainly consistent with light usage, while its Michelin radial tyres look suspiciously like they date from 1973! Entrusted to David A.C. Royle & Co Ltd of Staindrop, Co Durham for a bodywork refurbishment and bare metal respray during July 2006, the Ferrari emerged some twelve months later in its current Red livery.

Worthy of close inspection, this rare right-hand drive 365GTB/4 Daytona is offered for sale with old V5 Registration Document, current V5C Registration Document, handbook, workshop manual, copy Maranello Concessionaires Ltd correspondence, assorted MOTs dating back to 1978, David A.C. Royle & Co Ltd invoices (totalling over £28,000) and valid MOT certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle is now registered as MHE211M and has an MOT until Sept 2012.