Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti 1973 - World Of Classic Cars -

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti 1973

What’s in a name? Conventional wisdom says the “Daytona” moniker was coined by motoring writers after a trio of Ferraris swept the 24 Hours of Daytona in that hallowed Florida venue on 5 February 1967. The factory referred to it as the 365 GTB/4, but that didn’t stop the public from loving it by the nickname and making it one of the most beloved cars of its time to wear the prancing horse.
The 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta was introduced at the 1968 Paris Salon and was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, although Scaglietti built the bodies. The chassis was based on the earlier 275 GTB/4, but the engine was a new 4,390-cubic centimetre, dual overhead-camshaft V-12 that drove through a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti 1973

The original design had full-width acrylic headlamp covers, but U.S. regulations forced a change to subtle pop-up lights, which were made standard in 1970. The overall shape represented a change for Ferrari, with smoothly flowing lines and a deep crease extending the length of the car on the side. Nearly 1,300 were built in the model’s six-year lifetime.
The world’s infatuation with the Daytona was perhaps best expressed by Le Mans winner and motoring journalist Paul Frère. His tale of hitting 176 mph on the autostrada in 1969, in which he described the radio as useless above 120 mph, has become the stuff of legend: “If you go faster, it’s the engine that makes the music; the finest music of all to the ears of the enthusiast, and the music he can enjoy in a well-sprung car, fitted with such amenities as electric window lifters, air conditioning…and a really capacious luggage locker—a Grand Touring car par excellence”.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti 1973

This car was delivered new, equipped with air conditioning, to William Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors, the U.S. West Coast distributorship in Reno, Nevada, and was later owned by James Downing, of Cleveland, Ohio, for some 10 years. It was then offered for sale in the New York Times in 1985, advertised as having only 5,000 miles, and then again in 2001, showing a genuine 21,005 original miles. As recently as 2006, it appeared for sale in the Ferrari Market Letter, still sporting its handsome original colours and having recently participated flawlessly in a 1,000-mile south eastern U.S. rally.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti 1973

Based on its current known history, the 28,100 miles on the odometer are believed to be genuine. The Grigo Argento Auteuil exterior paint has recently been refreshed, and the inviting Pella Nera leather interior shows only modest wear and is understood to be original. Likewise, the engine compartment is clean, and whilst there is no soil of use, there is light patina on various fitments. The luggage compartment is carpeted in black and holds a spare wheel, jack, and valise with correct factory tools.
Call it what you will, Daytona or 365 GTB/4, this car still tugs at the heartstrings of the enthusiast. With mind-blowing acceleration and a staggering top speed of 174 mph from its mighty 4.4-litre V-12, the sheer beauty of this Daytona is complemented by its inimitable performance.