1972 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 DAYTONA BERLINETTA

Coachwork by Scaglietti - Design by Pininfarina

4,390cc DOHC V12 Engine
6 Weber Carburetors
352bhp at 7,500rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Delivered new to the US through Chinetti/Garthwaite
*Carefully maintained, retains original interior
*Offered with tools and history file, including Marcel Massini report
*Freshly serviced brakes, new tires etc.

Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.


THE FERRARI 365 GTB/4 DAYTONA BERLINETTA

The concept of manufacturing a 4-cam V12-engined Berlinetta with considerably greater power output than the successful 275 GTB/4 model emerged in 1967, as soon as the 3.3-liter variant was being launched upon a receptive market. The new model would have to meet newly developed US federal regulations, which meant a tremendous amount of time-consuming development work before the new design could be introduced.

Ferrari's first known prototype for such a car emerged during the winter of 1967 with bodywork presaging the final design that would be adopted, although its front-end treatment looked back towards that of the 275 GTB. It used a three-valve per cylinder 4-liter V12 engine that was not taken further. Instead a Tipo 251 power unit would be adopted, which was a more conventional 4.4-liter with hemispherical combustion chambers in its twin-cam heads, and single-plug ignition. The block had been lengthened to accommodate a bore and stroke of 81mm x 71mm, identical to the Tipo 245 engine's, which already powered the 365 GT 2-plus-2, GTC and GTS models.

The new 4.4-liter unit was lubricated by a dry-sump system with a 14-liter separate tank. The compression ratio was 8.8:1 and with six Weber 40DCN carburetors the engine delivered a muscular 352bhp at 7,500rpm, with 318lbs/ft. torque at 5,500rpm – enough – indeed, as one English technical writer of the time described as being "...more than enough to pull your house down".

The mechanical ensemble, comprising engine, torque tube and rear-mounted five-speed transaxle was attached to the tube chassis at four points – two on the engine and two on the transaxle – and the familiar 2.4-meter wheelbase was retained, which dated back in unbroken line to the 250 GT SWB.

To clothe the new 365 GTB/4, Pininfarina created a classical and now legendary design, which combined Maranello tradition with modernity. Only the prototype body was actually built by Pininfarina and as with the preceding Berlinettas it was Scaglietti who actually made the bodies in steel (with opening panels in aluminum) for the production examples.

The venue for the new model's launch was the October 1968 Paris Salon, and its immediately successful reception saw it being nicknamed the 'Daytona' in honor of the Ferrari factory team's 1-2-3 defeat of the mighty Ford GT fleet in the 1967 Daytona 24-Hour race. Shortly after debuting the gorgeous GTS/4 Spider, a number of important revisions were introduced on both the Berlinetta and Spider versions. These changes came about as a result of the newly imposed federal safety legislation in the USA that deemed covered headlights illegal. Ferrari and Pininfarina were subsequently being forced into carrying out a mild front-end makeover. Their answer was to fit the Daytona with retractable headlights in early 1971.

Capable of achieving 278km/h (172mph) in standard form, the new Ferrari was the fastest production car in the world at that time. It also displayed the quickest acceleration when pitted against the Lamborghini Miura, Mercedes-Benz 350SL, Jaguar V12 E-Type and the De Tomaso Pantera.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

15573 is an original U.S. delivered Daytona which quite remarkably has been in its same family ownership from new. According to its Marcel Massini report, a 1972 model it was completed at the factory on September 28, 1972, and sold new to Chinetti-Garthwaite Imports, with them concluding the sale to its one and only owner, who took delivery of the car in October 1973. He retained it until his passing earlier this year. Its specification included air-conditioning and power windows, and of course its odometer was in miles/U.S. configuration.

With the simplest of ownership journeys, the car has been enjoyed and cared for throughout its 48 year existence. More than a couple of decades ago it was repainted in its original Rosso Chiaro color and in recent times this has received light refreshing in the rear quarter panels. All the while, its interior has never received refurbishment and is clearly the original which testament to quality of the way they were trimmed has worn well, with light aging and only one small tear, but nothing that would consider the need to replace it, and moreover gives the car both 'old car small' and period ambience.

On the technical side, the car has been attended to in with overhaul of brakes, new calipers, wheels refreshed and fitted with new XWX tires, all of which have ensured that this one owner car can be exercised properly. A recent test drive during its photography showed the Ferrari to be on its mettle and to particularly well, displaying that coveted quality of never having suffered the indignity of multiple rebuilds of questionable workmanship, such that it drives as close to the day they were built. It retains its desirable original factory tool kit and a good file amassed during its single custody.

One of the greatest performance cars of the late 60s/early 70s, a Daytona is a tough, heroic Ferrari bred from two decades of success at Le Mans and other endurance events and built when the words 'speed limit' were yet to be introduced in many countries! This one owner, unmessed with example is a great way to experience a really legendary automobile at a very modest price point.