1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' Spyder conversion by Autokraft

Registration no. NRX 519K Chassis no. 14397

Footnotes

The ultimate expression of Ferrari's fabulous line of classic V12 front-engined sports cars, the Pininfarina-styled 365 GTB/4 debuted at the Paris Salon in 1968, soon gaining the unofficial name 'Daytona' in honour of the sweeping 1, 2, 3 finish by the Ferrari 330 P4 sports prototype at that circuit in 1967.

Although there had been no official open-top version of its predecessor, the favourable reception of Luigi Chinetti's 275 GTB-based NART Spyder no doubt influenced Ferrari's decision to produce a convertible Daytona. Again the work of Pininfarina, the latter was first seen at the Paris Salon in 1969, with deliveries commencing in 1971. Although the rear end had been extensively reworked, so successful was Pininfarina's surgery that it was hard to credit that the Daytona had not initially been conceived as a spyder.

The most powerful two-seater, road-going GT and the world's fastest production car at the time of its launch, the Daytona was capable of over 170mph (274km/h) and is surely destined to remain a front-ranking supercar for the foreseeable future. Some 1,300 Berlinetta models and 123 Spyder convertibles had been made when production ceased in 1973. Of the Spyders, only 25 were built to European specification (seven of which were right-hand drive).

Ferrari's limited production run of Daytona Spyders left many would-be customers disappointed, a situation which led, inevitably, to a number of coupés being converted, including chassis number '14397', the example offered here. Built as a right-hand drive Berlinetta and supplied new by Maranello Concessionaires Limited to Dudley Mason-Styrron of Churt, Surrey, '14397' would be his second of seven Ferrari Daytonas. Mr Mason-Styrron collected his Daytona from the factory on 10th September 1971 and drove it back to the UK via his home in the South of France. The car was first registered in the UK on the 6th September 1971 as 'DMS 2'. While at the factory, Mr Mason-Styrron had been told that only two Daytona Spyders would be built for the UK, but when Ferrari announced that they were prepared to build five more UK right-hand drive examples, Mr Mason-Styrron duly ordered one and Maranello Concessionaires took back '14397' in part exchange.

According to the accompanying Massini Report, the Daytona was later sold to Stuart and Wendy Flood (and reregistered '5 UKX') before being acquired in 1978 by British businessman Peter Thorp, who purchased it from Bobbie Bell of Bell & Colvill, West Horsley. Owner of an airfreight company, Peter Thorp is better known to motoring enthusiasts as the proprietor of Safir Engineering Ltd, former makers of the MkV Ford GT40. He was also involved in motor racing as manufacturer of the Safir Formula 3 car. Peter had seen several Daytona coupés in the USA that had been converted to Spyders, and managed to persuade his neighbour Brian Angliss of CP Autokraft to carry out a similar conversion if a suitable car could be found. The car that Peter found was '14397' and the work with Autokraft began.

Dimensions and shapes for the Spyder body were copied from an original example that was being looked after by the Ferrari dealers Modena Engineering. '14397' was strengthened by Autokraft, incorporating more-rounded rear wings at Thorp's request. Controversially, he also chose to have the Ferrari repainted in Volkswagen metallic green, though such was the adverse reaction that the car was soon re-sprayed in a more acceptable shade of blue.

In February 1987 Peter Thorp sold the Ferrari to Tom Walduck, a racing driver and owner of a small collection of classic cars, during whose ownership it was used in a TV commercial for Cadbury's chocolate. Tom Walduck owned the Daytona until circa 2003 when it was sold via Rod Leach Nostalgia Cars to Mr Henry Weitzmann of Basingstoke, still registered as '5 UKX'. In 2006 the Ferrari left the UK, finding a new home in Australia with Mr Ian Buddery of Sydney. The car was registered on Australian license plates as 'GTS 365'. Returning to the UK in 2013, '14397' was acquired by the current owner and further work commenced.

Totalling in excess of £50,000, there are numerous bills on file dating back to 2003, the vast majority of which date from the car's time in Australia by Cavallino Motorsport Pty Ltd, primarily strengthening the chassis and on a a transaxle overhaul, while the most recent, issued by Foskers in August 2015, is for £25,313 including being re-painted to its current colour. The Ferrari had covered 53,128 miles at that time and only 284 miles have been added to the total since then. Now repainted in red with black leather interior, its original colour combination, the car is described by the vendor as in excellent condition and has the added advantage of being fitted with electronic power steering.

Arguably the UK's best known Daytona conversion, and one possessing a fascinating history, '14397' comes complete with its Ferrari leather book pack; a large file of sundry invoices; old MOT certificates; two keys; a copy of the factory build sheet; and copies of the original order form, Italian customs form, and warranty booklet.