1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4

The Ferrari ‘Daytona’

The Ferrari 365 GTB/4’s dizzying Pininfarina-engineered beauty has been causing knees to weaken and eyes to well for decades. That sleek fastback body epitomises the romance and appeal of the Italian Gran Turismo. The ‘Daytona’ is the kind of classic in which you can turn up anywhere on the planet, be it Monaco or Mumbai, and you’ll draw gawping onlookers by the dozen. It starred in Miami Vice and even Elton John owned one. And in the 1970s that was a big deal.

The absolute must-have luxury Grand Tourer in the 1960s and ’70s, the 4.4-litre Colombo V12-powered ‘Daytona’ is no shrinking violet when it comes to hiking up its skirt and getting a move on. Just ask the legendary American racing drivers Brock Yates and Dan Gurney, who, in 1971, famously drove a ‘Daytona’ 2,876 miles from New York City to Redondo Beach in California in a record time of 35 hours and 54 minutes. That’s an average speed of 80.8mph!

Chassis number 16657

Of the 1,284 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytonas’ built by Ferrari, only 158 right-hand-drive examples were designated to the UK market. As accompanying factory correspondence documents, chassis number 16657 was delivered new to Maranello Concessionaires in June of 1973. It was originally finished in the stunning shade of Rosso Rubino over a Beige leather interior. The car was fitted from new with the optional air-conditioning system and tan carpets.

The years and decades that followed for this ‘Daytona’ are comprehensively chronicled by the accompanying documentation. Chassis number 16657 has remained in England its entire life, passing through the hands of several collectors, a number of whom are prominent figures in British Ferrari circles. The car has always been diligently maintained by noted specialists, as evidenced by the frankly extraordinary history file that accompanies it. Most obviously, it documents when this 365 GTB/4 was refinished in the period Ferrari shade of Blu Metallizzato.  

Chassis number 16657 was acquired by its current owner in 2020, joining a fast-growing collection of significant historic and modern Ferraris including a 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta and a LaFerrari. Fewer than 200 miles have since been added to the Ferrari overall mileage, which currently reads 54,858 miles – a figure that, as per the accompanying invoices and MOT certificates, is correct. Most recently, this ‘Daytona’ has undergone a comprehensive professional detail and full paint correction. Accordingly, it presents beautifully – that Blu Metallizzato paint boasting a deep and alluring shine.

Crucially, chassis number 16657 has been issued with its Ferrari Classiche certification binder, which confirms the original ‘matching’ chassis, engine, transaxle and body. And satisfyingly, the car retains both its factory leather documents pouch, including the user manuals and spare-parts catalogue, spare wheel and complete tool roll.

If it’s good to ogle, this Ferrari is even better to drive. We’d go as far as to say it’s among the best-driving ‘Daytonas’ we’ve ever encountered. If ever a car gave us that reassuringly familiar ‘old-pair-of-trousers’ feeling, it was this ‘Daytona’. It’s hard to describe, but since it’s never been fully restored, the car feels just ‘right’ from behind the wheel. Nothing feels tight or snaggy – the gearshift, especially, inspires so much confidence and the buttery-smooth 12-cylinder engine has zero fluff at lower revs. It’s true some ‘Daytonas’ can feel heavy and cumbersome. But this one doesn’t. It’s a credit to the relatively short list of gentlemen who’ve cherished it for the last 53 years. Bravo.