1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spider Conversion

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 – better known as the ‘Daytona’ – was the definitive GT car of its period, capable of dispatching long distances with ease. The Spider model added a touch of open-top flair, but only seven right-hand-drive examples were built at the Maranello factory. It’s therefore no surprise that some owners later chose to have their Berlinettas converted, which was the case with this beautifully presented Daytona. 

Chassis number 16643 was one of only 158 Daytonas that were officially imported to the UK, and was supplied new by HR Owen via official distributor Maranello Concessionaires. The HR Owen order form is dated 21 December 1972, and the Ferrari was to be finished in Marrone Metallizzata with a Beige interior. It was also specified with factory air-conditioning.

Ferrari’s invoice to Maranello Concessionaires for the completed car was dated 25 June 1973, and the following month it was delivered to its first owner – Anton von Kassel, who was based in Mayfair in central London. 

The Daytona was sold in September 1975 to Baruch Sapshonsky, then to a Mr Oliver of Godalming in June 1979, and John Gordon of Salisbury in June 1983. After Gordon, it passed to Jim Wallace, who was chairman of the Otford Group, which included Ferrari specialist Graypaul Motors. 

In 1988-89, Wallace had the car – which had been repainted red by that time – converted from a Berlinetta into a Spider. He entrusted the structural work to the highly respected experts at Moto Technique, while Graypaul carried out an engine rebuild on the big V12. Graypaul then did all of the reassembly that was necessary to complete the project, and the total cost came to about £50,000.

The Daytona Spider was later owned by Andrew Pisker, James Lindsay and Richard Moore, who sold it to a new custodian in 2011. They returned the car to Moto Technique, which repainted it in its current shade of Graphite Grey and retrimmed the interior in turquoise and black. 

The transaxle was also overhauled, the brakes uprated with modern AP discs and calipers, and electric power steering was installed. A central locking system was fitted, and slightly softer road springs were specified as part of a suspension rebuild. 

This well-sorted and extremely attractive Ferrari Daytona is offered for sale with an extensive history file that includes period documents, an original driver’s handbook, and a photographic record of its meticulous conversion into a Spider. Powerful, stylish and rare, it’s a beautiful example of this thoroughbred GT.

MODEL HISTORY  

The Ferrari Daytona was the last in a legendary line of front-engined models from Maranello. After the 250 GT Berlinettas had culminated in the Short Wheelbase and GTO, the next evolutionary step came in 1964 with the 275 GTB, which gained a transaxle and independent rear suspension, as well as a 3.3-litre single-camshaft V12 engine. 

That was followed in 1966 by the four-cam 275 GTB/4, which was replaced two years later by the 365 GTB/4 – universally referred to as the ‘Daytona’ in honour of the Scuderia’s one-two-three result at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours. 

Launched at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, it featured a 4390cc Tipo 251 development of the Gioachino Colombo V12. With a 9:1 compression ratio – 8.8:1 on US-spec cars – plus dry-sump lubrication and six Weber carburettors, it was good for 352bhp at 7500rpm. 

The Pininfarina-designed, Scaglietti-built body was sharper and cleaner than the 275 GTB, and beneath it lay the latest Tipo 605 chassis. The 2400mm wheelbase was the same as before, but the front and rear track measurements were wider, and suspension was by wishbones and telescopic dampers front and rear. 

A tiny batch of Group 4 competition cars was produced for privateers to race, but the Daytona was primarily built for fast road use. It reached 60mph from a standstill in 5.5 seconds and went on to a maximum of 174mph – faster even than the contemporary Lamborghini Miura. 

‘On a dry surface,’ wrote Mel Nichols in Car magazine, ‘the first unleashing of the acceleration is electrifying, for it is neck-snapping… In the development of the front-engined, ultra-high-performing, two-seater road car, the Daytona is the ultimate.’