Driver-Quality Exotic: 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona”
In the mid-1960s, over at Pininfarina, Lionardi Fioavanti was sketching a new car. The result emerged in days and met with approval from his boss as well as Enzo Ferrari. The new two-seat grand tourer was a successor to the 275 GTB/4, and its 1968 introduction followed on the heels of Ferrari’s 1-2-3 win at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race. Though Ferrari continued its typical naming convention in employ at the time – cylinder displacement/number of camshafts – the automotive press had other ideas. They called the new car the “Daytona”, and it stuck. Production ran through 1973, amounting to fewer than 1300 copies. Araknid78 found this car for us to write about – thanks!
Unlike the mid-engined winners at Daytona, the 365’s Colombo-designed dry sump, 4.4-liter V12 is installed in its front end, backed by a rear-mounted five-speed transaxle. The engine breathes through six Weber carburetors; two camshafts sit in each cylinder bank. With 350 hp on tap, 60 mph arrives in just 5.4 seconds. The claimed top speed is 174 mph. The Daytona is known for its heavy handling at low speeds – a trait shared by many of Ferrari’s larger touring cars – but it becomes lightfooted as the needle sweeps right. This example was delivered new in Germany, where it resides now. Its first title, still with the car, confirms the matching-numbers engine. The odometer reads 57,350 km.
The car’s interior was designed with slender seats, an impossibly slender gearshift lever, and big, round gauges clustered in front of the driver. This interior is original, showing light wear to the leather upholstery. The car retains its tool kit, and several original manuals.
The Daytona’s styling was impacted by US safety regulations: it was originally designed with a corner-to-corner plexiglass panel covering the headlights, but covered headlights were banned in the US, forcing a switch to a pop-up mechanism. Generally, the styling departs from the voluptuous curves of its older siblings. The more angular idiom can be seen repeated in the Boxer, the 308s, and the 400 – all ’70s cars from Ferrari. This example was repainted in 2003 from its factory shade of Verde Bahram (green) to dark blue. Minor imperfections in the color coat testify to its use over the years. This car is represented by Broad Arrow’s private sales department, with an asking price of €695,000 (about $760,000). The price is comparable to the wide variety of Daytonas that have changed hands over the last several months, after adjusting for this one’s slight patina. While most of us can’t entertain a Daytona in the garage, horsepower is agnostic: it can be had in many packages, from muscle cars to hot rods. Which 350-hp car is your favorite?
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Comments
The “Daytona” became all the rage for some reason, but I thought it was unattractive compared to the 275 GTB and for all the new wedge shapes which were popular, the Maserati Ghibli was the better design.
Have you seen a 2013–2023 Ghilbi – or a 1992–1998?
Probably has. But I guess the reference is to the 1960s Ghibli, which was highly rated against the Daytona.
I’m with gippy, Daytona left me cold and still does. 275GTB every time
I went to the (semi-) local Ferrari dealer back in 1972/73 when I was feeling flush, thanks to a recently acquired high-paying job. I wanted a Dino, which they had, but the salesman steered me toward a Daytona which, by coincidence, was the same color as this one. He offered me a deal, which he admitted was because none of their customers wanted anything but Rosso Corsa.
I loved the Daytona, but didn’t pull the trigger on the deal. Which is just as well, because a) I went through a couple of job changes that year and couldn’t have kept up the payments and b) if I HAD managed to pay it off, I would now have a 500,000-mile-plus Daytona, and that hardly bears thinking about.
Still can’t afford it. But would still love to have this. Or a Dino….
I was still in high school when this car was introduced. I still remember the price, $25,000, which seemed like only a millionaire could afford at the time. Fast forward 12 years and I bought a Porsche 944 for $25,000
A favorite 350HP machine? Of our neighborhood garage mechanics thought a 383 ci stroker motor in an abandoned 240Z would be a fun after-work project. This ratty looking old Datsun surprised more than a few Corvette and Porsche clubs owners everywhere he travelled after updating the suspension too.
But an absolute standout favorite?
Bill Harrahs Jerarri just for the sheer audacity.
If memory serves, Dan Gurney and Brock Yates won the inaugural Cannonball Baker Sea To Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash in just such a ride (although perhaps not this color.)
Gurney got 1 ticket… in Arizona, I think… for being clocked at 170.
Bob: Great reference to Gurney and Yates, both now gone. The tale of that Cannonball still makes great reading, all these years later. And the two brothers in their AMX….and on and on. Thanks.
What’s a non-driver quality Ferrari? Asking for a friend….
Try this one. I doubt there’s any visible flaw.
https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1972-ferrari-365-gtb-4-daytona-1/
Probably could be described as concours.
Correct on the Dan Gurney/Brock Yates Cannonball run. If you read Yates’s full story, there’s a section he describes Dan Gurney driving in the night somewhere in the desert with the car flat out, one hand on the wheel, while he was looking and talking to Brock Yates in the passenger seat.
Speaking as an automobile journalist myself, Michelle remains the Gold Standard of BF writers. They’re all top notch, but someone has to be The Best. Hi Michelle! Xoxoxo bb .
Ha ha, flattery always appreciated, Reid!