Three Owners: 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Plexiglass
There’s rare, and then there’s rare. To Americans accustomed to production numbers of 1350 Mustang Boss 429s and 2326 AMC Rebel “The Machines”, a population of 385 copies feels infinitesimal. The larger set of 365 GTB/4s amounted to only 1284 to begin with, and as it materialized from the drawing board to one of the most famous road-going supercars ever, the plexiglass nose covering its headlights was one of its distinguishing features. But US regulators quickly nixed covered headlights, forcing Ferrari to install retractable versions. Here at Girardo & Co. is a rare 1970 ‘Plexi’ 365 GTB/4 Daytona, price on application. This Daytona counts only three owners in its history, including a 36-year stint in Fabrizio Violati’s Maranello Rosso museum – now closed but thanks to remnants of virtual tours on the web, still viewable. Here’s a close-up of this particular car in its slot on the museum’s floor. This tip is courtesy of Araknid78, whose sharp eyes on the exotic car market generate plenty of ideas for us – thanks!
The 365 GTB/4 (the “four” is a reminder of the four cams contained in the big V12) was conceived as a replacement for the 275 GTB/4. Christened the Daytona by the press as a nod to Ferrari’s 1-2-3 win there in 1967, the new two-seat grand tourer represented a leap in the evolution of the Colombo V12. Now clocking in at 4.4 liters and 320 bhp, the real game-changer was an increase in torque from 240 ft-lbs to 267, still at 5000 rpms, lending a low-end tractability edge over the 275 despite the Daytona’s weight penalty. A five-speed manual transaxle shifts through a gate and ensures close-to-ideal 50/50 weight distribution. Steering can be heavy at parking lot speeds but lightens quickly on the road; the Daytona was the fastest production car in the world at its launch. The odometer reads just 13,044 km, and all numbers are matching.
This car was mildly recommissioned for its third owner, who acquired it after Mr Violati’s unfortunate passing, but it has never been comprehensively restored. The custom red fabric panels inset into the seat upholstery, the glass, the “mouse hair” fabric covering the dash – all remain as originally delivered. This car was ordered with a wood-rimmed steering wheel and air conditioning.
While the 275 GTB/4 presented a curvaceous, sensual image, the Daytona wrapped that long-nosed idiom into a more aggressive approach. The sharky nose, the abrupt tail, and the austere waistline signaled “I’m all about business”. Every inch a Ferrari, the Daytona reminds us of the incredible range Ferrari was delivering to its lucky customers – from beautiful and well-mannered front-engined GTCs to the sensational mid-engined Dino 246. Collectors today confer these ‘Plexi’ Daytonas a slight premium over ordinary versions. That said, prices have stagnated in the last few years, hugging the $550k to $650k range, with occasional forays toward $800k for truly exceptional examples. My guess is this unrestored example is priced above the average sale – what do you think?
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Comments
So not on Craig’s List, how will it ever sell?
These were pretty robust and good for a driver. The last one I knew of as a DD was in 2003.
This one has all of the makings for a more desirable GTB.
Get out your pastel t-shirts, linen blazers and loafers with no sock. Fulfil your deepest Miami Vice fantasies!
I’m afraid this car is a decade too early for that.
During the first two seasons of Miami Vice, Detective Sonny Crockett drove a 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder replica. Close enough to fool the average public.
“Smuggler’s Blues” playing on the radio.
Today, retractable headlites are illegal in the US, but yellowed scratched, cloudy foggy plastic headlight covers are ok to drive on the road with – go figure.
Does any state fail a vehicle(especially old Hondas & Neons) for such compromised headlight covers? They ALL should. & i bet no cop would ticket you for them.
Illegal? You know not of what you speak. Retractable headlights were ditched by many manufacturers for more aerodynamic flush-fitting fixed lights
Last I heard pop up lights are not illegal, but it would be so difficult to make them fit within updated safety standards that they are virtually legislated out.
In “free” states, we don’t have to worry about such frivolous regulations. Especially on 54 year old cars!
What? No, retractable headlights aren’t illegal, they’ve just fallen from fashion (in part because the regulations that drove their adoption in the first place have been relaxed, but also because of evolving technology and, well, fashion).
Heck, I’d be happy with an Opel GT instead of this. Similar in looks or at least close enough for my budget!
Oh please!
The “Miami Vice” car was indeed a very good replicar which really pi$$ed Enzo off.He informed Michael Mann, the producer, that Ferrari would provide a real car for the next season…if they blew the replicar up on the show.That was done in dramatic style with Sonny barely escaping…and next season he drove a real F car..a TestaRossa that was repainted white to be better seen in night time shots.A pal of mine had a real Daytona Spyder that he bought new and tunred down $1.5 million for it at its high value point.This a a beauty and will get quiucky snapped up I’m sure…
the only thing that bugged me about that Daytona replica was the scenes where Crocket would pull that auto shifter into gear and of course the subsequent auto trans squat that then happened
Before I pass-on, I am determined to sit behind the wheel of car with a hand built V12 under the hood, with three pedals on the floor, no top and drive with no real destination in mind for a few hours.
The topless that I thought the most of and enjoyed driving the most is the 330GTS.
Now your talking! Think of 1930s Marmon, Cadillac, Lincoln, Auburn, Pierce-Arrow. All meet your list of requirements..
Hm. Did Marmon make a V12 other than the prototype HCM car that was the predecessor to the Sixteen? I don’t think so, I think it was sixes, eights, and the V16….
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/am13/lots/r127-1932-marmon-hcm-v12-twodoor-sedan-prototype/
Not to say the Marmon wouldn’t be a magnificent choice!
550 Maranellos are available – although they’ve gone up in price.
The Miami Vice replicar was a McBurnie made in El Cajon CA. The owner, Tom Mcburnie under Ferrari pressure tried several other replica fiberglass cars eventually becoming Thunder Ranch producing primarily James Dean/Beck style Porsche knockoffs.
In the summer of 2016, I visited the Fort William area of Scotland, having no idea before hand that it is in fact a rather wealthy area, with lots of high-end cars.
One evening while out for a drive to enjoy the “daylight until midnight” experience of central Scotland, I was marveling at the gorgeous BMW CSL Batmobile coming at me so much I didn’t even notice there was a Daytona right behind me.
Still the only time I’ve ever seen either one “in the flesh”.
I’m of the correct age to instantly connect that model with Brock Yates and Dan Gurney whenever I see a picture of one.
I remember being enthralled by a magazine article about the Cannonball Daytona and the things the owner went through while restoring it.
Aw dang. When did that museum close?
nice