1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder Conversion
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rosso Corsa with Black interior and Red Daytona inserts
- Early-production 365 GTB/4 Daytona – the 61st by serial number
- Matching numbers engine
- Sold new to noted Italian racing-team owner, Corrado Manfredini
- Accident-free example; expert interior restoration
- Accompanied by service records; shown at several California concours
SPECIFICATIONS
- 4,390 cc Tipo 251 DOHC V-12 engine, 352 HP at 7,500 RPM
- six Weber 40 DCN 20 carburetors
- five-speed manual gearbox in rear transaxle with limited-slip differential
- four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension with coil springs
- four-wheel Girling vacuum-assisted and ventilated hydraulic disc brakes
- Borrani wire wheels
THE FERRARI 365 GTB/4 “DAYTONA”
Launched at Paris in 1968, Ferrari’s new 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta earned its unofficial “Daytona” name as a result of the Scuderia’s podium sweep at the famous Daytona 24-hour race in 1967. Now, as when new, the 365 GTB/4 remains the ultimate expression of the classic front-engine V-12 Ferrari GT concept, with its lean and aggressive, Scaglietti-built body universally acknowledged as one of Pininfarina’s finest designs. Early models had full-width Plexiglas headlamp covers, but stricter US regulations demanded the covered, pop-up arrangement fitted to all Daytonas from 1970 forward. The Daytona was hailed at introduction as the fastest production sports car in the world, with a factory-claimed top speed of 174 mph courtesy of its 352-HP, 4.4-litre V-12 engine. One of the first reports on the Daytona was penned by Le Mans-winning driver and journalist Paul Frère, who reportedly hit 176 mph in 1969. He also extolled the Daytona’s impressive total experience, characterizing it a “Grand Touring car par excellence.” Later, in the October 1970 issue, Road & Track declared “The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is the best sports car in the world.”
The Daytona was truly an important production model for Ferrari, with marque experts citing 1,383 examples constructed from 1968 to 1974, plus 121 convertible Spyders. Due to the popularity of the Syder model, another 120 cars were converted from coupe to convertible model in the 1970’s. Importantly, the Daytona represents the end of an era as Ferrari’s last front-engine, V-12, two-seat road car for more than two decades until the 550 Maranello in 1996.
THIS CAR
This beautiful Ferrari Daytona Spyder Conversion is finished in Rosso Corsa red paint with black leather interior with red Daytona inserts. Numbered 12815, this original Euro-spec 1969 365 GTB/4 Daytona is documented in Hilary A. Raab, Jr.’s Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I as the 61st built in terms of chassis number. It was delivered new in Italy to racing team owner Corrado Manfredini, who together with partner Giampiero Moretti (Momo steering wheels) was among Ferrari’s best clients at the time. A European car most of its lifetime, the second owner registered the car in Monaco, and the third owner was a prominent Italian collector. In December 2005, the car was brought to the United States by its fourth owner.
The Spyder conversion was completed in Europe during the 1970s and it is readily apparent upon inspection that the work was properly and accurately executed. The attention to detail is illustrated by the correct “L” shaped door trim around the windows (which is usually cut straight on conversions) and the hard-cover for the convertible top, which was crafted in Italy. This is a “no-accident” Daytona showing an approximate 54,000 kilometers (less than 34,000 miles), which are believed original. Notably, the car still features its Italian libretto registration document in the window. It has been meticulously maintained by and is cosmetically and mechanically excellent. Both body and paint are great, and the Euro-spec offers cleaner body lines with no side marker lights. The interior was expertly restored in 2006 and it still shows like new, including the mouse fur dash. As offered, this 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder Conversion is a truly reliable, non-needy classic V-12 Ferrari that starts on command, is very responsive, and provides a thrilling open-air driving experience.
PRICE: On Request