A Berlinetta coupé with a front V12 engine: this was the architecture that, for Enzo Ferrari, defined a true sports car. And this was the architecture he chose for the 365 GTB/4, which he unveiled in 1968 in response to the Lamborghini Miura, launched two years earlier. The Miura had its V12 in an innovative mid-rear position, but Enzo wanted to keep the classic set-up: “It’s the horse that pulls the carriage, not the other way around,” he said, facetiously. He assigned his new model one simple mission: to beat the others. All the others, without exception. And he did it, with a car of unparalleled splendour, which became one of Ferrari’s greatest classics. It’s vanishingly rare for one as exceptional as this to come to market!
This is only the first edition of the Watch the Club newsletter, and already we’re able to offer an utterly exceptional automobile in this Ferrari Daytona.
Unveiled at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, the Daytona remains one of the most iconic Ferrari GTs. It was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, who ducked compliments with this modest comeback: “I don’t know much about beauty, but Plato said that beauty is the splendour of truth.”
The 365 GTB/4 was given the nickname “Daytona” after Ferrari secured the top three places at the Daytona 24 hour race in 1967, which took place on enemy territory, against Ford GT40s competing on home soil.
With its rear-mounted gearbox, the 365 GTB/4 has an ideal weight distribution. It is powered by the iconic 4.4-litre Colombo 12-cylinder engine, which produces 352 horsepower, two more than the Miura (“To beat the others”, remember!). Upon its release, it was the fastest road car of its time. It could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds – a full second faster than the Miura – and reach a top speed of 282 km/h. That’s 2 km/h faster than the Miura.
In a little over half a century, the car now offered for sale has had just two owners, including the current owner, whose collection it has been part of for over 20 years. With a certified 19,600 km on the odometer, it is in perfect condition and has always been serviced at official Ferrari dealerships. This model is part of the second series of around 800 units, and features pop-up headlights (the first 500 came with two pairs of fixed headlights under a Perspex cover). The car is located in Monaco and is being offered at a price of 620.000 Euros for members of the “Club Pecqueur Motorists”.
At the model’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018, Bill Warner, President and Founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elégance, noted, “The Daytona is the last of the real ‘Enzo’ Ferraris to be made. The roar of that enormous V12 should be part of the Italian national anthem!”
For more information, please contact Jean-Charles Manara on +377 93 15 02 50.
