March 2011: A DAYTONA WITH DESTINY
The Ferrari Daytona remains one of the most iconic cars ever produced, and for good reason.
Given its unofficial moniker following the Ferrari 330P4's 1-2-3 success at the 24 hour race at Daytona in 1967 , the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 - to give it its proper name - instantly captured the public's imagination following its unveiling at the 1968 Paris Motor Salon.
Responding to competition from Lamborghini, the Daytona's sharp design lines resembled those of the Miura, and bore fewer style traits of a traditional Pininfarina Ferrari.
Unlike the mid-engined Miura however, the Daytona was a traditional front-engined, rear-wheel-drive car, and with a 4.4 litre V12 block that produced 352bhp capable of propelling the iconic GT to 175mph, was the fastest production road car of its time.
The car has consistantly commanded influence on many forms of popular culture since production ceased in 1973, cementing its position in the upper echelons of history's most desirable classic sports cars.
So what price for one with a desirable history to boot?
A 1973 example that was one of just 158 right-hand-drive Daytona's manufactured, is set for auction by Historics at Brooklands on May 18th, and enthusiasts can expect fervent bidding.
Ordered new by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. (Ferrari's official UK distributor) in 1973 as a UK demonstrator model, the car was initially loaned to HRH The Pricnce of Wales for a week following its arrival from Italy, before being sold later that year for the very un-princely sum of £9,250.
In the late 1980’s chassis 16531 was purchased by John Coombs, the famed ‘patron’ of the 1960’s and 1970’s racing Jaguars and Ferraris, before Modena Engineering Ltd. acquired the car in 1988 for a more lofty fee of £210,000.
The Daytona's popularity continued to soar and when this car was sold again in 1990, with just 17,500 miles on the clock, the car commanded a price tag of £400,000!
Prices inevtiably adjusted themselves soon after this peak and the next owner paid a more modest £69,990 for the iconic GT.
Following the current vendor's acquisition, in November 2008, fans of BBC TV’s Top Gear programme witnessed the car take centre stage in a race from Portofino to Saint-Tropez. Episode five from the twelfth series of the popular motoring entertainment show, ultimately saw James May in an XSR 48 powerboat overcome Richard Hammond in the Daytona, but Hammond was left in no doubt which he would rather travel in, commenting; ”The Daytona is the absolute essence of pure European supercar.”
Demonstrating the enduring quality of the Ferrari Daytona and in particular this model, with just 26,281 miles covered the car was tested on a dynamometer in August 2008, before appearing on Top Gear, and recorded an output of 352 bhp, identical to that claimed by the factory at the time of its launch.
Prices for the Daytona are once again on the rise, and with such an intriguing and appealing history, which also includes numerous magazine features, Chassis 16531 with its Blue Ribot metallic coachwork over full tan hide interior and Borrani wire wheels, is expected to fetch offers in the region of £180,000 - £210,000.
Considering where prices have been, and the intriguing history behind this example of a car frequently cited as amongst the top sports cars of all time, the auction will hopefully generate the level of interest this car deserves.
Given its unofficial moniker following the Ferrari 330P4's 1-2-3 success at the 24 hour race at Daytona in 1967 , the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 - to give it its proper name - instantly captured the public's imagination following its unveiling at the 1968 Paris Motor Salon.
Responding to competition from Lamborghini, the Daytona's sharp design lines resembled those of the Miura, and bore fewer style traits of a traditional Pininfarina Ferrari.
Unlike the mid-engined Miura however, the Daytona was a traditional front-engined, rear-wheel-drive car, and with a 4.4 litre V12 block that produced 352bhp capable of propelling the iconic GT to 175mph, was the fastest production road car of its time.
The car has consistantly commanded influence on many forms of popular culture since production ceased in 1973, cementing its position in the upper echelons of history's most desirable classic sports cars.
So what price for one with a desirable history to boot?
A 1973 example that was one of just 158 right-hand-drive Daytona's manufactured, is set for auction by Historics at Brooklands on May 18th, and enthusiasts can expect fervent bidding.
Ordered new by Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. (Ferrari's official UK distributor) in 1973 as a UK demonstrator model, the car was initially loaned to HRH The Pricnce of Wales for a week following its arrival from Italy, before being sold later that year for the very un-princely sum of £9,250.
In the late 1980’s chassis 16531 was purchased by John Coombs, the famed ‘patron’ of the 1960’s and 1970’s racing Jaguars and Ferraris, before Modena Engineering Ltd. acquired the car in 1988 for a more lofty fee of £210,000.
The Daytona's popularity continued to soar and when this car was sold again in 1990, with just 17,500 miles on the clock, the car commanded a price tag of £400,000!
Prices inevtiably adjusted themselves soon after this peak and the next owner paid a more modest £69,990 for the iconic GT.
Following the current vendor's acquisition, in November 2008, fans of BBC TV’s Top Gear programme witnessed the car take centre stage in a race from Portofino to Saint-Tropez. Episode five from the twelfth series of the popular motoring entertainment show, ultimately saw James May in an XSR 48 powerboat overcome Richard Hammond in the Daytona, but Hammond was left in no doubt which he would rather travel in, commenting; ”The Daytona is the absolute essence of pure European supercar.”
Demonstrating the enduring quality of the Ferrari Daytona and in particular this model, with just 26,281 miles covered the car was tested on a dynamometer in August 2008, before appearing on Top Gear, and recorded an output of 352 bhp, identical to that claimed by the factory at the time of its launch.
Prices for the Daytona are once again on the rise, and with such an intriguing and appealing history, which also includes numerous magazine features, Chassis 16531 with its Blue Ribot metallic coachwork over full tan hide interior and Borrani wire wheels, is expected to fetch offers in the region of £180,000 - £210,000.
Considering where prices have been, and the intriguing history behind this example of a car frequently cited as amongst the top sports cars of all time, the auction will hopefully generate the level of interest this car deserves.