Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 6 -
7 April 2018.
Estimates:
$750,000 - $850,000
Desirable European-specification with "Plexi"
headlightsHigh-quality period Spider conversionBeautiful
concours-quality, photo-documented restoration
Please note that this lot is titled as a 1971.
Chassis number 12891 was born as a European-specification,
left-hand-drive 365 GTB/4 Daytona berlinetta, with the desirable
early "Plexi" nose and factory air conditioning. It was originally
finished in Bianco Polo (20-W-152) over Nero (VM 8500) and was
completed by the factory on September 18, 1969. The Daytona was
afterward delivered to the official Swiss importer, SAVAF of
Geneva, which sold it to the original owner in that country.
In the mid-1970s, the 365 GTB/4 was exported from Switzerland to
Chicago. In 1978, owner Jim Lyons commissioned the car's
high-quality conversion to a spider, performed by noted marque
specialist Michael W. Sheehan's European Auto Restoration of Costa
Mesa, California. Following completion of the work, the Daytona
spider was sold to Paul Rauch, producer of One Life to Live for
ABC, and later to Rick Hardy of Kinnelon, New Jersey.
Sold in 1984 via a New York Times advertisement, it remained with
its new owner, Donald H. Beisner of Springfield, Missouri, until
the end of his life. When sold by his estate in 2012, it was
claimed to have recorded only 10,962 miles.
More recently, the spider underwent a photo-documented,
nut-and-bolt, concours-quality restoration by well-known Southern
California specialists Symbolic Motorcars, including a full engine
rebuild by Patrick Ottis and livery in Nero with a matching
interior�a striking and menacing combination that adds much to its
drama and allure. It was exhibited at the Concorso Italiano at
Monterey in 2014 and continues to show beautifully in every
regard.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/FL18.
