Vehicle Description
Luigi Chinetti was a tough and gritty racing driver who gave Enzo
Ferrari his first of many victories at Le Mans behind the wheel of
a 166 MM Barchetta. As a reward for his efforts, Enzo put Luigi in
charge of establishing Ferrari's business in the critically
important American marketplace. A shrewd and intelligent
businessman, Chinetti transformed Ferrari from an esoteric
curiosity into a household name in America. Through his dealership
in New York and later Greenwich, Connecticut as well as his
successful North American Racing Team (NART), Chinetti was a highly
influential voice in Enzo's inner circle. Along with his son, Luigi
"Coco" Jr., Chinetti Motors would be instrumental in several
limited production factory models such as the 275GTS/4 NART Spyder,
and its successor, the 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder. The Chinettis were
also prolific consumers of one-off and limited production
coachbuilt Ferraris. They ordered a number of special road and
racing cars through various coachbuilders and were responsible for
most of the limited number of coachbuilt Daytonas in existence. In
1974, Chinetti partnered with Giovanni Michelotti to produce a car
that would serve as NART's next Le Mans entry. Based on a standard
road car, it was upgraded to Group 4 specs and Michelotti, famous
for his crisp and linear style, penned an arresting wedge-shaped,
targa-top body which was based on an earlier Geneva show car. The
curious racing car was finished in a colorful livery with a vivid,
and fully trimmed blue leather interior. Entered at Le Mans and
Daytona, it would never take the track in anger, but the shape
inspired Chinetti Motors to commission several more similar cars
based on the unique racer. Our featured car, S/N 14299, is the
first of three road-going NART Daytona Spyders; a very special car
that was personally commissioned by Luigi as a gift for his wife
Marion. The story of 14299 begins in 1971 when it was delivered as
a standard road-going 365 GTB/4 Daytona to Dr. Silva via Chinetti's
Greenwich, CT showroom. The car was used sparingly and, in 1975 it
returned to Chinetti motors, presumably on a trade. Rather than
turn around and re-sell the car, Luigi Sr. kept it and, along with
two other Daytonas, shipped it to the workshops of Giovanni
Michelotti to be rebodied with the uniquely angular and sharp style
inspired by the NART Le Mans car. The three NART Daytonas were
crafted using the same wooden buck, though each was unique in trim
and details. The body, constructed of aluminum and fiberglass, was
quite fresh and modern for the time, with faired-in bumpers,
sculpted sills, subtly cut down doors and a distinct wedge profile
that was de rigueur for the 1970s. It is a unique and striking
shape; balanced and aggressive yet unmistakably Ferrari, despite
the fact that very few original fittings remain. Mechanically, the
NART Spyder used the original Daytona engine, gearbox and chassis,
with the lightweight body enhancing performance. Fresh in its new
coachwork, S/N 14299 was presented to Marion Chinetti in 1977
finished in an attractive combination of dark blue with lighter
blue sills and bumpers, accented by a rich arancia leather cabin, a
livery which it retains today. She would use the Ferrari for only a
brief period of time, amassing fewer than 1500 miles while in her
tenure. In 1980, the still fresh design was shown on the Michelotti
stand at the Torino Motor Show, and immediately afterward was
loaned to the Mus�e des 24 Heures du Mans where it remained on
exhibit through 1982, the same year of Mrs. Chinetti's passing. In
1985, it was acquired by a Los Angeles classic car dealer Marty
Yacobian who kept the car in his personal collection before it was
acquired by another well-known dealer and collector, Marv Tonkin of
Portland, OR. In 1991, Mrs. Chinetti's Michelotti Daytona joined
the renowned Jon Shirley Collection in Washington, where it
remained a proud fixture among multiple important Ferraris for the
next twenty-two years. In 2009, the Daytona earned its Ferrari
Classiche "White Book" authentication for Ferraris of historical
importance. Mr. Shirley sold 14299 in 2013, and it has remained
with just one other collector since. Today, the car presents in
exceptional and highly original condition, with a light patina
acquired from the years of limited and careful use. The striking
metallic blue paintwork presents quite well. While showing its age
in places, it remains very attractive for what is essentially an
unrestored car. Build quality of the Michelotti body is excellent
and the car wears many of its original fittings, including the
period Cibie Iode fog lamps, ANSA exhaust, Michelotti badging and
hard top. The "Marion" script on the doors and large NART insignia
on the boot lid remain, as originally presented to Mrs. Chinetti in
1977. Michelotti fully reworked the standard Daytona interior with
a bespoke dash and unique seats, incorporating factory instruments
and switchgear into the new design. The tan leather cabin is in
outstanding original condition, remaining totally stock apart from
the fitment of an aftermarket radio. This a fully functioning,
coachbuilt car featuring electric windows, air conditioning, and a
properly fitted soft top. The beautiful Arancia tan leather is
accented with brown carpets, brown leather instrument clusters, and
a fat-rimmed Momo steering wheel. Mechanically, the NART Daytona
remains in excellent condition. It runs strong and feels even more
aggressive than a standard car - perhaps due to the lighter
coachwork. While the total mileage on the chassis is unknown, it
has seen only limited use in the years since its conversion, and it
feels tight and solid as only the best low-mileage cars do.
According to the Ferrari Classiche report, s/n 14299 retains its
original engine and sextet of Weber 40 DCN 21 carburetors. The
engine is very well detailed and presented in tidy original
condition. As expected of a properly preserved Ferrari, it retains
the original tool kit as well as the jack bag with jack and wheel
tools. Period correct Michelin XWX tires are fitted to magnesium
alloy Cromodora knock-off wheels which are a later addition that
better suit the angular, futuristic Michelotti lines. Otherwise,
s/n 14299 remains as it was when gifted to Marion Chinetti over 40
years ago. This very special Ferrari has a fascinating history with
a handful of owners who have each worked to preserve this
outstanding piece of marque history. It is a magnificent example of
the ultra-rare coachbuilt Daytona and a fabulous expression of
advanced 1970s Italian design courtesy of the great Michelotti.
