Chassis No. 14589
Engine No. B 1326
The late 1960s marked a pivotal moment in Ferrari's storied
history. As the automotive world shifted towards mid-engine
layouts, exemplified by Lamborghini's groundbreaking P400 Miura
debuting at the 1965 Turin Motor Show, Ferrari found itself at a
crossroads. The decision before Maranello was monumental: embrace
the mid-engine revolution, or remain faithful to the front-engine
V12 configuration that had become synonymous with the Prancing
Horse?
Enter the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, better known as the Daytona - a name
unofficially bestowed upon it following Ferrari's legendary 1-2-3
finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Unveiled at the 1968 Paris
Auto Salon, the Daytona emerged as Ferrari's ultimate love letter
to the front-mounted Colombo V12. It was a bold statement in an era
of rapid change, a reaffirmation of Ferrari's commitment to the
grand touring tradition that had defined its road cars for nearly
two decades. Road & Track aptly summarized its appeal: "Ferrari,
who has built so many racing mid-engines, has stayed away from that
layout for his fastest road car, perhaps wisely so if his aim is to
build the greatest all-round blend of speed, handling, and
refinement. For the 365 GTB/4 is that." As the last front-engined
V12 Ferrari produced before Enzo Ferrari's passing, the Daytona
represents the pinnacle of Ferrari's golden age of elegant grand
tourers, celebrated for its sleek Pininfarina-designed bodywork and
impressive performance.
The Daytona presented here, chassis number 14589, is a U.S.-market
example completed in October 1971, equipped with standard air
conditioning and an AM/FM radio, and finished in a rare Bianco Polo
Park livery (20-W-152) over Rosso (VM3171) leather. The original
purchase invoice shows that this Daytona was originally sold on 14
March 1972 through Porsche / Audi of Dublin, Ohio, to Richard M.
Wolfe in exchange for trading in his 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2
chassis number 7321. Wolfe would go on to cherish the Daytona for
an impressive 33 years, relocating with the car from Ohio to Los
Angeles, California. During his ownership, the car was regularly
serviced by the renowned Modena Motors on La Brea Avenue throughout
the 1970s and 1980s. The second owner acquired the car from Wolfe
through a broker in December 2005, driving it from Beverly Hills to
JEM Motor Corp. in Hollywood, initiating what would become a
meticulous 16-year restoration.
The restoration work was entrusted to some of the most respected
names in the Southern California Ferrari community. The current
Giallo Fly finish was expertly applied by Junior's House of Color,
while the Nero interior hides were supplied by the esteemed Henk
van Lith (HVL) and expertly installed by Tom Hilborn of Hilborn
Motor Car Interiors. The exhaust system was fabricated by the
renowned Gary Bobileff, while the chrome was refinished to
perfection by Del La Torre. Correctly dated indicator lenses from
Maranello Concessionaires Ltd. were fitted, and the Becker Mexico
radio as well as all the gauges were meticulously restored by
Walter Odemer to ensure exacting functionality.
Mechanical and suspension work was performed by the highly regarded
teams at Gran Touring and Dugan Enterprises, with the latter also
responsible for the recent fine-tuning of this exceptional machine.
Invoices from Dugan Enterprises detailing this meticulous work
accompany the vehicle and exceed $156,000 between 2021 and 2023
alone. The car retains its original luggage straps, hood pad, and
now sports its original Cromodora five-spoke alloy wheels. Other
work included mounting new Michelin XWX tires and installing new
glass, further enhancing its impeccable presentation. Completed in
2021, this Daytona presents in exceptional condition, showing just
16,422 miles at the time of cataloging.
This 365 GTB/4 represents a rare opportunity to acquire a
two-owner, comprehensively restored Daytona with known history from
new. Its combination of originality, documented provenance, and
expert restoration surely make it one of the finest examples
available on the market today. With its stunning Giallo Fly over
Nero color combination and impeccable restoration, this Daytona
stands ready to grace the most discerning collections or to be
enjoyed on the open road, just as Enzo Ferrari intended.
Internet bidding is not available for this lot. Please contact
[email protected] for more information. Please note that
Broad Arrow has an ownership interest in this lot in whole or in
part.
