Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 14813
Engine No. B 1332
Transmission No. 686
The open variation of the magnificent 365 GTB/4 was presented in
September 1969 at the Frankfurt Salon as the 365 GTS/4-marketed in
the U.S. as the GTB/4 Spider to avoid DOT evaluation required for a
new model. The new model marked the final installment in Ferrari's
tradition of following its front-engine V12 Berlinettas with open
Spider models-a formula that wouldn't return until the series
production 812 GTS in 2019.
Scaglietti's surgery on the original Berlinetta was exacting,
perfectly harmonizing the rest of the design with the Spider's flat
rear deck and sharp rear fenders. Apart from a neat folding soft
top replacing the Berlinetta's fastback, the exterior remained
largely similar to its hard-topped stable mate with a choice of
five-spoke alloys or Borrani wire wheels. A mere 121 production
Daytona Spiders were built in contrast to over 1,200 Berlinettas
when production ceased in 1973, making it what many consider the
most beautiful and desirable open Ferrari of the classic era.
Chassis 14813 is an exceptionally well-documented, matching-numbers
Daytona Spider with fascinating three-owner provenance since new.
According to a detailed history report compiled by marque historian
Marcel Massini, this left-hand drive, U.S.-delivery Spider left the
factory in December 1971 wearing extremely rare Giallo Dino
paintwork-a pale yellow hue-over Beige Connolly leather. An invoice
from William "Bill" F. Harrah's Modern Classic Motors in Reno,
Nevada dated 1 March 1972 shows that the Spider was ordered by Dr.
Baldhard G. Falk, resident of Belvedere, California.
Interestingly, Massini's research shows that Falk-a German-American
record producer and business agent for the SABA Electronics
Company-had initially specified a different chassis, number 14389,
through Bill Harrah's Reno distributorship. His chosen
specification was Giallo Man O'War paintwork (code 20-Y-348
subsequently renamed Giallo Dino) with Pelle Arancia (Orange)
crushed grain leather and a matching soft top. Correspondence among
Falk, MCM's Vern Keil, and Ferrari's Dr. Manicardi amusingly
records Falk's proposals to collect the car in Germany, only to
discover his Spider's price had risen to $23,500 and its arrival
deferred. Unwilling to pay the higher-than-agreed price, he refused
delivery of 14389 and instead acquired near-identical Giallo Dino
chassis 14813!
The original Warranty Card shows that Falk took delivery of his new
Spider on 2 March 1971 via Steve Griswold and Company in Berkeley,
California. From the outset, Falk exercised his Spider as intended,
with service stamps in the original Warranty Card showing Griswold
performed maintenance in March, May, and August of 1972. An avid
enthusiast, he did not shy away from campaigning the car in Ferrari
Owner's Club events in the 1970s, including competitive outings at
venues such as the Virginia City Hillclimb, Sears Point, and Laguna
Seca. It was at a Ferrari Owner's Club meeting at Laguna Seca in
August 1978 that Falk quite literally found the limit of 14813,
when a right front wheel reportedly departed at speed. Digital
period photographs of the resulting incident depict the battle
scars on its Scaglietti bodywork earned during this spirited
outing.
Far from being deterred by this incident, Falk resolved to return
his beloved Spider to its former glory. He commissioned a
comprehensive restoration with Ferrari restorer Chris Hill
overseeing mechanical refurbishment, Bill di Carr of Bill's Body
Shop entrusted with the bodywork repairs, and additional
restorative work by Crevier Imports. The car's body was stripped to
bare metal and expertly straightened while preserving its original
alloy and steel panels, then acid washed and refinished in Rosso
(Red), paired with a fresh tan leather interior and Borrani wire
wheels. Restoration images showing the car's condition before and
after the restoration are on file for review.
By 1979, the rejuvenated Daytona Spider was back on California
roads, sporting the personalized license plate "WARUMMM," and Dr.
Falk continued to show and enjoy the car with enthusiasm, having it
serviced regularly by former Maranello mechanic Angelo Panari. In
November 1987, he displayed 14813 at the Emilia-Romagna Concorso
d'Eleganza in San Francisco. As the market for vintage Ferraris
skyrocketed in the early 1990s, Dr. Falk briefly offered his
Daytona Spider for sale. It was advertised in the June/July 1990
issue of Cavallino magazine with approximately 31,000 miles
recorded. He ultimately chose to retain the car through the 1990s,
continuing to service and cherish it. After an impressive 31 years
of single ownership, Dr. Falk finally parted with 14813 in 2003
showing approximately 33,000 original miles.
That year, Mohr Imported Cars took delivery of the Spider from Falk
and immediately set about a comprehensive mechanical and interior
refresh to ready the car for sale. Under Mohr's supervision, the
brake calipers were fully rebuilt, all cam-cover gaskets and hoses
were renewed, and a new heater-valve diaphragm was fitted. Renowned
upholsterers Luppi SAS of Modena supplied and installed a
completely correct Beige leather interior with Nero lateral seat
inserts-"mouse hair" dash material included-and a full accounting
of the additional mechanical work can be found in the accompanying
service invoices. In 2003, the car entered another period of
devoted stewardship under Mike and Jan Freiburg of California. The
couple took delivery of the Spider during Monterey Car Week in
August of that year, driving it 1,000 miles the following week in
Napa and Sonoma Valley, California.
Over the next twenty years, the Freiburgs seldom drove the Ferrari
and entrusted routine maintenance-fluid changes, brake work, and a
full bench rebuild of all six carburetors in 2017-to Ferrari
specialists Autosprint Limited in the Chicago area. Before parting
with the car, in July 2023, the Spider received a new thermostat
and upper radiator hose, brake fluid bleed and coolant flush,
replacement tie rod, and was shod with four Michelin XWX tires.
In late 2023, showing approximately 34,827 miles, the Spider passed
to its third and current owner-a highly regarded Texas-based
collection-who commissioned Mississippi-based restorer Don
Dickenson to strip the body to bare metal and renew it in its
elegant Nero (Black) finish, re-chrome all brightwork, fit fresh
seals, install a new black convertible top, trim new beige carpets,
and equip the car with a period-correct Ansa exhaust system. Today,
this superb Scaglietti-built Daytona Spider shows just 34,360
miles-which are believed to be original-from gentle use under its
three owners from new.
Notably, Marcel Massini's research confirms that chassis 14813
retains its original major mechanicals, with the factory Tipo 251
V12 engine (number B 1332) and Tipo 605 transaxle (number 686)
still in place. These matching-numbers units are complemented by a
concours-worthy engine bay featuring the signature crinkle-black
cam covers, an intact diamond-quilted silver hood insulation pad,
and all correct plaques, factory hardware, and V12 identification
plates.
Accompanying the Daytona Spider are its original set of Cromodora
five-spoke alloy wheels, the factory 365 GTB/4 owner's manuals in
their leather folio, the original factory Warranty Card, a Ferrari
365 GTB/4 brochure, comprehensive service records since new, and
digital period photographs. Rare, beautifully restored, and utterly
iconic, this California-delivered Daytona Spider represents one of
only 96 examples destined for the U.S. and ju...for more
information please contact the seller.
