1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona in Las Vegas, Nevada

Chassis No. 14599
Engine No. B1350
Transmission No. 634

When Louis L. Witkin of Denver, Colorado ordered his new Daytona in the autumn of 1971, he chose to collect it in Italy via tourist delivery, a rare pleasure for those fortunate enough to make the trip. The original factory invoice, dated 28 October 1971, describes chassis number 14599 as a U.S.-specification 365 GTB/4 finished in Rosso Chiaro (20.R.190 Salchi) over Nero leather (VM 8500). It was optioned with air conditioning, a Voxson "Sonar" radio with electric antenna, and "EE" export registration plates; the total came to $16,665. Ferrari historian Marcel Massini's report on the car records a factory completion date of 19 October 1971. It also documents that 14599 retains its matching-numbers engine and transmission.

Witkin took possession in Modena on 9 November 1971. That same day the car was registered in Bologna on plates "EE 60079" and issued its Carta di Circolazione. It was also insured through the Modena agency of L'Assicuratrice Italiana, with a Green Card extending cover across Europe for the following ten days. On 19 November the Daytona returned to SEFAC's Officina di Modena. There, it received its first warranty service, along with an oil and filter change, a set of protective covers for shipment, and transportation to Rome.

Factory correspondence documents a delay in the car's shipment to the U.S. caused by a strike by American dock workers, and the Daytona was ultimately flown to Chicago aboard a Pan Am cargo flight in December 1971. A Colorado sales tax receipt from Jefferson County dated June 1972 documents the car's formal arrival in the state that would be its home for decades.

Witkin retained the Daytona until 1997, when Ferrari of Denver offered it as a rust- and accident-free unrestored example showing approximately 35,000 miles. It was acquired by noted Colorado collector Harry Mathews, best known for his significant stable of important McLaren racing cars. In 2007 the Daytona passed to its third private owner, Craig Davis, who invested $22,500 in mechanical sorting while adding fewer than 200 miles, subsequently described in an advertisement as having "39,000 miles, just completed water pump rebuild, new exhaust, suspension bushings and other work." In April 2011, Steven Meltzer of Houston, Texas, purchased 14599 from Fantasy Junction of Emeryville, California. Following a PPI and before delivery, marque specialist Patrick Ottis re-cored the radiator and addressed an oil leak at the idler pulleys.

Over the next 14 years, Meltzer maintained the Daytona with evident devotion. He recorded each visit in a detailed log supported by a substantial file of receipts. Major work during his stewardship included a thorough restoration of the fuel system, a complete Weber carburetor rebuild by Mike Pierce, and distributor rebuilds by noted Ferrari specialist Terry Myr. The brake calipers and Koni shocks were rebuilt, and the seats were retrimmed. He also made several sympathetic, practical updates. MSD ignition units replaced the Dinoplex boxes, which were left in place, and a discreet electric power-steering assist was fitted (the original steering rack accompanies the car). A period Becker Europa radio now occupies the dash in place of the original Voxson. The car received fresh Michelin XWX tires in early 2025 and showed 44,447 miles at its final service in Meltzer's care in October 2025.

Acquired by its fifth and current owner in 2025, Daytona chassis 14599 shows just over 44,800 miles at cataloging. Never fully restored, it remains a matching-numbers example in its original color combination. Few Daytonas can account for their history so completely from the day they left the factory, and fewer still have spent more than half a century with a handful of private owners. With its well-preserved, original character and extraordinary archive, 14599 would make a compelling entrant at Ferrari Club of America concours events, while remaining every bit as rewarding on the open road.