Super-rare Ferrari Daytona Spider set to fetch £2m ($2.7m) at auction

Low-mileage Prancing Horse convertible will be in big demand

What’s so special about a spider? Try this: the last great front-engine Ferrari, top chopped off and made in limited numbers. Oh, and in near-perfect condition – with an incredibly low mileage for a 45-year old machine.

In fact, there’s every chance this stunning 365 GTS/4 will meet and exceed its £1.9m estimate when it goes up for auction at Bonhams’ Amelia Island sale on March 8th.

Here’s your chance to see it before it sells.

Front engine legend

Ferrari’s famed 365 GTB/4 launched in Paris in 1968, as arguably the greatest front-engine machine created by the Italian marque.

Bull beater

Equipped with a 4.4-litre Colombo V12, the GTB/4 benefited from some 352bhp – enough to eclipse the 280bhp achieved by chief rival Lamborghini’s 350GT.

Speed machine

In fact, the Daytona was capable of exceeding 170mph – making it the fastest road-going machine of its time.

Named for glory

Its Daytona moniker was an unofficial one, coined in honour of Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 edition of the eponymous 24 Hours race. To this day, Ferrari rarely uses the label.

Sharp in the nose

Styled by historic Italian house Pininfarina, the knife-like front end of the 365 GTB/4 was a step-change in Ferrari design, eschewing the curves of the 275 GTB/4 before it.

Performance focused

Despite its power, the 365 GTB/4 did without driver aids such as power steering, which were cut in the name of pure performance.

Gone topless

The convertible version followed a year later at the Frankfurt Salon, badged as the 365 GTS/4 – or the ‘Daytona Spider’.

Better sequel

Re-styled by Pininfarina – with a new rear end, among other refinements – the drop-top iteration was arguably even more beautiful than the GTB/4.

Rare breed

While around 1400 coupés made it into being in total, just 123 Spiders were built during the production run of 1969 to 1973.

In before the end

The 88th GTS/4 built, the Daytona Spider up for auction is chassis number 16801 and left the factory in 1973.

Born for the USA

Heading for the USA, it was equipped with air conditioning and North American instruments before making its journey across the Atlantic.

Maranello styled, Miami stabled

Sold on in 1976, the Daytona resided in Miami for some 10 years after starting out in Nevada.

Back to its best

In 1987 it was sold again with just 15,000 miles on the clock, at which point it underwent a comprehensive restoration with a view to competing in Concours events. 

In safe hands

Visually restored by Karosserie, the internals were overhauled by a Ferrari-trained mechanic – setting the Daytona up for a string of mid-'90s exhibitions.

Europe bound

In the late ‘90s the GTS/4 changed hands again, making its way to Switzerland – where it would live as part of a private collection the best part of 20 years.

Heading home

Only last year did the Daytona return to the USA, where it was once again treated to some spring cleaning.

Old friends

The specialist responsible for the work, one Richard Mullin, had remarkably already worked on the machine as part of the team at Karosserie in the late ‘80s.

Trusty red

Going to auction, this rare Daytona still carries its stunning original colour scheme: Rosso Chiaro with a Pelle Nera trim.

Low numbers

With a history of careful ownership and maintenance, Daytona 16801 has just 20,300 miles on the clock – despite having journeyed twice from Europe to the USA. Though admittedly, it wasn't driven from continent to continent, obviously. 

Invaluable bundle

Besides period Borrani wire wheels and Becker Mexico radio, the GTS/4 heads to auction bundled with a host of original accessories, ranging from manuals and tools to a Ferrari dust cloth.

Time to re-mortgage

Seriously rare and in immaculate condition, there’s every chance this Spider will eclipse its £1.9m upper estimate when it goes on sale at Amelia Island on March 8th.