Super-rare Daytona headlines Silverstone Auctions' Ferrari sale

By Marc McLaren

| 6 Apr 2018

Super-rare Daytona headlines Silverstone Auctions' Ferrari sale

An incredibly rare, low-mileage 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' will be the highlight of Silverstone Auctions' forthcoming sale dedicated to the marque.

Chassis #15835 is one of only 158 RHD UK-supplied vehicles and one of just 15 in the fetching Argento Auteuil finish.

It'll go under the hammer at the inaugural ‘A Sale of Ferraris in association with Ferrari Owners’ Club GB’ auction at Silverstone on 18 May, and is expected to fetch between £500,000 and £575,000.

The Daytona celebrates its 50th birthday this year

The Daytona has long been celebrated as one Ferrari's most iconic models, with countless starring roles in film and TV shows and an impressive racing history. It celebrates its 50th birthday this year, having been launched at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, and gets its unofficial nickname from the 1-2-3 finish the Scuderia achieved at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours race.

Designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti, its long bonnet, angled nose and flared wheel arches are unmistakable. Under the bonnet, meanwhile, is a 4.4-litre, 4-cam V12 engine which pumps out a massive 352bhp. No surprise that it was one of the fastest road-going models of its time, capable of hitting 174mph.

This vehicle was delivered new to its first owner, classic car enthusiast and historic racer Jeremy Agace, with air conditioning as an optional extra.

It still wears its original number plate, and received a full engine rebuild in 2012, plus a sympathetic restoration of the original Blue Connelly hide interior, door trims and dashboard using period correct materials. And, with only 35,900 miles on the clock, its estimate of £500,000 to £575,000 hardly seems unfair.

This 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi is also up for grabs

The 1972 Daytona is far from the only desirable vehicle up for grabs at the auction, though.

The sale will include a total of 30 hand-picked Ferraris, alongside a treasure-trove of Prancing Horse memorabilia.

Among the other lots are a 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi in rare RHD configuration, with only 21,000 miles on the clock. A matching-numbers model, it also comes in its original 'Pelle Sabia' leather interior and has exquisite Ermenegildo Zegna-designed wool inserts in the seats and door panels.

That vehicle is expected to go for between £210,000 and £240,000, while a 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB – also in rare RHD config – could fetch up to £295,000.

Of the Daytona, Adam Rutter, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, said, “Without doubt, this is one of the most exceptional Ferraris we’ve had the pleasure to offer for sale.

"It’s in incredible condition thanks to the very careful ownership of its previous guardians, and I’m sure it will be of serious interest to car collectors worldwide.”

The auction takes place on 18 May. Further details can be found on the Silverstone Auctions website.