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© Bonhams
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© Bonhams
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© Bonhams
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© Bonhams
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© Bonhams
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Speed machine
In fact, the Daytona was capable of exceeding 170mph – making it the fastest road-going machine of its time.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Gone topless
The convertible version followed a year later at the Frankfurt Salon, badged as the 365 GTS/4 – or the ‘Daytona Spider’.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Maranello styled, Miami stabled
Sold on in 1976, the Daytona resided in Miami for some 10 years after starting out in Nevada.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Heading home
Only last year did the Daytona return to the USA, where it was once again treated to some spring cleaning.
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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.
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Trusty red
Going to auction, this rare Daytona still carries its stunning original colour scheme: Rosso Chiaro with a Pelle Nera trim.
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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.
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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.
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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.