1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Coupe

The Daytona Spyder, given the name 'Daytona' in recognition of Ferrari's top three wins at the 24 Hour 1967 race, was first shown to the public in 1969 at the 44th Annual IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt. It was finished in yellow with a bodyline finished in black and riding on Borrani wire wheels. The first 365 GTB/4 Spyder was given Perspex covered headlights while all future Daytona Spyders had pop-up headlights.

There were 121 Daytona Spyders created, including the prototype, with 25 for the European specifications with seven of those fitted with right hand drive, and 96 sent to the US.

This 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder has chassis number 17045 and was the 108th created, making it one of the last produced. The first owner, John von Neumann of California, purchased the car in 1974 and used it sparingly. By 1996 there were less than 10,000 miles. It has passed through only a few owners since new and is one of only a few finished with a tan leather interior. It was professional restored in the mid-2000s and shortly thereafter brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $900,000 - $1,100,000. The estimates proved accurate as the lot was sold for $1,056,000 including buyer's premium. Features on this car include air conditioning, a factory original tool roll, and owner's and service manual.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007