1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Prototype

Sold for $2,315,000 at 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey.
This Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is one of three prototypes built on the outgoing 275 GTB/4 and fitted with unique coachwork. Power was sourced from the 275's 3.3-liter four-cam Type 226 engine.

This Ferrari, the second of these three prototypes, was built in January 1968 and its styling was a combination of those from the 275 with future design cues that would be implemented into the production-based 365. It had a longer nose and lower roofline than the standard Daytona, while the rear is nearly identical to the eventual final design for the Daytona. The front had the classic oval eggcrate grille with covered headlamps recessed into the opening at the front edge by a few inches, while the squared-off fastback had quad taillamps. The interior also combined elements of the outgoing model while foreshadowing elements from the new model. Items sourced from the 275 included the center console with a flat surface and toggle switches, and the wood steering wheel with a three-spoke design and thumb-notches. The high-mounted seats displayed transitional features from both models, notably lacking headrests.

The exterior of this Ferrari prototype was finished in Argento Metallizzato paint and appointed with a Nero leather interior.

Shortly after the car was completed, it was acquired by Luigi Chinetti Motors. Its paperwork refers to the car as a 275 GTB/4 and a 'Daitona,' showing the use of the terminology at least six months before the model's first appearance at the Paris Salon.

Greg Young of Wilton, Connecticut acquired the Ferrari in 1969 and retained it briefly before returning the car to Chinetti. It was put on display in April of 1970 at the New York Auto Show and subsequently sold it to Paul Least of Buffalo, New York, the owner of the Least Auto Group. It was then registered with New York tags reading 'GTB 4.'

Don Fong of Atlanta, Georgia was commissioned by Mr. Least to perform restoration work in 1975. In 1987, it was offered for sale and acquired by Southern California-based dealer Joe Alphabet, who sold it shortly thereafter to Swiss enthusiast Engelbert Stieger for his Turning Wheels Collection. In 1996, Mr. Stieger traded the Daytona to the Southern California dealer Symbolic Motor Car Company. It was presented at the Monterey Historic races in August 1996, acquired by Bernie Glieberman a year later, and subsequently shown at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. It entered the current custodianship near the close of 1997.

Recently, this Ferrari completed its Ferrari Classiche certification.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2022