1971 Ferrari 365 GTB4 NART

During the mid-1970s Giovanni Michelotti created a series of five open cars during the mid-1970s based on the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. These hand-built vehicles wore similar body designs that were angular and wedge-shaped with a single unwavering beltline that traveled the entire length of the vehicle. Since they were individually built, each example was unique with many distinguishing details and features.

The first example was commissioned by NART principal and U.S. importer Luigi Chinetti in 1974 for the Turin Motor Show. Chinetti understood the American market and the allure of the drop-top. His influence spawned the 250 GT California dual-purpose road car of that late 1950s that could be driven along the California coast with the top down or at the race track. Chinetti used the same formula on the 275 GTB Coupe, where he commissioned 10 drop-top examples for road-and-track use. Unlike the 275 GTS Spyder, the 275 GTB 'NART Spyder' followed the design of the 275 GTB Coupe. These examples may have used the California designation, but it was already in use on a different model - the Ferrari 365 California.

The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (known as the Daytona) was produced from 1968 through 1973 with over 1,280 examples built. The Colombo-designed V12 engine had a dual overhead camshaft design with 2 valves per cylinder, a 4,390cc displacement, and a bore of 81mm and a stroke of 71 mm. The 6X2 barrel 40 DCN/20 Weber carburetors helped the engine deliver 350 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and maximum torque of 318 lb-feet at 5500 RPM. The top speed was in the neighborhood of 174 mph and zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 5.4 seconds.

The Michelotti-built 365 GTB/4 Daytona NART Spider had molded bumpers, a Targa top, and cut-down doors. A second example was commissioned by Chinetti (chassis number 15965) for the 1975 24 Hours of LeMans but later withdrew all NART entries after a disagreement with race officials.

The final three examples were ordered by Chinetti in 1976 to be configuration to road-going specification. The total number of 365 GTB/4 Daytona NART Spiders built by Michelotti was five, with one being configuration for competition use. The other cars, often retained the factory-installed air conditioning system, power windows, and various other amenities common to the North American market.

by Dan Vaughan

Spider by Michelotti
Chassis number: 14299

This Ferrari Daytona was delivered new to Luigi Chinetti Motors in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1976 Luigi Chinetti sent three Daytonas to Italian designer Michelotti for redesign. This particular Spyder was specially built for Chinetti's wife Marion. Number 14299 was shown at the 58th Annual International Turin Motor show and was also displayed at the LeMans Museum in France.

This Daytona has been in private collections most of its life. It has only recently participated in several 1,000 mile rallies. Ferrari Classiche has issued #14299 the Attestation of Historical Interest based on the significance of this car.

Spider by Michelotti
Chassis number: 14299

This Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona NART Spider was completed at the Ferrari factory on May 19th of 1971 and built as a US-specification 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta and finished in Grigio Ferro with red leather upholstery. The car was delivered new to official North American distributor Luigi Chinetti Motors of Greenwich, Connecticut and sold to its first owner, Dr. Silva. It remained in Dr. Silva's care for several years before being returned to Luigi Chinetti. In 1976, he shipped the Daytona to Carrozzeria Giovanni Michelotti in Torino, Italy. This was one of five examples commissioned by Luigi Chinetti between 1974 and 1976. Chinetti commissioned his first coachbuilt Daytona in 1974. The one-off design was unveiled at the Torino Motor Show and it featured a Targa Top, cut-down doors and molded bumpers.

Chinetti ordered a Daytona Competitizione (chassis number 15965) for the 1975 LeMans effort. It has a similar design to the 1974 model, had a Targa top, and wore coachwork by Michelotti. In 1976, Chinetti ordered three Michelotti Spiders of the same design based on chassis 14299, 15003, and 16467. All three cars were built by Michelotti using the same wooden body buck. Though similar, they had minor differences in color, specification, and trim.

This car, chassis number 14299 has slightly cut-down doors, a redesigned interior, angular appearance, and was finished in a two-tone color scheme of metallic dark blue over gray with orange-tinted leather upholstery. The car was given a unique accessory hardtop and was finished in metallic dark blue to match the upper section of the coachwork.

The completed car was delivered to Luigi Chinetti in 1977 who presented the car as a gift to his wife Marion. The car was given 'Marion' script on both doors and Chinetti's NART insignia on the trunk panel.

In the sprint of 1980, this special Daytona Spider was shipped to Carrozzeria Michelotti and shown on their stand at the International Torino Motor Show held between April 23rd and May 4th. From there, the Ferrari was loaned to the Le Mans Museum in France, where it served as a featured display between 1981 and 1982.

Marion Chinetti passed away in December of 1982; her Ferrari remained in France and was even shown at the la Baule Concours d'Elegance in 1984. In 1985, it returned to the United States and was sold to Los Angeles classic car dealer Marty Yacobian. In November 1986, Mr. Yacobian displayed the special Michelotti Daytona at the Palm Springs Concours d'Elegance.

In January 1990, the car was offered for sale at the annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction and sold to Richard Gorman of Vantage Motorworks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was later sold to Marv Tonkin. In September of 1991, it was sold through Al Mohr Imported Cars of Seaside, California to its next owner, who retained the car for 22 years.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach auction. At the time, the car had just 1,568 miles on the odometer. It is believed that this figure was the total mileage since the Michelotti rebuild and not the total mileage from new.

by Dan Vaughan

The 365 Series was introduced in the late 1960's and stayed in production until the early 1970's. The 365's were often powered by a Columbo SOHC 4390 cc V-12 engine with three Weber carburetors capable of producing around 300 horsepower. The front and rear suspension for most of the series was independent with double wishbones and coil springs. The 365 GT4 2+2 had an independent with transverse parallelograms and coil springs suspension. The 365 California had a live axle with coil springs rear suspension. The chassis was an oval tube ladder-type frame layout.

Disc brakes were standard on all the vehicles, as was the five-speed manual gearbox. Many of the series received standard options such as power steering and air conditioning, uncommon at the time. When most manufacturers such as Lamborghini and DeTomaso were creating vehicles with mid-engined design, Ferrari continued to use their tried-and-true front-engined, rear-wheel design.

In 1967 Ferrari dominated the Daytona 24 Hours race with a first, second, and third-place finish. At the 1968 Paris Auto Show, the public and press were expecting Ferrari's new Berlinetta to be dubbed 'Daytona'. They were proven wrong when Ferrari dubbed the vehicle the 365 GTB/4, however, the name Daytona is a common reference to the vehicle even to this day. Ferrari had intended on using 'Daytona' but it was revealed prematurely so the traditional Ferrari naming sequence was used.

During its production lifespan lasting from 1968 through 1974, 1383 examples of the Pininfarina designed 365 GTB/4 Daytona vehicles were created.

The famous coachbuilder Pininfarina was tasked with creating many of the designs for the 365 Series. The designs were not new, rather they borrowed many of the styling cues of the prior 330 GTC and 275 GTS models. The headlights were courtesy of the 500 Superfast. The result was a visually stunning automobile with proven Ferrari mechanics and performance.

GT represented Gran Turismo. GTB represented Berlinetta or coupe. GTS stood for open models which were either a Targa roof or a full convertible. '4' represented four-cam engines. 'C' represented 'Competizione' or 'Corsa' meaning 'to race'.

365 California

In 1966 Ferrari introduced the 365 California at the Geneva Auto Show as a replacement for the Ferrari 500 Superfast. The famous coachbuilder, Pininfarina, had been tasked with creating the body for the vehicle. The result was a two-door, two-seat, convertible. The 365 borrowed many of the mechanics of its predecessor including the five-speed manual gearbox, chassis, and suspension. The front of the vehicle was similar in design to the 500 with the remaining portions all new. With a top speed of 240 km/h, it was the fastest convertible in the world at the time. Disc brakes provided excellent stopping power for the 1300 kg vehicle. Production continued for only a year with a total of fourteen examples being created.

365 GT2+2

In 1967 Ferrari introduced the 365 GT2+2, only its second production four-seater vehicle. The vehicle would stay in production until 1971 during which around 800 examples being created.

The rear passengers had limited headroom but there was sufficient legroom for most passengers. The purpose of the vehicle was to provided performance and comfort. As a result, the vehicle was outfitted with electric windows, leather interior, power-assisted brakes, full carpeting, and optional air conditioning.

365 GTC

Near the close of 1968, Ferrari introduced the 365 GTC which stayed in production until 1970. During the production lifespan, 168 examples were produced. The 365 GTC was basically a 330 GTC with a SOHC 4390 cc V-12 engine. Visually, the vehicle was very similar to its predecessor except for the air vents in the front wings had been removed. In their place were black vents placed in the back corners of the hood.

365 GTS

The 365 GTS was a replacement for the 330 GTS. It featured a 4390 cc SOHC engine and had its cooling vents removed in favor of vents in the hood. Only twenty examples were created.

365 GTC/4

In 1971 Ferrari introduced the 365 GTC/4 as a replacement for the 365 GT 2+2. It sat atop a Daytona chassis and given an independent suspension. The same Daytona ventilated disc brakes were used. The gearbox was mounted in the front and the engine was the 4390 cc V12 but with six side draught Weber carburetors and wet-sump lubrication resulting in 340 horsepower.

The design was once again handled by Pininfarina. The two-door, 2+2 coupe had pop-up headlights and five-spoke alloy wheels. During its production lifespan lasting until 1972, around 500 examples were produced. Strict American safety and emission regulations were partly responsible for the demise of the GTC/4.

365 GT4 2+2

The 365 GT4 2+2 was debuted to the public at the 1972 Paris Auto Show as a replacement for the 365 GT 2+2 and the 365 GTC/4. It sat atop an enlarged 365 GTC/4 chassis and given the same mechanics. The larger chassis meant more interior room for the passengers, especially the rear passengers, and their luggage. The styling was once again assigned to Pininfarina. The design was different from the prior 365 models.

During its production lifespan lasting until 1976, 524 examples were created.

365 GT4 BB

The 365 GT4 BB, meaning Berlinetta Boxer, was introduced to the public at the 1971 Turin Auto Show. Its styling was similar to the P6 show car built in 1968. The engine was a flat-12 cylinder power-plant mounted longitudinally. The gearbox was mounted under the engine. This was a great design but ultimately created an unbalanced weight distribution with most of the weight over the rear axle. The weight distribution problem and the fact that the engine was mounted high in the vehicle resulted in a car that had poor handling and never achieved successful racing status.

The 365 GT4 BB was replaced by the 512 BB in 1976. The 512 BB was similar in design but featured a five-liter engine.

by Dan Vaughan