Coupe
Chassis number: 15741
Engine number: B 2056
Ferrari often derived names for cars based upon achievements on the track, or markets that were to be conquered. Such success on the road would give the world the MM, or Mille Miglia. Then there would be the California market and the spyder that would be built to match. In 1969, Ferrari would celebrate another accomplishment on the track. The result would be a radical design by Pininfarina—the 365 GTB/4 'Daytona'.
From 1969 to 1974, Ferrari would produce around 1400 examples of the GTB/4. In celebration of Ferrari's success in Daytona, the new design would be graced with innovation and performance. An evolution of the 275 GTB/4, the 365 would not be a mere step forward, but a leap.
A new 4.4-liter V12 engine with aluminum alloy block and heads would be developed for the new Daytona. Bristling with no less than six Weber twin-choke carburetors, a five-speed manual gearbox and ventilated disc brakes, the Daytona provided enough performance to take the street to the track.
Able to cover a quarter-mile in less than 14 seconds and reach speeds in excess of 170mph, the Daytona would be aptly-named. The front-engine and rear gearbox and transaxle would give the car great balance. Atop it all, Pininfarina would design a body with modern, simple lines.
Pininfarina would design a couple of different body styles for the new chassis. The vast majority of these would be fastback coupe design. However, Pininfarina would also design a spyder version. Both of these versions would be powered by the V12 producing more than 350hp. Pininfarina would also design a berlinetta version of the 'Daytona'. The berlinetta version would have even greater power. However, very few of the berlinettas would be built.
In spite of the performance and modern innovations, the new 365 GTB/4 would not be immediately popular. Though it was the fastest production Ferrari to-date, it was also the most expensive. Combined with the sleek, modern design and incredible performance, the 365 GTB/4 would seemingly be a popular choice. However, the design would later catch on and would become one of the most iconic Ferraris of the 1970s.
Production of the 365 GTB/4 Daytona would carry on until 1974. Chassis 15741 would be completed in late-November 1972. Soon after, the coupe would leave Italy and would head to Luigi Della Grotta, an official Canadian importer based in Montreal. Upon arriving in Montreal, the Daytona would make its way to its first owner—Thurman Manufacturing of Columbus.
Thurman Manufacturing Company would be specialized in the production of scales for heavy capacity vehicles and would be established in the early part of the 20th century in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1974, the year production of the Daytona came to an end, 15741 would be offered for sale in an ad in Autoweek. At the time, less than 4,000 miles had been accumulated. M.W. Blanchard of Minneapolis would be the one who would place the ad. M. Cummins, of Ohio, would be the one who would respond to the ad. Cummins would own the Ferrari for more than a decade.
By 1987, the Ferrari would have less than 6,700 miles on the odometer. This low mileage would lead Texas collector, Mitchell Rasansky to purchase the car. Once again, the car would remain in ownership for more than a decade. Then, in 2000, it would be sold again. It would later be resold in 2009.
At that time the car would be put through what was called a 'preservation'. While this would not be a full restoration, it would include such details as repainting the car in the original Rosso Bordeaux livery. The original Borrani wire wheels would be taken off and the famous five-spoke wheels would be installed instead. All of this work would be performed by Paul Russell and Company.
Upon completion, the Daytona would be sold to two more owners. More work would be done to the car during that time and this would eventually lead to the Ferrari being certified by the Ferrari Classiche department.
Having just under 11,000 miles accumulated to this very day, it could be said 15741 has been treated as an exemplary collector's piece from its very first moments. Complete with manuals, tool kit and Ferrari Classiche 'Red Book', the 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, chassis 15741, would seemingly be certified as a classic, an icon of the already iconic Daytona.
Sources:
1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8796/Ferrari-365-GTB/4.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8796/Ferrari-365-GTB/4.aspx. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
'1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8799/Ferrari-365-GTB/4.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z8799/Ferrari-365-GTB/4.aspx. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
'Lot No. 34: 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1972-ferrari-365-gtb4-daytona-7/). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1972-ferrari-365-gtb4-daytona-7/. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
'All Models: 365 GTB/4', (http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/Classiche/All_Models/Pages/365_GTB4.aspx). Ferrari.com. http://www.ferrari.com/English/GT_Sport%20Cars/Classiche/All_Models/Pages/365_GTB4.aspx. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
'Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona', (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ferrari-365-gtb-4-daytona.htm). HowStuffWorks. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ferrari-365-gtb-4-daytona.htm. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Ferrari Daytona', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 December 2013, 05:20 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ferrari_Daytona&oldid=587330673 accessed 17 February 2014
by Jeremy McMullen