PROVENANCE
Mr. Massimo, Italy (acquired new via Nocentini, Florence, Italy in 1971)
Carlo Perego, Lausanne, Switzerland (acquired in 1996)
Alexander Senft, Zollikon, Switzerland (acquired in 2006)
Current Owner (acquired in May 2008)

LITERATURE
Hilary A. Raab Jr., Ferrari Serial Numbers Part I, chassis number listed, p. 151

THIS CAR
“The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is the best sports car in the world.” Road & Track, October 1970

Debuted at Paris in 1968, the 365 GTB/4 succeeded the 275 GTB/4 as Ferrari’s new two-seat Grand Touring standard-bearer. Almost immediately, it was unofficially known as the Daytona in honor of Ferrari’s stunning podium sweep at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Today, it stands as the last front-engine, V-12 Ferrari GT model designed and announced before Fiat’s takeover of Ferrari road-car production in 1969, and as the last 12-cylinder Ferrari officially sold in the US until 1984. Continuing to utilize the chassis, wheelbase length, independent suspension, and rear transaxle of its predecessor, the 365 GTB/4 differed dramatically in its bold styling, penned by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti and rendered in steel and aluminium by Scaglietti.

Power was delivered by an enlarged version of the basic 60° 275 GTB/4 V-12 engine, now displacing 4.4 liters and delivering 352 bhp at 7,500 rpm. While intended as a fast road car, track-bound examples of the 365 GTB/4 remained competitive long after most of its opponents had long been retired. Between 1970 and 1979, 18 Daytonas contested their namesake 24-hour race, resulting in five Top-10 finishes and two 2nd Place podiums, with the last including the 1979 GTO class win scored by John Morton and Tony Adamowicz. Class wins were scored at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972, 1973, and 1974.

While the Daytona may perhaps have lacked the shock and awe of its more exotic-appearing mid-engine archrival, the Lamborghini Miura, its relatively understated yet handsome Pininfarina styling remains an enduring benchmark of effective design today. Its forgiving handling characteristics, easily modulated from under-to oversteer in corners with judicious throttle application, were yet another Daytona strength. Its factory-claimed 174-mph top speed was a hair faster than that of the Miura and independently confirmed by Road & Track testers, who reached and famously photographed an indicated 180 mph on the speedometer in period. An automotive legend and an essential component of any serious collection, the 365 GTB/4 was, and remains, an important Ferrari model, with marque experts citing 1,383 constructed in all.

Bearing chassis no. 14345, this original left-hand drive, European-specification 365 GTB/4 Daytona was completed on July 19, 1971, and originally finished in Rosso Chiaro (light red) over Nero (black) Connolly leather upholstery. Delivered new to former racing driver Renato Nocentini’s Garage La Rotonda Ferrari dealership in Florence, Italy. According to the research of Hilary A. Raab Jr., the Daytona was sold new to a Mr. Massimo in Italy. Subsequently, 14345 was relocated to Switzerland, where it eventually was purchased in 1996 by Carlo Perego of Lausanne from a gentleman in Geneva. The next owner was Alexander Senft, the noted Swiss Ferrari collector and enthusiast, who purchased 14345 in 2006 and commissioned the marque experts at Piet Roelofs Engineering in The Netherlands to perform a complete restoration, with the work completed in 2007. In addition to the Daytona’s cosmetics, the chassis, suspension, and brakes were restored, and a completely new exhaust system installed. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt to match, with the Daytona’s already-powerful V-12 engine dynamometer-tested at Roelofs; peak output measured at 377 German DIN horsepower and 440 DIN lbs./ft of torque. The Daytona’s interior had already been refurbished by the noted Italian specialists at Lupi during 2004.

The consignor, a longtime Ferrari Club of America member and avid enthusiast, purchased 14345 in May 2008 at about 20,500 indicated km and imported it to Vermont. In a recent conversation, the consignor said 14345 starts on command, runs great without issue, and delivers an exceptional classic V-12 Ferrari experience. Driven and enjoyed about 800 miles annually under its current ownership, 14345 remains exceptional throughout and stands ready for the most desirable classic touring events and shows, or an exhilarating drive on a winding country road. In addition to restoration records totaling in excess of €100,000, 14345 is accompanied by a tool roll. Best of all, 14345 enjoys certification by Ferrari Classiche, which was achieved in November 2007, confirmed by the all-important Red Book.