1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Original UK RHD example (1 of 156)
Factory Air Conditioning from new
Matching Numbers
Fantastic history file with records going back to new
Extensive recent service history with Bob Houghtons
Model History
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4, more commonly known as the Daytona, stands as one of the last great front-engined V12 grand tourers from Ferrari's golden era before the mid-engine revolution took hold. Introduced in 1968 at the Paris Motor Show, the car was designed to replace the 275 GTB/4 and marked a significant step forward in performance, refinement, and styling.
Despite its popular nickname, the "Daytona" name was never officially adopted by Ferrari. It’s said the press, and eventually the public, began using it in tribute to Ferrari’s 1-2-3 sweep at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Enzo Ferrari himself was reportedly not fond of the nickname, perhaps because the car bore no direct mechanical link to the race-winning prototypes.
Styling was handled by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, a remarkable designer involved in designing legends such as the Dino 246 GT, Ferrari 308/328, the 288 GTO and the Testarossa. His clean, aggressive lines were a stark contrast to the curvier Ferraris that came before. The car’s sleek design, pop-up headlights, and cut-off tail contributed to a more modern look, hinting at Ferraris design language of the 1970s.
Under that gorgeous long bonnet sat a 4.4-liter Colombo V12 engine producing a claimed 352 horsepower, sending power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed transaxle. This setup, combined with a fully independent suspension and disc brakes all around, made the Daytona one of the fastest and most capable road cars of its time. Its top speed exceeded 170 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world when it was launched.
When tested by Autocar it smashed nearly all the performance records. It was 1.3 seconds quicker to 60mph than a Lamborghini Miura P400S, set a new record for the quarter mile of 13.7 seconds and set a new top speed record of 174mph.
Produced between 1968 and 1973, Ferrari built just over 1,400 Daytonas, including a small number of spider (convertible) versions. Today the 365 GTB/4 remains a high-water mark in Ferrari’s GT lineage. One only has to look at Ferrari’s latest, and most likely, last front engine V12, the 12Cilindri, to see just what a lasting impact this iconic motor cars has had. Speaking of lasting impacts, I will leave Autocar’s conclusion to their road test to sign this bit off:
“It is a hard task to capture in mere words all the excitement, sensation and sheer exhilaration of this all-time great among cars. As before, this Ferrari did not disappoint us one iota, and the performance astounded us by surpassing by a substantial margin our expectations. For us it has become an important new yardstick, standing at the pinnacle of the fast car market. We know it will be many years before the figures we record here are beaten, and it will probably be almost as long before we stop relating the details of our experience. In the light of all this, the price of £10,000 somehow seems reasonable enough.”
Motor Car for Sale
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona for sale with Wrightson Automotive was ordered from the factory in April 1971 by Maranello Concessionaires. Completed in October 1971, chassis 14523, was beautifully specified in Celeste Metallizzato (Light Silver/Blue) with Blue Connoly interior and Light Blue carpets. It also featured factory air conditioning, which was particularly rare on the UK delivered car.
Early correspondence on file, which includes copies of the original order from the factory, show us that the Daytona's first owner was a Mr. D.A. Pierpoint Esq. of Sussex. Unable to receive the car in November 1971, he wrote to Mr. M Salmon of Maranello Concessionaires asking if he could take delivery in January 1972. Quite how one doesn’t want to go and collect your new Daytona the minute the dealer says it arrives, shall remain a mystery. Mr. Pierpoint was not only a patient man but a meticulous one. Early records on file show the first few service invoices and a number of letters, a couple of which are rather stern concerning the quality of customer service and work at Maranello Concessionaires. Either way, Colonel Hoare, the man in charge of the Ferrari agents, did a phenomenal job of smoothing the waters, turning Mr. Piermont from an owner who wanted to kick his Ferrari into touch, to ordering a new Daytona and thanking Colonel Hoare for lunch. It must have been some lunch!
In March 1974, with the impending arrival of the owners next Daytona, 14523 was sold to A.L. Szenes Esq. of London, who acquired the car, part exchanging his Ferrari 365 GT 2+2.
Fast forward to 1995 and the Ferrari is in London, owned by renowned collector Mr. A. Pisker. By this time it is finished in Blu Pozzi but retaining its original interior and now fitted with Ferrari 512BB seats. While beautiful and iconic in design, the Daytona seat is one piece and therefore has no adjustment on the back. The 512 seats offer such adjustment and looking at the condition of the leather, this set look like they have been in the car probably most of its life. Today, the car has been returned to the correct Daytona seats and the 512 BB seats accompany the car.
Back to 1995 and the Daytona is sold to a Monsieur Maroun El Khoury, who was based just on the outskirts of Paris. He is rumoured to have also had a 250 GT California Spider, 365 Daytona Spyder and a F40, so 14523 was in esteemed company indeed.
In order to be registered in France, the Ferrari had to pass a Contrôle Technique (MOT), which it did with flying colours with an indicated 22,538 miles on the clock. Records on file from this period include maintenance records and a number of professional inspections for valuation purposes. These reports are very thorough and summarise that the car is a lovely original example, retaining its original engine and gearbox and showing no signs of accident damage.
14523 would remain with Monsieur El Khoury for nearly 25 years before returning to the UK. During this time the Ferrari has been maintained by Bob Houghtons with a major service in February 2021 at 28,601 miles, another in January 2022 at 28,715 miles and again in June 2023 when the Ferrari was showing 28,749 miles.
In July 2024, a minor oil leak from the oil tank meant a trip to specialists Rardley Motors, who also carried out an oil and filter service at the same time. Mileage at this point was 29,057 miles.
This is wonderful opportunity for anyone seeking a no questions, matching numbers and very usable Ferrari Daytona. UK RHD examples are rare, with just 156 Coupés being built, and of these, very few would have had factory air conditioning.
Offered with a thorough history file with copies of original invoices, correspondence and inspection reports going back to new, this remarkable Ferrari Daytona is ready to be enjoyed by its next custodian. Lucky you!
