The Daytona with a Cannonball punch
Not long after the introduction of Ferrari’s seminal 365 GTB/4 Daytona in 1968, privateer racers expressed interest in a competition version, particularly Luigi Chinetti and his North American Racing Team. Following two attempts by NART at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, resulting in a 5th overall finish in 1971, Maranello responded by building a total of 15 factory-built Daytona Competiziones. Ten standard production examples were independently modified by privateers, bringing the total of generally recognised Daytona Competizione cars to 25 examples. Results were tremendous, as the race-prepared berlinettas captured 4th overall at the 1971 Tour de France, 5th overall and 1st in class at the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1st and 2nd overall in the 1972 Tour de France, two further class wins at Le Mans in 1973 and 1974, and at the 24 Hours of Daytona a 2nd overall and class win in the 1973 running and a further class win there in 1975. So potent was the Daytona Competizione that one even achieved 2nd overall at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1979, over a decade after the model was introduced. This extraordinary race record secured the 365 GTB/4’s reputation amongst the greatest GT competition cars ever to compete on track, reminding the motorsport world of Ferrari’s dominance in endurance racing with the 250 SWB, 250 GTO, and 250 LM.
This example, chassis no. 14065, is widely thought to be one of the most powerful, and from an engineering perspective perhaps the most advanced, examples of all the 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competiziones. Powered by the V12 engine that was used in another 365 GTB/4 by Dan Gurney and Brock Yates in the inaugural Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, which the duo went on to win, it later went on to compete at the 1972 12 Hours of Sebring.
This 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Independent Competizione will be available at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Shift / Monterey auction held between the 14-15th August. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos: © Courtesy of RM Sotheby's.