After celebrating more than 50 years of automotive excellence, Ferrari Daytona fans must recognize 10 important things worth remembering about the supercar.
Ferrari Daytona
For those unfamiliar with Ferrari Daytona (365 GTB4), Ferrari explained that it was the replacement of their previously released 275 GTB4 model. Similar to other supercars, it was also released at the Paris salon in the autumn of 1968.
According to the Italian supercar manufacturer, “The evolution of the 275 GTB4 was a milestone in the history of extreme high-performance front-engined sports cars.”
The Daytona has several defining features. The sleek and modern Pininfarina lines of the supercar gave it identity. The development of the 4.4-liter V12 gave it power. The excellent weight distribution delivered by the rear gearbox transaxle gave it finesse.
This particular weight distribution resulted in a car of rare balance and a one-of-a-kind driving experience.
Since this supercar celebrated its 50th anniversary last 2018, it is worth remembering that there are numerous surprising facts that fans must know about the legendary Ferrari Daytona.
10 Things to Know About the Ferrari Daytona
1. Last V12 Ferrari Model
Sports Car Digest explained that the Daytona was the final V12 Ferrari vehicle launched before Fiat purchased a 40% share in Ferrari and gained control of road car production. Fiat also acquired Enzo Ferrari’s 49% stake of the capital after his death.
The Daytona was also the last V12 Ferrari sold in the United States until the introduction of the Testarossa in 1984.
2. Unique Headlight
According to Hot Cars, the Ferarri Daytona was designed by Lionardi Fioavanti, famous for his claim of working for seven days without taking a break. He immortalized the headlamps hidden behind plexiglass, a distinctive style departure for Ferrari. These are now known as Euro headlights..
Since this did not fit American regulations, an automobile with pop-up lights and a slightly redesigned snout was developed.
3. Spyder Version Was Also Introduced
Out of a total of 1,406 cars, only 121 genuine Ferrari-built Daytona Spyders exist. Third-party professionals converted several automobiles later in life.
Only 96 of the 121 Daytona Spyders were officially delivered to the United States market. Their secondhand values reflect how desirable the model was. Surprisingly, one sold for $3.3 million in the 2015 Amelia Island auction.
4. Ferrari Daytona Was Appeared in Miami Vice
In the 1980s, two dashing hero cops Crocket and Tubbs drove a black Ferrari Daytona Spyder around Miami. This particular supercar played an important role in their war against crime, but not all was as it appeared.
Auto Express noted that the automobile was used as a kit based on a Corvette. This irritated Ferarri and the Daytona was replaced by a white Testarossa Ferrari during the third season.
5. Ferrari Only Produced 15 Competition Daytona Cars
During the six years that the 365/GTB was produced, Ferrari only manufactured 15 competition cars. These competition cars had aluminum bodies, fiberglass panels, plexiglass windows, and stripped-out lightweight interiors.
The original cars had the same power output as road cars, but the second and third generations were upgraded to a more competitive 450 horsepower.
6. Driven by Dan Gurney and Brock Yates
They traveled from New York to Los Angeles in 35 hours and 54 minutes at an average speed of 80.1 mph (129 km/h).
7. A Ferrari Daytona Was Found in A Barn
A Ferrari Daytona was discovered in Japan, and it has to be one of the best barn finds ever. After being purchased by Makoto Takai in 1980 with only 36,390 kilometers of mileage, this unique treasure remained untouched for the next 40 years.
This car is unique since it is the sole non-competition, road-going, aluminum-bodied 365/GTB 4. Chassis number 12653 was a one-of-a-kind unicorn, a car that most thought was fiction.
This was placed for sale, covered in 40 years of muck, and advertised as requiring “a little elbow grease.” In 2017, the automobile was auctioned for $2.2 million
8. Daytona Name Originated from Daytona 24-Hour Race in 1967
With regards to its name, several media outlets called this supercar Daytona in recognition of the Ferarri 1-2-3 victory in the Daytona 24-Hour Race in 1967, which was also the name used by several fans.
9. Outstanding Pininfarina Design
The ‘Daytona’ was made identifiable by its Pininfarina design, per Ultimate Car Page.
The front end, in particular, has a stark difference from the more rounded GTs. The front of the earliest models had a full-width plastic strip that housed two double headlight units on each side.
10. Production Ended in 1974
After around 1400 Daytona Berlinettas rolled off the Scaglietti plant where the bodies were installed in 1974, production stopped. The mid-engined 365 GT4/BB replaced it, but it wasn’t until the 550 Maranello that Ferrari returned to the customary front-engine layout for their GT Berlinettas.
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