1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
A rare 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 "Daytona" coupe arriving at and leaving the 2022 San Marino Motor Classic at Lacy Park, where it received a Platinum class award. A week ago this professionally restored car was displayed at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering (during Monterey Car Week) where it won "The Great Ferraris" award. Finished in Celeste Metallizzato with Rosso interior, this U.S.-spec car is one of 1,284 365 GTB/4 coupes built between 1968 and 1973.
I've always believed that non-alphanumeric car names tend to create a more emotional association with the vehicle. While most Ferraris are named after engine specs or performance figures, some, like the Testarossa, are unmistakable even for those who flunked out of math and physics. I had read about the Daytona and seen pictures of it since I was a kid, but it wasn't until much later that I realized "Daytona" wasn't actually the car's real name. It was applied to the 365 GTB/4 by the media, and soon it caught on. Mention the 365 to Ferrari enthusiasts and there may be confusion as to which of the many variants you're referring to, but mention the Daytona and there's no doubt they'll know exactly what you're talking about.
In a time when Ferrari's lineup consisted of the 275 and 330, this car marked a turning point in Ferrari (Pininfarina) styling, exchanging traditional curvier shapes for the more modern, edgier look that would characterize Ferraris for the next several decades. Until the 550 Maranello, this would be the last V12 front-engined two-seat Ferrari grand tourer. Its styling is somewhat conservative by today's standards, especially in a conservative color like this one. It doesn't scream for attention, and some who don't know cars may even walk by without realizing it's a Ferrari. But for those who recognize it, it's quite a sight to behold. And once you fire up that Colombo V12 and enjoy the car's incredible performance with that long hood in front of you, what people around you think doesn't matter anymore. After all, the Daytona nickame was born from Ferrari's 1-2-3 racing victory in 1967. And that's the name people fell in love with.
Do you prefer the Daytona's edgier styling or the curvier shapes of its predecessors? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!