1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

Two years after Lamborghini debuted the mid-engined Miura in 1966, Ferrari launched its defiantly traditional and determinedly contrasting alternative, the 365 GTB/4. Almost immediately the 365 GTB/4 gained its "Daytona' moniker from Ferrari's 1-2-3 result in the 1967 24-hour race of the same name.The Daytona's engine and handling certainly didn't undermine its racing nomenclature. The 4.4-litre 4-cam V12 produced an astonishing 352bhp and, despite the 1,633kg bulk, the Daytona was billed as the fastest road car in the world. Not only was 174mph more than brisk, but, crucially, it was faster than the Miura. The 5-speed gearbox was mounted at the rear for a more optimal weight distribution and helped give the Daytona its predictable handling and solid road-holding.Like so many Ferraris of the period, the Daytona's beautiful bodywork was designed by Pininfarina with the car built by Scaglietti. The delicate front was cleanly cut with both pop-up and Plexiglas headlight varieties. The rear slope was suggestively rakish and a Kamm tail provided further clues as to the performance of the car. The wheel arch flares, although elegant in proportion, are the only real overt notion that this car has significant pace.Registered new to the United Kingdom in June 1973, "RPH 174L' was ordered through Maranello Concessionaires by a Mr F.W. Kerridge, but in the end bought by Phil Scragg CBE, a very well known connoisseur of the very best cars of the time, in part exchange for his 246GT Dino. In 1980, this car then passed to a Mr Alan Morello before becoming a part of the well-known and extensive Patrick Collection Museum in 1983. Without doubt one of the most original still in existence, this Daytona is presented with matching numbers and in original Rosso Chiaro paint over black upholstery. In an excellent unrestored condition throughout, the car has only covered 16,341 miles from new, fully backed up with an extensive range of MOT certificates. It's so deeply original it even retains the plastic protection covering on the passenger door-sill. A 1989 MOT certificate shows that the Daytona had covered fewer than 800 miles since 1983, with just over 3,000 recorded in the last 25 years. Two years later in mid-1991, the Daytona was purchased by Mr David Myers, before it was sold through marque specialists MHT to Mr Michael Cheeseman in 1995. MHT continued to professionally store and care for RPH 174L for around ten years, preserving this Daytona's important originality. In its current ownership this cherished Ferrari has continued to enjoy a privileged existence, residing in yet another of the UK's foremost collections of historic road and competition cars. Accompanying the Daytona is an impressive history file, which includes the original 1973 bill of sale and owner's handbook. A host of MOT certificates, invoices for specialist maintenance and correspondence authenticate this car's originality, and provide an unbroken chain of history for this important Ferrari. The original tool kit still looks brand new when unrolled.

This handsome example, oozing with charm is one of approximately 158 factory right-hand drive 365GTB/4s and therefore represents an exciting and rare opportunity to own what is arguably one of the best kept and significant Daytonas known to the market.