The 365 GTB/4 was produced by Ferrari between 1969 and 1974, and in those five years, less than 1284 coupes were built. The initial reaction at the launch was mixed, there was disappointment that Ferrari had not built a car in direct competition to the mid-engined Lamborghini Miura. The 365 GTB/4 was given the nickname Daytona by journalists after Ferrari’s amazing 1-2-3 victory at the Daytona 24 hour race which finally broke the complete dominance of the Ford GT40s.

The Daytona was the last of the great front engined V12 Berlinettas and could be viewed as the ultimate, most macho of all the Ferrari GTs; the culmination of a bloodline that goes back to the 275 and 250 and Ferrari’s first road cars. The Daytona is based on the same chassis as the 275 GTB/4, they also share the same double wishbone/coil independent front and rear suspension and five speed gear trans-axle located in a unit within the rear axle. The 94.5″ wheelbase dates back to the 250GT SWB of 959.

Designed by Fioravanti of Pininfarina, the Daytona is an all time classic shape with a long nose, short cabin and a stumpy, cut off tail. With no additions to the outside to ruin its lines, the sleek streamlining also gives the body extra stability at speed. No pressing tools were made for the body so all of the curves and sweeping lines had to be formed around a master wooden buck. The pieces were then welded together on a jig to maintain accuracy, although exact replication was impossible; the Daytona looks mass produced but no two are exactly the same.

The Daytona’s 60 degree, 4.4 litre V12 engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi, helped make it the fastest production car of the day with a maximum speed of 174 mph. Autocar tested the Daytona at MIRA proving ground in the UK in 1971 and managed to get 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, 0-100 in a spectacular 12.6 seconds and 0-130 in 21.5. It also managed to the incredible feat of reaching 150 mph within the one mile straight at MIRA – no other car was capable of this. The engine was based on the 275 GTB twin cam, but was a new unit created in part to meet increasingly rigid emission regulations. The engine is set well back in the tubular frame creating the near perfect weight ratio of 52% front to 48% rear.

The Mathews Collection Daytona is completely original and has never been restored. It has 35,000 miles on the clock and was initially owned by a Colorado businessman who had it from new. The Daytona is a real driving experience with large quantities of power available. The wonderful sound of the V12 engine makes the inclusion of a radio superfluous. With its heavy steering, the Daytona is best suited for the open road.