Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione Spider
The 365 GTB/4 (with its spyder GTS/4) is a passenger car produced by Ferrari between 1968 and 1974. In honor of the victory achieved in 1967 by the 330 P4 on the American circuit, the new sport of the House of the “Cavallino “Daytona was dubbed. The spyder version was requested primarily for the American market by the importer Luigi Chinetti and it should be noted that the distinction GTB/4 and GTS coupe/spyder 4 is not so unique, in fact many spyder came originally from the factory in Maranello tagged 365 GTB/4 as the closed version. Only very few examples of spyder have the original plate 365 GTS/4.
Presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1968 as a coupé (GTB/4), the Daytona took place in the list Ferrari, the 275 GTB/4, from which it inherited the V12 with 4 overhead camshafts (2 per bank).
The ‘elegant and sporty bodywork (doors and bonnets were made of aluminum), designed by Leonardo Fioravanti, Pininfarina for the body, covering a trellis frame central completely new. Very rich set of technical innovations than the previous model: the engine was mounted longitudinally front, while the gearbox (5-speed manual) was at the rear, in the block with the differential (limited-slip), according to the transaxle. The rear also abandoned the scheme exceeded rigid axle to adopt a new geometry-wheel independent with wishbones (the same configuration that was at the front). Obviously, the brakes were ventilated discs 4, and servo.
Powered by 6 twin-choke carburettors, the V12 4390.3 cm ³, covered also by the dry sump lubrication (ie circuit always under pressure and without cup), it distributed 352cv, enough to push the Daytona 280km/h.
In 1969, to meet the demands of the importer Luigi Chinetti for the North American market, was presented with the spyder version, identical to the coupe in mechanics. The first prototype of the Daytona Spyder, presented by Pininfarina at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969, reports the advisable 365 GTB/4, it is the only specimen of the kind spyder headlights with Plexiglas and had a defined body of type “label”, with a large roll-bar aluminum color.
In 1971 a slight facelift interested in both versions. The band was eliminated in transparent Plexiglas connection between the headlights (which became “hidden”) and were upgraded interiors. The Ferrari Daytona “Spyder” were produced exclusively in this restyled version with pop-up headlights and differed with respect to the initial prototype for the convertible top which became fully retractable canvas.
The coupe came out of the list in 1973, was replaced by the 365 GT4 BB, while the spyder products which were the last examples, to fulfill orders overseas still open, remained in production for another year.
In all were built in 1350 Daytona GTB/4 Daytona Spider and 122 identified as commercially GTS/4, including the prototype. Of these, 96 were destined for the North American market and were built with specific “U.S.” and only 25 more than the prototype were built with European specifications and the latter only 7 had the right guidance (for the English market).
The Ferrari “Daytona” is a high car collection, handcrafted, supercar was the last of the “Maranello” produced before the advent of the “Fiat Group” and made the front engine. Technical developments of 70-80 years saw the production of Ferrari supercars exclusively with rear engine. It is not until well over 20 years to find a Ferrari with this setting “classic,” which will be filmed only the advent of the Ferrari 550 Maranello. Very appreciated by fans is the version of “coupe” that the rare version “spider.”
Although it was not specifically designed for competitions, were taken from the car of the racing versions to be deployed in the Grand Touring class of the endurance races, first by NART and, in the wake of the result achieved by Chinetti the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1971, he realized the mother house 15 units. Referred to as Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione, were divided into three sets of 5 cars built between 1971 and 1973. Elaborate in the engine and eased into the body, the Daytona Competizione got the class win in the editions 1972, 1973 and 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans, in particular 5 of these cars occupied in 1972 the top 5 positions in their class ranking from 5th to 9th place overall. In addition to these 15 cars “official” however there are many other Daytona processed for competition by private teams, both contemporary that later.
In 1974, the designer Luigi Chinetti Jr. NART modified, with the help from the British car maker Panther Westwinds, a specimen, one with frame 15275, presenting a special version of the station wagon (shooting brake) that did not, however, following commercial.
A replica of the Ferrari Daytona appears in the TV series Miami Vice. The protagonist rides a black Spyder.
174