The Ferrari Daytona You See Is Not The Car It Was Born

A custom-built convertible with a V12 heart and a backstory nearly as rare as its price tag

                                        https://www.carscoops.com/author/bradcarscoops-com/                                    

Few shapes in automotive history have the instant visual punch of the Ferrari GTB/4 Daytona, and even among those, some manage to stand out more than others. In the vast universe of collector cars, this particular Daytona now for sale in the US checks nearly every box for someone who wants vintage style, V12 power, and an unusual story to go with it. It’s not just another Ferrari, either. This one’s a Spider, and not the kind Ferrari originally built.

Ferrari built just 122 examples of the GTB/4 Daytona Spider, but this car wasn’t one of those few. Instead, it left the factory as a typical Daytona before being imported into the US in the mid-1970s. Between 1978 and 1979, it was converted into a convertible by European Auto Restoration in Costa Mesa, California.

Watch: What Is The Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB/4 Really Like To Drive?

Equipped with a soft top, the car was sold to a soap opera producer before trading hands again and finding its way into the garage of a Missouri collector, who owned it for 28 years. It was sold in 2012, and Symbolic Motor Car Company was tasked with refurbishing it. During this time, it was repainted in the current shade of black, the bumpers were re-chromed, and some minor bodywork damage was repaired.

The interior wasn’t ignored during the refurbishment. It now sports black leather seats with red piping, matching black carpeting, a cassette player, and even air conditioning. So yes, you can blast vintage mixtapes while cruising in comfort.

BaT

Power comes courtesy of a 4.4-liter naturally-aspirated V12. The Bring a Trailer listing notes the engine was overhauled between 2012 and 2016. Additionally, the car’s shocks were rebuilt recently, and a new exhaust has been fitted.

Ferrari currently builds some amazing cars, including the 296 GTB, the SF90 XX Coupe and Spider duo, and soon, the F80 hypercar. Bidding on this Daytona has already exceeded the starting price of a new 296. While it cannot match a modern Ferrari in the performance stakes, it’s arguably much more desirable.

If your curiosity’s stronger than your sense of financial self-preservation, the listing’s right over here. Fair warning though, the current high bid is already brushing up against $401,000, so bring your wallet and maybe some backup therapy sessions.

BaT