One to Buy: Blu Dino 1 of 18 Euro LHD 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4
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Considering that open top Ferraris have generally outsold their fixed head counterparts for several decades now, it seems almost inexplicable how so few customers opted for one of the firm’s most revered Convertibles: the 365 GTS/4 ‘Daytona’.
In total, Ferrari completed 1411 examples of the Daytona between 1968 and ‘73, however, only 122 of these were to Spyder trim if you include the original 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show prototype.
Several potential reasons accounted for this low production figure. Poor trading conditions meant Daytona sales were beginning to slow down by the time GTS/4 production had gotten underway in mid 1970. Additionally, the fashionable mid-engined revolution was by this time in full swing while most European customers back then still generally preferred Coupes to Convertibles.
An indication of just how poorly the 365 GTS/4 was received in Europe can be illustrated by the fact that only 18 left-hand drive examples were completed. However, times have since changed and today these ultra rare machines are regarded among the ultimate road-going Ferrari Spyders.
With such a low production run, opportunities to purchase a Euro-spec. 365 GTS/4 on the open market are exceptionally rare, but that’s just what is currently on offer at the Tom Hartley Jnr. showroom in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Chassis 14415 was a domestic market example supplied new to one Sara Scapula in Blu Dino Metallizzato with Cream Leather, Blue cockpit inserts and a matching canvas roof. Before long, it was sold to John Baus in France who was an employee of Ferrari’s US distributor, Luigi Chinetti, and the car was shipped across the Atlantic.
In more recent times, chassis 14415 has been the subject of a concours level restoration back to its original 1971 trim. It is being offered complete with all the original handbooks, manuals and tools along with Ferrari Classiche certification confiming its matching numbers status.
