In 1968, Ferrari introduced the 365 GTB/4, which the media nicknamed ‘Daytona’ in honour of Ferrari’s 1-2-3 victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. However, Ferrari never officially adopted the name.
The Daytona, designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina, marked a bold shift from Ferrari’s softer, rounded shapes to a more angular and aggressive design, setting a new standard in Ferrari’s design language.
‘The Daytona is a car that makes you want to drive it like you stole it.’
Powered by a 4.4-litre V12 engine producing 352 bhp, the Daytona was the world’s fastest production car at the time, reaching 174 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. Its transaxle layout provided near-perfect weight distribution, enhancing handling.
Ferrari produced approximately 1,406 units between 1968 and 1973, including 1,284 coupes and just 122 Spyders, making the Spyder version particularly rare and highly sought after.
A small number of lightweight, alloy-bodied Daytona Competizione cars were built for racing, proving highly successful in endurance events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Early Daytona models featured plexiglass-covered headlights, later replaced by pop-up headlights due to US regulations.
Collectors prize the earlier versions.
The Daytona gained further fame through appearances in popular media, most notably the TV series Miami Vice, cementing its status as an icon of the 1980s.
Today, the Daytona is one of the most desirable classic Ferraris, with well-maintained examples fetching millions. It is celebrated for its blend of performance, style, and rarity.
The Daytona marked the end of Ferrari’s classic front-engined V12 grand tourers, influencing future models and holding a special place in Ferrari’s storied history.
‘It’s as if Ferrari took a sledgehammer to a piece of marble and somehow ended up with the Daytona’
