Ferrari Daytona Spyder Spider
Ferrari launched the venerated 365 GTB4 in 1969, when it was dubbed the "Daytona." One of Ferrari's most enduring models, the Daytona quickly gained fames a grand touring car of epic proportions.
It's still one of the most sought after Ferraris, with examples of the 1,248 produced selling at auction for over $1 million.
Even more rare and desirable is the 365 GTS4, otherwise known as the Daytona Spyder. According to Ferrari's naming convention at the time, the name is derived from the displacement of a single cylinder, 365cc. GT stands for Grand Touring, S equals Spyder.
Only 122 of these drop-top beauties were ever produced. The body is widely considered nothing less than an automotive work of art. It was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti in Modena, Italy. The body is mostly steel, with aluminum panels for the hood and trunk lids and door skins.
Pininfarina didn't want anything spoiling the dramatic lines of the body, so there are no conventional door handles. Instead, the doors are opened by a small lever that swivels out from next to the door glass.
Under the hood, Ferrari's 4.4-liter V12, pumps out 352 horsepower. The five-speed transmission is mounted on the chassis-mounted transaxle. It uses six down draft Weber carburetors and dry sump lubrication. Top speed is rated at 173 mph (278 km/h).
It is built on a steel tube chassis with front and rear independent suspension using double wishbones and concentric springs and dampers.
While the cockpit is comfortable for long trips, there aren't many creature comforts. Seats are clad in Connolly leather. The large wood steering wheel reflects the lack of power steering. Ferrari's trademark chrome shift gat flanks the seemingly delicate shift lever. A large tachometer and speedometer dominate the dashboard, flanked by an array of other gauges. A delicate ash tray and radio share the center console.
The trunk offers space for real luggage, rare in Ferraris of any caliber. The Daytona is a true grand tourer, capable of swallowing huge junks of road in a day.
All factory-built, U.S.-spec Daytona spiders have pop up headlights. Any spyder with the perspex-covered lights has been converted from a berlinetta.
The Daytona's steering is heavy at slow speeds, coming alive at close to 100 mph. It's a perfect mount for rallies and is sought after on the show circuit. Every serious car collector with the means should own a Daytona some point. It takes considerably more means to own a Spider, of course. But it's a blue chip automotive investment, better than the stock market in most cases.
