Looking back the last Ferrari front-engined model of the 1960s

Rare ONES Many Ferrari products have succeeded in becoming part of the world's high-performance sports cars history, one of which is the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, but it only lasted from 1966 to 1968. Ferrari felt need to maintain the momentum at the time, then the company to create a new sportscar has a similar DNA to the 275 GTB/4 is powered by a V12 front-mounted engine later named the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 aka 'Daytona'.

1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 aka 'Daytona' is a two-seater gran tourer to continue the legacy of its predecessor Ferrari 275 GTB/4. (Picture from: Motoris)

In short, then the prancing horse logoed auto manufacturer colaborated with Pininfarina to develop a new V12-engined sportscar model. Then the coachbuilder based in Turin appointed one of its designers named Leonardo Fioravanti to design the new car. As time goes by, some early prototypes apply the front of the 275 GTB/4 that has been modified to make the car look tapered and angled. 

Not to forget the Plexiglass panel behind which there are headlights, its position connects to the side and blends with the indicator light. But according to the new US safety regulations prohibiting headlights behind covers so then in 1971, Ferrari replaced it by pinning the twin retractable pop-up headlights.

1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 aka 'Daytona' is designed by Pininfarina and has a physique such a muscle car. (Picture from: Motoris)

As the result, this car has a more aggressive appearance than the 275 GTB/4, through a physical form that is long, wide, and has sharp angles. Especially the front which resembles the snout of a shark. The long and wide front hood is also equipped with a pair of large air holes that function to channel hot air from the engine cabin.

Furthermore in design, Pininfarina deliberately does not want to 'contaminate' its body by pinning too many air holes, due to they think that if the body is too 'crowded' it will have an impact on its age which will look worn out quickly. The body shape flows down to the rear is applied the Kamm-tail-style complemented by Ferrari's typical circular taillights.

The cabin of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 aka 'Daytona' looks very nice with a quite simple design and also has a dashboard covered by special layer called mousehair. (Picture from: Motoris)

After the Pininfarina's design work was done and got an approval of 'Il Commendatore' Enzo Ferrari, then to build the car bodywork was handed over to Carrozzeria Scaglietti in Modena. Most of the car's body components are made of ferrous metal, while certain parts such as doors, hood, and trunk hood are made of aluminum.

Then the body is placed on a chassis with a wheelbase sized of 2,400 mm with the construction uses a sub-structure, cross-bracing, and a large oval main tube. All of this is intended to support the body and various other components. Then the car's legs use a five-spoke designed rim model featured with a Rudge knock-off spinner lock.

1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 aka 'Daytona' is powered by a dual overhead camshaft V12 Tipo 251/C engine with maximum power of 352 hp, and could be upgraded to spew of 380 hp. (Picture from: OtoBlirz)

The interior looks very nice, although the design is quite simple. However, this simplicity is harmoniously combined with the level of luxury presented through the Connolly leather material on the seats and door trim, as well as a special wooden steering wheel. On the dashboard, there's a layer called mousehair is deliberately used that does not dazzle the eyes of the driver and passengers.

Then the car's engine is proved to be able to compensate for its physical beauty. If the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 carries a V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo with a capacity of 3.3 liters, then the 365 GTB/4 uses a dual overhead camshaft V12 Tipo 251/C engine that has been refined and has a capacity of 4.4 liters. 

Ferrari 'Daytona' had won an unofficial racing event called the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash of 1971 by traveled as far as 4,628 km from New York to Los Angeles. (Picture from: Motoris)

While the car lubrication system applies dry-sump technology like one on the racing car. By the fuel supply supported by 6 Weber 40 DCN carburetors to make the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 engine able to spew a maximum power of 352 hp. If the performance of the 365 GTB/4's standard engine is considered not suffice enough by the clients, so the Servizio Assistenza Clienti division will help them to upgrade the engine to be able to spew more ferocious power up to 380 hp.

The Ferrari 365 GTS/4 aka 'Daytona Spyder' is a convertible variant produced from 1971 to 1973. (Picture from: Hagerty)

This engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission with a rear axle (transaxle), through the axle in the torque tube. This layout is similar to that applied on the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, its predecessor, and is capable of producing a good weight distribution. Meanwhile, the front suspension uses a wishbone and independent rear suspension, ensuring the 365 GTB/4 has steady control at high speeds.

With that much engine power, the 365 GTB/4 is able to accelerate from rest to 100 kph in just 5.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 280 kph. So it is not surprising, if the car had become the fastest production car at that time. The options offered by Ferrari for its 365 GTB/4 were 'minimal', namely: AC devices, radios by Voxson and Blaupunkt, the Borrani's chrome-plated rims are wider than standard ones, and front fascia protectors.

After being considered satisfactory in terms of design and the car's completeness, then the Maranello-based premium car manufacturer introduced its Ferrari 365 GTB/4 at the Paris Auto Salon, October 1968. At the event, Ferrari got was unexpected reactions, it turned out that many people who attended at the time really admired the car. The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was produced by the Maranello-based manufacturer from 1968 to 1973 with a total production of 1,284 units, and from 1971 to 1973 the company also produced 122 unit of the Ferrari GTS/4 (spyder variant).

The Ferrari's phenomenal victory moment at the 1967 Daytona 24-Hour Race, by sweeping the 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place in the podium. (Picture from: SportsCarDigest)

Then what about its 'Daytona' nickname which is always synonymous with this 365 GTB/4? Actually, the nickname was given by a number of automotive media journalists, when this car was shown at the 1968 Paris Auto Salon. The reason for the nickname Daytona was related to the Ferrari's phenomenal victory at the 1967 Daytona 24-Hour Race, by sweeping the 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place winner. Although, Daytona is the unofficial name, but it seems the Italian automaker does not mind if its 365 GTB/4 wore the nickname.😐 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FERRARI | WIKIPEDIA | SPORTSCARDIGEST ]

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