1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona NART Spider by Michelotti

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Now this right here is more than just any old Ferrari. This is the One of One 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona NART Spider by Michelotti. If you’re only interested in seeing photos, you should scroll down to the gallery now. This is a lengthy history lesson on a very special automobile.

Perhaps best known for his work on behalf of the carrozzeria Vignale, Giovanni Michelotti was one of Italy’s most prolific sports car designers, penning both series built and one off coachwork designs for various firms through the 1950’s before founding his own concern. The stylist was responsible for the visual cues of numerous early Ferrari automobiles as well as later production-based models from Triumph and BMW. Among Michelotti’s most interesting work came an exceptional series of 5 open top cars during the mid-1970’s and was ultimately based on the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. This automobile was created specifically at the request of NART Principal and U.S. Ferrari Importer Luigi Chinetti. Though these cars were individually built with distinguishing details, the body designs were essentially the same, sharing an angular wedge-styled shark-nose motif that emphasized a single unwavering belt line form tip to tail.

Chinetti commissioned the first of these cars in 1947, presenting it at that year’s Turin Motor Show, and the initial design featured cut-down doors, molded bumpers, and a targa top. The second car, chassis no. 15965, was commissioned as a competition example to run the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans, though Chinetti ultimately withdrew all the NART entries that year following a disagreement with the race stewards. In 1976, Chinetti ordered 3 more Daytona’s from Michelotti to be configured to road specifications, and the featured car, chassis no. 14299, was the first of these. The car began life as a standard Daytona Coupe equipped with air conditioning and power windows, and was specified for the American market. Completing assembly in May 1971, the 365 GTB/4 was finished in Grigio Ferro (Iron Grey) and upholstered with Rosso Valumol leather. The car was then retailed through Chinetti’s Connecticut-based distributorship and purchased by a Dr. Silva.

Sometime over the next four years the Daytona was traded back to Chinetti, and he submitted it to Michelotti in 1976 for use on his 3-car order. Michelotti re-boddied 14299 in the style of the1974 Turin Motor Show car, though the cut-down doors and vent windows were de-emphasized. The spider was fitted with five-spoke alloy wheels and a tan soft top, and it was painted in a two-tone scheme of dark blue over grey. The interior was re-trimmed in orange-hued leather, while the dashboard layout was reconfigured using the original car’s Veglia Borletti gauges. A color matched hardtop was fitted to complete the finishing touches. In 1977 the NART Spider was delivered back to Chinetti and he added script reading “Marion” in honor of his wife to, whom he gifted the car. Three years later Chinetti loaned the Daytona to Michelotti for presentation on the designer’s stand at the 1980 Turin Motor Show, after which the car was displayed through 1982 at the Le Mans Museum in France. Two years later the spider was also presented at the La Baule Concours d’Elegance.

In 1985 the 365 GTB/4 returned to the U.S., and as Mrs. Chinetti had passed away in the interim, the importer chose to sell the car. The spider was then purchased by Los Angeles-based dealer Marty Yacobain, and he presented it at the 1986 Palm Springs Concours d’Elegance. In January 1990 the car was sold to Richard Gorman of North Miami, Florida, and he in turn sold it to Marv Tonkin, brother of well-known Oregon-based Ferrari dealer Ron Tonkin. In September 1991, the minimally driven Daytona special was acquired by the highly respected Jon Shirley, whose world-class collection has garnered numerous awards at the finest events worldwide, including the first Ferrari to ever win Best of Show at Pebble Beach. The unique Ferrari remained in Mr. Shirley’s private collection for 22 years, being consistently maintained as needed while enjoying the company of his production Daytona Spider and alloy 275 GTS/4 NART Spider, among others. Later in Mr. Shirley’s ownership the spider was certified by Ferrari Classiche with a unique Attestation of Historic Interest, an honor bestowed on cars that are deemed to possess important competition or show history subsequent to when they were first sold be Ferrari. This Ferrari was presented at the Cavallino Classic in January 2014, winning an award for Design Distinction. A few months later the car garnered an Amelia Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and it returned to the Florida-based Concours in 2018. The spider has accrued roughly 3,000 miles of rally use during the time frame of 2014-2018, including participation in the Copperstate 1000.

Offering rarity and a unique glimpse of Michelotti’s interpretation of the celebrated Daytona, this handsome one-off Ferrari is steeped in the provenance of the famed Luigi Chinetti and Giovanni Michelotti. When this automobile was sold to it’s current owner, it had only 5,479 miles on the clock. As you can see that number has risen but not by much. The current owner of this phenomenal piece of Ferrari history is well versed in it’s past as he was great friends with Luigi Chinetti himself. To know that someone who has been in contact with the vehicle for so many years now has the opportunity to own it is heartwarming to say the least, even removing the imminent value affixed to the asset from the situation. Sometimes when you are successful enough, there are things in this world that are more important than the money. I learned a lot from this gentleman in the short time I spent with him that afternoon and evening. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to photograph the car, and am looking forward to when i’m able to schedule it in the studio!

Enjoy some of the only high resolution images of this rare Ferrari showcased in a private setting available online.

Exert compliments of RM Sotheby’s Auction.

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