Any time a classic Ferrari goes for sale at auction, chances are it’s going to command a pretty great price. But even among Ferraris, there is a hierarchy of value.
Certain examples, like this 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Prototype by Scaglietti, are more than just stylish, elegant, and endowed with a good name; they transcend their lofty station by also being historically relevant to the legacy of the brand.
If this model looks a little strange to you, that’s because it was one of three prototypes that preceded the first production example of the 365 GTB/4 that would be shown at the 1968 Paris Motor Show. This car, chassis number 11001, is as much a design exercise as anything else.
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The car was built by Scaglietti and the design was drawn by Pininfarina designer Leonardo Fioravanti. As such, it was built on the outgoing Ferrari 275 GTB/4‘s chassis and features design elements from both cars. With a front end that looks rather different than the 365 GTB/4’s, the squared-off fastback with quad tail lamps is pure Daytona.
Speaking of which, this car may be most notable for the evidence it provides supporting the story that surrounds the car’s name. As the tale goes, despite the name Daytona never being officially attached to the car by Ferrari, the automaker had allegedly intended to give it that name until it was leaked to the press and Enzo canceled the plan in a fit of pique.
According to Ferrari historian Marcel Massini, this car was built in January 1968, 12 months after the brand’s prototype racecars took a 1-2-3 victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Shortly thereafter, it was purchased by Luigi Chinetti Motors, whose paperwork alternately refers to the car as a 275 GTB/4 and a “Daitona,” proving that the name was in use at least six months before its first official appearance at the Paris Motor Show.
Powered by the 275’s 3.3-liter four-cam type 226 “Colombo” V12, the car is numbers matching and presented in Argento Metallizzato with a Nero leather interior, just as it was when new. It recently received Ferrari Classiche certification, and the new owner will receive the marque’s Red Book once printed.
Estimates suggest that this piece of automotive history will be sold for between $2,250,000 and $3,000,000 at RM Sotheby‘s Monterey auction on Saturday, August 20.
