One of the world’s rarest Ferraris is selling for £5.5m.
The 1973 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione is one of just 15 built.
It has a top speed of 174mph and can go from 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds.
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It was awarded Ferrari Classiche “White Book” status, as a car of historical interest, in 2011.
The car – in iconic Ferrari red – was raced in four 24-hour races including Le Mans in 1974 and at Daytona in 1973, 1975, and 1981.
It was driven by a roster of greats including Jean-Claude Andruet, Claude Ballot-Léna, Sam Posey, Milt Minter and Al Unser Jr.
It is being sold by RM Sotheby’s in Culver City, California, and bidding ends on June 26, as reported by Whats Thr Jam.
Its listing states: “Its no-nonsense design and relatively unstressed nature rendered the Daytona Competizione an immediate success on the track, and it rapidly ascended to the already well-populated ranks of Maranello GT greats.
“This particular example, chassis 16343, was the first of just five Series III 365 GTB/4 Competiziones constructed by Assistenza Clienti.
“It was configured in the classic Ferrari colour scheme of Rosso Chiaro with a black interior and was promptly dispatched to its first owner—long-time Ferrari associate Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team—in January 1973.
“Perhaps fittingly, 16343’s competitive swansong came at the 1981 Daytona 24 Hours.
“Successively owned by Tom Johnson of Long Beach, California, and Floridian Rick Carroll, 16343 was acquired by William Kontes of Millville, New Jersey, in 1989.
“By now enjoying its well-earned racing retirement, the car was exhibited at the VII Palm Beach Cavallino Classic in 1998 and 1999 prior to being sold to keen historic racer and broker Nick Soprano of White Plains, New York, in late 1999.
“In 2001, ownership passed to Lawrence Bowman of Redwood City, California, who in turn sold the car to the consigning owner in 2003; where it would sit alongside the owner’s 250 GTO and 250 Testa Rossa, both amongst the finest examples of their respective models.”
“In 2011, the car received Ferrari Classiche White Book certification, the attestation for vehicles of historic interest.
“This confirms that the chassis is original, the engine is not original but of the correct type, along with a non-original gearbox of the correct type.
“The car’s credentials are further enhanced by an accompanying spares package which includes two sets of wheels and tyres, a spare transaxle casing, a ring and pinion set, two front brake calipers, two anti-roll bars, and miscellaneous engine and exhaust components.
“Immaculately presented in its evocative period NART livery, and fastidiously maintained in the present ownership, 16343 is ready to resume its varied and itinerant career in the hands of its fortunate new owner.
“Its sheer versatility renders it ideally suited to the plethora of historic competition, touring, and Concours events for which it is eligible.”
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