| Introduced in 1968 with
production beginning in 1969, the 365 GTB/4 was Ferrari’s
response to an evolving market and, even more important, changing
regulations in the United States, where increasingly stringent
emissions standards and rigid safety-related regulations had made
the previous generation of Ferraris unsaleable. The 365 GTB/4
was bigger, both in bulk and in the power to propel it, more luxuriously
equipped and was wrapped in a Pininfarina-designed, Scaglietti-built
body that was equally a departure from earlier Ferraris.
Pininfarina’s landmark design epitomized the ultimate
in front-engined, V12-powered berlinettas, a combination of
beauty and performance that has become an icon of design. Few
chose to experiment with the Daytona’s design but one
who did was Luigi Chinetti, Jr., son of the three-time Le Mans
winner and U.S. Ferrari importer. Lou, or ‘Coco’
as he was known in his youth, was not only an accomplished driver
but also a talented designer. Not surprisingly, Lou Chinetti’s
designs sometimes found expression on Ferraris, including this
unique and well-known Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Break.
The last bespoke Daytona to have been re-bodied in period was
chassis 15275, this car receiving a dramatic Shooting Break
design fabricated by Panther Westwinds of Byfleet, England.
Undoubtedly one of the most interestingly styled Ferrari's ever
conceived, 15275 got an elongated nose and tail but retained
the original GTB/4's two-seat configuration. Panther left the
entire back half of the car free for storage and clothed it
with a shell consisting primarily of three vast glass panels,
two for each side/roof and another for the huge rear window.
The overall effect was absolutely stunning and even today this
car causes a great deal of interest wherever it goes. Just try
replacing those epic glass panes in a hurry though.
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (s/n 15275) is an extreme example
of customizing. It is fitted with a unique 'Shooting-Brake'
(estate) type bodywork. The design was originally drawn by NART's
Luigi Chinetti Jr. and executed by Panther Westwoods. The interior
was also completely modified with all dials relocated to the
centre console. All dials were moved to the center-console.
This unique car is just one of a handful of Ferraris ever fitted
with a Shooting-Brake style bodywork.
Chassis #15275. “Coco” Chinetti Jr. gave the idea
of a more functional and practical Ferrari by creating this
“one off” example with the help of Gene Garfinkle.
He succeeded to convince Bob Gittleman - designer and coachbuilder
of homes in Florida - that a Daytona “Shooting Break”
Wagon would be the best answer to every day shopping chores.
It was therefore decided in 1975 that the car should be converted
in the UK by Bob Jankle of Panther Westwinds. After many months
of painstaking labor, the car was completed and Mr. Chinetti
with Gittleman thought that the people at Panther did an excellent
job (at $50,000 USD expenses!). Coming from a standard 365 GTB/4
Daytona, the front inner panels, the door inners and door pillars
as well as the front portion of the greenhouse, which includes
the windshield, were left untouched. Chinetti changed the angle
of the trailing edge of the door glass frame and added an all
new rear end with unique "gull wing” hatches for
easy curb side loading. The taillights are mounted behind the
rear window glass. The front end incorporates a strip of bright
orange around the nose, adding a nice dash of colour to the
all-black car. For the interior, all instruments have been moved
toward the center and the seats are covered with nothing less
than Conolly Brothers suede (Info by Manfred Lampe). This is
a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most interesting
Ferrari project of the 70s, coming with a full file history
and in total original condition. Available immediately and located
in ´s-Graveland, Netherlands, 20 minutes from Amsterdam
airport.
|
.jpg)
