Debuted in 1968, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona succeeded the 275 GTB/4 as the new top-of-the-line Ferrari gran turismo, and proved to be the company’s last front-engine, two-seat, V-12 berlinetta designed before Fiat’s takeover of road car production. Although its chassis was similar to its predecessor, the 365 GTB/4 differed dramatically in its bold, modern styling, penned by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti. Power came from a 4.4-liter four-cam, six-carburetor V-12, which produced 352 bhp at 7,500 rpm. Capable of accelerating from 0–100 in 12.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 174 mph, the Daytona was the fastest production car of its day.

An original US-market car, chassis 14417 was built in August 1971, finished in the striking and deep color of Rosso Ferrari (Ferrari Red). Outfitted with Nero (Black) leather seats and Rosso (Red) seat inserts and Cromodora wheels, the Daytona was delivered new to Jack May of Gainesville, Florida, through Ferrari dealer Kirk F. White. Mr. May had seen the V-12-powered berlinetta in a Road & Track road test in October 1970 and placed an order with Mr. White the following April.

Mr. May retrieved the car from the Ferrari factory on September 1, 1971, and proceeded to tour Europe in the Daytona before shipping it home to Florida. This would not be Mr. May’s only Ferrari; he later owned a 246 GTS, with which he competed in the 1975 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. Mr. May propelled the Dino from New York City to Los Angeles in a staggering 35 hours and 53 minutes, a new world record at the time.

This Daytona remained in Mr. May’s care until 2010, when it was sold to a private collector. In 2017, the Daytona was acquired by the consignor, an enthusiast of historically significant and highly original vintage Ferrari road and competition cars. Since that time, the car has been used sparingly and maintained by independent Ferrari specialist GTO Engineering.

Presented in largely unrestored condition and shown publicly on only a handful of occasions in the last 53 years, this Daytona would make an excellent conversation piece in any Ferrari collection or at vintage sports car gatherings.

Having had just three private owners from new, the Daytona retains much of its original finishes, including its black and red leather upholstery, as well as its original matching-numbers V-12 engine per the factory data tag. The Ferrari is accompanied by copies of correspondence between Jack May and Kirk F. White, tool roll, original owner’s manuals, and an original warranty book stamped with Jack May’s name. For the collector looking to experience the Ferrari Daytona in its purest original form, the search ends here.