French title
Chassis no. 13407

- Owned by the singer Christophe from 1983-1993
- Rare first-series model, delivered new in Belgium
- Air-conditioning and matching numbers
- Beautiful cosmetic and mechanical condition

Lamborghini had opened the way for a new layout for ultra-high-performance sports cars: a mid-mounted engine, which allowed a lower centre of gravity and improved weight distribution. Nonetheless, when you compare the high-speed stability of a Lamborghini Miura and a Ferrari Daytona, Enzo Ferrari's choice can be understood: the Daytona doesn't budge an inch, whereas the Miura tends to lift its nose. The Ferrari's qualities were, moreover, confirmed by its success in competition (including winning the 1972 Tour Auto with Andruet/Biche), which was not the case for the Miura. After being met at the time with unjustified sarcasm on the part of specialists, the Daytona now has an undoubted aura based on numerous criteria. It was the last front-engined Ferrari V12 from that period: as smooth as it was fiery, it produced 352 bhp at 7500rpm, taking the car to 270 kph; the quality of its handling was undeniable, especially in long corners taken at full speed; it had impressive styling by Fioravanti, for Pininfarina.
This very attractive Daytona is a first-series model which left the factory on 8 May 1970 and was dispatched to Jacques Swaters' Garage Francorchamps in Brussels on 28 May. It was sold to its first owner, M. Vandevelde, International Polioxal SA, from Machelen in Belgium. It was later registered in northern France, then moved to the Hauts-de-Seine department outside Paris in 1974, with the number 659 EA 92. We have the copy of the registration document which confirms that it was then registered in 1983 with the number 84 EHZ 75 in the name of Véronique Bevilacqua, the wife of the famous French singer Christophe, who was in the habit of putting the papers of his many cars in his wife's name.
Christophe kept the Italian sports car for ten years. On a side note, one of his friends lent him a large amount of money in exchange for the Daytona. As he was unable to pay him back, his friend kept the car and registered it in his name on 23 April 1993, but never drove it. The Ferrari was bought on 25 July 2002 by its current owner, a Parisian who had grown up with the magnificent cars his father had owned, notably a Bugatti 57 SC Atalante in the 1930s and, later, a Ferrari 250 Coupé PF. As soon as he bought the car, he sent it to the specialist Alain Coquelet for a complete restoration of the body and interior. Coquelet did a remarkable job, respecting its original specification and keeping the original leather for both seats. This is a rare first-series Daytona, which performed to our complete satisfaction on the day of our photoshoot. Its history is clear and complete, including the time it spent with the singer of 'Mots bleus' ... Let's hit the road!

Full catalogue and more photos https://www.artcurial.com/en/sale-4315-retromobile-2023-artcurial-motorcars