Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione N.A.R.T Spyder 1972 for sale

1972 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione N.A.R.T Spyder Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Michelotti Competition N.A.R.T Spyder #15965 At the end of 1974, Luigi Chinetti, the Ferrari importer for the United States and owner of the North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T), decided to build a special Ferrari Daytona Spyder with the aim of competing in endurance races and more particularly in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He chose Giovanni Michelotti (see footnote), one of the most prolific automotive designers of the 20th century, to design this very special car. To this end, the Ferrari factory, which was as usual informed of the project, chose chassis no. 15965 (which was a standard European production chassis of the Daytona Coupe), although it was one of the rarest type A specifications. For rigidity reasons, the car was built as a targa, instead of a full spyder as had initially been requested. The targa roof is removable, allowing for driving with the roof open or closed, while the electric rear window can be lowered to allow for full airflow similar to the open prototypes with rear wing from the 1960s. The car was shown immediately after completion at the 1975 Geneva Auto Show. There was no April test at Le Mans that year 75, so three months after Geneva, the car was prepared for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was entered by Luigi Chinetti's N.A.R.T team. The North American Racing Team brought three other cars: a standard Daytona Competition, a heavily modified 308 GT4, and a nearly standard 365 GT/4 BB in the first appearance of the type at Sarthe. Never before had a Ferrari team entered such a varied range of models. The #15965 had a complete GR4 competition specification engine, prepared by DIENA in Modena for the N.A.R.T, with high-lift camshafts, racing headers, a high compression ratio, and a special side-mounted racing exhaust. In view of the short delay to prepare the car for Le Mans and with the 365 GTB/4 group IV works s/n 15685 in the same shop, Diena seized the opportunity to install this working engine in the NART Spyder s/n 15965. Entered in the GTX class, the Michelotti Daytona qualified with a time of 4'31"8 in the hands of Jean Pierre Malcher who was to share the car with Patrick Langlois. Some accounts state that it was faster in top speed than the participating Daytona Competition Gr4 due to its more aerodynamic shape. At one point before the race, Luigi Chinetti had some issues with the Le Mans organizers regarding the 308 GT4 and was so upset that he decided to withdraw the three cars at 14:32, 88 minutes before the start. The N.A.R.T contingent then returned to New York and the 15965 was subsequently delivered to Mr. Ward in Los Angeles. Three years later, it was entered by Otto Ziper for the 24 hours of Daytona in 1978 with Devenfort / Kline / Keyser. Bruno Borri from the Los Angeles area had assisted the engine. Michael Keyser had seen the car at Le Mans in 1975 when he participated with a Chevrolet Monza. The car's participation in Daytona was not a success as it was withdrawn from the race after a protest (by eventual overall winner Peter Gregg, driver of a Porsche Turbo) for its non-standard body. Note that on the Florida banked road course it practiced with retractable headlights replaced by perspex covers and with race number 66. It was still white/red during that race, but shortly after it was offered by the VIP Toy Store in Los Angeles listed as red/beige as it had been until its restoration in 2008. In 1978, the 15965 was purchased by John Mecom Jr, a well-known oil businessman from Houston and founder of the NFL New Orleans Saints franchise. Mr. Mecom was also known as a motorsport enthusiast and owner of a racing team. In 1988, the car was sold to Pat. Ryan who kept it until 2001, the year in which Jean Guikas - GTC bought it. He then raced the car (and exhibited it) several times in the Shell Ferrari Challenge Historic. 5 years later, GTC sold the car to a collector who decided to race the car in various events (including the US Ferrari Challenge race at Laguna Seca in 2007 where it won its class). In 2008, he decided to repaint and refinish the car in its Le Mans livery returning it to the unique blue leather interior and white/glossy paint. In 2008, 2010, and 2016 the car participated in the famous 'Le Mans Classic' race and the Tour Auto Optic 2000 rally in 2007, 2014, and 2015. The current mileage shows 14,000 miles, which is the original mileage. Engine: original Daytona GR IV V12 engine, four camshafts, 4,390cc, no. 15685 (as raced at Le Mans in 1975); completely rebuilt in 2002 to series III specifications, producing 420 hp at 6400 rpm (road configuration) or over 450 hp at 8100 rpm (race configuration) In road configuration, the car is equipped with a street exhaust system and two fuel tanks of about 60 liters each. In race configuration, the car is usually equipped with a side-mounted racing exhaust system and a central fuel tank of 70 liters. Additionally, the retractable headlights, electric windows, and bumpers can be easily removed, which could give the car a weight saving of at least 60 kg. The car is equipped with electric windows that allow for full airflow. The car was fully serviced by Graber Garage during the winter of 2014/2015, very well prepared for its participation in the 2015 Tour Auto. The car was electrically overhauled in Italy in 2015 and received a completely renewed electrical circuit and front bumpers according to the specifications of the 1975 Geneva Auto Show. s/n 15965 represents the best of both worlds, a street-legal Ferrari (regularly registered in France) and competition combined with a unique design. It is also important to keep in mind that this car is the only 365 GTB/4 Competizione ever built as a spyder. It is recognized by the Ferrari factory as a genuine example of historical interest. It is also the last Ferrari of the Enzo era ever designed for dual purpose. Ready to race. Suitable for the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, Modena Cento Ore, Concours d'élégance and many others. This car is visible at our premises located in the south of France, by appointment only.