Chassis No. 16639 | 6,810 Miles Indicated | Rosso Corsa / Red Leather

This is our 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder Conversion, finished in Rosso Corsa over a Red leather interior featuring Daytona seats with contrasting Black inserts and showing 6,810 miles on the odometer. Originally completed as a Daytona Berlinetta in May 1973, this Ferrari was subsequently converted to Spyder configuration by Michael Sheehan's European Auto Restoration in Costa Mesa, California, one of approximately 28 Daytona conversions completed by the specialist during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Previous auction documentation also attributes this Ferrari to former ownership by legendary British musician Rod Stewart, although independent supporting documentation is not presently available. Featuring its reportedly matching-numbers V12 engine, five-speed manual transaxle, and functioning convertible top, this example has remained in the same private collection since June 2012.

Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 1968, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 succeeded the 275 GTB/4 as the marque's flagship front-engine grand touring automobile. Although officially designated the 365 GTB/4, the model quickly became known as the Daytona, a nickname widely associated with Ferrari's remarkable first-, second-, and third-place finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. Designed by Pininfarina and constructed by Scaglietti, the Daytona featured a dramatically modern silhouette characterized by its long hood, sharply defined body lines, and distinctive Kamm-style rear treatment. Approximately 1,284 Daytona Berlinettas were produced, making the model one of Ferrari's most celebrated twelve-cylinder grand touring automobiles.

Power is supplied by Ferrari's 4,390cc Colombo-derived V12 engine, equipped with six Weber carburetors and producing approximately 352 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. Paired with a rear-mounted five-speed manual transaxle, the Daytona offered exceptional performance for its era, with a claimed top speed approaching 174 mph. Four-wheel independent suspension, ventilated disc brakes, and a carefully balanced chassis further established the model as one of the most capable grand touring automobiles of its generation.

While the Daytona Berlinetta was produced in considerably greater numbers, Ferrari also introduced the factory-built 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder in 1969. With approximately 124 factory Spyders produced, their limited availability and enduring desirability encouraged a number of specialists to convert existing Daytona coupes into open-top configurations. Among the best-known American specialists was Michael Sheehan's European Auto Restoration, which completed approximately 28 Daytona Spyder conversions during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

According to historical auction documentation, this Ferrari was completed at Maranello on May 22, 1973, originally finished in Marrone Metallizzato over Beige leather. Delivered new through Garage Francorchamps in Brussels, Belgium, the car was exported to the United States within approximately three years of its completion. By 1978, this Ferrari was in the possession of the California-based specialist responsible for its conversion, and it was subsequently offered for sale in Beverly Hills in April 1980, confirming that the transformation to Spyder configuration had been completed by that time.

This Ferrari remained predominantly on the West Coast throughout the following decades. Historical auction records indicate that it underwent additional restoration work by the same California specialist responsible for its original conversion before eventually entering a private collection in the Pacific Northwest.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of this Ferrari's reported history is its association with Rod Stewart, the internationally recognized British musician and longtime collector of exotic automobiles. Previous auction documentation indicates that Stewart acquired this Ferrari in 1998, during a period in which his collection included numerous significant Italian sports cars. While this association has been reported in earlier auction catalogues, independent documentation confirming his ownership is not presently available, and the history is therefore presented as previously reported rather than independently verified.

By late 1999, this Ferrari had reportedly undergone a comprehensive restoration and was advertised as having traveled approximately 2,000 miles since that work was completed. By this time, it had also received its current Red leather interior featuring Daytona seats with contrasting Black inserts, along with power-assisted steering sourced from a Ferrari 365 GTC/4. Its present Rosso Corsa exterior finish complements the flowing lines of the open-top Daytona coachwork, while chrome Borrani wire wheels provide a traditional Ferrari appearance.

Importantly, historical auction documentation identifies this Ferrari as retaining its matching-numbers V12 engine. A correction issued in the auction's saleroom notice identified the engine's internal number as B2342, with the auction house expressly confirming the car's matching-numbers status. This represents a meaningful element of originality for a Daytona that has undergone conversion from its original Berlinetta configuration.

The conversion itself reflects the craftsmanship associated with the specialist Daytona Spyder conversions undertaken during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Previous auction descriptions have noted the quality of the work, particularly the attention paid to the rear bodywork and the details intended to replicate the appearance of Ferrari's original factory-built Spyders.

Today, this Ferrari presents in Rosso Corsa over a Red leather interior featuring distinctive Daytona seats with contrasting Black inserts. The seating design complements the classic Ferrari instrumentation and driver-focused cockpit, while chrome Borrani wire wheels complete its traditional grand touring appearance. This Ferrari retains its five-speed manual transmission and an operational convertible top.

Acquired by its current owner in June 2012, this Ferrari has remained in the same private collection for more than fourteen years. The owner reports that the car has also been driven at Daytona International Speedway, providing a fitting connection to the circuit associated with the Daytona name. With 6,810 miles indicated, this Ferrari currently starts and drives.

Combining the celebrated performance of Ferrari's front-engine V12 Daytona with the appeal of open-top motoring, this 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder Conversion represents a distinctive example of one of Maranello's most recognizable grand touring automobiles. Its conversion by a recognized Ferrari specialist, historically reported association with Rod Stewart, reportedly matching-numbers engine, and long-term private ownership contribute to the individual character and history of this Ferrari.