Classic Cars of Christmas

Ferrari Daytona – or 365 GTB/4 to Ferrari!

Completing our mini-trilogy of looking back at a few classic cars, we conclude today with the Ferrari Daytona, officially known as the Ferrari 365 GTB/4.

This two-seat grand tourer was produced from 1968 to 1973, during which time just under 1,300 were made. It was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968 as the successor to the 275 GTB/4.

This classy sports car has a 4.4 litre Colombo V12 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, and a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel-drive.

The Daytona name was "unofficially" reported to have been given to the car by the media rather than Ferrari to commemorate their 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona race. Still to this day, Ferrari rarely actually call the car the Daytona, preferring its real name of the 365 GTB/4.

The Daytona is capable of a top speed of 174 mph and has an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The American version had a few modifications but was, in general, the same spec. Again a Pininfarina designed car, the 365 GTB/4 was quite different in that the normal rounded design of Ferrari was replaced with a more sharp-edged style.

Ferrari entered a race version of the car in the 24-Hour of Le Mans in 1969, but sadly it crashed out in practice. After that, several private entrants took part in the early to mid-1970s and had a great degree of success, with a 5th overall in 1971 and GT class wins from 1972 – 1974.

The Daytona also gained its fame when it was driven (and won) the inaugural Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash in 1971. With an average speed of just over 80 mph, the car completed the New York to L.A. event in 35 hours 54 minutes, showcasing the car's potential for high-speed travel over a long distance.

It also appeared on the cover of a 1973 album by popular American 70's duo The Carpenters. In the first two seasons of Miami Vice in the 1980s, a replica version was used (which Ferrari later sued for!) after which it was replaced by an actual Ferrari Testarossa donated by Ferrari from season three onwards.

As recently as 2004, the Daytona was voted top sports car of the 1970s by Sports Car International magazine, further adding to its legacy and iconic status.

So, if you want to buy or view one, what are your options? We have three dealers that might be able to help you.

First up, we have Talacrest, the world's number one classic Ferrari dealer located in Berkshire, and worthy of contacting whether you wish to buy or sell a classic Ferrari. With many models available, they currently have a 1971 Daytona Ferrari Spyder conversion, complete with all records and converted in 1978. This immaculate car is in Ferrari red and needs to be seen. For more details just click on the link below.

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A second dealer we should mention is once again Joe Macari Performance Cars London. Offering cars for sale, service, restoration and storage, they currently have a 1969 Ferrari Daytona Plexi for sale. After spending a few years in a Danish collection, this classic right-hand-drive vehicle is now back in the UK and available. Check out more details below.

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So there we have it, the 365 GTB/4 completing our brief trilogy of looking back at classic and iconic cars. To discover more of these hidden treasures or to sell or buy the classic car of your dreams, then keep up to date with all of the news and posts on our website at Classic Motors For Sale.

Lamborghini Miura – Sports Car Supreme

The Lamborghini Miura is a sports car that was produced between 1966 and 1973 by the Italian carmaker Lamborghini. It was the first supercar to feature a rear mid-engined two-seat layout, which then went on to become the standard format for high-performance sports and supercars.

Initially, the car was produced against the wishes of the company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, who preferred grand touring cars. Even so, on its release, the Miura was the fastest production road car.

Only 764 of these 2-door coupes were built, featuring a 5-speed manual transmission, with the prototype P400 being showcased at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show where it made an immediate impact and was hugely popular.

The Miura soon became the flagship for Lamborghini, receiving various updates right up until production ended in 1973, where it was succeeded by the Lamborghini Countach.

With its V12 engine and rolling chassis, the Miura was named after a famous Spanish fighting bull, which also featured in the new badge of the company. In the opening sequence of the original Italian Job movie in 1969, the Miura was chosen as the car to be featured, thus gaining the worldwide attention of auto enthusiasts.

The car's engine was also featured in a rock song by Van Halen in 1984. In the song Panama, a 1972 Miura S was recorded revving up, with microphones attached to its exhaust, resulting in the engine sound being used on the record. A Miura SV also appeared in the 1997 music video Alright by Jamiroquai.

The prototype also proved very popular in 2008 when it won the highly prestigious Gran Turismo Trophy at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and was also recreated for use in the Gran Turismo 5 video game.

Various versions of the Miura appeared over the years including the P400S (also known as the Miura S), the P400SV, the P400 Jota, the P400 SV/J, the Roadster, and the P400 SVJ Spider – with some of these models just being one-off examples - together with more recent concept and special edition cars.

The Miura is low, small, lightweight and very powerful with a top speed of just over 170 mph. It remains one of the most sought after supercars in the world today. The launch of the Miura started a long-running battle with Ferrari, often competing for the world's fastest car title.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful sports cars ever made, there have been several celebrity owners over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and the Shah of Iran, to name just a few.

You could get your hands on one too as one of our exclusive American dealers has a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 for sale right now! You can find it at the Collectors Garage (A Broad Arrow Company)

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This matching numbers P400 is well worth a look as a fine example of the legendary Lamborghini Miura.

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