Chassis No. 16953
Engine No. B 2830

"The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is the best sports car in the world. Or the best GT. Take your choice; it's both," declared Road & Track in their contemporary road test of Ferrari's latest flagship. When introduced at the 1968 Paris Salon, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona represented the culmination of Ferrari's front-engine V12 berlinetta development and would be the last of its kind until the 550 Maranello arrived nearly 30 years later. With its aggressive Pininfarina-designed bodywork, 4.4-liter quad-cam V12 engine producing 347 horsepower, and a top speed exceeding 170 mph, the Daytona established itself as one of the fastest road cars of its era and remains one of Maranello's most coveted front-engine V12 Gran Turismos.

Completed during the final year of production on 31 October 1973, this left-hand drive, U.S.-market Daytona was originally finished in the exceptionally rare shade of Nocciola —a sophisticated hazelnut metallic—over a Rosso Connolly leather interior. According to marque historian Marcel Massini, chassis 16953 was one of only 26 Daytonas to leave the factory painted in this distinctive color. In December 1973, it was delivered new to William “Bill” F. Harrah's famed Ferrari dealership, Modern Classic Motors of Reno, Nevada.

The Ferrari's early history remains undocumented until 1979, when it appeared for sale in the Los Angeles Times, signaling the start of a long Californian residency. In 1980, dealer Albert Mardikian's Trend Imports of Newport Beach, California, acquired chassis 16953, subsequently selling it in 1983 to Philip J. Conte of Paramount, California. Mr. Conte, who retained the Daytona for two years, commissioned Bob Wallace of Phoenix, Arizona—world-renowned Kiwi Ferrari restorer and former Lamborghini chief test driver—to rebuild the engine in 1984, when the odometer displayed approximately 45,000 miles. In 1985, the car passed to S.L. “Skeets” Dunn of Rancho Santa Fe, California—a prominent collector well-respected within San Diego Ferrari community, known for assembling an impressive collection that included a 250 Testa Rossa, 250 GT SWB, 275 GTB Competizione, among others.

During the late 1980s, Mr. Dunn entrusted the Daytona to specialist Bill Pound of Pound Motoring Classics for a mechanical overhaul that included rebuilding the suspension and refinishing the car in red. Pound Motoring Classics offered the freshly sorted Ferrari for sale in 1988, advertising it with “excellent mechanicals and 52,000 original miles.” The Daytona subsequently crossed the Pacific, selling to a Japanese custodian who commissioned a full restoration, refinishing the car in its current Bianco livery over Nero leather with Rosso lateral seat inserts, and fitting period-correct Borrani wire wheels. The beautifully restored berlinetta then passed to another Japanese collector in March 1992, who drove the car sparingly.

In 2008, the Ferrari returned to the U.S. showing a mere 800 miles since its Japanese restoration and sold the following year into the Bill and Linda Feldhorn Collection. Respected Ferrari collectors and concours participants, the Feldhorns have lavished extraordinary care on chassis 16953 throughout their sixteen-year stewardship. Under the Feldhorns' custody, the Daytona has benefited from over $50,000 in documented maintenance and restoration work.

Initial attention in 2009 from Fast Cars Ltd. included minor paintwork, rebuilding of all six Weber 40 DCN 20 carburetors, and conducting a cylinder leak down test. In 2015, Rex Nguyen Restorations of Marina Del Rey, California, performed extensive mechanical refurbishment totaling over $10,000. This meticulous work encompassed a complete engine, suspension, brakes, drivetrain diagnosis, rebuilding the Magneti Marelli starter motor and ignition components, addressing an exhaust leak, extensive detailing and refinishing of engine bay components to factory specifications, and concours-level preparation using proper hardware and finishes throughout. Significantly, the car retains its original matching-numbers Tipo 251 V12 engine (number B 2830), as confirmed by Marcel Massini's report.

The quality of Feldhorns' stewardship is evidenced by the Daytona's impressive concours achievements, which include multiple class awards at Palos Verdes, Carmel-By-The-Sea, San Marino, and Dana Point Concours. The car has also earned numerous Ferrari Club of America (FCA) awards, first receiving Platinum awards in the FCA Southwest Region at the 2009 Los Angeles Concours d'Elegance and 2010 Concorso Ferrari in Old Pasadena, followed by FCA National Platinum recognition at the annual meet in Monterey in 2015. Most recently, the Ferrari earned a Gold award at the 2016 FCA Southwest Regional Concorso Ferrari in Old Pasadena, claimed First in Class at San Marino in 2016, and was selected as the “Most Elegant Ferrari” at the 2018 San Marino Motor Classic.

Accompanying the sale are comprehensive service records documenting the extensive work performed during current ownership, Marcel Massini's detailed history report, previous Japanese registration, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 owner's manuals in their leather folio, and a large tool roll. Now displaying 54,622 miles—just over 2,500 miles since its restoration and 9,500 miles since the rebuild of its matching-numbers engine by Bob Wallace—and maintained to the highest standards, this exceptional Daytona presents in superb condition throughout, ready for continued concours participation or spirited touring.