Chassis No. 14813
Engine No. B 1332
Transmission No. 686

The open variation of the magnificent 365 GTB/4 was presented in September 1969 at the Frankfurt Salon as the 365 GTS/4—marketed in the U.S. as the GTB/4 Spider to avoid DOT evaluation required for a new model. The new model marked the final installment in Ferrari's tradition of following its front-engine V12 Berlinettas with open Spider models—a formula that wouldn't return until the series production 812 GTS in 2019.

Scaglietti's surgery on the original Berlinetta was exacting, perfectly harmonizing the rest of the design with the Spider's flat rear deck and sharp rear fenders. Apart from a neat folding soft top replacing the Berlinetta's fastback, the exterior remained largely similar to its hard-topped stable mate with a choice of five-spoke alloys or Borrani wire wheels. A mere 121 production Daytona Spiders were built in contrast to over 1,200 Berlinettas when production ceased in 1973, making it what many consider the most beautiful and desirable open Ferrari of the classic era.

Chassis 14813 is an exceptionally well-documented, matching-numbers Daytona Spider with fascinating three-owner provenance since new. According to a detailed history report compiled by marque historian Marcel Massini, this left-hand drive, U.S.-delivery Spider left the factory in December 1971 wearing extremely rare Giallo Dino paintwork—a pale yellow hue—over Beige Connolly leather. An invoice from William “Bill” F. Harrah's Modern Classic Motors in Reno, Nevada dated 1 March 1972 shows that the Spider was ordered by Dr. Baldhard G. Falk, resident of Belvedere, California.

Interestingly, Massini's research shows that Falk—a German-American record producer and business agent for the SABA Electronics Company—had initially specified a different chassis, number 14389, through Bill Harrah's Reno distributorship. His chosen specification was Giallo Man O'War paintwork (code 20-Y-348 subsequently renamed Giallo Dino) with Pelle Arancia (Orange) crushed grain leather and a matching soft top. Correspondence among Falk, MCM's Vern Keil, and Ferrari's Dr. Manicardi amusingly records Falk's proposals to collect the car in Germany, only to discover his Spider's price had risen to $23,500 and its arrival deferred. Unwilling to pay the higher-than-agreed price, he refused delivery of 14389 and instead acquired near-identical Giallo Dino chassis 14813!

The original Warranty Card shows that Falk took delivery of his new Spider on 2 March 1971 via Steve Griswold and Company in Berkeley, California. From the outset, Falk exercised his Spider as intended, with service stamps in the original Warranty Card showing Griswold performed maintenance in March, May, and August of 1972. An avid enthusiast, he did not shy away from campaigning the car in Ferrari Owner's Club events in the 1970s, including competitive outings at venues such as the Virginia City Hillclimb, Sears Point, and Laguna Seca. It was at a Ferrari Owner's Club meeting at Laguna Seca in August 1978 that Falk quite literally found the limit of 14813, when a right front wheel reportedly departed at speed. Digital period photographs of the resulting incident depict the battle scars on its Scaglietti bodywork earned during this spirited outing.

Far from being deterred by this incident, Falk resolved to return his beloved Spider to its former glory. He commissioned a comprehensive restoration with Ferrari restorer Chris Hill overseeing mechanical refurbishment, Bill di Carr of Bill's Body Shop entrusted with the bodywork repairs, and additional restorative work by Crevier Imports. The car's body was stripped to bare metal and expertly straightened while preserving its original alloy and steel panels, then acid washed and refinished in Rosso (Red), paired with a fresh tan leather interior and Borrani wire wheels. Restoration images showing the car's condition before and after the restoration are on file for review.

By 1979, the rejuvenated Daytona Spider was back on California roads, sporting the personalized license plate “WARUMMM,” and Dr. Falk continued to show and enjoy the car with enthusiasm, having it serviced regularly by former Maranello mechanic Angelo Panari. In November 1987, he displayed 14813 at the Emilia-Romagna Concorso d'Eleganza in San Francisco. As the market for vintage Ferraris skyrocketed in the early 1990s, Dr. Falk briefly offered his Daytona Spider for sale. It was advertised in the June/July 1990 issue of Cavallino magazine with approximately 31,000 miles recorded. He ultimately chose to retain the car through the 1990s, continuing to service and cherish it. After an impressive 31 years of single ownership, Dr. Falk finally parted with 14813 in 2003 showing approximately 33,000 original miles.

That year, Mohr Imported Cars took delivery of the Spider from Falk and immediately set about a comprehensive mechanical and interior refresh to ready the car for sale. Under Mohr's supervision, the brake calipers were fully rebuilt, all cam-cover gaskets and hoses were renewed, and a new heater-valve diaphragm was fitted. Renowned upholsterers Luppi SAS of Modena supplied and installed a completely correct Beige leather interior with Nero lateral seat inserts—“mouse hair” dash material included—and a full accounting of the additional mechanical work can be found in the accompanying service invoices. In 2003, the car entered another period of devoted stewardship under Mike and Jan Freiburg of California. The couple took delivery of the Spider during Monterey Car Week in August of that year, driving it 1,000 miles the following week in Napa and Sonoma Valley, California.

Over the next twenty years, the Freiburgs seldom drove the Ferrari and entrusted routine maintenance—fluid changes, brake work, and a full bench rebuild of all six carburetors in 2017—to Ferrari specialists Autosprint Limited in the Chicago area. Before parting with the car, in July 2023, the Spider received a new thermostat and upper radiator hose, brake fluid bleed and coolant flush, replacement tie rod, and was shod with four Michelin XWX tires.

In late 2023, showing approximately 34,309 miles, the Spider passed to its third and current owner—a highly regarded Texas-based collection—who commissioned Mississippi-based restorer Don Dickenson to strip the body to bare metal and renew it in its elegant Nero (Black) finish, re-chrome all brightwork, fit fresh seals, install a new black convertible top, trim new beige carpets, and equip the car with a period-correct Ansa exhaust system. Today, this superb Scaglietti-built Daytona Spider shows just 34,360 miles—which are believed to be original—from gentle use under its three owners from new.

Notably, Marcel Massini's research confirms that chassis 14813 retains its original major mechanicals, with the factory Tipo 251 V12 engine (number B 1332) and Tipo 605 transaxle (number 686) still in place. These matching-numbers units are complemented by a concours-worthy engine bay featuring the signature crinkle-black cam covers, an intact diamond-quilted silver hood insulation pad, and all correct plaques, factory hardware, and V12 identification plates.

Accompanying the Daytona Spider are its original set of Cromodora five-spoke alloy wheels, the factory 365 GTB/4 owner's manuals in their leather folio, the original factory Warranty Card, a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 brochure, comprehensive service records since new, and digital period photographs. Rare, beautifully restored, and utterly iconic, this California-delivered Daytona Spider represents one of only 96 examples destined for the U.S. and just 121 ever built. Reported by the current owner to be in excellent running condition and with its exceptional matching-numbers authenticity, it is ideally suited to extensive top-down touring or presentation at the world's finest concours.