1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Conversion

13729 started life as a Plexiglass headlight Euro model 365 GTB/4 Berlinetta, Over 1981-1982 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was completely rebuilt and became one of about twenty-five Daytona coupes rebodied as a Daytona Spyder conversion by M. Sheehan’s European Auto Restoration. The repairs and spyder conversion to 365 GTB/4 s/n 13729 were featured and pictured on pages 56, 57, 62, 113, 115 & 119 of the Braden & Roush “Daytona” book..

Starting at the front the work done by Dennison International included a front and rear bumper delete; an enlarged lower air intake opening that feeds more cool air to the radiator, an all-metal wrap-around front spoiler was added, (much like the Factory built Comp Daytonas that raced at Le Mans in 1972-73-74) and a wider anodized egg -crate grill and opening in the style of a 1960s Ferrari was fitted. All four wheel wells were flaired, again similar to the Factory built comp Daytonas, with a return edge like a modern car. Custom CNC 15 inch wheel centers with BBS Barrels where machined and flush mounted drive flanges were fitted and Nickle plated. Advanced Racing shocks and springs were also ordered and installed. A recessed Monza style fuel cap was also added. Modern Scuderia Fender Badges were mounted and a Titanium shift knob was installed. After Dennison completed the metalwork, at a cost of $37,000, the car was completely painted in Ferrari Red, at a cost of $30,000, by Rillo’s Restoration in Kent, WA. The wheel hubs were $9,134.95; the CNC bill for the wheel centers was $8,973.52 and the BBS inners and outers were another $1,600.00. A new plastic rear window was another $527.49. The many hours of final assembly, setup and sorting were performed at Goodman Racing, where the car has lived and been enjoyed since.

The billet machined wheels were a project unto themselves. Designed in house they are machined out of 6061 Billet rounds in the style of the Factory magnesium wheels fitted to the owner’s 1969 Ferrari 312P Prototype. They are built with the same dimensions as BBS race wheels since the BBS barrels are easy to obtain for future sizing and servicing. The steel drive centers were also CNC’d and broached like the originals, but bolt in from behind, keeping the faces completely clean with no exposed hardware or trim ring, a detail that is often overlooked. The wheel drive flanges were flushed and Nickle plated. The car was originally built around period-correct Goodyear 600/800 bias-ply race tires, which looked perfect but proved less than”entertaining” on wet Seattle pavement. It now wears BFG Radial TAs, keeping the same stance and character while making the car far more user-friendly and predictable in the wet and around town.

The rocker panels are slightly wider to enhance the wicked and pounce-like stance further enhanced by the competition-inspired billet-machined 9 x 15 front and 11 x 15 rear wheels, the same size as those fitted to the Factory Comp Daytonas. The wheels are obviously in as-new condition. The wider front and rear wheels are fitted with 225/60 R15 front and 255/60 R15 rear BF Goodrich T/A tires to complete the competition appearance of this remarkably constructed car.

The dash, seats and console have been completely redone at some time in the recent past, so the interior is in excellent condition with the correct “Mouse-fur” on the dash, a correct Momo steering wheel and superb leather on the black with red insert “Daytona” seats. The black canvas soft-top and the clear plastic back window are also-as new. All chrome work including the bows, latches and header have been redone at some time and so are in show quality condition. The hinged and folding soft-top cover fits well and is also as-new. The interior presentation is very handsome with a cohesive high-quality feel to the materials and finishes. The Becker Mexico AM FM radio and cassette works well and the factory air conditioning blows cold.

365 GTB/4 Spyder conversion s/n 13729 comes with the original grille, the fiberglass headlight lower covers and the chrome headlight rings, all four bumpers and bumper tubes, the original gas door and neck, a set of four Factory Borrani 7 1/2 x 15 wire wheels with period correct Michelin XWX tires, a correct Campagnolo spare wheel and tire and the original Koni shocks.

365 GTB/4 Spyder conversion s/n 13729 has just been treated to a pre-sale inspection by Gary Bobileff’s Bobileff Motorcars Company and a complete new ANSA exhaust system with new hangers at a cost of $12,500; a major service including a rebuild of all six Webers, an adjustment of twenty-four valves, adjust the cam chain tension, degree all four cams, an oil change and two new oil filters, a flush of the brake fluid, change the transaxle oil and more at another cost of $12,000 plus minor work such as repairs to the horn, door window lift, radiator fan switch and more, call or e-mail for a copy of the pre-sale inspection and the list of repairs in process or completed.