Ferrari Daytona Spyder goes for 595K at Bonhams Goodwood Auction

Inspired by the one-off 275GTB-based NART Spyder of Luigi Chinetti, the convertible version of the Daytona debuted as a concept in 1969. Like the Daytona coupe, the body on the production Daytona Spyder convertible was designed by Pininfarina, but was executed to such a degree that it was hard to believe the Daytona wasn't originally conceied witha convertible version in mind.

One of the most desirable of all Ferraris in hardtop form, the convertible 'spyder' version of the iconic Ferrari 365 Daytona was equally sought after when the first production versions were made available in 1971. By the time production ceased in 1973, only 121 Spyder convertibles had been made.

The lot consigned to Bonhams Goodwood sale was one of only 25 Daytona Spyders built for the European market. Originallycompleted by the factory in October 1971 and delivered finished in Blu Dino with silver side stripes and beige leather interior, the lot on offer included factory-fitted Becker Olympia radio and instruments in kilometres.

Residing in France and Switzerland before being exported to the USA in 1976, chassis number '14605' was repainted in red and had its engine changed, before itpassed into the ownership of collector Virgil Millett Jr.
In 2000, the Millett Collection was auctioned, and this Ferrari was bought by the current vendor and imported to the UK.

In the UK, this car was restored by marque specialists Moto Technique. Works carried out include a 'bare metal' re-spray and full interior re-trim in black leather. At the time of sale, the odometer read circa 14,000. Described as in generally excellent condition, the car came complete with tool roll and full restoration invoices.

Rare, and rarely offered for sale, the high price paid for this Ferrari Daytona Spydercontinues the recent trend of significant and rare Ferraris fetching top dollar at auctions on both sides of the Atlantic.

Thanks to www.bonhams.com for information and image used in this article.