This Ferrari Daytona racer has an illustrious racing history and the price tag to match
This 1969 Ferrari GTB/4 Daytona Group 4 racer, one of 15 works examples, will be auctioned at Artcurial’s Le Mans Classic sale on July 7. Ferrari only built two Group 4 prototypes, however, and this is the second one – the only one that took to the track in anger.
The car on offer, chassis no12467, was bought by Luigi Chinetti – owner of the North American Racing Team (NART) – in 1971 straight from the factory for $11630 and delivered to Le Mans.
Driving would be Luigi Chinetti Jr and Bob Grossman, and they steadily worked their way up the order: 25th three hours in, and fifth by the 19th hour of the race – where it eventually finished.
In 1972, it was campaigned by the Baker Motor Company at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road America, the following year at the Sebring 12 Hours it failed to start due to a mechanical failure.
Nearly 50 years later (and on the 50th anniversary of the Daytona’s unveiling), Artcurial expects this model to fetch €6,500,000-€7,500,000. It comes complete with the original engine, said to produce 400bhp at the time and the plexiglass windows, flared wings and roll-cage which set it up for competition at Le Mans with a dry weight of 1396kg.
Of course, it’s eligible for historic events such as Le Mans Classic, but with such a high price tag, the buyer in question may well keep it hidden away from the public for years to come.