A prototype of one in all Ferrari’s most important sports activities automobiles is headed to public sale.

This 1967 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona—chassis 10287—is billed as the primary prototype of the long-lasting Daytona coupe. Set to be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s from Might 22-26, it includes a considerably totally different design than the eventual manufacturing mannequin.

The 365 GTB/4 Daytona was supposed as a successor to the Ferrari 275 GTB/4, and that is mirrored within the design of this prototype. Its tubular metal chassis carries over from the 275, and the spherical headlights are extra harking back to that mannequin than the visor-like design used on the eventual manufacturing 365 GTB/4.

1967 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona prototype (photograph by way of RM Sotheby’s)

Certainly one of six Daytona prototypes constructed, chassis 10287 additionally has a singular iteration of Ferrari’s Colombo V-12, which powered lots of Ferrari’s sports activities automobiles on this interval. The block relies on that of a 330 GT however bored out to only beneath 4.4 liters and outfitted with three-valve heads, twin ignition (with two spark plugs per cylinder), dry sump oiling, and 6 Weber DCN18 carburetors.

Chassis 10287 was accomplished in early 1967, examined by the Ferrari manufacturing facility for a few yr, and registered for highway use on Might 8, 1968 by the automaker’s Rome dealership. Again then it was potential for automakers to promote prototypes to prospects; chassis 10287 made it into personal palms about 5 months earlier than the manufacturing 365 GTB/4 was unveiled on the 1968 Paris Auto Salon, in keeping with the public sale itemizing.

1967 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona prototype (photograph by way of RM Sotheby’s)

The automotive was initially loaned to Depend Vincenzo Balestrieri, a Roman industrialist, whereas he waited for a Daytona Spider he had ordered. The prototype coupe was traded again to Ferrari when the Spider arrived, and adjusted palms a number of occasions through the years earlier than being acquired by the daddy of the present proprietor in September 2003. It was restored by Ferrari specialists, has received quite a few awards at automotive reveals, and is Ferrari Classiche licensed.

Produced by 1973, the Daytona grew to become one in all Ferrari’s best-known fashions, and stays one of the vital collectible at present. It began with this prototype, which is able to discover a new residence within the palms of a fortunate fanatic. RM Sotheby’s affords no worth estimate, however anticipate this automotive to go for thousands and thousands.