CLASSIC GR.4 - Ferrari 365 GTB S3 1970

The Ferrari 365 GBT/4 was bestowed with the same racing DNA as its predecessors, so it was only a matter of time before one was independently prepared for racing. Not surprisingly, among the first to field a Daytona was Luigi Chinetti, who was Ferrari's American importer and long time private entrant under the North American Racing Team (NART) banner. Readied in 1969, the alloy-bodied NART Daytona was raced at Daytona and Sebring with a twelfth at the latter as the best result.

Buoyed by the performance of his Daytona, Chinetti approached Enzo Ferrari in an attempt to re-consider his decision not to make a competition version. He met his old friend halfway and offered the help of the 'Assistenza Clienti' or customer assistance department to ready a batch of five new cars for the 1971 season.

Built to Group 4 regulations, the new 'Daytona Competizione' featured an all-aluminium body with plastic windows. This helped shave a massive 400 kg off the dry weight of the relatively heavy road car. Further changes to the exterior included the removal of the bumpers and the addition of small 'fences' on the the front wings to improve stability at high speed.

In 1973 a final batch of 5 Daytona Competiziones was produced with slightly improved engines raising the power output to 450bhp. The result was another class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.