It seems that, every now and then, ultra rare machines such as the one featured here seem to be languishing in barns – forgotten, and left to weather the wrath of the elements. Funnily enough, these ‘barn-finds’ – because they’re untouched – are often more valuable than fully restored machines. Now, it’s not common for people to find millions of dollars lying around in a barn, but it does happen.
Case in point is this beautiful, and extremely rare, 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, with an alloy body by Scaglietti, which was found rotting away in a barn in Japan. This particular car was the only road-going ‘Alloy’ 365 GTB/4 Daytona in existence. With over 1,200 versions of Ferrari’s powerful 365 GTB/4 Daytona produced from 1969-1973, only five lightweight alloy competition cars were built – which dominated the 24 Hours of Daytona. In addition to the five lightweight alloy competition cars, the Italian sports car maker also commissioned only one street version of the Daytona, with an aluminium body. This car is so rare, in fact, that many people thought it did not exist.
Manufactured in June 1969, this Daytona was equipped with Plexiglas headlamps and power windows, in addition to its tailor-made aluminium coachwork, and finished in Rosso Chiaro over a Nero leather interior. The car was by delivered to Bologna dealer Motor S.p.A. di Carla Allegretti, from whom it was purchased by the founder and publisher of Autosprint magazine. The car was sold twice to two different owners in Italy, but in 1971 the car was imported to Japan. It changed hands between a few Japanese owners before finally being bought by Makoto Takai in 1980, who has kept the car hidden in his barn ever since.
Put up for sale at the RM Sotheby’s auction that was held at the Ferrari’s own factory in Marenello, Italy, the car was sold for $2.18 million. Bearing chassis number 12653, it was sold unrestored and in “barn find” condition, with just 35,000 kilometres on the odometer.
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