Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione. Behind this name, for which you need to get another gasp of air while spelling it out, hides a very precious sports car for Ferrari association.
Made to rule the most prestigious and challenging circuit races, this particular Ferrari model was one of those that immediately got labelled as a leader.
A road vehicle version was also made with a serious goal in mind - to prevail over Lamborghini, which was rapidly gaining popularity. Lamborghini Miura released in 1966 quickly became the fastest car produced in Italy. Thus it is not surprising that a new Ferrari creation strived to outmatch its main rival.
It is evident that Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was created to show the Lamborghini executive where his real place is. You can imagine how everyone was surprised to see that the Lamborghini model had quite a standard composition. The engine was mounted next to a front axle, and the car itself was a rear-wheel-drive. We have to admit - it is a rational and safe composition, especially compared to its analogue Miura which took advantage of the exotic Mid-Engine configuration. However, the Ferrari decision can be easily explained.
Enzo Ferrari made a new car to give both professional drivers and those less experienced the opportunity to drive it. So, this classic composition is much more forgiving to show-offs and those that care more about the status that Ferrari grants instead of what the vehicle can actually do. Besides, this composition allowed to ensure the optimal weight balanced between the front and rear axles. As you can see, it was the right decision.
Meanwhile, a twelve-cylinder engine hidden beneath the lengthy hood also was not news. However, this engine allowed dominating in various races. So why change it to something else if no other engine can match it? In very truth, Ferrari used this famous V12 motor up until 1988.
Car versions for racing - Competizione - were made over three years, between 1970 and 1973. Since day 1, Ferrari claimed that the company would make no more than 15 racing cars, or 5 each year. Competizione car squad had much lighter bodywork parts, windscreens made of organic glass sheet (except the front one), much more powerful motors and a wider wheel arch with wider tires.
Ferrari never made these cars compete in the international motorsports arena. Instead, the company entrusted them to private racing teams that demonstrated phenomenal results.
In 1971 Le Mans 24-Hour race, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione crossed the finish line in the 5th position. In the GT class, the car took victories several years in a row: 1972, 1973 and 1974. It is worth mentioning the performance of Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione in 1972 Le Mans 24-Hour race where the race car managed to snitch five 1st places in the GT class.
The last Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competizione was captured in 1979. Back then, this car was the fastest in its class during the 24 Hours of Daytona event, which is an astonishing achievement. A 6-years old race car in motorsports sounds like a relic.
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