Exotic Tribute: 1971 Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: a replica of an expensive or otherwise hard-to-find exotic car is either a complete disaster or one of the more compelling ways to own a vehicle most of us would be hesitant to drive (much less take out a second mortgage for.) There are many, many examples of poorly-executed clones of classic sports models like the Ferrari Daytona, but when you find a good one – well, it sure is tempting to own one of the most beautiful cars ever made for a fraction of the price. This compelling copy of a 1971 Ferrari Daytona 365 GTB listed here on eBay is a project, but one that appears to be worthy of the effort. The opening bid is $27,999 with no reserve.

For me, I look at two main criteria for a kit car or clone, and neither has to do with the engine: the actual proportions of the body is number one, and the quality of the interior is number two. Finding a suitable engine is pretty straightforward given how much we now know about stuffing a powerful domestic V8 under the hood of a kit car with suitable chassis reinforcements, so the need for a suitable powerplant seems like a given. Less likely is to find a custom build like this that actually mirrors the dimensions of the original car and has an interior that doesn’t look like a hatchet job. This Daytona replica was built using a wrecked Daytona as a mold, with a completely custom tube chassis.

There’s a lengthy article from when the original builder of this replica, a fella named Kevin, captured some attention for his sympathetic recreation. He used Ford 302 power in his first attempt, but apparently had a second replica underway at the time this car was built that utilized the supercharged V6 from the Ford Thunderbird SC. In fact, the replica Ferrari used the independent suspension from a Thunderbird SC, which is where I believe the alloy wheels seen here were lifted from. Racing buckets from a Fiat were utilized, and the entire concoction is supposedly quite light-weight. When it was originally built, the 302 used IDF Webers, and while not as exotic as a Ferrari V12, I’m sure it was a blast to drive.

These days, there is no drivetrain, and lots of details remain incomplete or never attempted; it seems many of the details not done when the initial magazine test drive happened are still TBD. There’s no door glass and the windshield is cracked; I sure  hope the original builder had a supplier in mind that could provide off-the-shelf glazing. Regardless, the heavy lifting of the custom body and chassis is done, and with an engine bay that apparently housed a powerful 302 at one point in time, building a suitable replacement engine shouldn’t be too challenging. A compelling replica of a near-priceless car is a great way to have fun in a stunning classic with far less risk, so I hope the next owner does this Daytona tribute justice.