’71 Ferrari Daytona is World’s First ‘Condo Find’

YAHOO AUTOS

                    

By Zach Doell                            

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone has heard legends of the guy in town who hoards classic automobiles in some tucked away shed on a lonesome piece of property.

 Most of the time, they are legends. But sometimes after years and years of slumber, a coveted auto is pulled out and the Internet is set ablaze with ‘barn find’ fervor.This 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta is one such car … except it wasn’t found in a barn, or even remotely close to any sheds.

 Amazingly, it has been tucked away – on blocks and under a tarp – in the corner of a Toronto parking garage for 25 years. And if you’re so inclined, you could buy this true one-owner Ferrari when it goes up for auction at RM Auction’s Amelia Island event.

Billed as the world’s first “condo find Daytona,” the story of this Ferrari begins in 1971 when current (and original) owner Patrick Sinn was on holiday, skiing in France. Upon returning home, Sinn was delayed at the Geneva airport. He had heard about the Geneva Motor Show, so he thought to himself, “Why don’t I just go there and check out the new models?”

A good choice indeed, because that’s where he encountered a pair of Daytonas. The Ferrari rep instructed him to put in an order at his nearest Ferrari dealership back home. Instead, Sinn traveled straight to Modena and put in an order at the Ferrari factory.

 About $18,000 later, he became the owner of a Bordeaux Red ’71 Daytona. When the car was ready to be picked up in July, Sinn spent a month driving through Europe, before loading the Ferrari up on the Queen Elisabeth 2, bound for New York.

Sinn enjoyed the car for years and put on about 58,000 miles, but in 1989, the passing of his father forced him to hastily rush to Hong Kong … where he’d stay for six years. The Ferrari didn’t make the trip and stayed in the car park, until now.
 

Mechanically speaking, the car is all there, but it’ll need a good once-through to make sure it’s roadworthy.

 Up front, the Daytona sports a 4390cc V12 – breathing through six Weber carburetors – and a five-speed gearbox. Inside, the car’s two-color upholstery is accented by an eight-track tape labeled “Disco Rock” (still stuck in the player) and a fine layer of dust. The want is strong with this one.