Skip advert
Advertisement

Ferrari Daytona - Best classic sports cars

174mph and stunning front-engined design are all part of what makes the Ferrari Daytona rock

This classic Ferrari isn’t really a ‘Daytona’ at all, as Ferrari itself refers to the car as the 365 GTB/4. Ferrari Daytona is much more evocative though, and was a nickname given to the car to celebrate Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish in the 1967 24 hour race at the Daytona motor circuit in the US.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Ferrari Daytona was the follow-up to the 275 GTB/4, and thus traces its ancestry back to the 250 GT that also features in this list. The front-engined Daytona uses a much larger 4.4-litre V12 developed from the engine in its Grand Touring predecessors, and its 352bhp was enough to take the car to 174mph with 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds.

The Daytona’s long-nosed, droop-snooted styling was penned by Pininfarina and looked impressively modern compared to Ferrari’s earlier V12 coupes. Early Daytonas with perspex headlamp covers were updated in 1971 with very fashionable pop-up units. As well as the stylish coupe, Ferrari also made a small number of even more glamorous Spyder versions, and after Daytona production ended in 1973 a cottage industry developed that turned quite a few coupes into Spyder replicas – which were worth a lot more money.

Ferrari enthusiasts harbour a particular fondness for the racing versions of the Daytona, all built for private teams to campaign in the GT class. The 356 GTB/4 Competizione models featured lightweight bodies, and engines tuned up to a maximum of 450bhp. They dominated the GT class at Le Mans in the early 1970s. 

Best classic sports cars

  1. Jaguar E-Type
  2. MGB
  3. Ferrari 250 GT
  4. AC Cobra
  5. Porsche 911
  6. Ferrari Daytona
  7. BMW 507
  8. Lotus Seven
  9. Austin-Healey 3000
  10. Sunbeam Alpine
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
13 Jun 2025
Best hypercars 2025
Best hypercars - header image September 2024

Best hypercars 2025

Extraordinarily fast and exceedingly rare, these are the best hypercars of all-time
Best cars & vans
12 May 2025
Ferrari Elettrica: official glimpse of Italian brand’s first EV promised for October
Ferrari EV Mule - front end

Ferrari Elettrica: official glimpse of Italian brand’s first EV promised for October

It appears the full reveal of Ferrari’s first fully electric car will take place next spring
News
7 May 2025
Most expensive cars ever sold at auction
Most expensive cars - header image

Most expensive cars ever sold at auction

We count down the ten classics that have fetched the highest prices at auction
Best cars & vans
6 Feb 2025

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet
BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort - front

New BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort review: the best BYD yet

The new BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort is arguably the Chinese brand's most convincing model in its range
Road tests
11 Jun 2025
New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai
Renault Symbioz hybrid - front angled

New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
News
12 Jun 2025