Un dono di Dio.
Ahhh, Ferraris. They're one of those cars that manages to stick around within the lore of the automotive world. From their days in the racing leagues of the 1940s and 1950s, where they immediately became famous for their blood red paint and constant wins, to their record breaking supercars in recent years, everyone knows about Ferraris. And while some people don't regard Ferraris as their favorite machines, everyone at least has one favorite. Mine is the 458. That's why I own one.
My black 458 is one of my three most trustworthy cars, alongside my blue Miata and grey WRX Coupe. I've owned it ever since December of 2013, and I don't regret a single thing that I've done with this car. But, enough about my 458, because the topic of today is yet another legendary Ferrari...one that became famous through the means of the 1970s jet set and cocaine busts in 1980s Miami: the 365 GTB4 Daytona.
Okay, first things first, I'm gonna be honest. I was a little nervous walking into this review. It's been said that my Prelude review from last week was quite...controversial? Apparently the consensus says that the Prelude isn't as great as I thought it was. Something about one of its driving systems (predominantly the ATTS system) wears down tires...I never experienced this, and I never experienced any loss of fun behind the wheel, but nonetheless...it's not the first time I've disagreed with the majority (-glances at the Vibe/Voltz-). However, one glance at the Daytona's classic lines and I was suddenly back into my zone, and a wash of childhood memories came over me.
Let's face it...the Daytona is sexy. It's never stopped being sexy. This was one of the definitive Ferraris of the 20th century, right up there in the legends with the F40 and Testarossa. I first learned of its beauty about 10 years ago, when I received a little Hot Wheels of one, and it's honestly stuck with me ever since. I was shaking out of my bones when I was thrust with the opportunity to drive one, partly because it's been a dream car for me for quite sometime, but mostly because I didn't want to wreck this thing. It's serious money. Plus I don't want to see that perfectly formed body receive a single dent or scratch.
But as rare and as expensive as she is, you didn't tune in just to see me wimp out of an opportunity to drive one of the most sought-after Ferraris in existence. It's time to straddle myself into these fine, Italian leather bucket seats and let this prancing horse run. Let's do this thing.
It seems we've been driving a lot of cars on this series lately that felt like they were fast, when they weren't really fast. Well, this time, the Ferrari is fast. There's no denying its speed and general quickness at all. Within the Daytona's stable is a 352 horsepower V12, and a slippery streamlined body. And boy, does this girl sing. You'll find yourself knocking at her peak in just a few mere seconds, and it's a helluva joyous feeling, like this is what you were meant to be doing in this car.
Dip into the corners, and what do you know? Not everything falls apart. Okay, so it's not exactly up to the strengths and nimbleness as my 458, but it still manages to conquer a corner just as well as it did 40+ years ago. The one word I could muster up to define its driving characteristics is, "slightly heavy," as it does understeer a little bit, but not too much to take the fun out of it. Compared to the last car from this era, the Mercury Cougar, it's an F1 car.
Around long and sweeping bends, it glides like butter. It makes you feel like you're being caressed and carried by four Italian angels, all singing at a medium tone. Up until they all suddenly sprout fire from their throats and the car overheats. Luckily, nothing like that happened this time.
In the end, the Daytona mustered a time of 3.08.659, which is actually quite quick in comparison to what we've driven so far on this series. It's actually quicker than that old Viper from last year, and that's honestly all that matters to me. And, yes, this time, I actually decided to race it.
I found the perfect series to enter the car into. A collection of purists from around the world with a selection of different classics from different countries on the Nurburgring. We had Mustangs, E-Types, Countachs, and there was even another Daytona in the field. I'm going to say that it was my driving style on this track that propelled me to a second place victory, but I definitely had a good deal of fun driving this old horse...and like that old attiche says...something about old dog, new tricks?
Driving amongst these old machines did make me feel like I was back in the 1970s, hence the black and white photos.
The Verdict
With good looks, a quick engine, and not-so-nimble-but-not-so-bad handling, I can't help but give the Daytona some
sleeper cred, and I swear it's not only because beating on it would make me feel like I was pissing on old Enzo's grave. Cars like this are a dime a dozen. They're cars that you just don't turn down, no matter the circumstances. And it's cars like these that make me feel so proud of my 458 just a little more...now to save up some cash to own my own version...then we'd be alright.
I'm sorry I asked
