UNCOVERING AND DOCUMENTING THE ONLY ROAD-GOING ALLOY DAYTONA

STARTING POINT
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4, chassis no. 12653, was already known as one of the most exceptional examples of the model, being one of only two Daytonas built with a fully aluminium body by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Even more significantly, it was the only alloy-bodied intended for road use. The basic identity of the car was already supported by factory data and by the Massini report, which confirmed its original details, early Italian ownership, later export to Japan, long-term Japanese storage, and rediscovery in barn-find condition after almost four decades out of public view.

RESEARCH
We carried out in a very short time a targeted historical research adding several important layers. A part of the work focused on the first owner, Luciano Conti, who was already known as a distinguished figure. Contact was established with his family, which is currently searching through family archives for period photographs and additional material relating to the car. The research also brought renewed attention to Carlo Ferruzzi, the third Italian owner. Ferruzzi had not previously been fully identified as a distinguished owner, but further investigation established his position within the Ferruzzi family. In this case too, we succeeded in establishing contact with the family. Particular attention was also given to the Japanese chapter of the history. The names of the Japanese owners were checked and corrected where necessary, especially in relation to the likely reading of Goro Fuwa of Gifu, previously rendered in some Western sources as “Goro Guwa”. The later passage to Tateo Ito and then to Makoto Takai was also contextualised within the available documentation. In parallel, we began assembling a dedicated body of supporting material for the car. A reserved online collection was created, gathering relevant publications and documentation connected either directly with chassis no. 12653 or with its historical context. This includes a copy of the rare January 1972 issue of Car Graphic, sourced in Japan, which includes the article featuring the car; a rare specialist publication regarded as a reference work for the Daytona and mentioning this specific chassis; and a complete original documentation set for the model, including owner’s handbook, maintenance and service manuals, spare parts catalogue, coachwork manual, workshop repair manual and original sales brochures. The research also identified a strong opportunity for storytelling: following the established contacts, a meeting between Conti’s heirs, and members of the Ferrari family it is being organized and would be of considerable interest. The research carried out so far has therefore transformed the history of chassis no. 12653 into a richer narrative involving Ferrari, Italian motorsport journalism, the Conti publishing world, the Ferruzzi family, Japan’s early supercar culture, and the rediscovery of a unique alloy-bodied Daytona after decades of concealment. Further work is still in progress, but the results already achieved within the limited time available represent a significant step forward in the historical reconstruction of the car.