Living with a Daytona ?

So Coach, after driving your Maranello for a mine, am I completely nuts for thinking about selling mine to get a 365 GTC or a Daytona? Pls help me out here. I have thought about checking into Betty Ford or calling Doctor Phil or something. What is this sickness that drives me to want what I don't have!

Dr "Nutso" Tax

 

Dale, at a recent trackday I rode in an exige. Even with a helmet on there was plenty of headroom, getting in was the only problem. I'm 6ft 2.

 

Dear Dr Nutso:

Just recently, I drove my daytona from SC to Ga to have it worked on by FOA> it was a nice ride, a real vintage, rough to the bones ride. I enjoyed it. I left my car at the dealership and drove back my Maranello which was undergoing some warranty work. What a difference the ride back was.

As for wanting what you dont have, every time I see another Ferrari that I have never owned (even some that i used to own) I want to buy what I dont have. If you want to enjoy a vintage car, by all means..but I would not want it to be my only Ferrari. If I had only one, it would be a fuel injected model, say a512 BBi Boxer, or later model.

You need to find someone who will let you drive their vintage daytona. Then you decide...as a daily driver...I dont think so.

 

My 73 daytona is azzuro metallico...light blue metallic...is yours that color? I have regular rudge wheels as wellas borranis, just like yours...I prefer driving the smaller wheels as the car is easier to steer. Much meaner looking with the larger wheels/tires.

 

We'll see. Hopefully, the car will hit the ground soon. If I fit, I might be one long gone Texan.

 

That's next on the agenda. I'm actually hot to trot for a 365 GTC, as it may be a more livable car than a Daytona. I'll let you know what I find out.

Dale

 

I just realized the full impact of your message. So, tell me, are all those Webbers hard to keep singing in tune? Some have told me that once you tune em, they stay tuned. Then others have said that you have to retune them every 1,000 miles or so. Can to share your experience?

Dr "Wacky" Tax

 

Yes, that was me, I remember you in my blind spot, i knew what you were doing, the sound at 4000 is hard to resist.Hope nthe oil spray wasnt to bad, or was it just black soot.
?

 

OK Dr Wacky, here is my version. First of all you are welcome to drive my Daytona if the3 550 manages to struggle this far. I have had no carb trouble, I feel that once they are set they stay put, that has been true of the several Ferraris I have owned. Also you could service them yourself if you are inclined, cant do that as easily with FI. The A/C is as described by Terry, mine is fine for SD, I will prob do the upgrade as mentioned earlier. Also a modern alternator /voltage regulator is supposed to bring the fans a second coming, may try that too. I want to keep mine original, just bought a Becker Mexico cassette player to replace the modern radio. It doesnt matter that it will sound like an old radio, cant hear it above 30MPH anyway.

 

Good to hear from you Malcomb. Can you let me know what you find out about the A/C upgrades. As you know, A/C is part of our standard life support system here in Tejas.

I have heard of a company in NJ called http://www.griffiths.com/

that does this for Porsche, but last I talked to them, they had never retro-fitted a Ferrari.

And hey, I just might have to take you up on the offer to drive that old rattle trap of yours. Geeze, have you even cleaned the bugs off yet? (Just kidding.)

Dale

 

cool!

I was so excited, when I got home I made a thread on a wrx message board just to tell about my encounter!

Believe me, I was very greatful that you went thru some gears. At the time, I thought you may have saw me on the entrance ramp coming up behind you- so you gave me a demo. That's what it seemed like anyway, but maybe you were just accelerating normally. It was great though.

When you got on it, I saw some dark grey/blackish smoke come out of your pipes, but it really wasn't excessive. It kind of added some character.

Here is a copy of what I wrote on the message board:

I'm a car/driving enthusiast, too, but my resources dictate that I drive a WRX for now. That little encounter on the highway did A LOT to me- seriously. Since then, I have been really considering ownership. I'm 34 now, and I think it's feasible that by age 37 (and certainly before 40) I could own my first steed.

Thankyou for driving your car that day!

 

Here it is
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

^ Two thumbs up.

 

Mine is blue chiaro metallic I think (apparently there were nine shades that the factory could supply !). Most Daytonas in Europe have the alloys rather than Borranis - but many of the 9 inch rear wheels are the incorrect - but near identical - Campagnolos instead of Cromodoras (or is it the other way around...?). Also, I think the US cars have different carbs and run a slightly lower compression ratio. By and large though, they're all pretty much the same, and all pretty bloody fantastic. In England (where we are all squashed together on the roads like sardines) it also helps to drive a car that is about 6 inches narrower than a Testarossa or Maranello... Also, not so much need to worry about air con in our crappy climate. John (PS I was 36 when I bought it - but 37 by the time I took delivery...!!)

 

Dear Dr wacky:


the carbs are not that hard to tune...and they do stay tuned but youhave to keep the car active,otherwise, the diaphragms on the carbs get brittle, dirt gets into the jets and you have a mess.

It isnt the engine, that is the awesome part. It is that truck like feeling steering and those poor brakes. Too heavy in the front end, careful going around a corner....driving one requires skill

 

365 x 12

 

What about Borrani wheels. I know that they are PIA to clean, but how often do they need to be retuned?

Dale

 

365 cc per cylinder x 12 cylinders = 4.4 L = 270 cu. in.

 

gawd DAMN I know I need one!!!! What a sound!!!

 

Dale,

I did change the points to an electronic ignition system (which promptly fried all my old plug wires). This means that there is no adjusting anymore of the points and the Webbers are just fine. I needed to replace one float, but that is it for the last two years and 12K miles.

Is it still true that you are coming up to NY in April? If so, you can drive my car.

Rijk

 

Dr Tax.

JRV is based in TX. He has a very good reputation for working on Daytonas and he has done several of the AC upgrades. If you get a Daytona, I am sure he could help you. He still posts some here.... but you can always find him at www.ferraritalk.com

I tend to have different expectations from my cars than many people. I really dont care so much about ease of steering, a great stereo and comfy power options. For me the important thing is for the car to be gorgeous, sound good, have lots of power and make me smile every time I drive it. Would I drive a Daytona every day as my only car? Uhhhhhhhhhh maybe not. The thought of leaving it parked at the mall or driving in stop and go rush hour traffic in a thunderstorm is not appealing. Still, I do tend to drive it a great deal. I keep an old beater Isuzu trooper around as a hack so I dont have to drive my collector cars when I dont want too.


Terry

 

John, I love the blue color

Malcomb, I've never seen a Daytona in Yellow, do you have some more pictures?

Rijk

 

just found these two on the internet Tnx Google!

Waldo
ForzaRossa.nl

 

Ah, Rijk, you sure know how to tempt a guy, eh? I'm gonna do my dead level best to get up there. My father-in-law just gave us a big scare, but it looks like he is going to make it. Unfortunately, work is starting to pile up, but, hopefully, I'll be able to see daylight later in the week. I'd sure love to make it.

Dale