Best Book on the Daytona

The Braden and Roush book on the Daytona is the most comprehensive book that I know of that has been published so far but it won't answer all an inquisitive person's questions on the car, imo. There are a few others I would recommend which include Christian Huet's book dedicated to the Competizione Daytonas, Doug Nye's book and Nathan Beehl's Ferrari Daytona Super Profile.

 

that Daytona book is nice to hold in your hands but the internet is probably the best source now for information.
The Daytona could be broken down in two series; the early plexi cars and the pop up headlight cars that the USA market required. Subtle differences in design features like the shape of the headlight buckets or bumper attachment and of course euro or USA motor specs are the main differences. Wood or leather wrapped steering wheel with no holes or two holes in each of the three spokes. Several different wheel styles attached with a knock off or hex nut design also reflected which market the Daytona was built for. The spyder version had some subtle changes specific to an open car. No switch for the heated glass rear window like in the coupe version! Color choice was just about anything you could think of including dark green and purple...

 

+1 Braden and Roush is probably the best book out there but it is a bit dated. The bar has been raised in recent years with books by Matthias, Ryan Snodgrass and others. The Original Ferrari V12 1965-1973 by Keith Bluemel is an excellent supplemental reference.

 

+1 re. Braden & Roush "Daytona" book. It appears to have considerably less inaccuracies than most others, many which seem to have chosen rather questionable quality cars for their pictures, especially if referenced for authenticity of originality.

Even factory issued Daytona literature, like owners & service manuals appear to have almost alarming amount of detail inaccuracies.

As for O.E. production reference, right or wrong I tend break it to several categories: Berlinetta/Spyder, LH/RH, early/mid/late, plexi/pop-up, Euro/US, etc...+ Comp.

Based on my observations, differences mentioned by CH only scratch the surface.
On more than few occasions I've been asked to compile a reference book on Daytona, but feel it might require several more decades of research to have enough accurate data to make it a worthy effort, not to mention controversies it could introduce to already "perfectly !!"(?) restored 100 point specimens.

IMO too many superficial and mediocre at best books on most vintage vehicles exist already, some of the more disappointing examples being (coffee table) ones featuring a lot of "photographic artistry", which often reduces otherwise magnificent vehicles to disproportionate caricatures.

 

Timo the only people who seem hung up on the details are the judges. Many others seem happy to simply own a 'Daytona'.
Your vast Daytona knowledge of hands on experience would certainly stand you in good stead but sadly only among an elite group of buyers (collectors) who are trying to outdo the other guy.
Color changes from original and a host of other modifications are mostly standard fare now. Even new the cars were built with whatever was in the bin and often no consistency as a result.
A Daytona book on 'how they built them' would certainly be a welcome addition if in the future you decide to share your experiences...

 

CH, while I do appreciate your kind encouragement I feel my hands-on experience is far from vast enough to offer anything in print to be considered conclusive or definitive and the fact that I was never in or anywhere near Maranello at the time Daytona was in production would prohibit me to make any claim on "how they built them".
At best, I feel my experience allows me to offer debatable advise & opinions.

As for being "hung up on the details", I'm guilty as charged, but having been honored with invitations to judge not only at some regional multi-make concourses, but also FCA International & regional events, I've seen and held the double-edged sword that comes with it.

Some entrants at judged events appear to be under the impression their car being nothing less than correct & perfect and some even seem to expect to win something, but if judges are able (allowed ?) to prove otherwise, instead of viewing it as an opportunity to improve the car, they might elect to get upset at the process and/or the venue.
As recently as few weeks ago I was asked to clarify/defend (in writing) my decisions on "obscure" details no one else, including "the factory", has ever recorded or seem to be aware of, but which I've observed and documented on several examples and I believe belong among those numerous little oddities or inconsistencies I've learned most (vintage vehicle) manufacturers production efforts were plagued with, regardless of make and model, be it Chrysler, Ferrari, Packard or Rolls-Royce.

It may seem a bit harsh, but I feel that even if a car wins a "Best of Show" at Pebble Beach, it doesn't automatically mean it's perfect or even correct. It's just a best car on the field based on collective opinion of the judges present that day.

 

They should call them " best of show up "

 

Timo very fair, thank you. There is merit to a paper book that you can hold and read but they are slowing becoming a thing of the past. For the Daytona, too much work today to create a good history of an almost 50 year old automobile now. The easy out continues to be a 'picture book' that is scant on technical detail.
It is difficult to refute hands on experience gained as you dig into an old un-restored original automobile. Good Luck with your written report. As with a lot of car brands the first rule is that there seems to always be a exception to the accepted standard for fit, finish and components...
CH