Farland Classic Restoration completed a comprehensive color change, chassis, and interior and exterior restoration. 

When a legendary car like the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona rolls into the shop, it’s not just another job—it’s a wild ride into the heart of something untouchable, raw, and legendary. You’re dealing with history, mythology, and metal, all fused into one snarling machine that doesn’t whisper its past but screams it at 7,500 RPM.

This is a car that demands attention. 

Designed in the late ’60s when Ferrari was riding the high of their racing triumphs, the Daytona was built to do one thing: go fast, and look damn good doing it, so when this particular 1973 Daytona made its way to Farland Classic Restoration, the owner, and specific requests and expectations.

The Call to Restore a Legend

A client contacted our shop searching for the “perfect Daytona Coupe,” so Jack Farland, the owner of Farland Classic Restoration, knew exactly who to turn to for such a task. Bill Orth, Farland’s sales manager, has spent decades working with Ferraris and judging them at concours events. With a vast network of Ferrari enthusiasts and collectors, Bill was the ideal person to track down a Daytona worthy of full restoration. 

After extensively searching his international contacts, Bill landed on this particular Ferrari, a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The car we located was an excellent example, with a recently rebuilt engine modified to enhance power, making it amazing to drive. 

The car had survived years of road and restoration but somehow lost its soul along the way. Its body showed its years, and had been painted red and given a black interior—fine colors for a Ferrari, but not for this one.

It had “great bones”—minimal rust, little damage, and all the original records, paperwork, and parts still intact. Despite its cosmetic changes, the vehicle had been well-preserved, making it a prime candidate for a top-to-bottom restoration.

Once the car was secured, Farland’s team knew they were looking at a major project. The goal was to honor its history and find a new exterior and interior color. 

Metalwork, Fabrication, and Patience

After careful consideration, the owner chose to have the engine removed and the entire engine compartment restored to the same high standard as the exterior. The six Weber carburetors were sent out to be expertly restored, and the engine’s original wrinkle finish was meticulously redone.

The body required extensive work on the large sweeping panels to achieve exact gaps and perfect alignment throughout. To reduce weight, the door skins were replaced with new aluminum.

The first thing you notice when you start working on a Ferrari Daytona is its sheer size. This isn’t some nimble little sports car—this thing is a big, muscular road-gripping machine with a voracious need for high-level metalwork.

Our metal expert, Jon K., approached the metalwork with brute force and surgeon-like precision, tackling the dents, bends, and imperfections that come with age. A master craftsman with a predilection for privacy, Jon prefers to keep a low profile, allowing him to focus solely on the work in front of him.

Another hurdle was sourcing the correct parts. For classic cars, especially Ferraris, finding the right components is an undertaking that’s both thrilling and unnerving. In the case of the Daytona, we had to fabricate several pieces ourselves, including components for the iconic flip-up headlights and a highly customized rear air conditioner. The owners even had the air conditioning vent covers 3D printed to match the original Ferrari vents on the top of the dash. So when this air conditioning system was installed, it looked factory-correct.

Rediscovering The Look and Feel of the ’70s

Then came the paint and interior work. The color of a car—inside and out—is its signature, a defining characteristic that can either stay true to its history or give it a new identity. For this Daytona, the decision was made to go with a dark blue exterior with beautiful tan Connolly leather. Finally, we tapped into our international contacts and sent the seat inserts to Italy to have the black Daytona pattern embossed into the leather.

To tackle the exterior paint job, our team worked through countless “spray outs,” dialing in the ideal shade of deep blue to give the car a bold yet refined presence. Once the right tone was set, our paint team applied layer after layer with the precision this Ferrari demands.

Inside, the first thing that greets you is the rich scent of new Connolly leather. The seats hold you firmly in place, crucial for a car capable of 180 mph. We made subtle custom changes that only the most discerning Ferrari aficionado would notice. It looks perfect, and it was reborn to be driven. 

The Finish Line

This restoration wasn’t just about getting the car back on the road. It was about showing what happens when genuine craftsmanship meets raw passion. Every inch of the car was brought back with precision and respect for its history. Now, the Daytona is ready to tear up the asphalt again, its V12 growling and that iconic deep blue daring the world to keep up.

For the owner, this Ferrari is a bridge between the past and the future. For us, it was a chance to turn his vision into reality and show that resurrecting these legendary pieces of history is what we live for. Click here to see the entire restoration on our website. And feel free to give us a call at 303-761-1245 to discuss your project.