Daytona # 14517 ‘TS33’ at the 1984 Ferrari Owners Club (FOC) GB national concours. Later registered ‘RRN 406K’ and fitted with wider rear tyres, it was then repainted in metallic blue.

# 16331 ’54 TU’ (seen in 1982) has retained its original argento with blue colours to this day. More recently on ‘YNC 181L’ its long-term owner kept a log of all miles driven and petrol used.

Colonel Bob Roberts’ Daytona # 13479 was one of his fleet displayed in the Midland Motor Museum in the 1970s and 1980s. The plexiglass front was modified slightly to match that of his Competizione example # 15373 ‘NPA 16L’ (which later found its way to Nick Mason).

Another RHD plexiglass car, # 13931 ‘KMJ 2’ was owned new by FOC Chairman Peter Stubberfield. It is shown at Maranello Concessionaires’ ‘Tower Garage’ Egham showroom in 1980.

A striking giallo Euro-Spec Daytona in Monaco for the 1984 Grand Prix. European cars had partly-clear side indicators: for the UK and US Markets they were all-orange.

My first ever Daytona sighting: ‘2 DLN’ at the Curborough sprint course in 1977.

’50 Years a King’ also has detailed coverage of the Daytona’s predecessors, stablemates, competitors and replacement (the Berlinetta Boxer). ‘JLJ 392E’ is one of the most important Ferrari road cars of all; it is the only alloy-bodied RHD 275 GTB/4 (the Daytona’s immediate predecessor). Chassis # 09957 is shown at Curborough in 1977, and was owned for some time by Sir Anthony (now Lord) Bamford – one of the World’s foremost Ferrari collectors since the 1970s. He is currently the only person to own two 250 GTOs.

Debuting in 1973, the 365 GT4 2+2 showcased a more angular look for 1970s Ferraris. This UK RHD example was at the 1978 Silverstone Six Hours race – which saw the triumphant debut of Porsche’s wild ‘Moby Dick’ 935/78.

Essentially a 2+2 version of the Daytona, the 365 GTC/4 was in some ways a softer option with power steering and detuned engine. But it shared the Daytona’s elegance and sonorous V12 thrust. This is ‘BVW 124L’ (# 15711) at a late 1970s FOC concours.

In parallel with its V12 blockbusters, Ferrari offered (rather grudgingly) a 6 cylinder alternative from the late 1960s. The 246 GT Dino was not even badged as a Ferrari – but nevertheless the origins were clear enough; the name paid tribute to Enzo Ferrari’s late son.

Ferrari’s first hyper-car, the 288 GTO, was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti (who had earlier dashed off the Daytona from his sketch pad in seven days flat). In 1985, Prescott Hill Climb hosted the FOC annual concours, which was graced by three newly-minted GTOs driven over by French enthusiasts.

Maranello Concessionaires has its origins in the very early 1960s, when its founder Colonel Ronnie Hoare approached Enzo about forming a UK franchise. Mike Hawthorn was also involved in introducing the UK to the (relatively) fledgling Italian marque. By 1981 – as shown – the UK dealer network comprised about 20 outlets, and Maranellos had the contract for Eire and Australia too.