Unveiled: The Hollywood Icon That Shaped Ferrari's Latest Masterpiece

No car from the 1970s swoons with more Hollywood charm than the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, affectionately known as the “Daytona.” This beauty wasn't just a favorite among movie stars and rock legends; it also graced the silver screen with some rather unforgettable performances. Take, for instance, its notable cameo in Robert Altman's film noir homage, *The Long Goodbye*, where it became a character in its own right, almost as much as Elliott Gould himself. But let’s not forget the convertible version that stole our hearts in 1976’s *A Star Is Born*, driven by Kris Kristofferson, with a glamorously glowing Barbra Streisand riding shotgun.

Fast forward to our modern age, and much like that classic movie which recently enjoyed a stellar remake, the Daytona is making a comeback—albeit in the guise of Ferrari’s new two-seater, the 12Cilindri, which you can own for a cool $459,000. Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's head of design, coyly insists that every car is a reflection of its era. Yet, he’s not shy about admitting this new model draws from the bold lines and spirited soul of its iconic ancestor, the Daytona.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on 1968, the year the Daytona first bared its fenders to the world. It was a time marked by student protests, political unrest, and an innovative wave of cinematic geniuses. In the car world, just like in Hollywood, design was taking a bold new direction, riding the wave of the era's Brutalist architecture to create a more angular, minimalist aesthetic. Gone were the days of voluptuous curves and whimsical grilles; instead, we saw vehicles transform into sleek, almost stealth-like entities—lower, sharper, and with a sense of urgency, as if they were racing away from societal chaos.

The Daytona led this groundbreaking trend. Unlike its predecessors that flaunted rounded forms with charming headlamps and cheeky grilles, it strutted onto the scene with a daring front end that seemed almost to avoid eye contact, coupled with a grille that was as elusive as a shy suitor at a cocktail party. It was a glorious departure and a piece of automotive poetry that seduced with its daring design, luxurious tiger-striped leather seats, and a propelling 347 hp engine that left other cars quaking in its well-crafted wake. Its popularity soared, particularly among the glitterati of the 'Me Decade.'

Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame snagged one, while Eric Clapton couldn’t resist its allure either. After his colossal hit album *Goodbye Yellow Brick Road*, Elton John pampered himself with a shiny new Daytona. Richard Carpenter, part of the beloved duo The Carpenters, even showcased his auto on the cover of their platinum-selling album *Now & Then*. Let's not forget the thrill-seeking daredevil, Evil Knievel, who acquired one, and it later gallantly transferred to New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson. Oh, and Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack treated himself to one as well. In the '80s, Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar found himself a used Daytona, and actor-race car enthusiast Patrick Dempsey eventually came to call it "the worst car I ever owned." Truly, car ownership is a tale of passion and peculiarities.

The Daytona didn’t just find a home in garages; it also cruised through the cinematic world. Apart from its celebrated appearances in *The Long Goodbye* and *A Star Is Born*, it starred as one of the stolen vehicles in the iconic 1974 caper film *Gone in 60 Seconds*. And in a nod to nostalgia, it was featured in Michael Mann's *Miami Vice*, providing more glam than finesse, as a replica took the stage, proving once again that it's not just what you drive, but how you drive it that evokes vibes of the era.

Our new star, the 12Cilindri, elegantly channels the silhouette of its predecessor, sharing its audacious spirit and, of course, a powerhouse engine that harkens back to an era where such bravado reigned supreme—a bold statement in a world increasingly obsessed with efficiency and eco-consciousness. While the automotive industry races toward a turbocharged, electric future, the mellifluous growl of a Ferrari engine is somewhat of an anachronism—a cheeky nod to the climate crisis that just might say, "Who cares?"

But isn’t that just what Ferrari embodies? Like the legendary musicians, actors, and athletes who’ve long idolized this marvel, a Ferrari is a riotous rebellion against the mundanity of ordinary life—a soundtrack to the extravagance and audacity that few dare to embrace. Will the 12Cilindri replicate the success of its illustrious forebear? Well, we’ll simply have to wait and witness the fabulous streets of Beverly Hills, Malibu, and Los Feliz as it roars into the spotlight, with an enthusiastic guess of “sí!” echoing through the canyons of car culture.