Ferrari has inarguably produced more beautiful cars than any other manufacturer. True, it's easier to create a handsome sports car than a functional sedan, but the sheer number of different shapes, every one exquisite, sets Ferrari apart. (Wise man, the Commandatore, recognising the wisdom of using Italy's independent designers instead of setting up his own styling studio.) Arguments rage long and loud over which Ferrari is the most handsome but for this writer, and many others, it's the Daytona GTB/4 that takes first prize.

Originally designed by Pininfarina as a coupe, the V-12 Daytona later appeared as a Spyder (convertible), losing none of the coupe's elegance while acquiring a character of its own. But limited production of Spyders meant that would-be American owners became impatient and had their coupes remodelled by custom shops as ragtops. With real Spyders selling for over $1,000,000 each, who can blame them?

That, in turn, pushed up prices of the real thing. So much that a recent bid of $1,335,400 on e-Bay failed to reach the reserve. This 1971 Ferrari Daytona Spyder, owned by the late Iowa Ferrari collector Dr. Jack Frost, has a mere 3,700 miles on the clock. An Autoblog article says it was originally ordered by Bill Harrah of Bill Harrah's Modern Classic Motors exotic dealership. The article adds "it is white with a red side stripe and the interior features black Daytona seats with red inserts. Quite striking. No other Spyder is believed to have left the factory similarly painted." The car, which has never been titled, could be worth twice what was offered.