STORY OF THE DAY: Argentina’s Daytona Retires at Le Mans

Luis Rubén Di Palma and Néstor García Veiga retired Ferrari 365 GTB/4 number 37 from the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans. Their Argentine-entered Daytona joined a strong field of competition GTBs but did not survive to share in the model’s successful class results.

The entry carried two of Argentina’s most versatile domestic stars into the world’s leading endurance race. Le Mans demanded sustained high-speed running unfamiliar from many South American events, and number 37’s withdrawal ended a notable international excursion before a classified finish could be secured.

The competition 365 GTB/4 used a front-mounted 4.4-litre Colombo V12, rear transaxle, independent suspension and lightened berlinetta body. Its power and aerodynamic shape produced excellent Mulsanne performance, while its mature production-based drivetrain made the Daytona one of the period’s strongest endurance GT cars.

Di Palma and García Veiga were Argentines celebrated for success across touring cars, sports prototypes and single-seaters. Di Palma became one of his country’s most enduringly popular racers; García Veiga was similarly adaptable. Their shared Le Mans appearance connected Argentina’s intense national racing culture with Ferrari’s international privateer network.