| Author | Message | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 255 Registered: 3-2002 |
thanks for the article, and that website. unfortunately i think that hardtop is butt-ugly ! and impractical if you need it on the move. i wonder if these guys could just design a better softtop. is the factory soft top attached permanently at the back, or is it one of those erector set types like on old english roadsters? because if its attached permanently in some way, then it should be possible to strengthen the front attachment points such that it could survive higher speeds. | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Junior Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 116 Registered: 3-2002 |
http://www.barchetta.cc/All.Ferraris/550-barchetta-hardtop/index.html Interesting article on Barchetta hardtops.  | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Junior Member Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 205 Registered: 8-2002 |
Mike Sheehan used to be the owner/proprietor of European Auto Sales & Restoration in Costa Mesa, CA. He now maintains an enormous database of Ferraris (mostly older cars) and works out of his home selling cars on consignment. If you've ever heard of or dealt with Gary Roberts & Co, Gary used to be MS's sales manager at EAS&R back in the day. Here is Mike's site: http://www.ferraris-online.com/ | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 640 Registered: 6-2001 |
Ross, they are speaking of Mike Sheehan, he has been around for years and years, and always has some really rare Ferraris for sale. I think he uses this site. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 248 Registered: 3-2002 |
who is this mr sheehan, and can he be induced to post those pictures on this site? | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 488 Registered: 12-2001 |
our friend sheehan showed me a pic of a chopped 550 with full convertible top. it was a little more than a currently cheap used 550, but i think it was a pretty late model, low mileage car; not sure whether Stramann did it, though. | ||
| Francisco J. Quinones (Frankie)
New member Username: Frankie Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2002 |
i may be wrong but i thought R.Straman had quit his "job" to go sailing around the world with his family.just wondering.although he IS recognized as one of the very best in the world at converting cars,very thorough in his engineering and execution.the cars will not be worth as much as the factory originals but i would definitely buy a 550 convertible from him to keep if i had the means.just my .02 | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1290 Registered: 2-2001 |
Richard Straman has been chopping Ferraris since the Daytona. He charges around $75k to chop a 550 & the top is a lot better than the Barchettas, although the Barchetta will always be a lot more valuable | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member Username: Ross Post Number: 247 Registered: 3-2002 |
seeing the other thread about cut cars, prompted me to write this. i really love the way the 550 barchetta looks, but not being able to have a workable top good for all speeds, is a problem. both from a security and practicality standpoint. so the thought has crossed my mind a few times about whether anybody has chopped the top off this car, and if so is the job done right, how much does it cost, etc. i am not that concerned about what it might do to the value since i would probably end up keeping it forever. |