David Levy's transformed 400/412

I see intermeccanica italia torino
I had 3 of them so its easy to spot.
Lotta panel grafting going on there!

 

Italia


http://images.conceptcarz.com/imgxra/Intermeccanica/69-Intermeccanica-Italia-DV-12-AI-06.jpg

 

Looks great other than the bonnet.

 

Funny, I thought the same thing initially -- having one blister would look better (if one must have a blister)...

 

David’s car is indeed a 400 that he rebodied with what started life as an Intermeccanica body. That short sentence greatly oversimplifies the challenges, effort and the achievement of his 20 year project. His objective was always to build his own car on Ferrari mechanicals that would not be a replica of any of the Ferrari models that he greatly loved, but would draw styling cues from them.

The engine is a 400 (not 400i) with high compression pistons and different cam profiles. Due to the width of the engine (with DCOE carburettors), it would not fit inside the inner guards so David machined off the inlet trumpets and cast new inlets to take downdraft throttle bodies – the engine runs on Haltech EFI and makes lots of horsepower. Since the original Webers would no longer foul on the pedal box, he was able to move the engine much further back in the chassis, also.

He was never happy with the twin bonnet scoops which were a necessity to fit the intake system, but he later found some shorter units that allowed him to do away the bulges. He made a new bonnet skin starting with a Jaguar XJ6 roof skin (as per the picture below).

One of the last modifications he made shortly before he lost a long battle with cancer nearly two years ago, was to fit wire wheels to replace the original wheels that he had designed and cast. These were quite flat faced due to the need to get the wide track of the 400 under a narrower body. This is not nearly as obvious with wire wheels fitted.

The interior is trimmed in dark green hides and the attention to detail is to the usual Levy standard, The airconditioning unit is mounted behind the seats so as not to spoil the period look of the dash.


David was an inspiration to many who take on crazy projects just because they need to be done. There were no shortcuts, only good engineering solutions. He was always forthcoming with help and advice for my own project and he is missed.

WM
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I love it...

 

I love the engine. Carbs with stacks are awesome. Thats what I want on my 308.

 

Two breasts are better than one larger one!

 

Too bad Ferrari didn't offer that induction system. All they had to do was invent the ECU with sequential injection, the oxygen sensor, and probably a few other bits.

Those cast wheels don't look bad at all.

 

Beautiful car and great engineering. I like those cast wheels, reminiscent of those on the 275GTB.

 

Just to add to Bill M's story above here is a photo of the man himself. A great bloke and a HUGE lateral thinker.

Philip C
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This thread is very close to my heart!

 

I am able to identify with a guy that did it his way, and had some classy ideas that he was able to realize.

 

David was also a long term owner of a 365 GTC.

 

Look at the perspex headlight covers AND metal surounds.
David CAST the metal surrounds to suit just this car and then polished them.
He also made moulds to fabricate the perspex covers, again just for this application.
His amazing skills are apparent in every detail of this wonderfull creation.
The guy was a genius, not to mention a lovely guy and very generous with his knowledge and ability.
Sadly missed.

 

I noticed on the Australia thread that this car is due to be auctioned.

The engine number does not match the chassis number so it looks like two 400s were used in its construction.

Lot 25 - Motorclassica 2014 - Sale as0146 | Theodore Bruce Art & Antiques Auctions

 

Some pictures I took when the car was at Auto Italia in Canberra, April 2014
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