599 Aperta / Structural Differences with 599GTB - Aperta Conversion.

Now that's an interesting project ! I hope you will make it happen.

It will take a lot courage, time and probably money but the result will be astonishing.

 

+1

 

Not sure of the chassis strength etc, but I am almost certain I read that the windscreen rake was lowered on the aperta compared to a standard 599 not sure if that had something to do with the strengthening of the chassis or if it was on the aerodynamics side of things. Maybe somebody else can offer more.

 

I just tried to see if the part number for a GTB windscreen was the same as the Aperta but was unable to find a listing for the Aperta. Part number for GTB is 68269300

 

Why recreate the wheel ? You need a Straman type facility (ie. remember the TR convertibles they did from the 80's). While I can NOT vouch for them .... these guys have done what you seek and may be able to give you the bottom line info. you require before embarking on this project - Newport Convertible Engineering. Personally, I'd speak to someone who has done this before and get a recommendation/referral before giving them any $$$. I'm sure there are other facilities besides Newport that has done a 599 conversion so I'd do an international search (I do not know where you are located). Good luck and lets us know how it turns out.

 

IMO there are no 599 convertible conversion that have been done yet in the world.

I started dreaming of a 599 convertible at the moment I saw the press release back in 2006.

I check the internet daily about anything related to front engined V12 ferraris and other cars.

If such a thing exists, at least one picture would exist on the net.

There a so many website and car spotters.

But who knows... Maybe Kim Jong Un enjoys a secret 599 convertible with a california folding top (My absolute dream car)

 

Straman has been out of business for decades.

 

Sounds like a great idea if you can achieve it technically.

Don't know for sure but in general, when a roof is cut off, the car loses a ton of rigidity. There's a lot less structure keeping it from twisting under lateral load. So adding a cross member and framing behind the seats along with some other framing along the sides will be required.

Probably won't be cheap.

-F

 

EDO competetion can do it.

They've chopped the roof of a 575 too. I'm sure if you do an Aperta type construction an elegant roof solution can be found where it's just 2 or 3 panels (carbon?) that you can put on again easily and store on the boot.

 

I saw a picture of a red 599 convertible on leftlanenews.com. I e-mailed for more info but received no reply. The car may not be real.

 

I suggest checking out the Newport Convertible Engineering Ferrari 599 (website). Maybe they are the first ones to try this (at least in the US). Possibly the new Straman ? Again, I am not vouching for them, but maybe they can provide the OP with actual information on what is required with respect to frame modifications (if any) when converting a GTB to a convertible.

 

I was aware of the project. I wanted to say a fully finished car

 

Well, there you go. It looks like these guys have done it and are going to show their work at Pebble Beach this year. Might be worth going out to CA in August to check out the product and discuss what it would take to get it done.

The 599 sure does look great topless.

-F

 

I have no idea what they have actually done but they seem to be "boldly" claiming a finished product to be shown at one of the majors later this year. With prices on GTB's at all time lows if they can demonstrate that they have the goods they will be inundated with prospective converters. IMHO it will be a major coup if they can pull off doing a super high end job.

 

Absolutely...

 

Yes, that is the question. In the past car companies would engineering it on paper by calculating the load applied, review the stresses and stains, taking into account the cross section of the structure and all that. Math.

These days car companies would run the modified structure in a CAD analysis and see what the stresses and stains are under load and beef up the structure as needed. Math using a computer.

How chop shops do it, I have no idea.

I would imagine the adding of structure is done after the roof is removed but I really don't know for sure.

I would contact that company and see what they have to say.

-F