Yep easily possible. Apparently there is at least one or as much as 3 factory manual GTO's...Apparently all hidden in garages though (which completely defies the point of them...)
We've discussed this in regards to the 612 as well. However, the conversion is not as simple as the 360. It appears to involve many more parts and potentially very expensive. I've seen do-it-yourself 360 conversions for as low as 5K. I did put together a list of all the items that are different between the 612 MT and F1, but have yet to get anyone willing to tell me which one of those parts need to be changed or not. Only then would you know how and how much.
Instead of bothering to construct a counterfeit 599 manual, you might be able to get a real one at the end of the month: http://www.rmsothebys.com/tv16/duemila-ruote/lots/2007-ferrari-599-gtb-manual/1086918 Better yet... it's not boring red or black, but gorgeous Silverstone!
If you use genuine Ferrari parts, so there is virtually no difference - other than the build sheet - then how is it "counterfeit"? Poor choice of words, IMO. A properly converted car is identical to the one that started as MT. I doubt you could tell the difference, even with an inspection. Of course, I'm sure collectors are not happy about this from an investment perspective, which makes me happy.
.....all this talk of hypothetical 599 manual conversions... I'll just put these here for now, until I get enough information and photos to open a separate thread... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
WHAT THE HECK MAN?! I don't know whats more frustrating paying just the tip as a teenager or seeing those photos. Come on we need more then this.
"If you use genuine Ferrari parts, so there is virtually no difference -other than the build sheet"... one could build a nice COUNTERFEIT 250 GTO. Counterfeit is the perfect word. Real 599 Manuals have a different chassis type, specifically F141 ABM (F141 A represents the 599 GTB Fiorano, the B represents that it's a Berlinetta, and the M represents the three pedals.)
Good luck finding genuine Ferrari 250GTO parts... Most 250GTO have been rebuilt over the course of their existence - period correct is paramount here and a 599GTB manual conversion if done correctly, would be period correct. If the price is right, I am sure all will follow.
Like always someone always has to intervene and spoil the party with all factory and never been touched by anyone except the Ferrari gods talk. I can't afford a 599 but plan on buying a 360 or 430 next year and converting it to stick shift. With those cars it's pretty reversible, especially the 360, but if the option exists to buy one for less than the market premium I could care less as long as it's all factory parts. The spread between an F1 and stick shift 599 is pretty big so not surprised to see this pop up.
Eddie- Why not just buy a 3 pedal 360 (over 4700 out there) or F430 (likely 1500-2000 out there)? Not quite the same thing as a 575M (246), 612 (around 300) or 599 (not very many).
All F430s that are stick shift and are for sale are 150k and up. 1) I can't afford that and 2) even if I could, no way I'd pay 40k more just because it has a stick. I'll do the conversion myself and save 25-30k. Haven't fully completed the F430 research yet, though. All stick shift 360s I see for sale are about 100k and up...for me personally once something reaches 100k I have a lot of other options. 360 is a great car but to me it's not worth 110-120k for a low mileage stick shift. F1s can be had for really cheap (about 30k less from what I've seen) and the conversion won't cost more than $7-10k with my own labor. Plus I keep the original parts.
I agree. In terms of the 599 or 612, though, I'm hoping some enterprising person will do this and let us know what parts are needed and the overall cost. That would be hugely beneficial to those of us who do NOT have unlimited pockets, but are still interested in making the conversion. Normally, I would not be for this process. However, with Ferrari refusing to build another MT car - despite many clamoring for one - I now agree with the process.
"But it's not an original 599 stick from the factory" "So what?" "It's not original." "So what does that mean... it has the same parts and drives exactly like an original manual does?" "But it didn't come from the factory that way." "Doesn't matter. I have a stick 599 and I'm driving stick 599. And I'm driving it, enjoying it. And when I want to sell it, a converted 599 to manual will still fetch $10-20k over a stock F1 for any year." A conversion like this is the reason I'd buy a 599 as my next FCar to add to my manual 360. If my 360 was F1, I'd have upgraded to a McLaren or 458 by now..
We know it was about $30K to convert a 575M from real data. 612 should be similar and a 599 more because of the scarcity of parts. Not difficult, just needs to be done methodically by a professional without trying any of the amateur shortcuts someone is always speculating they can do. For V8 conversions, look in the V8 section. Lots of data. There is even an incomplete kit for sale for a 360 in FerrariAds above.
If you want to do it to a 599 or a 612 with factory parts you better hurry. I doubt the factory made many spare parts for a car built in such limited numbers.
I know , right? Working on it ASAP. Yes, so far everything has been bolt in. More details to come as I compile everything for a new thread. ^^^^ This , a client wanted a manual 599 and did not want to pay the premium. He was willing to let us work on the conversion, with the understanding that it could be converted back at anytime, which it can. All parts coming off the car are being prepped for storage and labeled in advance. No one is trying to represent it as " Factory " all though there is a value to a converted car IMO , what that is TBD.. This is a good point, several parts had to be special ordered , to spec if you will. I agree, when the parts are gone, they are gone. S
So glad you guys are taking this one. Manual 599 would be a "lifetime" car and completely separate and elevate its position in terms of enjoyment to that of the F12. Similar cars while being completely different. 599 GTO would be crazy; is the story of a handful of factory original manual GTO's true? To a mega money person who doesn't have to worry about the potential value of his/her GTO this would be a fantastic project to accept the risk on. Only a true car guy would do it and I hope to see it done at some point.
Steve- Looking forward to seeing the thread on that one with good images. Should be straight forward with Boardwalk's resources. On one of the two conversions for the 575M, some fabrication was required, but your team should have no trouble if that is required on the 599, too.
"This is a good point, several parts had to be special ordered , to spec if you will. I agree, when the parts are gone, they are gone." Most complications will probably be from the electronics - everything else can be done on a CNC at a fraction of the cost.
I believe the concern for most would be using factory parts to maintain a level of traceable originality. Personally I agree with your words as CNC can be made the exact factory spec and is literally the only way to go with vintage car parts or parts in general that are no longer produced and the stock has run dry. I actually see this conversion, once perfected, as something big that could raise the attractiveness of the 599 chassis and in turn its value. Currently they are the same price as 550/575 and IMHO are so much more car for the money.
Yes, perhaps someone will venture to make a "conversion kit". The involved hardware (gear lever and turret, linkages, pedal, clutch slave (bearing)/master cylinders) is fairly simple, what terrifies me is how to solve all the electronic control issues (E-diff/E-accelerator, ABS, etc. With around 3600 599 made, I am sure there is a market for it.
