Daytona Spyder Conversion on RAT

Hi. Any thoughts on the black/black Spyder conversion currently selling on BAT? The provenance seems good with much spending on restoration. Thanks. Dave

 

why not post a link so everybody just can have a look at?

 

Good idea. Its in the Premium listings on BAT. I'm trying to post a link but having a problem with getting it to upload.I'll try again The auction ends tomorrow.

 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-ferrari-365-gts-4-spider-conversion/

 

Went for $850k plus fees

 

shocking

 

Hard to believe that it's a genuine sale, but stranger things have happened. Too bad it's not still a plexiglass berlinetta . . .

 

exactly

 

were these chopped daytonas done purely to do quick flips to capitalize on genuine spyder price premiums?
i dont think the chopped cars had the chassis reinforements such a front steel inner fenders.
does anyone know if the 10 275 NART spyders had any chassis reinforcements fitted?

 

Since these were all done in the 70s, I don't think they were done for monetary gain, but because the factory only made 122 to start with and Ferrari wasn't producing any other V12 convertibles at the time.

Lamborghini didn't produce a factory Roadster until 1997 so there was a definate shortage of V12 convertible options for decades.

 

I’m the buyer. What attracted me is that the conversion to Spyder is thorough including steel front inner fenders and proper rear bulkhead and top bows, the overall mileage seems to be quite low, and approx $700k spent on restoration/refurbishment with very few miles since. I like the colors a lot, and this fits well with our other cars like our (real) 289 Cobra, 1964 Maserati Vignale Spyder, Mercedes 280 SE Cabriolet 3.5, and three open Jaguars - 66 Etype, 53 XK120 and 1938 SS100. I’m a retired Purdue Mech Engineer who had a career that allows us to indulge our car activities.and I do everything I can myself on our collector cars - basically everything except paint, chrome and upholstery. I’m 3 years into restoration of the 1938 3 1/2 Litre SS100 that I’m doing everything possible myself. Lori and I do various shows and mostly tours (the Etype is currently in England for us to do a tour there) and a Daytona is relatively roomy and road worthy. With the SS100 consuming much of my “fun” time I wanted a ready-to-drive open Ferrari. I’m certainly familiar with the “Is it Real?” Questions since I own and drive a real 289 Cobra so I know how to be “polite” and informative.
So - I hope to see some of you at various events and swap fun stories. (Like getting chrome done well…). We live in Michigan. Dave

 

Disagree. Daytona Spyders were among the first road going Ferrari to sell for six figures in the market boom of the 1980s. A cut car used to sell for a healthy premium over the berlinetta. If I heard the expression "a Scaglietti cut" once I heard it a hundred times.

 

According to Oscar Scaglietti they did.

 

what type of chassis reinforcements?

 

In Octane Magazine (December, 2013) there is a feature on the ex Eddie Smith 275 GTB/4 NART Spider #10709. There are lots of pictures of the car with driving impressions gained from then owner Clive Beecham's #10749, but alas no pictures of that beauty.

There is also an interview with Oscar Scaglietti, the son of Sergio who worked for the firm his father founded from the late 1950s to 1997. He talks about how the NART Spider came into being at the request of Luigi Chinetti. The details were discussed over lunch with EF and LC writing the details on a piece of paper, with the agreed cost of every request. What I found interesting, and was pleased to learn, which is in contradiction to what I have read in other (incorrect) articles on the NART, is the extra strengthening that went into the car to allow for it having no roof. The 275 GTB/4 tipo 596 chassis had transverse members added to the longitudinal rails, as well as other minor things; the body panels were also more time consuming to make due to their extra strength.

 

body panels made of thicker steel?

 

Personally, I have less of a negative reaction to a chop-top than most folks; though the "a Scaglietti cut" silliness does annoy me when I see it...

But as a consequence, I actually shopped a few conversions, and in each case, I found evidence that cars had a serious incident (roll, major front end crash (ever noticed that even later conversions sometimes have a plexi front?), fire, etc...) in their history. Never got any confirmation that the conversion was done during the repairs for the incident, but it certainly struck me as a possibility, and I stopped looking at conversions as a consequence.

Not saying that a lot of conversions were not just done for the same reason that folks repaint cars for little reason other than "I want a different color"; but it seems likely that some were done in association with other major body work that had to be done regardless.

 

Congrats -was offered the car at 650k and turned it down prior to auction.
If I would have known what went into it and the shake down cost of 100k been wanting one since bought a Dino GTS restored last year.
Kicking myself all weekend - congrats as I almost bid above 8!
Flip side is they do concern me - so many unknowns.
Enjoy in good health - if there was one I would have bought this was the one.
FWIW - I owned the Clark Gable jag - great collection of toys.

 

Great, Fantastic looking car..I would have it too!

Does it still retain the rear glass window defroster lever?

 

Yes it looks like it retains the rear defroster switch. So I’m looking for ideas on a relabel/repurpose for it. I’d also appreciate any inputs on changes and improvements that I should make.
Is this the best forum for this car? Thanks. Dave

 

Yes this is the right forum. Congrats on the car.
Perhaps Steve or someone else will link the old thread of fchatter Grant in the UK and his former converted spyder so you can have access to those discussions as well.

 

When you have a moment..please post a pic of your 289 cobra as well as your E type..I am an enthusiast of both!

 

Here is Grant's Daytona Spyder Conversion chassis #16611 thread The Holey Daytona in link here.

 

As requested. Here’s my 289 Cobra CSX2367. I acquired it from the original owner in 2007. Only 289 Cobra to win SAAC’s Premiere award which requires 99% score on condition and authenticity without use of reproduction parts. Also only metallic green 289, AC used BRG which is non-metallic, but the first owner wanted green so the factory in California repainted a blue Cobra with Lincoln Highland Green. Today at Motor City SAAC show at Ford World HDQ. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

will you be showing the Daytona ?