I saw this beauty cruising around Monte Carlo. It seems too good to be true. Is it genuine? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Clearly a conversion (cut car) with the plexiglass (perspex) headlights. Only the yellow prototype Daytona Spider #12851 had this treatment. All others had the pop-up headlights. Marcel Massini
The most obvious thing, as was pointed out earlier in this thread, is the lights. However, if the car has the correct lights, the differences can be very subtle, and it's not always easy.
Bill Badurski did a thorough primer on this topic in Forza (I think) a year or so ago. One of the telltale way is whether the switch on the dash for the rear window defroster is there - the real GTS's didn't have them.
This isn't always a telltale sign. Daytona coupes can have 3 or 4 switches, depending on if they have emergency flashers. My '71 Euro does not have them and only has 3 switches (left/right vent fans and rear defroster). I believe all Spiders have 3 switches and include the emergency flashers. Real spiders have steel inner front fenders wells whereas the coupes' are fiberglass. Most conversions didn't bother with this detail, but some did! Really, the only way to tell for sure (if it looks convincing!) is to check the serial number against the list of known spiders. -steve
Not to mention at least one factory Spyder was originally delivered with a rear window defroster. It's right on the window sticker as well. I guess I need to get off my $%# and get those pictures posted that outlines the differences between a real Spyder and Coupe. There are hundreds of changes, most of them small. These days the easiest way is to just check the VIN and check against the list. Steve
As always, good to hear from you, Steve. I am glad you're "live and kicking". Thank you for your seasoned comments, expertise and wisdom. w/ smiles Jimmy
Some time ago I saw a genuine Daytona Spider with the plexiglass front. This car had been in an accident early in its life and the owner at the time replaced the 'original' front with the plexiglass one. I'm not sure if it's the only genuine Spider like it, but it just goes to show that anything's possible!
Yes, that would be the one that came out of Southern California and purchased by a Denver dealer if I remember correctly. The real Plexiglass headlamp Daytona Spyder went the other way. When it made its way to the United States, the plexiglass front was replaced with a pop-up headlight set up. It was changed back to its original plexiglass front went it was restored in California many years ago. Steve
I think the easiest way to find out if the car was a Spyder is to take the serial number and send it to Ferrari. I believe that someone could make a Spyder complete with all of the necessary changes but, you cannot change the body number legally.
Body number? You mean the chassis number. I can tell within a few secs if you let me know the serial number. No need to send it to Ferrari. Marcel Massini
12419 has since been re-converted back into original Berlinetta configuration (by Carrozzeria Brandoli of Montale near Modena). And it is now back in the original color yellow (Giallo Fly 20-Y-191). Marcel Massini Image Unavailable, Please Login
wow, 11 year old thread brought down from the attic. noooo, why??? (back to ORIGINAL, I get it, but damn, too pretty as a well done Spyder) .
Sorry, the NART spyders (be it Daytona or the 275) are nowhere as attractive as the original berlinetta designs. john
Why bother with converting it back? Was there something special about that car? Does it boost the car's value that much? Doing it must be very expensive. Thanks. VV
It's a real Daytona Berlinetta and was a replica Daytona Spyder and perhaps the owner did not want to drive around in a car that is not fully authentic due to the Spyder conversion? Or he just may prefer a Berlinetta?
Excellent point. And restoring it may have been cheaper than selling the replica and using that money to buy a Berlinetta. Or perhaps they didn't care about the $$$$. That seems to be a theme with a lot of Ferrari folks -- especially ones into the vintage cars. VV