Unreal swb250GT at the LaJolla concour (repeat unreal)

There is a Replica forum and that's where this thread should be. In fact the GTO cars have their own threads.....

 

Have GTO Engineering ever made a 250 GTO replica or replicas?

 

AFAIK, just TR, SWB and California SWB (uncovered hl). Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Have one on order. Donor 250 GTE purchased and starting final spec. I am in the states and will get a complete car. Using the numbers matching running gear from donor plus all parts that make sense (ashtray, badges,etc). Not cheap but much less than an original and one I can really use on the road and track.

 

sad to destroy one more 250GT/E with matching numbers

 

I hear you but It’s a mess….will post pics but massive rust and a non running engine and gear box. It was a big issue for me….only wanted a donor that was beyond to much $$ to restore. At least the drivetrain will get back on the road. Not messing with it and keeping 3L and 4 speed.

 

you may try ti find a GT/E with engine/gearbox, rearaxle with not matching numbers. I just sold one as a parts car. this you may use as a donor car but never when you have matching number parts. and even if rust or not. the work I think is much less to restore the GT/E than building up at SWB. you need other glasses all around, other rear lights, complete other body, and then later still only have a replica.
think over again please if you like to do this.
I just wanted to do the same with mine like you, but built a TR body. but this one who baught it will restore to original, even with not matching numbers.

 

Please don't kill a matching numbers car.

 

If the car he has is so ravaged by rust it would not be fiscally possible to restore, or even physically possible, then that car is not viable. Why not use the parts for something else. After all, as nice as they are, they are still just cars, machines.

Perry

 

Many here see them as more than just machines - they are historical artifacts which should be preserved whenever possible. GTO will make a new V12 and gearbox for those who wish to own a toolroom copy so no need to sacrifice an original.

 

… or even if non-matching number examples, especially for something like these.

 

Millions(?) of far less rare or valuable cars have been saved by restoration and many or more likely most cases have not been fiscally viable endeavors and often not even deemed as such prior to starting.
Just like in any other hobby, true enthusiasts do not usually expect theirs to make fiscal sense or provide some kind of financial benefit. They do it truly for the passion, be it restoring/saving vintage vehicles, gardening, golfing, hiking, sailing, etc.

Besides, every original Ferrari “sacrificed”(?) for these fakes makes them rarer, while creating more fakes, in turn, will depreciate all of such every time another one is being created/finished.
How does that make fiscal sense ?
Pay a $Mil to have one made (destroying yet another original car in the process), but few years later, when bored with it, sell it for a half of that.

 

Totally agree Perry. That’s exactly what they do. Chassis and running gear go in my car and then they use all salvageable parts to restore better 250’s. This is GTO engineering not some chop shop….they will use everything possible in mine and others.

 

Disclaimer:
I have rebuilt/restored cars deemed by others far beyond salvageable or at best, just parts cars, but I’ve also taken time to explain (in detail) to some clients that the project they want(ed) me to do will cost them multiple times what it could ever become valued by others or what the best example of identical car could be bought for.
Most have said they don’t/didn’t care.
OTOH, I’ve always had a habit of promptly declining jobs from (new) clients who expressed some concerns or expectations of financial upside from their commissions.

 

Well, Thank goodness for money is no object restorations. If someone is in the position to outlay more than an item would be worth, that is their right. Same as using a car that is beyond reasonable hope to someone to be used in a recreation, and other parts used for restoring other models in need.

Perry

 

Doesn’t the fact that a company (allegedly) capable of reproducing tool room copies of every component or part, including chassis and running gear, is resorting to chop up original car(s) to make such copies essentially make them a “chop shop” ?

Besides, who determines whether the “sacrificial” car is beyond reasonable hope/restoration and how so or why ?
Isn’t it all done mainly to circumvent taxes/fees and other regulatory hurdles ?

 

I’d venture a guess that for far more than 90% of restored cars in this world, the cost of the restoration greatly exceeded of the subjects eventual (perceived) value and therefor using some of them, especially rare ones to begin with, merely for VIN donors is rather shortsighted and weak argument.
And yes, I also believe that every owner has a right to do whatever they wish to for their property, but I don’t have to agree with or respect them for that decision .

 

The VIN is a fair point. If this car was one or many other models or had a racing history I would feel differently. It will be interesting to see if people are as upset in 10 to 20 years when people are resto moding 308’s. I am restoring one now personally and I am enjoying it. My logic is simple…love the swb and want to use and race it but spending 8 to 10m on a car and then thrashing it around the track is beyond my comfort. And I like the idea of preserving the running gear of a car that would (by two restorers) been a parts car. Fully get that no one has to agree….I tend to respect peoples decisions even if I don’t agree…outside of someone being harmed. I respect your view that this is not a good thing to do even though I disagree in this case. But to each his own. Also, GTO is only building a couple more SWB’s and then they are done. I am excited and plan to use it regularly.

 

maybe Classiche can take these neglected cars and restore them to perfection? sub it out to GTO engineering, put them on dealer showrooms. instead of being forced to buy a new 2022 Lusso to get the latest and greatest, the salesman can say,”may i show you our vintage collection”?