I Predicted!!! Manual Conversions < F1

That's how I did it too

Funny thing is a few people wanted the billet parts to be blasted to look more like the crappy cast OEM parts.

 

Okay, that's weird. Ferrari is not The Vatican. Ferrari is not The Holy See. They balance quality and cost, and so there is room for improvement on many points, if cost is no object. I'd prefer the billet machined parts myself.

 

In that connection, the gated six version of the 612 stickered for $10,000 *less* than the F1. This was in a car with an MSRP of $250-$280k (about $400k in today’s $$).

 

Well, whatever the customer wants I guess. It IS a little dishonest though. The Ferrari factory also sprayed the shift turret casting with a thick and rough layer of sound deadening. We don't do that. Most of these guys have really loud exhaust systems anyway.

 

Using a non-Ferrari example, consider this Boxster.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-porsche-boxster-s-58/

It looks like a helluva car, 400 hp. Let's assume a stock 2005 Boxster S would go for $25,000. How much would you be willing to pay over this for a pig in a poke? Has anyone heard of Renegade Hybrids? The car might be great or it might be undrivable. Who knows?

I think the same will be true for Ferrari F1 conversions. The only way I would buy one is if (1) the seller has put a few thousand miles on the car, (2) I drive it, and (3) somebody like @Rifledriver looks at it.

 

Agree but would also want the F1 system that was removed.
But would you pay any more than a comparable F1 car? Myself, no I would not.

 

Personally I'd rather own a factory manual than a conversion. Yeah the modern factory manual cars are way expensive but there are ways to get a manual if you're willing to go a little older. BB, 328, testarossa, 355, 456, 550, etc. There are several options in a variety of price ranges.

 

Friend I think you have nailed the point - for some (many) the gated 3 petal experience is more fun. Engaging. More analog, versus a more digital F1 experience. Undeniably the F1 is faster. But pure speed does not a great driving experience make.

My daily driver is a Model S Plaid. Is it fast? Sure - fastest production car on the road. By some measure. It is silly fast. No road going Ferrari on earth can come close to my Plaid in a quarter mile. But is the Plaid engaging to drive? No, by design it is not.

I owned a 328GTS for years and driving it was very fun. Top off on a spring evening in California for a drive was heaven. A Honda accord V6 was faster - sure - but I think the experience - the sound, the feel - of my 328 was darn near perfect.

So I think the manual 3 petal cars offer a different- more analog - driving experience some adore for its involving driving experience. Others love the F1’s performance and engineering. Both are special in their own right. No matter how you enjoy your Ferrari - I say, enjoy it. We are all fortunate to be able to enjoy them, and I plan to enjoy Ferrari experiences until my heath or finances make it impossible. Until then … drive on!


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And then there are other Conversions that just seem smart and why didnt they offer these to the People.... US never got 3 pedal 840i, just 850 Cars

1997 BMW 840Ci 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - ending December 17 (Lot #130,982) | Bring a Trailer

 

Only thing you modify on a Ferrari is the owner’s name … preferably changing it to your name.


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Spot on. If Some Guy converted the gearbox, you’re really investing in the skill and future support of Some Guy.

Even when the individual has the skills, the long-term value is a gamble. While Singer is building remarkable backdated 911s, for example, I would bet Porsche continues after Singer is gone. I wouldn’t bother trying to get your $1m “Porsche” serviced at a Porsche shop, or to get spares through Porsche.

I can imagine the warm welcome you’d get at the Ferrari service department with an aftermarket conversion.



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Everyone should wear brown leather shoes.

 

The counterpoint might be the F1 transmission is long-term failed experiment. It is a racing transmission that did not transition well to the street. The DCT is so much better. How much does it cost to R&R a F1 system and clutch? At some point as these cars get older, owners may decide to retrofit them instead of repairing.

The key will be a company that becomes the market leader like IMS bearings for 911s. From what I can tell, no one has stepped up their game.

 

Ugh! Penny loafers even! I would only wear the laced shoe you show. The problem is, Ferrari no longer makes the automotive equivalent to laced shoes. Hope fully tying shoe laces doesn't become a lost art as what is happening with people not knowing how to use a clutch pedal. But wear your loafers and some of us will continue wearing laced shoes. No harm done, right?

By the way, the manual-shift conversions are fully reversible.

 

Good points as always.

 

Well said friend.

 

I know of several Ferrari dealers who service converted cars. One particular Ferrari dealer has even converted and sold converted cars. $ is $.

 

With the last few auctions on BaT for gated manual 360's, one even going for under $90k, I wonder if the converted craze will have a temporary lull...

 

...and these ones were factory gated cars.

 

I want a 612 manual. A conversion is the way to go if you put thousands of miles on your Ferraris.