I want one that is already converted. It should be significantly less than an original. If not, I'll get an original.
I think one should simply buy a manual 360 as it is not yet out of price range. 430 and 599 are a different story.
I'm not sure the politics, I know they didn't do any more. I think it was so early on that there weren't any shops making a big deal about it yet. Also most of the parts were off the shelf OEM.
I know of a couple critical OEM V12 components available at eye-wateringly expensive numbers. I’ve opined quite a bit on the topic in the 550 forum, and my opinion that this conversation has to stratify conversions as they are not all created equal. There are OEM conversions by leading specialists at the top of the hierarchy and then non-OEM conversions (like EAG where they’ve completely changed the 599 from the Ferrari solid rod linkage design to cables like the V8s). A full OEM conversion is hard to argue as it is truly facsimile of a factory gated example as it sits in front of you. Again, in my opinion, I do believe there is value there when the factory 575s are $300K+ (for rather ratty examples… $400K+ for blue chips) and 599s are $600K+. And you are creating that exact car, with the exact original parts, and the identical experience. After OEM conversions, there’s everything else. And while OEM conversions and OEM parts are far and few in between, I think it’s critical that they’re are separated from the rest.
Just noticed this: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/2007-ferrari-599-eag-6-speed-conversion.680946/#post-149514139 @carnutdallas is another victim of the EAG playbook that has tarnished conversions. After all this time, they still can't get it together; the EAG horror stories continue... OEM conversions by top shops are far less drama, 100% authentic, and 100% enjoyable. This is a prime example why this distinction has to be made in these conversion conversations!
Or you can do your own and not have to deal with anyone you don't want to [emoji2] Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app
You do not want to see me with a wrench in my hand. Think Jack Nicholson. Think, here’s Johnny! Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I would much rather see you come through my wall with a wrench than have EAG come through my wall with that thing that they call a gear selector. Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I have heard from another experienced Ferrari mechanic that EAG did a good job except for one part, that fortunately is fixable.
My assumption would be the gear selector on the 360/430s. I've heard of multiple ones failing. I am unfamiliar with the 599 conversions except with how they went to cables. Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app
EAG did a 599 conversion a few months ago and the client was extremely unhappy - he sent the car directly to one of the top OEM specialists for remediation. The guys said they'd have to basically do another conversion on the car with OEM in order to put their name on the work. Terrible situation for somebody who just wanted to enjoy their Ferrari.
I'm aware of the horror stories, which i think partially tarnished the image of a conversion. I meant moreso that i haven't actually seen the 599 parts firsthand to make an opinion on their quality. When I did my conversion I considered using their gate since I had no access to a 5 axis mill and knew of one for sale. I'm glad I found a better option. That thing looks terrible and immediately gives a cat away as an EAG conversion. Now that so many oem parts are NLA what I think a lot of people on here don't realize is that if the part fails on your oem manual car, the conversion companies are the only ones that will make you a new one. I am pretty sure that a lot of the oem 360/430 parts i bought when I started putting together my conversion were the last ones available. Many of them are now NLA. Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Fortunately the OEM parts are bullet proof and aren't historically items that fail at any meaningful/material rate!
The 2 seat front engined V12 GTB lineage that precedes 550/575/599 = 250, 275, Daytona. Not exactly a "just grab one of those instead" kind of thing.
... but the affordable 550 comes as (only) manual, so that's an easy almost-classic option. For the V8, it's just a little bit more difficult because many 355 came as F1 and the 348 is assumed to be crap - so a "real" classic (most recent being the 328) is difficult to avoid.