How much do those Datsun based 250GTOs for for out the door?

Yes that is the whole point of my debate. If a modern Ferrari gets wrecked and written off, then so what ... Ferrari will make another one tomorrow, so no loss. But when they have stopped making them then it becomes interesting.

Thus a replica using a 360 or 550 engine is totally cool, because it is definitely NOT collectible.

Cool, it was on the old FerrariChat site and that is the only reason I know about it.

Yes interesting that that is still happening. IMO the owner is a fool, because the car will NOT drive the same, just as a XJ6 Jaguar with a Chevy does not drive the same. As you say the engine is the soul.

Yes I appologise for that exaggeration ... got too excited . Actually I hate SUV's, and I do not own one , I own a 100% people mover which is not sporty at all, just a car/van with 1 extra row of seats. You see I see cars as what they are, and you can change the outside, change the engine do what ever you like but they still are what they are and what they were designed for.

I actually have huge respect for the Datsun Z. Brilliant car that rewrote the sportscar market, but putting a Columbo Ferrari engine in a Datsun Z does not make an improvement, or closer to a GTO, just sad IMO.

For a start the Datsun Z is a far BETTER car than the 250GTO. Lets analyse:

1. Z is unitary construction, not a flexy spaceframe.
2. Z has a good independent rear syspension, GTO a well located beam axle.
3. Z has a great little engine probably could make the same power (especially the 280 engines) and pull the same revs (the ones I used to race against definitely had some hp) and be far more reliable too. This is expected because technology has moved forward.
4. Z probably has a better gearbox for the same reasons.

Thus I just don't get it.

, and yet on other sites you see some guy who is restoring a 250 GTE, or something, who is trying to find a cylinder head because somehow he lost one. This replica market thus is pushing the prices of these engines up ...

Yes the drivers of demolision derbys have the a similar opinion, and thus like to take a car out with a BANG ... . Seriously though, I 100% believe in using cars, but I am very against the replica market where a REAL Ferrari is cannibalised because it is all about the DOLLAR, and very little about the reliving the glory days. You have bought an already built Ferrari based replica. I ask you why did the person that built that car build it?

In most cases it is because he was able to buy a cheap 'boring' Ferrari and with a bit of work turn it into something more sellable. This is just the same as cheap car yards squirting red paint on to any old car to make them sell. These businesses that create these cars are not interested in preserving Ferrari history it is all about cash flow and keeping the banks happy.

Thus I put it to you that less than 5% of the Ferrari based replicas have anything really to do with the person making the replica dreaming about drifting through a bend dreaming of being Graham Hill, etc.

Bert308,

Again no problems with that at all ... never said I did have a problem with current cars being hacked for replicas. BUT amazingly people are still looking for that 250 something to create NEW replicas ... very sad. Leave it to somebody who WILL waste the money and time to restore ... you see many of us do love these 'boring' old Ferraris and do not mind taking 10 years to turn the rust bucket into a gem again ... we also do not mind spending over time FAR more than it is worth, because this is our ONLY chance to own an old Ferrari. I know because I am doing just that restoring an Alfa Romeo 1750GTV rust bucket, that all of you would have scraped ages ago. I love this process and am not a rich person who can go out and just buy the best I can see, thus being an ex-engineer I find one I can afford and restore it and end up with a perfect car that I have put MY soul into.

Chelle did this with her Lambo. That car was lucky that the engine, etc. was not sort after for some 'cool' replica

In the end one persons opinion is that the car is 'boring' and not restorable which COULD be completely the opposite to many others opinions, thus leave the car alone and make a replica WITHOUT cannabilising a REAL OLD Ferrari.

Pete

 

Chelle.... where's the history in detail of your priceless Urraco or waht about starting another thread in Other Italian let me know...I'm eager to learn Urraco

 

Michelle ....I had already seen your Urraco's restoration process...it amazed me , I didn't know they built only 520 (minus one look at the photo) if I were in the Chicago Area would you let me drive it?? I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time: because I used to live in the Chicago area. that's too bad for me . anyway now that I had learn more about Urracos I appreciate most my radio controlled Urraco BTW can you post more pics of it next to regular sized cars is it as small as a Lancia Stratos? smaller sport cars are more fun to drive!! Take care beatiful girl.
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If you study the real thing you instantly see where the kits fall short. But for a daily driver you can’t imagine how many looks you will get driving a kit.