400/412 convertible info needed!

I have seen just a couple of the convertibles and was wandering if anyone could provide any information about them such as how many are out there and what kind of problems are common with the conversion if any? I know that the factory only made one but there is an aftermarket factory supported conversion. I really like the look of the convertible and I have been looking for a convertible 12 cylinder ferrari. Can't afford the Daytona spider or the newer stuff (unless I win the 150,000,000 lottery tonight). Thanks for the help!

 

The conversion is not factory supported.

Several shops did them, they are of varying quality. If you would like a Dayona spider but plan on buying a 400 conversion instead, be aware, they are VERY different. The same shops that did the 400s, did Daytona Coupe to Spider conversions. These cut Daytonas sell for similar prices to the Coupes.

Don't forget, while 400s are cheap to buy, they more expensive to maintain than a Daytona.

You may want to look into a Mondial Cabriolet, comparable purchase price to a 400, built by the factory as a soft top, cheaper to maintain (just buy the best one you can find).

Regards,

Art S.

PS. I think there is at least one 400 conversion on ebay now.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I have heard different stories about the 400 series maintenance costs. Some people seem to have very good cars that only require routine preventive maintenance and others have said that their costs were high. I am willing to pay for an awesome car up front so that I hopefully won't have to put mega bucks into it to make it right. I am very interested in the convertible 400/412 because the Mondial is not my favorite. I also really like the V-12!! I just don't know much about the conversion and I really like the look of the convertible better than the coupe. Was the conversion part of a kit that you could buy or did someone just wake up one day and cut the top off their car and say that looks cool and then started showing people how its done? The pictures that I have seen of the convertibles look very good!

 

As stated several different companies did these conversions. Some better than others. The name I recall (but I don't know if this is good or bad or how good their work was) is Straman. They cut the tops off ALL kinds of cars over the years...YMMV!

 

The Rod Stewart car was claimed to have been done by Straman, who I think was regarded as the good conversion shop. I had an opportunity to have a close look at that car a while back and was unimpressed, I don't recall specifics but remember thinking it a bit of a hack job. Fine for sunny day touring perhaps but it didn't seem that it would be weathertight.

 

Where did you see it? It should have been #45769, a 5 speed, which was seen in 2005 for sale in Florida.

 

I have a Straman cut car. The job overall is very good for what it is. The top latches are always a problem and I have reworked them several times. The typical slow power windows are more noticeable as I am using the rears more then you would in a hardtop. The top stores nicely under the leather soft boot and you do not lose too much trunk space. I do notice the fuel lines running through the trunk behing the rear seats. I don't know ifthis is due to the conversion, but there is always a faint fuel smell in there. I put a nice Steebro exhaust and you can really enjoy that V12 song with the top down. feel free to PM me any specific questions.

 

The top does fit pretty well and is fine in the rain. You do get some wind noise around the windows at speed but overall the top fit is fine for everyday use.