Hardtop Possibly for 250GT SWB California Spyder | Page 4 | FerrariChat

Hardtop Possibly for 250GT SWB California Spyder

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Qship, Feb 2, 2014.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 4 of 5
  1. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
    10,038
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #76 miurasv, Feb 8, 2014
    Thank you, Vincent. Unfortunately, I have learned that many of the facts stated in these books are incorrect, even though they are on the whole highly informative and regarded as being the definitive book on their subject. Many of them were written long ago, before the internet when information was so much harder to acquire, and the facts need re-researching.
     
  2. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

    Dec 11, 2006
    12,536
    Left Coast
    #77 velocetwo, Feb 9, 2014
    Lancia B24?
     
  3. mechaniker

    mechaniker Formula Junior
    Owner

    May 30, 2004
    568
    Germany
    #78 mechaniker, Feb 9, 2014
    Original SWB Hardtop is STEEL!!!!!!!!! And looks exactly like the one "Qship" posted! Some have differences, but generally they look like the one on the Kalikow California!
     
  4. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #79 Qship, Feb 9, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    We removed the gasket that seals the top to the body of the car to show the actual top contour. Also are pictures of the latch mechanisms and rear attachment points.
    We also determined that this is the original headliner, of which you will see the material pattern in one picture and a sneak peak behind the headliner showing one of the ribs in another. Under the headliner appears to be fiberglass insulation.

    While the headliner is original to the car, the inside liner near the side latches and below the rear window appear to be replacement material.

    I would be great to hear from anyone who has restored a top to find out if chassis numbers were marked on the inside of the sheet metal. While I know most Ferraris have component parts stamped, I am not sure if an optional hardtop would have these identifying numbers as I would expect the factory to make a production run of maybe 5 or 10 tops, which would be matched to the car once the buyer selects the option.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #80 Qship, Feb 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    Nov 5, 2003
    11,560
    san diego/charlotte
    #81 ferraripete, Feb 10, 2014
    I think you may have something very special there!!!
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,218
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #82 BigTex, Feb 10, 2014
    Probably not marked with the actual VIN but maybe the Factory Job number, normally three digits, on our '70s cars.
     
  8. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #83 Qship, Feb 10, 2014
    Ok, Yet no stamping marks appear on the two trim pieces that we removed so far and we are reluctant to remove the headliner at this point. With only eight hardtop options sold between 1960 (1705GT) and 1965 (4095GT), it would almost seem unnecessary to identify them.

    This also depends on if they were made in house, or out sourced. It would be great if a factory technician of the time would be around to share this information. I have worked in manufacturing and sometimes you tell everyone things are organized, but they aren't. Meanwhile the job always got done.
     
  9. Ed Niles

    Ed Niles Formula 3
    Honorary

    Sep 7, 2004
    2,493
    West Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Edwin K. Niles
    #84 Ed Niles, Feb 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    Nov 5, 2003
    11,560
    san diego/charlotte
    #85 ferraripete, Feb 10, 2014
    ed, what is your opinion of what the op has bought at the yard sale? is it a 250 California top or other?
     
  11. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
    10,038
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #86 miurasv, Feb 10, 2014
    Wasn't that a modified BMW 507 hardtop on 1307GT, Ed?
     
  12. Ed Niles

    Ed Niles Formula 3
    Honorary

    Sep 7, 2004
    2,493
    West Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Edwin K. Niles
    #87 Ed Niles, Feb 10, 2014
    To the last two posters: I dunno, and so I've been told by others.
     
  13. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
    Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 1, 2002
    18,043
    San Marino, CA
    Full Name:
    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    #88 El Wayne, Feb 10, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  14. Terra

    Terra F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 16, 2004
    3,690
    #89 Terra, Feb 10, 2014
    Think you meant 1795GT.
     
  15. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
    Tauranga, NZ
    Full Name:
    Pete
    #90 PSk, Feb 11, 2014
    What is the white car?, the lines do not look right for some reason. The rear guard seems to taper too quickly, like a 250GT SWB with the roof cut off not a California ??
    Pete
     
  16. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #91 Qship, Feb 11, 2014
    The white car according to the website is a 1963 Ferrari GTE.
     
  17. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

    Nov 19, 2008
    10,038
    Cardiff, UK
    Full Name:
    Steven Robertson
    #92 miurasv, Feb 11, 2014
    It's a replica.
     
  18. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #93 Qship, Feb 11, 2014
    It actually did look like a replica to me. The wheelbase was to short, wheels smaller, and the "A" pillar looked wrong. But other than that it looked fine. :)
     
  19. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
    Tauranga, NZ
    Full Name:
    Pete
    #94 PSk, Feb 11, 2014
    I'm glad that we have this confirmed as the rear guard line is all wrong and I was concerned that maybe California's all looked this bad from that angle ... phew.
    Pete
     
  20. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
    Consultant

    Nov 11, 2003
    3,634
    #95 kare, Feb 12, 2014
    Where do they say so?

    I would not be surpriced if this fake did not have a single piece manufactured in Italy.
     
  21. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
    Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 1, 2002
    18,043
    San Marino, CA
    Full Name:
    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    #96 El Wayne, Feb 12, 2014
  22. peterp

    peterp F1 Veteran

    Aug 31, 2002
    6,519
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Peter
    #97 peterp, Feb 12, 2014
    It looks like the hardtop of the white fake is missing the glass in the back window.
     
  23. Qship

    Qship Rookie

    Apr 16, 2011
    19
    #98 Qship, Feb 12, 2014
  24. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

    Dec 11, 2006
    12,536
    Left Coast
    #99 velocetwo, Feb 12, 2014
    Why would anyone want to put a top on the beautiful cars?
     
  25. velocetwo

    velocetwo F1 World Champ

    Dec 11, 2006
    12,536
    Left Coast
    #100 velocetwo, Feb 12, 2014
    interesting that someone who makes a fake would take the time to put a removable top on it?
     
Page 4 of 5

Share This Page