insulted by a kit car

That car is wicked. A Ferrari put to racing spec almost goes in hand with the sprit of the company.

 

Ok good; I agree. So the issue has a grey area. Clearly the original 308 is gone. But in its place has risen, in my opinion, an evolution.

 

If you can afford a replica you can afford a Ferrari.


Financial discipline enabled me to buy my first Ferrari. Forget banks.
If one can make $500 a month payments you can save $500 a month. In 4 years you can pay cash for a 308.
Unless one has unusual extenuating reasons (such as medical, or many kids) I dont see why anyone in a first world country with even a half way decent income cant afford a Ferrari.

 

Not really gone, it has just evolved into something it's owner wanted. It is and will always will be a 308. That company could have built a car from scratch building something that looked like a Ferrari but wasn't. Instead they chose to start with a real 308 and have built a Ferrari 308 rally car.

 

I think a significant aspect of replicas/clones that has been overlooked in this discussion is that there are people on this earth who enjoy creating something … sometimes they are artists, sometimes engineers, sometimes tinkerers.

For us it's not always about owning a specific thing … it's about the process of designing and building something new, learning new skills and saying "i built that"

Fiero based clones may be the most simple expression of this. The final product is often not particularly beautiful and often limited by funds … but in doing the work, the creator learned a skill or more about a particular trade. In my mind, that is admirable and can lead to an interesting discussion when the focus is on the path (how) rather than the result (what).

By comparison, look at the hobby of building lotus-7 like replicas. I built one … ground-up. I am a better welder, a better engineer, a better problem solver as a result. I chose to power it with a Yamaha R1 motorcycle engine … forsaking a reverse gear for a 14,000 rpm redline and paddle shifters. I also was able to experience the bureaucratic grief associated with a self built vehicle (much more complex when you do not have an MSO from a kit car company).

If you want to see a good example of a positive discussion about clones, please visit the following site … (Other Site URL deleted)

For reference, I can afford a Ferrari … but would have to sell the XKE and 911 to afford one that would accommodate my 6'-5" tall body.

I came here to learn more about the technical aspects of the ownership experience … and the technical forums have been wonderful in that respect. This discussion is, quite frankly, unfortunate.

 

Life is all about choices. It can be done. I commend the enthusiast that attains their dream by great sacrifice. It is sort of a lifestyle where the car is such a focus that the owner will do without other things just to support his ownership of the car. I have seen it on a few occasions with Ferrari owners. Racers seem to be the craziest group that will do almost anything to keep racing, it's like a drug.

 

Is that is always true?

Good points. I mostly agree. But what if the would-be buyer doesn't want a 308? Some Ferrari fans like other models. Why must a shoestring Ferrari buyer only be allowed to buy a 308? What if they want a replica of an F430?

 

If they want a real F430, maybe wait until the prices come down and save money in the meantime. To want a replica of an F430 is to take the fake, easy way out and what is the real point. If one says they cannot afford a Ferrari and never will, they have already defeated themselves, and there is that saying, where there's a will there's a way. If it's their will not to own a Ferrari, well that's their choice.

 

Ok very well

 

Who cares what other owners do to their own cars. Why would anybody be insulted by another person's property. Simple as that.

 

I completely agree and own a 1971 Alfa and whether I ever own a a Ferrari does not worry me at all.
Pete

 

Because many feel it harms a brand they have great respect for. I personally find it sad when people feel the need to do this.
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The above Fiero kit cars are really, really funny....

However, not all Fiero kit cars are created equal:


21 page build thread here: The Miura project begins - Pennock's Fiero Forum
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I find it sad as well, but how does it affect us at all. I am not insulted by someone who has fake stuff

 

Well I own 3 ferraris. And here's my DD. NO BADGES don't need no stinkin badges.

 

Pss I'm not counting that car as a Ferrari...

 

People do weird stuff sometimes

 

Man that yellow "Enzo" is painful to look at. I hate to be picky, but they really need to bump up the font size a couple of notches on the Ferrari script to fully complete the illusion.

 

Artists, engineers and tinkerers should be talented enough to actually create something. Ripping off someone else's work is theft, regardless of the skill or enjoyment involved.

No one at Mercedes cares that you're building cars in your garage on the weekend, with your son and golden retriever. Build a copy of their 300 SL -- even a toy car -- and Mercedes will care, because Mercedes owns the rights to license that design/shape.

You could always tell the judge that you were having fun, I suppose.

It affects Ferrari. They spend a lot of money designing cars and building their brand.

It doesn't matter whether you're insulted that someone's ripping off their trademark, logo, car designs or other intellectual property. You (and I) don't own it.

 

If Mercedes is so upset about the use of a shape then why don't they go after the current competing car companies that ARE INFRINGING on their designs. Many, many cars are very difficult to identify at even a short distance because they all resemble each other in actual shape of the body. That being said NOBODY can patent a shape if it has a utilitarian design. The Gullwing is by Mercedes own admission a utilitarian design that was created to lower the weight and co-efficiency of drag. Trade marks are another thing however.

 

Who made you the town constable. Dont woryy about others start driving fr Chrisake.

 

I believe that the there is a significant legal distinction between creating something similar (acceptable) and falsely labeling an object as something that it is not (not acceptable).

If the former were not allowed ... the following would not exist: trends, style, fashion, etc. as all rely on common concepts and visual similarities.

If you cannot equally defend your thoughts when applied to Kia Soul or a Dyson Vacuum ... then your argument is probably one of passion rather than reason.

 

There are trademark rights that apply to names, word marks and designs.

I doubt a replica Dyson vacuum would go over well with Dyson, or that a replica iPhone would be tolerated by Apple. Or your own "Eames" chair. If you feel your "fashion" argument would hold up, then go for it.

 

When the manufacturers see a poorly done replica with original car badging, they must feel like Enrico Palazzo at 0:58 of this clip:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ZsDdK0sTI]The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (10/10) Movie CLIP - National Anthem (1988) HD - YouTube[/ame]