Is this truly an original factory 412 Cabriolet?

I've never heard of the story of official 412 cabriolets before. Looks like a nice job, though.

Aidan

 

that ad is bogus. Coupes only.

 

Trust us, no such thing as a factory cabrio

 

What about this?

http://www.weddingsitaly.com/car-rental-italy/ferrari-412/img/certificate1.jpg

 

Probably not factory, who knows for sure, but a nice job on this one. There are a few of these around, one I've seen actually has a removeable custom hardtop.

 

There have been spiders made out of various Ferraris over time, like these two:
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That 456 looks pretty sweet! WOW! I would NOT mind having that car!

James
Austin, TX

 

I think the red one is the one that was for sale at Barrett Jackson a year or two back. Sweet car...

 

That cabrio version is way better than the other ones I've seen...

 

said to have started its life as Predotype Kevelar ZFFYX31X0H0073011 and then received a Cabriolet Conversion by Scaglietti. Although it stays pretty unclear, when the Conversion did take place. Some sources say it's a "Factory Cabriolet" and are referring to the VIN, but this only says Predotype (the "X", that follows "31") and 412 Kevelar (the "31" digits in the VIN).

Matthias
www.vinbook.com

 

I've seen the cabrio at a reputable dealership in Italy which is very close to the factory and I was told that it was indeed done by the factory/Scaglietti. I think they used it for test purposes but don't know exactly what kind of tests.

In the eighties there were several cabrio conversions of Ferrari types (BB, 308, Testarossa). Some official, most by others. I've read reports that Pininfarina wasn't pleased about the 308 cabrio conversions by Lorenz & Rankl and didn't approve.

 

There was an article in Prancing Horse #96 by K.G. Bluemel (page 47) on both #73011 (a 412) and #49543 (a 328). #73011 was "build as an experimental study by the Ferrari factory in open form, not developed by cutting the roof of a coupe". When the factory was done with the study, the car was sent by the factory to Motor Service SRL who transformed it from an incomplete project car into a finished car.

So, in answer to the OP's question, yes it is a factory original Cabriolet, but it may not be factory original finish-out.

 

no, definitely a 328, even one may be confused with the early Serial Number, that's absolutely more in the 308-range. Model-digit within the VIN is "29", means 328 Cabriolet. Don't know why the consigned a seperate individual Model-digit and building one car only. Looks like there have been intended to be more or a serial production, but maybe they saw a conflict to the existing full Cabriolet "Mondial".
Such happened to digit "03", the 308 Millechiodi, "30", Testarossa Pininfarina Spider Speciale, "31", 412 Predotipo Kevelar, and even less cars produced on digit "18", Testarossa Spider (sharing the digit with 308 Cabriolet), production = zero.

 

The article in PH#96 mentions that #49543 "...would indicate that this particular chasis dates back to 1985, and as this is in the 308 series production run, appears to be a more recent development from an early 328 prototype." When it said "more recent", recognize that PH#96 was published in 1990. The factory gave Motor Service SRL the 328 with the condition that "...that it did not become public knowledge until the 328 production run had ceased. This as we know happened in late 1989...", so it was recent news when PH#96 was published in 1990.

 

Nice... any more pics of that red one?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

Here it is, not a great picture. I believe that FCA sells back issues of Prancing Horse. If so, you would enjoy PH#96 with the original article.
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