Replica Ferrari Testarossa Spider

You know how I feel about a replica Ferrari. If you don't, here's a brief summary: I love them! Shocking, isn't it? But here's the thing. We live in an era of endless duplication. All new cars look the same. And so a replica of a rare, expensive and fussy old Italian car is actually great idea.

Now, some Testarossa replicas are horrible, like the inane front-engine Corvette ones. This is NOT one of those.

I actually think this is one of the best Testarossa replicas I've ever seen, and definitely the best spider replica. The body is high-quality and the details and overall proportions are excellent. I love the deep-set wheels, which give a nice dose of attitude.

The seller says it's based on a 1986 Fiero. But while some Fiero replicas still have the lackluster Fiero engines in back, this one has a 3.8-liter V8 from a Buick Grand National that pumps out 250 horsepower!

The seller says this car was loved greatly but it doesn't get driven enough. They also say it has high-compression forged pistons, an Alpine audio system and the "stunning, eye-popping, head turning looks of a real Testarossa".

You can say that again. The bidders seem to agree, driving it past $9k at the time of this writing.

Honestly, if I had a big garage and extra time on weekends I would snap one up and drive it proudly. The big engine, beautiful body and rare topless version make this one of the finest replicas I've ever seen.

Hey, when Tarantino starts mining the 80s for material and a character pulls up in one of these (not a real one, mind you), don't say I didn't tell you.

Available here on ebay.

The Case For Replicas: 1987 Fiero-Ferrari

Replicas are the Rodney Dangerfield of the auto world: they don't get any respect. But I like them. In fact, I think in some cases they make more sense than owning the original.

Take Ferrari replicas. Real Ferraris are expensive to start with. Then there's the cost of parts, repairs, worrying about getting a scratch in it, heck, even an oil change on some models requires the engine to come out of the bay! It's not for the faint of heart, or wallet.

However, a replica gives you that classic Pininfarina styling without all the headaches of the real thing. The best Ferrari replicas were either the Corvette-based McBurnie Daytona or the Pontiac Fiero-based 308/328. This is a Fiero-based 328. Pontiac actually liked the idea of a replica so much they allowed dealers to sell a 308 body as an option called the Mera. This was quickly shutdown after threats of lawsuits, but it got enough gears turning for people to be interested.

The Mera was based on the 308. I've never seen a 328 replica, although it could be easily done since the basic body is the same as the 308. It looks pretty good, especially with the post-'86 lights.

The seller confirms this is indeed based on a Fiero. Unfortunately, it will not have Ferrari-like performance, as it's a 4-cylinder version, a shame since the 6-cylinders are readily available. They also say it has an auto transmission. On the upside, they list the mileage as 69k and say the seats are leather.

This is a mostly show-and-no-go car, but the details and spirit are in the right place.  I would remove the Corvette side mirrors and rear spoiler and then just have a good laugh driving around. Also, if I were a b-movie director I'd totally want one of my characters to drive one and not worry if they crash it in a chase.

Available here on craigslist for $9,999.

Project 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spyder

We're at the point where project cars from the 80s are starting to crop up in the market, although they are still few and far between. Most cars from that era are either ready to be junked or in collector condition. It's rare to find something in between, and even more rare to find a Ferrari in that status, but this Testarossa is precisely that.

The Testarossa really needs no introduction. It was the company's flagship during its production from 1984-1991, and it arguably saved and revitalized the brand, providing much needed competition against the Lamborghini Countach, along with a heavy dose of flash and glamour. The flat 12-cylinder engine was exciting, smooth, quick and great sounding. The styling was iconic and still fascinates today.

Most Testarossas on the market are either super-low mileage showroom cream puffs or accident losses. There's really no in between, as Ferrari owners, typically wealthy folk, notoriously never drive their cars, either out of lack of time or fear of damaging something.

So it's really peculiar to find one floating in purgatory, "80%" finished as the seller says and waiting for the next owner to complete it. There is no backstory on how it got this way, but the seller says the roof was cropped and the chassis was reinforced to make up for the loss of structural integrity. They are careful to note it is apparently NOT one of the better known Straman conversions but a homemade job. It doesn't look bad.

Fortunately, the original engine was totally rebuilt, with a new clutch, brake booster and master cylinder.

Cosmetically, the paint is stripped down but looks to have originally been red. The side intake strakes have also been removed, along with the front grille and lights. There are no photos of the rear. The seller also says the interior is included but needs to be redone as well.

This is a pretty unique opportunity to finish the project in your exact tastes. Personally, I would paint it black, do a black interior, black soft top, delete the U.S-spec side markers by filling and sanding, keep the original rare single lug wheels and maybe even keep the side strakes out for a clean look.

This project won't make sense unless you're talented and patient enough to do it. Hiring someone else to finish it takes the soul and accomplishment out of the equation and will be extremely expensive.

Available here for $28k which includes the seller's email and phone number.

Imitation Is Flattery: Ferrari 512BB Replica

Quick! Do you want drive something flashy without having to fork over the dough normally associated with doing so? Answer: a replica Ferrari.

These cars are looked down upon by 99% of automotive enthusiasts out there. I could care less. I love replicas! When I was younger I used to build LEGOs all the time. On a couple occasions I made a few model cars. Building a LEGO car is like building a replica car: it ain't gonna come out exact, but the harder you try the closer you get, until you realize the effort was the fun part, and the end result is something greater than the actual thing because it's unique and your experience was involved in it.

We've all heard of the Ferrari Daytona replicas and then of course there was the Pontiac Mera, which imitated the Ferrari 308. But you don't see Ferrari 512BB replicas often. Part of it is personal preference. A replica 512BB sure as hell doesn't have a 12-cylinder engine in the back the way the actual car did. So the body styling must have appealed to somebody along the way enough to make a replica.

This one is okay looking. There are for worse replicas. The seller doesn't specify what the mechanical underpinnings are, but it looks to be a Pontiac Fiero, based on the proportions and interior. The seller does say it was built by Corson in Phoenix in 1989. A little internet sleuthing revealed there was indeed such a company, the cars were in fact based on a Fiero chassis and some apparently had V8 engines. Impresssive. I also found this neat vintage ad:

Unfortunately seller doesn't specify what engine is in this example, so it's anybody's guess - four, six or eight cylinders. They do however say it's not bad on gas, so it probably isn't an eight cylinder.

Mechanically the say it has only 45k miles, a warranty on the engine, and updated a/c. Cosmetically it looks pretty flawless, but you want to check the (presumably) fiberglass body for cracks or accident repair.

If you don't live near a bunch of car snobs, this is a fun ride that provides all the classic style of European cars without the headaches and expenses. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Available here on craigslist for $10,000.

Outrun This: 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Spyder

What's cooler than a Testarossa? A Testarossa convertible of course!

There was only one official spyder designed and created by the factory. It was painted silver and delivered to the president of Fiat in August, 1986.

Testarossa convertibles started appearing in pop culture, too, with a red one being the default ride in Sega's arcade classic Outrun and a black one for a Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial.

Then, in September of 1987, Road & Track featured a cover story about special ordered custom conversions done by Richard Straman in California.

This is one such Straman convertible.

Straman's genius lay in the art of subtraction. He took away the entire roof and rear pillars and expertly cut around the cabin so that the canvas roof, when folded, tucked neatly behind the headrests. The result is extremely successful and emphasizes everything that is great about the Testarossa's original design, making the car seem even lower and wider than it already looked.

Mechanically, it is no different than the factory hardtop, with a smooth, naturally aspirated 4.9-liter flat 12-cylinder engine putting out 380 horsepower to the rear wheels and capable of launching the car from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

The Testarossa was a comeback car for Ferrari when it debuted at the Paris Auto Show in 1984 and was their flagship until 1991 when it was updated with the 512 TR. Although Ferrari has really never mass produced any car, they managed to build 7,177 of the Testarossa, a surprisingly large volume for a small exotic company, and enough so that the car could be deemed a success. Publicity-wise, it was beyond success, it's an icon of the era and continues to fascinate auto lovers to this day (yours truly included).

Testarossa values have come down and are starting to tick up, but they can still be had for around $60k for decent examples. Fortunately, the vast majority have barely been driven and remain with low miles and in near mint condition. This one is no exception, with the seller stating it has accumulated just 9,383 miles. In addition, they state it's just one of Straman's 12 conversions.

Buying a Testarossa is one thing (if you have the cash), but maintainence is entirely different, as you must seek a specialist for services and trouble shooting should the need arise (and it will, if it's used often or improperly). Ownership, however, complete with looking into the garage and seeing it, must be something else, which I can't quite comprehend.

Available here on ebay in Burbank, California with bidding already up to $58k.

1983 Ferrari 400i 5-Speed

For a while, these were among the least expensive used Ferrari for sale. They are often found in average shape with little to no maintenance history. They are front-engine and frequently have automatic transmissions, lessening their value in the eyes of exotic sports car collectors. Lately, I think that is starting to change. Not many were built, even fewer made it here thanks to the grey market, and the stark and angular shape is starting to grow on Pininfarina aficionados and general enthusiasts alike.

COTC likes these. They are really off-putting at first, especially the squinty turn indicators and weirdly tapered nose. You get the feeling Ferrari was intentionally trying to make it ugly because they knew it would not be perceived in the same way as their rear-engine sports cars. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and once one becomes comfortable with the concept of a more "everday" Ferrari, the styling of the 400 is quite striking and makes startlingly brilliant sense. In some ways, it allowed Pininfarina to breath new design language into Ferrari, even though the themes were mostly never repeated again. And the fact is, the proportions are handsome, the greenhouse large and inviting, the stance appropriate for a two-door coupe with rear seats.

This particular example is being offered up by the owner who says the the vehicle has been in California all its life, has no rust and has been given a quality repaint. Mechanically, they list a ton of expensive work done and say it has a large history file and the vehicle now runs and drives "perfectly".Legally, the say it has a California title and is now in New York.

These were never officially sold in the U.S., and while a couple examples are usually always on the market, very few have the infinitely more desirable manual transmission.

Available here on ebay in Rochester, New York with bidding at $15k, reserve not met, and a Buy-It-Now of $30k.

Bottom Of The Curve: 10k-mile 1984 Ferrari 400i Automatic

The Ferrari 400 series was never officially offered in the United States.

For a while, these were among the least expensive used Ferrari for sale. They are often found in average shape with little to no maintenance history. They are front-engine and frequently have automatic transmissions, lessening their value in the eyes of exotic sports car collectors.

Lately, I think that is starting to change. Not many were built, even fewer made it here thanks to the grey market, and the stark and angular shape is starting to grow on Pininfarina aficionados and general enthusiasts alike. Not to mention that eccentric French electronic music duo Daft Punk drove one across the desert in their movie.

I like these. They are really off-putting at first, especially the squinty turn indicators and weirdly tapered nose. You get the feeling Ferrari was intentionally trying to make it ugly because they knew it would not be perceived in the same way as their rear-engine sports cars. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and once one becomes comfortable with the concept of a more "everday" Ferrari, the styling of the 400 is quite striking and makes startlingly brilliant sense. In some ways, it allowed Pininfarina to breath new design language into Ferrari, even though the themes were mostly never repeated again. And the fact is, the proportions are handsome, the greenhouse large and inviting, the stance appropriate for a two-door coupe with rear seats.

This is an '84 400i, so it has some improvements over the 1976-1979 400, most notably Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, as well as some minor interior and exterior changes.

It looks great in black over black, although I would delete the red pinstripe if it does not damage the paint.

The seller is scant on details, but mentions the car seems to have never been in an accident and has only 10,800 miles on the clock. The unusually clean and orderly V12 engine compartment is convincing, however, and the interior looks just as good.

They say the engine starts, runs well and shifts smoothly.

If this is what it's being advertised as, it could be a decent snatch for a car whose value and at least appreciation will most likely climb in the coming years.

Find it here on ebay in Jupiter, Florida for a buy it now of $20,000 and the make an offer option. Hemmings CPI Value Guide estimates a 1984 400i in fair condition to be valued at $10,925, good condition at $17,625 and excellent condition at $29,250.

It's Not What It Looks Like: 1988 Pontiac Mera

This it not a real Ferrari. It is also not a kit car.

So, what is it then, you ask?

The Mera was created by Corporate Concepts by adding a Ferrari 308-inspired body on top of the Pontiac Fiero chassis, mid-engine and interior. It was sold through Pontiac dealerships and was offered as a new car, so it not technically an aftermarket body kit. To my amazement, it's considered a unique vehicle.

Ferrari body kits for Fiero cars are a dime a dozen. Most are pretty awful looking, but they were very popular in the 1980s, probably in part thanks to the use of several fake Ferrari cars on Miami Vice. Once the public learned that such a thing even existed, it dawned on them they could have one too. Exotic looks for a fraction of the price!

Fortunately, the Mera does look good, at least about as good as a 308 body can look on the Fiero. The nose is a little long, but the overall shape is surprisingly accurate. There are also some clever changes too, like the grooved air intakes on the hood hiding the pop-up headlights and the reverse lights moved to around the license plates to accommodate the Fiero setup.

Unfortunately, since the car straddled such ill-defined legal parameters, it met its fate in the courtroom when Ferrari sued to stop production. Actually, I guess that's quite an honor of sorts, knowing that you caught the attention of Ferrari and were forced to stop making your car.

The seller says the injunction resulted in only about 247 being made and only 80 left. They say this is all-original with only 49k miles, power windows, sunroof and new clutch.

When Tarantino finally gets around to paying homage to exploitation films of the '80s, some character has to drive a Pontiac Mera. Not a real Ferrari. A Pontiac Mera.

Find it here on craigslist in (appropriately) Miami, Florida for $12,000. How do you put a price on imitation?

Club Racer: 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4 Custom Outlaw

This rare Ferrari 308 GT4 has been made even more unique with an appealing custom widebody kit, 16" HRE wheels and Recaro seats.

The 308 GT4 was the first production Ferrari to feature a mid-mounted 8-cylinder engine, setting the template for many future models from the company. Production lasted from 1973 to 1980, resulting in a scarce 2,826 vehicles made. It was also the first Ferrari not to be styled by famed design house Pininfarina. Body work was instead penned by Bertone. All subsequent Ferrari designs would return to Pininfarina.

Not that there's anything wrong with the GT4. In fact, it fits right in with the Ferrari line and had I not discovered otherwise, would have just assumed it a Pininfarina body. The shape is pretty cool, the front end just like every other '70s supercar wedge, hidden headlights, slim black mandated bumper jutting out, very Lotus Esprit-esque. It widens to a boxy rear with trademark Ferarri round taillights housed in a rectangle. The most striking aspect is the rear air intake cut on the c-pillar that mimics the quarter window angle. The seller states the vehicle was widened by 6" in the rear. For a custom body, it looks terrific, right down to the lower triangular air intakes seen on later factory Ferrari cars. Coupled with the deep set chrome star wheels, it gives the car new aggressive stance for the 21st century.

Mechanically, the seller says the vehicle retains its Ferrari engine but the size has been increased to 3.3-litres and electronic ignition was added. They say it was rebuilt in 1999 and only has 3,500 miles on it.

The seller mentions some flaws as being the speedometer not working, a/c compressor removed, power windows are slow, and the paint shows some age. None of those are likely major problems.

On the upside, they say it's currently running and comes with a current registration and clear title.

Find it here on craigslist in Westminster, California for $19,500.

The Ultimate Sleeper: 1989 Lancia Thema 8.32

This car is in Canada but it is so cool I can't resist posting. It was one of the fastest four-door sedans in the world.

The Lancia Thema was a relatively mild-mannered front-wheel drive sedan produced from 1984 to 1994 and was based on the Type Four Platform shared with the Saab 9000 and Alfa Romeo 164.

Then, in 1986 Lancia debuted the 8.32, which stood for an 8 cylinder engine with 32-valves from a 2927 cc Quad 4 Cam Ferrari V8. It produced 212 horsepower and rocketed the car from 0-60 in around 7 seconds.

The engine was mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

With a body wrapped in Giugiaro's typically boxy and conservative styling and a Ferrari engine underneath the hood, this thing was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I can't really imagine what this is like to drive. With power being directed to the front wheels, it must give the phrase 'torque steer' a new meaning. But, it's probably a hoot on the freeway.

Styling touches included special wheels and a retractable rear spoiler, among other details.

Inside, occupants were treated to a hand-made wood and leather interior. This one has Alacantra seats. Note the array of nifty round gauges in the instrument cluster.

The seller is clearly a fanatic and seems to know what they are talking about. They imply they are the second owner, the first being the original Italian owner, then the car was brought over to Canada where it resides now. They say the odometer is in kilometers but converts to around 73k original miles, and that the car has no rust, wears its original paint and was never smoked in. They say they have full service history from a garage in Ontario.

Only 3,971 Thema 8.32 cars were ever made, and the seller estimates this is one of possibly just two in North America.

Unfortunately, I don't see how anyone in the U.S. could enjoy this example, as the vehicle won't be be legal for importation until 2014 - unless the ban on importing vehicles 25 years old and newer is lifted. Make friends with a customs agent? Just let them test drive it?

Find it here on ebay in Toronto, Canada with a buy it now price of $22,900.

Early Example: 1982 Ferrari Mondial 8 Coupe

The Ferrari Mondial was ranked as one of the 50 worst cars of all time by TIME magazine a couple of years ago. If you know TIME at all, you know they love to draw readers with bold claims and outlandish headlines. A Ferrari? One of the worst cars? Sure, they aren't practical, but that doesn't make them bad. Now, maybe the Mondial wasn't the "best" Ferrari, but any mid-engine V8 car is going to be a better car than your standard vehicle. I mean c'mon.

The Mondial was produced from 1980-1993 for a total production of only 6,884 units. The seller claims this 1982 model was one of only 703. Regardless, there were clearly not many made of any year. The "entry-level" Mondial replaced the Dino 208/308 GT4, itself a departure for the brand with a mid-mounted V8 engine. The Mondial was essentially the same thing, only wrapped in Pininfarina styling.

I like the early Mondial cars. I used to dislike the excessive black plastic, including the strips lining the c-pillar band around the front that makes it look like a raccoon, but it all has charm now. A 1986 update completely freshened the car for people that didn't like this early look.

This is a rare Coupe version. The convertible wasn't added until 1983. Most Mondial cars in America were the convertible, so it's nice to see a coupe.

Inside, we have an instrument cluster literally housed in a rectangular box, a minimalist dashboard, and a classic Ferrari chrome ball shifter. This one also has a beautiful red leather interior which contrasts well with the silver exterior. I love red leather, nobody does it anymore.

The seller is typically scant on details like most craigslist ads but mentions this car has only 39k miles, is all-original (except for obvious later wheels taken from a 348) and they have maintenance records, books and tools. That's good to hear.

I would check for rust, verify the number of previous owners and pore through the records. A 30-year old 8-cylinder engine made in Italy is going to have to been taken well care of to make this car worthwhile. Fortunately, early Mondial 8 cars are supposedly a relatively tame and simple affair, with only 214 horsepower (still a healthy dose) and an engine that does not need to be removed from the subframe for major services to be performed (wait...some cars actually needed their engines removed to work on? Yikes). So, electrical gremlins aside, ownership shouldn't be a nightmare or outrageously expensive.

Find it here on craigslist in Hawthorne, California for $21,500. Hemmings values a 1982 Mondial Coupe in fair condition at $7,500, good condition $12,125, and excellent condition at $20,125, so this car is priced at the high end.

Lost Prancing Horse: 1979 Ferrari 400 GTA

Some of the most common presumptions about an old Ferrari is either that it's worth a lot of money or someday it's going to be worth a lot of money. Both presumptions are hard at work in this ad. Both presumptions are not always true.

At least not with the Ferrari 400.

For a Ferrari to be worth a lot of money, theory says it has to have no rear seats, be mid-engine and have 12-cylinders. I guess 1 out of 3 ain't bad. The 400 had seating for four, a front-engine, and, yes mercifully, a 12-cylinder engine.

The 400 series was produced from 1976-1989, and featured Ferrari's first automatic transmission, a General Motors Turbo-Hydramatic THM400. It was mated to a 4.8-litre V12 producing about 340 horsepower. Reported 0-60 mph times were around 7.1 seconds.

No version of the 400 was ever officially imported to the U.S., an odd mistake given the automatic transmission, U.S. emissions compliance and upper-crust pedigree perfect for the dawn of the '80s.

That makes this car a rare grey market import.

This is a first-run series 400 car, of which 502 were made from '76-'79.

 

The pointy body was crafted by none other than famed design house Pininfarina, for whom Ferrari was their #1 client. This early '79 example has black plastic bumper moldings which were later body colored, as well as a painted-black rear taillight region, which I'm not sure was factory but looks passable. It is all typical of the era, and I imagine was horribly dated feeling by the mid-'90s, when smooth bodies and subtle curves were in and hard angles out. But it has since grown into a semi-classic of minimalist oddball expressionism. The squinty, sour-eyed front turn indicators and hidden headlamps take a lot of getting used to and they still occasionally annoy me, but I like them. After years of having the Ferrari Testarossa cheese-grater side air intakes burned into my mind, the flat, unassuming planes of the 400 are a refreshing relief and brilliant direction for the brand. This isn't the Ferrari you'd have on a poster in your room, but that's exactly why I like it.

So ground-breaking was the 400 that it might have had something to do with the very similar-looking 1980 Pinin Concept, which was the first and so far only four-door concept Ferrari has ever entertained the notion of. It's half way to Aston Martin Lagonda territory, but it looks good overall and would have fit alongside the 400 very well.

The seller states this 400 was from a private collection and is in great shape without any major flaws in the body and glass. They say it runs and drives and shifts smoothly. However, they say the a/c is not blowing cold and may need a new compressor. Low-mileage Ferraris are the norm, so the 46,578 on the clock is not at all unusual. Wealthy owners held on to them carefully with the hopes that they'll appreciate in value, along with the usual fair-weather-weekend-only usage.

So what's the price of this admission into the hyper-exclusive V12 Ferrari club? The seller here wants $25,900 but is open to best offers. Hemmings values a 1979 400 GTA in fair condition at $9,875, good condition at $15,950 and excellent condition at $26,475. That would place this at the upper end of value and is by no means a bargain, especially given the rumored cost of maintenance, if it's even used. That said, the 400 cars have got to be the least expensive purchase-price V12 Ferrari ever available when adjusted for inflation.

Find it here on ebay in Johnston, Rhode Island.