Classic with modern running gear ?

[phib]

I have been toying with this concept for a number of years.

I have always loved the db4 or 250 gt (2+2) and should have bought one whilst I had the chance however bought other ferraris etc

So now I'm in a position where I might be able to put a 250 body on something like a 412 or 456 chassis.

I know this may be sacrilidge to some but love the classics but also love reliability of modernish cars.

Does anyone know of anyone has done this before ?

Phib

Ps I am now putting on my flameproof coat as I prepare to be burned at the stake !! Ha ha

[BobTurner]

Am sure there were some pictures floating around a few years ago of a 250 something with 575 running gear - think it was in the US. Perhaps more interesting would be "doing a Singer" on a 308.

But if you already have the parts...

It's not like 400 series running gear hasn't already found its way into replicas of stuff from the 50s.

Huge bills and hero status await, good luck

[TISPKJ]

Give Roger a call at the Ferrari Center if you are serious, I know he had a fibreglass body think from usa of something like a 250/275, not sure what donor car was needed

[Murph7355]

I wouldn't call a 412 "modern" especially. A 456 is getting there if it's reliability you're looking for..

There's a firm kicking around that does an Aston in a similar vein I think.

I'm not sure I could own such a car personally. I prefer to own the real deal, even if that means I can't attain my favourite model (I'd love a 250GT SWB...never going to happen though ).

[phib]

Thanks for all the info so far, I will admit I have never wanted a replica but with a real Ferrari 250 body and a real Ferrari engine / chassis it will seem less of a replica to me anyway.

Phib

[MDL111]

are 412 and 456 really that much more reliable?

I generally feel replicas based on "roughly" in-period cars are ok, but not so sure about substantially newer cars - i.e. a 456 or 550 with a 250 body - also, would the proportions (or at least the size) not be way off?

[phib]

At the moment I need to do a load of work on dimensions etc

I have a 550 so can have a good measure up, mine is 100% reliable with great cooling, ac etc etc

I am planning to sell my 550 to fund this as it just doesn't get used as have other two seaters.

More homework required

Phib

[Angelis]

It's a great idea.

I wanted to do a Daytona Spider/412 replica before 412 prices shot up!!!

[Murph7355]

Angelis said:

It's a great idea.

I wanted to do a Daytona Spider/412 replica before 412 prices shot up!!!

If ever there was a perfect reason not to do something, it's because Sy wanted to

[The Surveyor]

At the last NEC Classic Car show, Evanta Motor Company (founded by Ant Anstead, he off the telly) had some beautiful DB4 GT Zagato replicas on show including a 'Barchetta' roadster.

One of these on a V8 Vantage platform would be quite an exciting project.

May be worth speaking to them about your ideas:-

http://www.evanta.co.uk/

[dom9]

Will follow this one with interest - good luck!

Could be a very interesting project indeed

[hornbaek]

The joy of old cars ( I have a DB4 and a MB 300 SL Roadster) is to a large extend the fact that they are from a bygone era and that everything around them (smell, noise, comfort, driving etc) makes you experience how these cars, which were considered to be on the top of their game at the time compare to today's world. If you take the provenance away loosing the authenticity of the experience i think you will get bored quite quickly by the result. Then it is simply a machine which is compromised by today's standards. I would rather buy the best i could afford and then enjoy the experience. Its a bit like renovating a old house where you maintain the soul of the house rather than building a mock tudor mansion which is soulless.

[phib]

Interesting stuff I actually met Ant last year at the revival, I looked at his DB4 but it is tiny, I know the original isn't big by modern standards but his is much smaller.

I also know what your saying with regards to getting bored but actually I tend to get bored in the opposite way.

I had 2.7 rs lightweight until a couple of years ago, in the early days when it wasn't the best nick I used it most days and did 20k a year in it. In the end I got fed up with the fact is was archaic and went down the 993,996,997,GT2 route. Probably favourite was the 993.

I loved the look of the 2.7 and older Ferraris (have a 355 spider and 550) but I feel the older stuff fly's below the radar and you can still get 2+2 that you can get one kid in and the dog !!

The only other thing that I can see that will do that is the FF or a granturismo. I have had two granturismo's and if this all doesn't work out I will probably buy another MC shift and be done with it !! Love the FF but 200k on an everyday car / the size of it puts me off a bit.

Not sure if that makes sense but I guess its where I am at

Phib

[Dr Gitlin]

hornbaek said:

The joy of old cars ( I have a DB4 and a MB 300 SL Roadster) is to a large extend the fact that they are from a bygone era and that everything around them (smell, noise, comfort, driving etc) makes you experience how these cars, which were considered to be on the top of their game at the time compare to today's world.

Ironically, AMG rebuilt a few 300SLs with modern running gear: http://www.topgear.com/car-news/list/ten-reasons-y...

[hornbaek]

I saw one of these "modern" AMG 300 SL in Essen at the Techno Classica. The problem with these is, that the donor vehicle now is so valuable that you destroy a lot of value in the process of modernising it. This was ok 3-7 years ago but lately this is no longer possible. Bramley together with Spraytech and Bodylines comissioned a couple of DB4s to be rebuildt as DB4 GTs a cople of years ago and today it is probably more profitable to build them back to the donor car.

[sng45]

Mechtronic Mercedes - AMG powered classics - Fantastic !

http://www.mechatronik.de/en/trade/vehicles-on-off...