Ferrari Z3

[ingenieur]

Brand new Ferrari California based on a BMW Z3

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-z3...

It won't be as expensive as a real one but I think it's still going to cost a fair packet.

Edited by ingenieur on Sunday 16th February 12:08

[Inertiatic]

Much like misbadging a car, I kinda don't see the point in these.

If your a car person, you know

If your not really a car person, you probably don't care.

So you are spending a lot of money to impress a small section of people who may think it's a real Ferrari.

[Dapster]

Inertiatic said:

So you are spending a lot of money to impress a small section of people who may think it's a real Ferrari.

Many years ago there was a guy I worked with who'd occasionally bring his Ferrari to the office. Absolutely everybody creamed themselves over it - men and women. The guys all thought it was fantastic and the girls all wanted his babies. Everyone except me - the car was a hideous unrealistic replica of a Daytona Spyder with old Sierra bits underneath. I'm not sure that anyone even thought that it wasn't an actual Ferrari, and not many people will know the value of a real one - the % of people who are drawn in is significant. There is only a very very tiny group of nerds like us who know what they are looking at and are affronted by it!!

[daqinggregg]

Can’t say I’m a fan of the Z3’s looks, this in its own right looks quite good, but it needs to lose all insignia that attempts to pass it off for anything other than what it is.

Without the Ferrari insignia, Joe public would have no idea what it is, other than a nice retro sports car; enthusiasts would probably appreciate the time/effort spent on the build.

[Riley Blue]

MGB rear light in the body shop? The attention to detail on the finished car is a bit 'iffy' - I won't be bidding.

I prefer the look (and colour) of this BMW based Bandini:

[ingenieur]

Inertiatic said:

Much like misbadging a car, I kinda don't see the point in these.

If your a car person, you know

If your not really a car person, you probably don't care.

So you are spending a lot of money to impress a small section of people who may think it's a real Ferrari.

I would say I'm a car person but I don't know enough about the original Ferrari California to be able to tell this replica apart from the original.

Now... seeing as it's hand formed from aluminium like the original and it is sat on the chassis of a well designed modern sports car I think I would be very happy to own it. With it being a BMW underneath it would probably be quite easy to supercharge with a off-the-shelf kit from Germany. So it could also be a lot quicker even though it is probably quite fast already.

I also wouldn't buy it to be seen in. I never buy my cars for that reason. Any car, any age, any condition... if I like it that's all that matters to me. If the car is as good in real life and not just a set of good photos then it would be nice to look at and own without caring what anybody else thought of it.

I've seen replicas before and looked at the fit and finish and thought Ferrari have very low standards... and then realised it was a fiberglass kit car. This could be that bad in real life but I think if you had the cash to buy it you'd probably go for a look before bidding.

[aeropilot]

ingenieur said:

Brand new Ferrari California based on a BMW Z3

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2002-bmw-z3...

It won't be as expensive as a real one but I think it's still going to cost a fair packet.

Edited by ingenieur on Sunday 16th February 12:08

I just don't get it......ignoring the fact that it looks nothing like a California, as soon as you start it up, the illusion falls apart completely

[shirt]

ingenieur said:

I would say I'm a car person but I don't know enough about the original Ferrari California to be able to tell this replica apart from the original.

i would say you are a car person as you are posting on an automotive forum, but not a very observant one.

even ignoring the proportions, the eye is immediately drawn to the massive A pillar, windscreen surround and quarterlights that form a modern rollover structure. that sticks out like a sore replica thumb, as it does on 99.9% of replicas.

a good mate has several z3 coupes and recently stripped a convertible down for spares and parting out. the chassis does seem to lend itself to an easy rebody, i've just yet to see one that looks good.

[ingenieur]

shirt said:

ingenieur said:

I would say I'm a car person but I don't know enough about the original Ferrari California to be able to tell this replica apart from the original.

i would say you are a car person as you are posting on an automotive forum, but not a very observant one.

even ignoring the proportions, the eye is immediately drawn to the massive A pillar, windscreen surround and quarterlights that form a modern rollover structure. that sticks out like a sore replica thumb, as it does on 99.9% of replicas.

a good mate has several z3 coupes and recently stripped a convertible down for spares and parting out. the chassis does seem to lend itself to an easy rebody, i've just yet to see one that looks good.

We all have our little niches. I could talk all day about the E-Class estate as I'm on number 6 of those.

[Shooter McGavin]

It's not for me.

I owned a Z3 2.0 litre six once, my first sportscar, absolutely loved it. However I don't see why anyone would think this is a Ferrari?

I'd rather just have the Z3 and a load of cash to spend on something else.

4 bids though, so somebody likes it.

[WPA]

How does it work not having airbags fitted or is that covered under the IVA

[aeropilot]

WPA said:

How does it work not having airbags fitted or is that covered under the IVA

No idea, I wouldn't have thought so, but given its likely that its been inspected after import to determine reg, but its been photographed with what I presume are its SA plates, it would be interesting to known what DVLA have classified it as........IVA would mean Q-plate.

[Skyedriver]

Would it need an IVA? Only if the actual structure has been altered.
Personally, without the Ferrari badges, just badged as either a BMW or the kit maker I think it's fine.
Some folk just like something that's different to the mainstream.

[MDMA .]

There was a Z3 based one at the local meet before Christmas.

[aeropilot]

Skyedriver said:

Would it need an IVA? Only if the actual structure has been altered.

Indeed, if no structural monocoque changes, then it might just be viewed as a Z3 with a bodykit fitted...?

[a340driver]

I think it looks great! The Z3 is a great base for this type of conversion!

People are too snobby about this sort of thing in the UK.

[AmazingGrace]

Most people wouldn’t know it’s a replica - i doubt I’ve ever seen an original in my lifetime.

What’s not to like? Based on a solid sports chassis, hand built, looks the part and “relatively “ cheap.

[Mr Tidy]

It's certainly unusual in having metal panels as most of them seem to be fibreglass, and coincidentally someone on another forum is building a fibreglass Ferrari replica on Z3 running gear.

I can see the appeal of having something that looks special, but has more reliable running gear and costs way less than an original so you don't have to worry about using it or where you park it.

It's only an issue if it is being passed of as original when it isn't!

[Ritchie335is]

It baffles me how the manufacturers of the parts required for this kit don’t just market it under their own name and forget the replica ste.
It’s a good looking car, and with modern underpinnings, it’ll be reliable, why tack your company to a very limited fake Rolex market?

[thegreenhell]

Inertiatic said:

Much like misbadging a car, I kinda don't see the point in these.

If your a car person, you know

If your not really a car person, you probably don't care.

So you are spending a lot of money to impress a small section of people who may think it's a real Ferrari.

Or just spending money on something you like for what it is, rather than trying to impress or fool anyone.