Replica California Spider displayed at Galleria Ferrari Maranello, #4309 GT | FerrariChat

Replica California Spider displayed at Galleria Ferrari Maranello, #4309 GT

Discussion in 'Recreations & Non-Period Rebodies' started by Marcel Massini, Nov 27, 2009.

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  1. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 Marcel Massini, Nov 27, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    At Galleria Ferrari in Maranello there is currently a REPLICA of a 250 GT California Spider on display. This replica is based on a 250 GTE 2+2 chassis. The donor car was chassis number 4309 GT. This GTE was originally painted Celeste with a Blue VM 3015 leather interior, LHD, delivered to first owner Maxham, an Englishman with a residence in Geneva, Switzerland. The car had been ordered through Maranello Concessionaires, the UK importer, with MC Order #74, but Maxham had it delivered to his Swiss residence (hence LHD). In December 1966 the GTE was sold by Maxham to Canada. Darcy Podmoroff, a body shop owner in Vancouver, sold 4309 GT on the 27th December 1988 to Edwin K. Niles in Los Angeles. On the 7th February 1989 Niles sold 4309 GT in rather tatty condition to Swiss dealer Charles Gnädinger and the car arrived at the customs station in Bern, Switzerland on the 29th March 1989. I was there that day and took some black-white photos (see below). 4309 GT was then instantly re-sold to Italy where it was used as donor car for a California Spider REPLICA. Rather surprisingly this REPLICA is now on display at the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello, with a metal tag on the gearbox tunnel describing it as a 250 California. Galleria Ferrari also put a sign next to the car describing it as a 1957 model...........Do they really know their cars?
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  2. 500tr

    500tr Formula 3

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    They definitely do not, thank you ;-)
     
  3. Wheels1

    Wheels1 F1 Rookie
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    It looks nice though.
    Grant
     
  4. Enzo Anselmo Ferrari

    Enzo Anselmo Ferrari Formula Junior

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    #4 Enzo Anselmo Ferrari, Nov 27, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2009
    I think that since Enzo Ferrari passed, Ferrari diverts...
    The new "Dubai's Ferrari Land" is the example of this massive industrialization
    I'm sorry, I have to improve my English! :D

    EDIT: Furthermore, it's presented like a 1957 model, but it's a SWB Replica, so it have to be 1960!
     
  5. Ney

    Ney F1 Veteran
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    #5 Ney, Nov 27, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2009
    As long as Classiche certified it as a California Spider, it is all OK. After all, Ferrari is the self proclaimed expert in all things Ferrari.

    Really, that is just embarrassing.
     
  6. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Hey Doug:
    I have come to the same conclusion...........
    Ciao
    Marcel Massini
     
  7. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

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    I agree with Marcel and Doug. Ferrari seems to be far more concerned with sales and marketing than their history.
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    That aluminum plate on the console is ........well,.........





    Tacky.




    It just looks like a kid turned loose in High School Shop class......I wouldn't put it next to a BBburago!!!
     
  9. Enzo Anselmo Ferrari

    Enzo Anselmo Ferrari Formula Junior

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    I agree too!
    I wonder what could what Enzo Ferrari could say about it...
     
  10. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    This replica was already on display at the galleria once before in 2007. Thanks for the confirmation about the s/n Marcel! too bad it turned out to be a replica...
     
  11. 328gtsfan

    328gtsfan Formula Junior

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    Presumably they don't care, given the plate still appears to be the original (250GTE).

    That is quite sad for the factory to do that.
     
  12. richardowen

    richardowen Formula Junior

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    I thought Ferrari replicas were illegal in Italy! Hypocrites!
     
  13. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks for posting this Marcel.

    Very Sad.
     
  14. Ferrarista3

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    #14 Ferrarista3, Nov 27, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2009
    Very sad indeed!

    I expected better from Ferrari.

    I saw that car at the Galleria before but I had no clue it was a replica :(

    Marcel- You should get in contact with Ferrari and/or who runs the Galleria. What they did is seriously sad and embarrassing.
     
  15. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 Jack-the-lad, Nov 27, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2009
    Disappointing and pathetic. Maybe they'll send it to Dubai and make it into a ride....
     
  16. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Didn't Dubai's financial world crash these past few days?
    Marcel Massini
     
  17. Enzo Anselmo Ferrari

    Enzo Anselmo Ferrari Formula Junior

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    :D
    Exactly!
    Jaguar is Indian, but Ferrari's going to be send to the Emirates.... :( :( :(
    I'm exaggerating, but now, Ferrari hasn't got the same spirit than the TRUE times, when Enzo Ferrari was at the commands of the society!
    Now, they don't honnour the important people of Ferrari's History: Phill Hill, Gino Muranon of course, Igor Tourbetzkoy...
    Fortunately, you're here Mr Massini! Thank you! Thanks to you, I learn VINs, new models (I discovered the 342 America -only two convertibles I think- not long ago!), and at the same time, I forget my mathematics lesson ( :D )!
    I almost forgot, I'm only 16, so I have the time to learn! :)
     
  18. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

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    I guess it is technically not a replica, as it is made from genuine Ferrari parts :(
     
  19. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    When compared to the first photo by Marcel; the serial number plate is now held on by slot head screws. Obviously bigger changes than that happened to the old GTE. However not many would spend all that money to bring a GTE back to the condition of this different version open car now. At least it's alive but maybe should not be in the 'hall of fame' there...
    CH
     
  20. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Yes, with a thud resounding enough to roil markets worldwide....

    Jack
     
  21. Il Vecchio

    Il Vecchio F1 Rookie

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    As are many of the Alfa's in Alfa's Museo Storico. Alfa (re) made them, so they're "real" (?)
     
  22. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Even if one makes the case that converting a decrepit GTE into a replica California is understandable from a purely financial perspective, (but how much less would the conversion be, compared with a sympathetic restoration of the GTE?), it's still impossible to understand why such a car would be displayed in the Galleria, *especially* as an authentic car.


    Jack
     
  23. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I wonder what they would say when confronted with this truth.
     
  24. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    I was wondering about that, too.

    Jack
     
  25. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 Marcel Massini, Nov 27, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here are a few more pix I took at the customs station in Bern, Switzerland, showing 4309 GT on its way from USA via Switzerland to the butcher in Italy (where it was born!). In my post #1 I erroneously indicated the date of arrival at Bern as 29th March 1989. That date was incorrect and I apologize. The correct date of these photos is 22nd May 1989.
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