Ferrari Restomod?

One or two 308s have been built with v-12s. I have read about a 246 Dino and a 308 with much more power and suspension and brake upgrades. And "restomod" 250 SWBs and NART Spyders are being produced now.

 

I see nearly zero market for it but I also don’t think Ferrari would say anything about it even if someone did.


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If the right creative mind came along such as what happened with Singer, anything is possible. They hit a gold mine.

I personally think Ferrari is just different, with different types of owners/enthusiasts than Porsche (on a general scale, obviously tons of people own both).

There have been millions of 911's made. Long way from that with Ferrari (around 220k total since 1947). That is why it is harder to imagine, for me.

Yes I think Ferrari would try to stop it, because how dare you do something you want with something you bought.

All that being said, it is my personal belief Ferrari's are best exactly as they left the factory, but with at least 5 digits on the odometer added.

 

There’s this 250 restomod by RML
https://uk.motor1.com/news/506898/ferrari-250-gt-swb-restomod/

GTO Engineering technically makes restomods, but is it a restomod if it’s the exact same car as the original?

 

I don't think its realistic. Ferrari people are different. We want originality. Modifications are an immediate turn-off for just about anyone who wants a Ferrari.

 

It’s already being done, for years.

 

I got no issue with it. As others said, lots of folks already doing this.

 

Caribou Engineering does some neat stuff, I like looking through their engine dyno reports.
I can totally see doing heads/cams on an old V8 or flat-12 Ferrari.

 

Is there demand for a restomod Ferrari (as in someone willing to write a check)? Let's start there.

 

I think Ferrari takes a slightly different approach.

There are some actual quality hand made accurate replicas made and there are some guys who have converted real 250 gte into GTO etc...


Then you have the factory... Which will build you a factory one off... I think this gets a lot of the customers for restomods

 

DK does awesome work, and no.

 

https://www.automobilimaggiore.com/

gian luca is a friend of mine.
the latest iteration is an homage to the 288gto.... so yea, it can keep pace with a singer...

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/retro/maggiore-granturismo-love-letter-ferrari-288-gto

 

Kevin O'Rourke at Moto Technique in the UK has been building awesome restomods for years!

308:
Moto Technique Gallery — Moto Technique Limited

246:
Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Restoration V8 — Moto Technique Limited

 

This is exactly what I was going to post. Would love one of these with a custom interior, modern brakes, etc.

 

I speak to Kev every few months and he's working on some really, REALLY cool stuff - he's a top bloke and his work is faultless.

There's definitely a market for this stuff and he's capitalising on it!

 

The only Ferrari that it can really be done to is the 308/328 for series production like Singer do, given the numbers out there.

Problem is the build quality on such is appalling compared to the Porsche, so they would require much greater re engineering so an even greater cost.

Numerous individuals have however done one offs on these, the latest being the yellow one on you tube, and a few companies make 288 copies based on that chassis and a few F40 attempts as well.

The 348/355 could have been viable until values started rising to a point it's not practical any more to do so.

 

Back in 2005 when I had a fledgling carbon fiber retail site I was working on this with the goal of redoing 308/328, 355 and 550 series with CF panels, and one of the biggest problems with pre-360 cars is that the hand-beaten panels are not even or uniform. HUGE variances in frame and panels.

Apparently at the factory back then they would have 3-4 fenders on the rack and go back and forth to see which was closest and then hammer it to fit. These were not the Alcoa pre-stamped, uniform aluminum panels we're used to now. So you're exactly right - to do fresh 308/328 body panels in any larger production would be very expensive and require a lot of work on the donor frames.

That makes re-wiring for a Motec or boring the engine out look easy.

 

Not a restomod, but Libertywalk is taking interest in the 308: https://libertywalk.co.jp/bodykit/lb-works/lb-works-308gtb/

I think with the recent hype with the Honda powered 308, and the relatively low price/classic looks it's the popular choice for modding.

Important to note that these types of builds and mods or builds don't typically appeal to the average or traditional Ferrari owner and I think that's the point. Lots of people on the import and mod scene have money to spend and haven't really thought about these cars because there wasn't a catalyst to get them going. Kind of like the offroad Cayenne scene now it's going to be a race to the bottom to see who can outdo each other.

If one were to do a Singer style full build though, I think rebodying is going to be required. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Singer is basically buidling their own chassis/body panels. Of course, when they started you could still by a 964 for sub $20k.

If I had the money, I'd absolutely start a restomod company ala Singer. And if someone else does, at least reach out to me about handling the interiors .

 

Singer keep the bare tub from the donor and that is about it, if they used a 308 frame they would end up binning that as well, so all that would be left is the VIN!

If you watch the break down of the yellow build with the Honda swap engine the cruddiest part of that build is the original chassis, its dire.

Porsche market is the polar opposite of the Ferrari market, they love a mod, the purist Ferrari owners lose sleep if there is not original Italian air in the tyres still.

 

Me too Thats why I ruined my F355

 

Didn't David Lee (not that I'm a fan) make a 308 with an f40 motor?

 

That is the claim...

 

Wait I forgot. It's a dino with an f40 block

 

Despite the bold claims, the block was actually from a Mondial and proven beyond doubt on here from the engine number.

Built by Tim at Walkersport for them with no claims it was F40 based either.