What's the general opinion on replicas?

That is a beautiful car, but I wouldn't mention it in a thread with a 'replica' title. Tom won't be very grateful.

Do a search, it's been discussed, and it has its' own thread.

 

William,

There is a pretty big thread on replicas in this section. They are generally frowned upon. The ones using orignial running gear mean that a real vintage Ferrari gave its life to create it. Also, in general, replica owners are viewed as posers. On the other hand, if you can afford a decent replica, you can also afford many genuine vintage Ferraris or other interesting Italian cars.

On a different note, creating a custom rebody using a vintage chassis and running gear is generally not percieved as badly.

Regards,

Art S.

 

+1

Excellent post.

 

Hi, I am one of the few out here who has the nerve to advocate the cause of the replica. The only way these cars will be able to achieve any form of acceptance is for there to be an "club" or such thing with the object of doccumenting and organizing these cars.I am like the person who started this thread. I would like to own one of the early Ferraris but arrived way to late on the scene to afford to.As a result I am finishing off a rolling chassis from Classic Cars by Renucci of the 250 California. The likeness to the original is quite good but there will be no confusing it with badges etc with the real thing. This is what does more to give replicas a bad name. The owners of The P series replica cars have formed a club which helps to doccument their cars from the very few originals that were built. I haven't had much luck trying to promote such an organization for the other replicas out there but I seem to keep trying from time to time. There is another replica thread out there which might be of interest. just one man's opinion tongascrew

 

Shouldn't that be Sir. Tom the way, the judge has to kneel at such a beautiful car?
That's the best replica i have seen, it looks just like the real thing to me!!

 

I think many people here have turned this idea over in our minds at one time or another.

I think you got good answers but you don't want to hear them.

YES they are frowned on, even if you have a construct worked out in your mind of why they shouldn't be...they still are.

So, if others opinions don't matter, then by all means, commission a nice replica and enjoy yourself.

But be prepared to live the rest of your life repeating the following " Well....no...it's not real, its a replica...but a good replica!" as people nod and walk away.

Or!

You can take that money, or the money you have in your R8 and buy any of a number of really cool old Ferraris that you could take to the shows and never apologize for. You would find people with similar cars that welcome you to the club and you would feel a sense of belonging, not the sense of being an outcast with a "Fake".

So, thats the answer, YES they are frowned upon, rightly or wrongly.

 

Just a thought and this may have been mentioned elsewhere but.....isn`t the second of anything a replica?

 

Urotrash blesses us with a well-reasoned response, and I think he is right. As a senior FCA judge, I am always searching for the holy grail of originality. I would not tear apart a perfectly good car to build a replica.

BUT, if I were looking for a car to drive around in and go on tours with, and I could buy a replica SWB or GTO for the price of a GTE, I wouldn't hesitate, especially if the donor had been a wreck, which would make me even happier.

I'm sort of "live and let live" guy. I think everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and to use his or her car as he or she sees fit. I'm always dismayed at the vehemence with which some folks express their opinions on this subject (including some friends whose opinions I regard very highly), and know that IF I should ever show up driving a replica I would have to put up with a certain amount of abuse.

So even though I haven't actually bought such a car, let the abuse begin! Cheers!

 

(too much time on my hands.....)

If one's desire was to have a car which 'looked' like a classic Ferrari/Maserati/Pegaso/Alfa Romeo/other, would it be any more acceptable to build one, possibly using some parts from the above list (i.e., body and/or motor, etc.) while fabricating other major components (chassis, etc.)? Obviously, attaching an authentic badge from one of the above puts one firmly into the 'poseur' category..... Otherwise, is there any harm done to the "Alfisti/Ferraristi" purist?

disclaimer: not that I would ever do any such thing...or tell you if I did!
jus askin'.....

Tritone
PS I already have examples both new and old cars of the above list, and love each for it's attributes.
Do sometimes wonder tho about something which incorporates aspects of both....

 

As far as I'm concerned, as long as they're not being presented as anything but a "replica" or a "re-body", I have no issues with them. Buying a 250GTO or 250TR has gotten to be out of the range of most. If you want one, but can't afford the real thing, then a re-bodied "replica" may be next best thing. Also, it's not like you're now risking a priceless, irreplaceable piece of Ferrari's history, which so many are so sanctimonious, opinionated and dictatorial about.

I've often considered a re-bodied GTO or TR. It would be a heck of a fun car to tool around with on the weekend to go to Home Depot or brunch!

CW

 

See post # 6. Good for you. Right on! just one man's opinion tongascrew

 

For youir budget $75-100K your best bet is probably a good late carburated 308 preferably with the fiberglass body. These are the rare ones which will hold their value and you will have money left over to bring it up to good resto standards. If you can find on of the dry sump cars, even better. If you want a repro of the 250 California contact Custom cars by Renucci. It is a nice package and you can modify it as you please. just one man's opinion tongascrew

 

I would be ever-so-happy for someone to buy the wreck of my former 330 2+2, replicar it, and thus keep the s/n intact and rolling.

IMO, no dishonor in doing so with a car that was over-the-top economically-unviable to bring back, and currently rusts in a wrecking yard as proof of that unviability. I'd much rather see it eventually go to a replica than parted out.

Replicas in general:

-If you're not club or Ferrari-event oriented, basically don't give a rat's ass about that stuff; or you have another car or cars that will get you in the club, great, buy one or have one built from a wreck, go out and have a blast!

Here in Dallas, the snob factor isn't prevalent; the most likely common response to a well-executed GTE-turned-GTO replicar would be "cool!"

-IMO, It is an unforgiveable sin to take a decent, viable, roadable Vintage 12 car, even a lowly SI 330, and willfully destroy it for a replicar.

 

I am opposed to taking a good Ferrari, even a relatively inexpensive 308 or 328, and turning it into a kit car.

However, I can appreciate wanting a 250 GTO and not having the $10 million + to buy it. (Or maybe you have it, but then you'd be hesitant to drive the car.)

SO. . . Replicas are okay under certain circumstances:

1. If they're based on genuine Ferrari chassis, or if they include any other Ferrari parts, I hope that they are from Ferraris that were wrecked.

2. Under no circumstances should a replica be badged as something it's not, whether it's a 250GTO recreation on a GTE chassis, or a Datsun 240 with a body that somewhat resembles a GTO. Seriously, this goes a long way toward defining the difference between a respectful tribute to a car you love but can't have and fraudulent misrepresentation of yourself and your vehicle.

 

I don't mind when a car that is not restorable that the parts are used to make a replica....but I hate it when a restorable car is used in this way. Far too many restorable 250 PFs, 250 GTEs, and 330s are being destroyed.

 

I agree with this.

For me, the only reason to make or commission a replica is to live a driving experience that is impossible to get your hands on otherwise. So I like a replica like this one for sale in Europe, a 196S replica.

Why do I like it? Because you can use it to experience 4-wheel drifting, and find out what it was like to race a Ferrari in the glorious '60ies. I would never use a replica to pretend to own something I don't. I would only use it as a track day toy. And it should be based on a car that wasn't going to be restored to its original form in any likely scenario.


Onno
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Exactly!

The only issue I have with the pictured replica is that there should not be a prancing horse on the steering wheel (or anywhere else on the car.)

 

A local guy restored a '49 Ford Cabriolet that had been hit by a train - twice - and then left out in the woods to rot for two decades or so. For me all this whining about non-restorable Ferrari makes Ferrari people look like... how should I put it... er... whiners. Best wishes, Kare

 

you'd have to feel MIGHTY lucky to ride in THAT car!

 

On the subject of replicas.. Take a look at this argentinian company.. Making almost perfect cisitalia clones. Etc.. Marketed as original cars in europe. Www.reklus.com or www.reklusarc.cn or google on reklus...

 

if its based on a real car and has that identity then i dont see the problem (assuming a good car wasnt cut up to make it)

 

I agree with much of what was said by the original poster as well as Ed Niles, and wouldn't hesitate if I found an otherwise lost donor, or make a new frame.
Just don't put badges on it and enjoy.

I have pondered building a frame with modern technology and put an old style body on it like a Barchetta or Touring LM berlinetta. Heck, it could even be a fiberglass body.

Just don't pass it off as the real thing.