Comments on: Fake Ferraris Caught by Carabinieri

By: Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:02:32 +0000

There maybe a lot less to this story than was apparent from the newspaper articles.

Wikipedia says:

“Currently the Fiero has a cult following of owners and customizers. Because of an abundance of replacement parts available from other General Motors vehicles, there are many upgrades that can be done to improve performance and reliability of the cars. Additionally, a multitude of different General Motors engines have been installed by enthusiasts, from the Quad-4 engine to the Chevrolet small-block V8 to the Cadillac 4.9L and Northstar V8s. Installation of the 4.9L V8 or smaller engines is possible with few modifications to the car itself, because Fiero prototypes were tested with a similar small aluminum V8 prior to production.[2] As a result, the engine bay is large enough to accommodate engines of that size.

“A large following of owners still exists with many web pages, groups, and clubs devoted to the car, and the basic chassis is commonly used as a kit-car platform from wild custom rebodies to Ferrari F355 replicas.”

By: Banned User

Banned User — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:00:39 +0000

It takes a lot of skill to do what these guys did. Wouldn’t be illegal in the USA. Somebody should hire these guys.

By: yankinwaoz

yankinwaoz — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:48:34 +0000

quasimondo
Thanks for the link to Automotive Idiocy. Really enjoyed it. Ha!

By: Sanman111

Sanman111 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:46:55 +0000

Oh, the travesty!!! They were selling ferrari kit cars to people who knew they were fake and did not care. It’s not like they are trying to pass them off as the real thing. The only thing that is hurt in this process is the ego of 360 modena owners. Frankly, I’d prefer a ferrari 250 GTO or porsche 356 kit car.

Check out this replica:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/236622

By: incitatus

incitatus — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:30:20 +0000

The car in that picture looks pretty good to me. Maybe GM should take note what can be done at Pontiac.

By: timoted

timoted — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:17:44 +0000

I wonder if they came with fake Rolex watches.

By: skor

skor — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:55:19 +0000

Who remembers the Black Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 from Miami vice? Wasn’t a Ferrari, it was a ‘Vette with fake Ferrari body panels. It was built by McBurnie Coachcraft. McBurnie offered kits for DYI motorheads until Ferrari’s US liars-for-hire hit them with a “cease and desist”.

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:23:37 +0000

The inspiration for their scam:
http://www.blert.net/ai/4.html

By: Orian

Orian — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:07:50 +0000

I always thought it would be fun to do a V8 Archie…a Fiero with a small block v8 in the back.

http://www.v8archie.com/v8Archie/home.htm

With the right exhaust it’d be one heck of a sleeper.

By: RayH

RayH — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:55:29 +0000

The absolute worst “kit” copy of a nicer car I’ve ever come across has been Chrysler Lebaron Convertible = Mercedes 500, 600 SEL. I’ve seen 3 of these in my life, and they’re pretty decent copies (to the average person), unil you look inside the Mercedes and see a Chrysler Dash, Radio. Chrysler symbol on the steering wheel.

By: Edward Niedermeyer

Edward Niedermeyer — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:51:02 +0000

Heh, the MR2 exhaust note would be even harder to explain… it’s, um… a special model, with… um… an MV-Agusta sourced 4-banger. Yeah, special limited homologation model… that’s right. Hear that clattering? Those are the desmodronic valves!

By: Stingray

Stingray — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:41:48 +0000

Latin at its best :)

By: chanman

chanman — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:23:21 +0000

hmmm, MR2 Spyders for the Toyota conversions, I presume?