Inquire about a Henderson Machiavelli Max and the seller’s introduction will probably include the phrase, “It’s not a kit car!” Indeed, Henderson Motors Corporation built these Ferrari-ish sports cars in Key Biscayne, Florida as turn-key approximations of the contemporary Ferrari 308. Henderson further trumped most kit cars by underpinning its faux Ferrari with a formidable WS6-trim third-generation Pontiac Firebird, the best-performing GM of the day short of the Corvette. This specimen in Oak Harbor, Washington has seen better days, but ’80s fans with $9000 to burn can relive their Miami Vice days in this claimed 75,000 mile classic. In fact, Phillip Michael Thomas, aka ‘Tubbs’ from that popular TV show held part interest in Henderson. Check out more pictures and details on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to reader yargbull for spotting this rare ’80s imposter.

This Faux-rari is mostly GM inside, and that might be a piece of plywood standing in for the original wood veneer glove box door, but the third-gen WS6 sport suspension featured larger anti-sway bars, stiffer springs, four-wheel disc brakes, faster steering, and wider wheels and tires, according to Automotive Antics. Considering most people couldn’t max out a Corolla’s cornering, a handling-only match-up between this car and a 308 on public roads inevitably goes to the better driver.

Sculpted doors leading to fake quarter-panel air intakes, flying buttress sail panels and an imitation vents on the modified hatch sell the mid-engine look, and Ferrari-esque tail lights identify the target of this Machiavelli’s affection for prancing horse fans. Despite imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, Ferrari’s legal threats spelled the end of the Machiavelli Max after two partial years of production, leaving as few as 12 in the world today, according to AutoEvolution.

This carbureted 350 (5.7L) stands in for the original fuel-injected 305 cid (5.0L) V8, and while extra displacement is rarely bad, the TH400 three-speed automatic is about as sporty as a big-block camper special. That said, Ferrari itself utilized this sturdy GM transmission in its chiseled 400 series four-seater, so it’s not completely out of character. I can’t see any buyer refitting a factory-correct 305 TBI and putting this one back to original. Since you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a LS installer these days, how about a hot 5.3 with a modern six-speed and a custom-milled gated shifter? How much would you invest in this rare and curious Italian knock-off?