Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, yet there’s little doubt that the Ferrari 250 GTO truly requires any additional praise. The once simple race car has ascended to the heights of the collector market, regularly commanding prices well into seven figures. All the more reason, then, to consider this kit car built to evoke the legendary racer. Built on a 1978 Datsun 280Z and located in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, this roadster is up for auction here on eBay. At the time of writing, the bid had climbed to $4,050, with over four days left to go in the auction.
The Ferrari 250 GTO likely needs no introduction. Thirty-six examples of the grand tourer were produced between 1962 and 1964, each powered by a 3-liter V12 producing nearly three hundred horsepower. They have since become some of the most sought-after cars in the world. In 2018, a 1962 example set the record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction, fetching $48.4 million. In the same year, chassis number 4153GT changed hands in a private sale for a cool seventy million dollars.
So it’s doubtful that a mere mortal is ever going to get his hands on one ever again, which brings us to kits and replicas. But in my opinion, the best kits are those which don’t try to be something that they are not. Even if the rarity and price tag of the car that originally inspired this one didn’t give the game away, we see that this reinterpretation of the Ferrari’s classic lines chose to take a different path from the GT: here we have a convertible. And more– since a convertible of this caliber should be a driver’s car as well, the underpinnings are provided by a Datsun 280 Z, whose 170 horses should provide plenty of power even before aftermarket additions increase the output of the inline-6.
After a little digging, I think that it’s likely that this is a Velo Rossa Spyder kit, currently offered by the ZTrix company in Scottsdale, Arizona. The fact that the kit is already mounted to a donor is definitely a plus, considering the climbing prices of Z-cars. That said, the seller does mention that bane of Datsuns everywhere– rust. The floors are gone, which is no surprise since the car may have been exposed to the weather. The interior is pretty much shot and there is no information on the state of the engine or transmission. It’s not hard to see the potential here, though, for the right builder with the right skills and a lot of determination.
This one is going to need the right builder with a whole lot of skills and a hefty bank account. It does has the potential to be a really neat car that would be fun to drive.
Part it out and crush the rest, it’s to far gone to economically repair.
Its fiberglass.
Why would you crush it.?
Are you a car guy?
Pretty dumb idea to part out. The car is bringing real money as a whole. The buyers are speaking.
The 240,260 and 280’s are one of the most collectible Japanese cars right now. Although this is a custom that was left for dead. There is hope now it will live on.
The rewards when done will be impressive and a very fun car that will turn heads.
How do cars end up in this type of condition???
From being left outside, possibly even uncovered. Should be a law against it!
Whomever gets this will probably be upside down when done. Here is an example that looks done that went for $24,900 which would be a miracle if you could do this one for that type of money.
https://www.ztrix.com/classifieds/velo-rossa-250gto-roadster-tribute-car
Thanks for the link. That car is gorgeous. The price paid seems like a steal.
$5,200 now, this is mighty rough!!
The finished car is a beauty
This one is a pile of parts but a desirable pile of parts
One could not drive this without getting lots of attention
One could not drive this without a huge grin
I love 2 door topless cars but i am not getting anywhere near this HUGE project
Could also be a Rhino kit from the ’80s. It is probably too far gone to fix up correctly for a price that would justify itself…even if tackled by a competent handyman with good mechanical skills. There should be “car abuse” laws enacted!
Of related interest, there is now a company in England that makes perfect factory replacement parts for classic ’50s and ’60s Ferraris–including complete Colombo V-12 powerplants! As they can duplicate ANY parts for original cars, they have started making perfect “new” classic Ferraris that are pure recreations of the originals. They are 100% vintage Ferraris that could be displayed at Pebble Beach…except that they are not…yet they are… They boggle the mind. All you would need to turn one of these cars into the real thing, is to supply an original VIN plate all by itself.
georgia will give an actual paper title on all vehicles, just got to prove you own it….jump throughj a lot of hoops, but it can be done. Then, call a locksmith and get a key made, $80 bucks for the old metal keys….prove it runs and make even a little more on it.
I understand the money aspect. But most car guys are not in it for the cash. Usually it’s a labor of “love” if you can’t afford a done car building one works for most of us. And a real one way too much. This is how you can have fun on the cheep. Just like my 308 GTS fiero Ferrari. It’s a blast to drive and it costs a fraction to maintain and with the 3800 supercharged swap it’s faster than a ” real” Ferrari. Lol
IMO it seems a better ideas to buy a new $8k kit and start with a solid foundation -has anyone built one of these kits?
I really like this one! For $15,000 you could have a lot of fun…
https://www.ztrix.com/classifieds/1972-datsun-240z-roadster
Helped do a kit on a 2460z back in the 80’s, was fun to drive around as folks gave lots of looks,.smiles and thumbs up. The company that made that kit in the 80’s got a cease and desist from Ferrari back then and wasn’t aware others produced these kits. We even replaced the dash and installed a gates shifter , always wonder if the customer still has the car!
i like it…..wish i had room for a long term project……..but i have two of those right now and just no more room …sigh