While many Ferrari replicas are epic disappointments with horrible proportions and underpinnings the likes of the Pontiac Fiero, this unfinished 250 GTO replica may be one of the better ones we’ve seen. Plus, the owner has sourced a Jaguar V12 to put a worthwhile powerplant under the hood and already has the necessary Datsun 240Z donor shell ready to convert into the cheapest 250 you’ll ever find. The stillborn project is located here on eBay with bids just over $3K and the reserve unmet.
Fellow writer Todd Fitch wrote up one of these Datsun-based kits a few months ago, and I have to believe this is a McBurnie conversions as well. As he points out, the final product is still easily discernable from the real thing, but it’s a better recreation than most. It’s clear the seller has been preparing for this project for years, and I’m mildly disappointed he’s throwing in the towel. Unlike other more rudimentary conversions, at least this one uses a good handling, well-designed car like the 240Z as the foundation.
The seller is correct that having the donor car ready to go is one less headache for the next owner. From the ad: “Next we have a very solid (and California titled) 1975 Datsun 240Z donor car as well as a complete parts car. The donor has been stripped and made ready to receive the new body skins.” There you go: a clean-titled vehicle, essential for any replica build like this. The seller is also including a large stash of high-grade parts, such as black leather Recaro seats, new Ferrari gauges and emblems, and Borrani wire wheels with knock-off center hubs.
Perhaps the best part is the seller didn’t rely on a wheezy, emissions-strangled four- or six-cylinder. No, he went straight to the top shelf and got himself a “…freshly rebuilt Jaguar 5.3 V12 motor,” ensuring the replica will have at least enough snort to put on a convincing display as a tribute car. The rest of the pictures in the listing tell the story of an owner that seemed to have a vision most of us can get on board with if you need a replica in your garage. Sure beats watching the rich guys have all the fun!
Searching the ads and buying all the bits and pieces is the fun (and easy) part. Putting it all together and making a car without effing it all up is a little more difficult, demanding, and skillful.
I don’t get the Jag engine. If its going to be a replica then a 500horse out-of-the-box indestructible LS3 crate motor and a Tremec. Why mess with a Jag engine that you have to have a certified Jag mechanic brother-in-law to afford to keep going? That would be a sleeper and a half especially with a modern chassis set up for road race — C7 IRS and big brakes. Love the body hate the engine
1975 240Z – I don’t think so.
That thing at the start of the eBay pics ain’t doin”it for me.Anywhere I can see what a GOOD finished project looks like?
The attached pic is a regular at one of our local car shows. I’m assuming it is one of these kits in this article. It’s also based on a 240Z and done very nicely.
He’s got $10k worth of parts. Those Borrani’s are $5k alone. I found a McBurnie kit several months ago and the guy wanted $4k for it. Throw in two 240z’s and your over $12k. Now its just down to whats his reserve.
Another pile of parts that someone calls a car.
Seen a few over the years and one is local to me. The fiberglass is thick and seems well made. It is a good looking kit.
Thing is that a 240Z is a good looking car. Personally I would prefer a clean stock 240Z to one of these kits.
Was thinking the same thing – what’s worth more, a well done 75 240Z or this kit car? Hard to say….
similar thought Gregicon – when this kit came about a 240Z was just a cheap used car. Last 240Z I saw sell on BaT was in the low 20’s if I remember and this kit finished is probably not worth much more (if any)
kit assembled – simply assemble –
A lot of people think highly these days of stock 240Zs, but they and the later variants are not hard to find in donor car condition cheap. The numbers dont add up to restore a poor condition Z car yet unless done for the passion or fun. You will be upside down quickly even doing most work yourself. Maybe someday that will change. I do my own paint, but paint and bodywork alone for most shops will run you 10-15k so a 20K restored z is upside down.
But nobody builds a kit car for resale value, or very few do and no lack of bankrupt companies who tried. You build it because its an opportunity to build your dream car. The reason few are built is because few have the skills to see it to completion and fewer do them well. But I for one, LOVE kit car projects and Kit cars period. I tried buying a few kits like this over the years and wasnt able to close the deal, but I am happy with the one I have. A fiberfab Banshee-Caribee and using a 260Z as a donor. Leave enough donor car & you can title, register and most importantly INSURE it as a Z Car & not a kit car. Insurance on kit cars will set you back on your heels. (not to mention titles and inspection).
I have my doubts about the jag engine, looks like rusty liners and timing parts, not to mention most Jag motors are not the best choice, I know a guy in Calif who used a BMW 12 in a fiberfab, but there is a wide range of good motors to use. The Datsun 6 is not a bad motor at all. Some dont like the idea but a late model GM LS V8 and 6 speed is more than enough excitement and more affordable (I would sell off the Jag motor)
I believe this is called a Velo rossa made here in Arizona by reaction research.
I accidentally became proficient in rebuilding the Jag V-12. While it’s clear that the British engineers drank heavily at lunch, its nonetheless a very cool engine and at the end of the day it’s held together with nuts and bolts like any other engine and if you spend some time to get familiar with it you can work on it without fear. That said, the picture of the V-12 does not inspire confidence as the 3A, 4A, 3B, and 4B cylinder liners have all been pushed up because someone has rotated the engine without the proper service tool to retain the liners being put in place after the heads were removed. So, all the liners will have to come out and be resealed….
A 1975 would be 280Z unless it isn’t a US model.
Why would you ruin a 75 280z to make a fake Ferrari. The z in its own original skin will be worth more than this car will ever be. However with a 63 Ferrari 250 going for 92.5 million there probably always will be room for a poor mans Ferrari. By the way the last production 240z rolled off the line in 73.