News Item: Bogus Ferraris

[bravo 35]

Been listening to the news lately. The Italian police "busted" a "ring" making fake ferraris out of Toyota MR2's and others. Apparently the buyers knew they weren't buying real ferraris. Where is the problem. There are dozens of mr2's in NZ with kits to make them look like ferraris - some so good that to any except ferrari enthusiasts, you wouldn't notice without very close scrutiny.

Where is the problem?? As long as they are being marketed as replicas?

Also - took the police long enough to figure it out - these have been available since the 1990's.

Some of the comments in the news articles are ridiculous:

But he warned that "to drive around in this sort of vehicle is dangerous - and not just for the driver, but also for the public. These were not reliable cars."

Most were based on the chassis of a Pontiac, though Mercedes and Toyotas were also cannibalised. None of the engines was made by Ferrari, but the gang used internet hobbyists' sites to accumulate visible parts that were genuine. These included dashboards, steering wheels and, of course, the Big Red's distinctive black and yellow badge.

What most impressed investigators was the quality of the workmanship that went into shaping the fibreglass bodywork so that the cars looked authentic. One said it was evidence of extraordinary ability.

The cars are being built on production Pontiac and Toyota chassis and bodies - implying that these cars are dangerous. They admit the workmanship is of high quality, yet the vehicles are still dangerous???

I know that it dilutes the ferrari brand in the same way that fake watches and bags do for fashion labels like Louis Vuitton etc, but no more than the "Type R" or "///M" badges are.

Just had a final thought - its not as though ferrari can copyright the shape - Lotus tried with the espirit and failed.

(Although merc is trying to sue over those a-class and smart lookalikes.)

Does that mean I'm in line from BMW for m-kitting my non motorsport e30???

Edited March 2, 2008 by bravo

[steve R 0]

there was actualy one of these "replicas" in performance car a few years back, i thought it was wicked cool. but as you say it does dilute the market

[Guest Simon*]

Counterfeit cars?

Bit of a crack-up really

Can just imagine walking along an asian street market and some kid going "Hey mister, you want rolex, gucci handbag, diesel shoe or italian mid engined supercar? All genuine, my personal guarantee!"

I remember reading an article about a company in Queensland that made the kits to convert your MR2 to a "Diet Ferrari" - they looked pretty amazing

[steve R 0]

theres also ( or atleast there was) a place that does it in New Zealand. the kits cost something like 50k