Another project started at replicaparts.com

[michael everson]

Started working on this project last week along side a GTM. This is a Ferrari California Spyder replica. It will be getting a Chevy 350 engine and five speed transmission.

[michael everson]

Bet these window trim bits would look great on the FFR Hot Rod.

[riptide motorsport]

At that price i'd be interested, Mike we disacussed this a couple of years ago but the guy never really foloowed up on the responses......Steven

[Dave Smith]

11 years ago we bought the molds and tooling from the old Contemporary company. They had just completed probably the nicest Ferrari California replica ever done. Perfect molds, nice chassis, excellent details. We still have all those parts and molds here at Factory Five.

The problem is that Ferrari WILL absolutely sue and has already established trade dress rights to the shape. Sorry to sound negative, but I wouldn't touch that product with a ten foot pole. Fun for a one-off project like you are doing Mike, but from a business standpoint it is a dead end. Pretty car though.

[mrmustang]

11 years ago we bought the molds and tooling from the old Contemporary company. They had just completed probably the nicest Ferrari California replica ever done. Perfect molds, nice chassis, excellent details. We still have all those parts and molds here at Factory Five.

The problem is that Ferrari WILL absolutely sue and has already established trade dress rights to the shape. Sorry to sound negative, but I wouldn't touch that product with a ten foot pole. Fun for a one-off project like you are doing Mike, but from a business standpoint it is a dead end. Pretty car though.

Have you ever thought of writing a simple introductory to Ferrari It. and asking for a licensing deal? There is a huge untapped market for the "Ferris Bueller" Ferarri replica. You already have the tooling, the engineering is already done, and the down side of writing a letter with a simple business proposal is?


Bill S.

[riptide motorsport]

Good point Bill.

[michael everson]

I haven't asked him yet how he plans to sneak this by Ferrari. Will be interesting to see what happens. He has a lot invested in this. He told me he has sold 4-5 already. They are built and assembled in china

[Dave Smith]

A rip-off Ferrari made in China... so many directions to go with this... never mind.

As far as approaching Ferrari with our Contemporary 250, Thats not a bad idea really, no big risk or investment of time, still, I really am not interested in doing this. It has more to do with where I want Factory Five to go than it does with whether or not there is a market or IF we could do it. Let me explain why.

Our Mk4, 65 Coupe and 33 Hot Rod are legitimate replicas of cars that either were never in production or were long ago abandoned and have no trade dress rights. There were only six Daytona Coupes ever made (and they were all race cars). Our '33 and frankly all vintage Hot Rods are totally mainstream and embraced by both major car makers and the aftermarket. The Mk4 C-car... well we PROVED that one is legit to make. Going forward though, I want to drive FFR in a different direction. I am not saying we won't ever do another replica (say 289 version slab side or USRRC), but I want us to focus on original designs. The 818 will be a global platform from which other variants can and likely will spring. I dont want to do the 250 for the simple reason that Ferrari uses the shape and look of the car as their tradedress and have proven it in court. Further, I think the problem with the old "Kit car" industry is looking the other way when it comes to rip-off cars. I see the world of kit cars as separated into 2 worlds, 1 is legitimate replicas of abandoned designs, and the other is grey zone rip-off cars of either current production cars (lambo stuff) or vintage cars that are not abandoned. Ferrari uses the shapes of its vintage cars as a vibrant and active part of their current marketing and designs. Some vintage designs (like the 911 Porsche) have been in continuous production for 50+ years!

Factory Five will always stay true to the C-car replica, but on the road ahead, I see a company that more and more trends towards original designs and breaking new ground. The 250 will stay in the weeds behind the building.

Dave Smith

[oldguy668]

The 250 will stay in the weeds behind the building.

.....hmmmmmmm....can you hear the wheels turning? I already have the MGB tailights!

[michael everson]

Dave store all the stuff in the weeds behind my garage

[mrmustang]

A rip-off Ferrari made in China... so many directions to go with this... never mind.

As far as approaching Ferrari with our Contemporary 250, Thats not a bad idea really, no big risk or investment of time, still, I really am not interested in doing this. It has more to do with where I want Factory Five to go than it does with whether or not there is a market or IF we could do it. Let me explain why.

Our Mk4, 65 Coupe and 33 Hot Rod are legitimate replicas of cars that either were never in production or were long ago abandoned and have no trade dress rights. There were only six Daytona Coupes ever made (and they were all race cars). Our '33 and frankly all vintage Hot Rods are totally mainstream and embraced by both major car makers and the aftermarket. The Mk4 C-car... well we PROVED that one is legit to make. Going forward though, I want to drive FFR in a different direction. I am not saying we won't ever do another replica (say 289 version slab side or USRRC), but I want us to focus on original designs. The 818 will be a global platform from which other variants can and likely will spring. I dont want to do the 250 for the simple reason that Ferrari uses the shape and look of the car as their tradedress and have proven it in court. Further, I think the problem with the old "Kit car" industry is looking the other way when it comes to rip-off cars. I see the world of kit cars as separated into 2 worlds, 1 is legitimate replicas of abandoned designs, and the other is grey zone rip-off cars of either current production cars (lambo stuff) or vintage cars that are not abandoned. Ferrari uses the shapes of its vintage cars as a vibrant and active part of their current marketing and designs. Some vintage designs (like the 911 Porsche) have been in continuous production for 50+ years!

Factory Five will always stay true to the C-car replica, but on the road ahead, I see a company that more and more trends towards original designs and breaking new ground. The 250 will stay in the weeds behind the building.

Dave Smith

Dave,

If I had the room I would have been happy to take all that worthless Contemporary Motorcars Corp stuff off your hands so you did not have to mow around them any longer


Bill S.

[riptide motorsport]

I have the rOom!

[geoffav]

A funny thought popped in my head: In a hundred years will somebody say, "we make Factory Five (fill in the blank) Replicas"??????

That's a sweet looking project Mike. That window detail would be awesome on the 33HR.

[Doc_FFR]

Factory Five will always stay true to the C-car replica, but on the road ahead, I see a company that more and more trends towards original designs and breaking new ground.
Dave Smith

Sounds like you are "FORGE-ING" ahead in a new direction.

[Bill_VA]

I wonder how this company is getting away with building a 250 replica?

http://www.calspyderii.com

[PhyrraM]

Sounds like you are "FORGE-ING" ahead in a new direction.

I see what you did there.....

[riptide motorsport]

I see you edited out that it came assembled as a roller for that price........hm!