Ferrari DNA

[Cozi]

In my haste I got the date wrong. I think the facelift entailed nothing more than a change to the fender vents and the addition of the chrome rub strip under the doors. Zachmac, thank you for the support. Wachuko, the color pictures are beautiful and show the very similar rear end which further upholds the argument that the 275 GTS was very likely the inspiration for the 124 Spider.

[Redline]

Some Corvette Rondine in the genetic mix as well:

[Cozi]

Wow...

[katsi]

I watched a documentary on Enzo Ferrari and it seems that in the late 50's or early 60's he was about ready to go under. Fiat bailed him out and insisted that he take some of his racing focus and put it into production line cars. I believe that the production Ferrari's that came out of this period (car in question) were built in the Fiat plant in Turin. Also, wasn't the Spider a result of Fiat doing Ferrari a favor in building the Fiat\Ferrari Dino so that Enzo's son could race in the V6 class? I'm pretty sure that it was the case. Ferari handed down the chassis for the 124 and later Pinnin Farina re-vamped it to the spider we have today. So, yeah; I would say that they are atleast cousins. If my understanding of the history is correct, that is.

[Exit98]

I was 17 or 18 when the 275 GTS came out. I'll never forget it. There was a red one on the cover of Road & Track and a yellow one on the cover of Car & Driver. Those magazines got looked at by me more than my Playboys. That car gave me chills then, and it still does now.

In later years it was criticized as looking like a grown up Fiat 124! Maybe that's why I bought my new 124 Spider in 1972. Subliminally I'm sure it reminded me of the 275 GTS.

They built 199 of them. It was replaced in 1967 with the new 330 GTS which is said to be a much better car. Here's some pictures of the 330 GTS. I still like the 275 GTS best.

[Danno]

That Rondine (or one like it) sold for over one and a half millions dollars a few years back. Pretty sure there is a thread about that around here somewhere.

Even my favorite British car (MGB GT) has "that look" about it that I loved and later found to be from Pininfarina as well...

[james124]

I like the fender vents on those old cars. Fender vents seem to be making a comeback on the new cars. Has anyone installed fender vents on their Spider, functional or not. I saw one example years ago. It gave the car greater elegance. It would be very interesting to see some pics.

[Zippy]

I always thought they looked very similar. I haven't seen the Ferrari in person but from the pictures I get a sense that it is slightly large than the Fiat. I don't know how long this site will be up but here are a lot of pictures of the 275 GTS. http://ferraris-online.com/pages/carint ... 5GTS-07563

[beachboy]

In my haste I got the date wrong. I think the facelift entailed nothing more than a change to the fender vents and the addition of the chrome rub strip under the doors. Zachmac, thank you for the support.

Hey Cozi, Nothing meant by it what so ever, I though you might be alluding to something about the 275 I was unaware of, but it is good to see Zackmac has your back! We could all use a little backup here lately.

All owners of this car died in fiery crashes changing the radio station. LOL I guess you need a co-pilot. They later added a lower center console (like the spider has) where the radio also landed.

[baltobernie]

Hey, I thought you were supposed to hang that speaker on the side window?! How convenient that Ferrari provided a location inside the car!

[Cozi]

Yo Beachboy..., All cool. I gotta say I really am enjoying this forum. A nice group. And yes, it appears you COULD get killed dialing in your favorite tunes in that 275. I can easily operate the radio in my Spider. It's the steering wheel that is slightly out of reach.

[Cozi]

Maybe Enzo thought music was an unnecessary distraction. You were supposed to be DRIVING.

[zachmac]

Maybe Enzo thought music was an unnecessary distraction. You were supposed to be DRIVING.

The music in those cars comes from the engine compartment!

[Cozi]

Indeed.