EQ. Magazine Summer Issue 2019

COVER STORY
“We’re making the perfect copy.”
added it’s preferable if the model whose I.D. they
are working with is older but not essential. “We
don’t need any parts; we’ve got all the parts…We
like to have something physical if we can — so, a
bit of chassis, or some parts, if possible. But we
basically make the car.”
For that reason, Marcel Massini, the Ferrari
expert, estimates that while there were only 165
SWB Berlinettas created from 1959 to 1962, as
many as 300 or more additional versions with
Ferrari I.D.s could have been built by companies
similar to GTO Engineering, who operate in a
market that includes those working on replica
Jaguar E-Types and vintage Porsches.
This has split opinions in the car collecting
world. Massini, a purist, has called the use of I.D.
numbers tied to perhaps more mass-produced
Ferraris “sacrilege” and says it’s a shame that
“other Ferraris are being butchered and basically
killed to use their identities or their remnants
to build a 250 SWB replica.” Others see it as a
cheaper alternative to have access to a design
of Ferrari that otherwise remains out of reach
— like a classic painting purchased for an exorbitant
fee and then locked away in a private collection,
and not shared with the public.
Miles Miller, the chief operating officer
of Manhattan Motorcars, while sympathetic
towards the views of Massini and others, said
the focus should simply be on the craftsmanship
itself. Miller was not intending to commission
such a car when he visited GTO Engineering
around two years ago, but having been
impressed by the performance and build quality,
he and his father, Brian, who owns the business,
saw a car that they believe could offer a weekend
drive for those who cannot get their hands on
the original — or even a daily drive for someone
who does not want to damage their own rare
Berlinetta itself.
“There’s always going to be people who poo
poo it a little bit because it’s not original and
everything like that. It’s still a beautiful piece of
engineering; it’s stunning to look at; it sounds
great — so don’t over complicate it.”
Lyon, naturally, agrees. “There are some people
who don’t like it, but most people say, ‘I can
see why they’re doing that — that does make
a lot of sense,” he said. “You don’t want to use
something that’s very unique and irreplaceable;
you want something you can use and have fun in.
Not many people use the original cars anymore
— which is very sad, but it’s true.” Lyon hopes to
hear the sound and see the sight of a new GTO
out and about soon.” ■
equicapmag.com
SUMMER 2019 ISSUE
EQ.
15