I ran across my old Daytona Spyder replica on Ebay, and it's not very far from me (in Pittsburgh, PA). I'd love to buy it back but I can't afford to buy another car right now.
I built this car in '85-86, and had some unique touches, which is how I identified it initially. Then I found an old registration card and the VIN matched. The dash is all custom, using the Fiat 124 glovebox knob to make the glovebox work (most replicas do not have a functional glovebox). The dash has a unique layout of gauges, including the one located below the instrument cluster on the right side. On the brushed aluminum, there are 3 warning lights arranged diagonally upwards, including the high beam indicator. The turn signal indicators, instead of being arrows or circles at the edges of the instrument cluster, are custom drilled circled of decreasing size as they go outwards. No other Daytona has this. The center of the dash has the Corvette heater/vent controls mounted vertically. The door panels and seats have been customized in the 30 years since I built it, and changed from black to tan, but the interior has the identifying marks still.
The top may be new, but the attachment at the body is still the same as the way I made it with three snaps per side. That was a decision made by myself and the top maker in order to make it work. Most don't attach this way.
It's lost the plastic headlight covers along the way, but it still has the hand recessed emblem that was designed to go under the plastic. It still has the offset rear prancing horse, though.
Compare this:
With the original way it was:
Look at those identifying marks that are there, the turn signal indicators, the gauge placement (that was unique to my car), the central ventilation location, the glovebox latch, etc.
Look at the McBurnie dash:
And this:
With it's original state:
I also used a '66 Datsun 411 license plate light (with Stanley of Japan markings) instead of the kit supplied cast unit. And used an offset prancing horse, 'cause I liekd it (never saw another Daytona with one there). And in the trunk, I had a custom offset gas tank with a deep section to put larger items, which nesessitated an offset latch mechanism instead of a central one (the other kit Daytonas used a flat floor). That offset deep sided floor and offset latch are still there:
It's also not a McBurnie car as stated in the ad as the McBurnie cars used Fiat/Alfa outside door handles, not the custom fabricated Daytona replica flappers I created and used, and usually square headlights.
Mine:
The car was, as I said, built in '85 to show off the fabrication and fiberglass skills of my shop, and used in a couple TV shows, including one of the last episodes of Max Headroom:
While there have been some customizations done over the years, like the tan seats and door panels that I wanted to do when I built it, it's held up great for being 30 years old and I'd love to be able to buy it back. I'm contacting the seller to give it's history and to maybe get the buyer to give me first rights of refusal if THEY decide to sell it.
Even though I know what lies beneath, I'd like to have that.
Cool car!
Woody wrote: Even though I know what lies beneath, I'd like to have that.
I wonder if it still has the engine we built for it. I had a friend of mine that is a circle track engine builder do the 350 for me, and it was farking fast. The car weighed in at about 400 lbs less than the stock Corvette and it made more power than an original Daytona (about 375 hp). It was quicker than an original Daytona up to about 130-140mph where the TH400 was gearing limited.
I know that car. No way to register it in California with it being a 75 or /i would try and snag it. Also buying house right now.
wearymicrobe wrote: I know that car. No way to register it in California with it being a 75 or /i would try and snag it. Also buying house right now.
yeah, the car was a '75, but it was registered in WA as a "'72 Ferrari Replica" And I see they are still doing that with the FL and PA registrations.
Here's what I built it from:
JG and I need this.
More build pictures:
I want the car back so bad, but I can't afford it right now.
David S. Wallens wrote: JG and I need this.
Found the Max Headroom episode that my car was in, Comes in at just about 23 minutes and is sporadically there from there on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oulUwiNc0J4
David S. Wallens wrote: JG and I need this.
srsly, do it
David S. Wallens wrote: JG and I need this.
You totally do.
He just sent pictures of when he got it. Needed a bunch of interior work, as the door panels were gone and the dash was dusty and had the stereo removed. But the instrument cluster was all still there and all the unique things I did were still intact:
Chris, Nice loooking car. You must be a proud papa.
Final bit of the puzzle was the foldaway front license plate mod I did, where the front plate was mounted on a vaccuum operated folding mechanism so that when the car was driving, the plate was hidden, but you could fold it down with a switch. The guy that has it sent more pics of when he got it, and this shot clearly shows the hole I made to mount the hidden front plate on the front apron:
And here's where the plate sat when the car was off:
Man, I've always wanted one of those. Chris you need to beg, borrow, or steal to get that back. Looks like you did a hell of a job on it and it deserves to be back home.
I know, but with the Volt lease only being halfway through, the MINI lease being new, and my wife recently being out of a job, the houshold car finances are slim to none. I REALLY want it back, but at least I'm in touch with the seller who will put me in touch with the buyer so maybe when he's tired of it I can get it back.
conesare2seconds wrote:David S. Wallens wrote: JG and I need this.srsly, do it
I know. The timing sucks for both of us: He bought a race car on Friday, and looks like Mrs. Editor is getting a new car this week.
Still, tempting....
And what's cooler: this or a late C3 Vette?
David S. Wallens wrote: And what's cooler: this or a late C3 Vette?
This. 100%.
Late C3's should only exist to build these. 
Plus you can buy it and then sell it to Chris in a few years. 
Ian F wrote:David S. Wallens wrote: And what's cooler: this or a late C3 Vette?This. 100%. Late C3's should only exist to build these.
You make a convincing argument. Let me ask my wife (JG).
David S. Wallens wrote: And what's cooler: this or a late C3 Vette?
You have to ask? The Daytona!
Think of how great a project car for the two magazines this could be. There are tons of old "kit cars" or Replicas in the wild that people buy or want to buy and while there are magazines that cater to that industry, few have the focus that GRM and CM have and could provide on the subject.
Some ideas:
Buying an old Kitcar, what to look out for, how to find out about its history, etc.
Prepping a donor chassis to handle properly on a budget
How well can a lightened C3 chassis work at an Autocross or track day without becoming a miserable vehicle to own?
How well could a C3 compare with its siblings when power/weight is considered?
How well does a Replica compare to the real thing?
How close to the real thing can a replica get in performance, let alone in how it feels to drive?
Lets not forget about how awesome this would look parked out in front of the office, let alone inside it.
So yes, you needs it. Right meow.
same thing happened to me, take my advice if you can find out who buys it, do so. so you will at least know where it is. I eventually got mine back. it will ease your mind if you know were it is.
Never go back to your old girlfriend...Other people have farted in those seats...she ain't the same.
Pete
NOHOME wrote: Never go back to your old girlfriend...Other people have farted in those seats...she ain't the same. Pete
I normally buy well used cars that have had dozens of people fart in the seats. Not a big deal, and those are new seats anyhow...
I'm sad that I'm missing out on the chance to buy it back. Unlike most old GFs, this one looks really nice after nearly 30 years apart.
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