Daytona Spyder Conversion Pro and Con

I've pretty much made up my mind to put a Daytona in the garage this year (or next year if it takes that long to find a good car). I'm familiar with them; owned one for a couple of years when I lived in Houston.

I find myself think about a spyder conversion. I don't need a conversion that was sent back to Italy for a "rear clip". Just something nice that had been gone through and done properly. Maybe like a Mike Sheehan conversion?

I have heard issues of body flex; real or not. I was wondering if Bill or some of the others could comment on the issues of a spyder conversion?

I hear they run a little more than the coupes but not much more?

Any help and opinions welcome.

Drew

Drew,
I've heard that cars without the chassis mods exhibit chassis flex when suspended on a hoist. One gentleman told me he could actually see this using a straightedge. Another tip is whether the doors open and close while the car is suspended. In the real world, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference for routine street driving. An unbraced car will probably exhibit more cowl shake over bumps and RR crossings. The domestic conversions, to my knowledge, typically did not have these extra braces or chassis mods, while the ones by Bacchelli in Modena did. Latest sale price I've seen was one at Barrett-Jackson which went for $135k. I'm writing an article concerning the differences, which will have lots of photos.

Sheehan just posted a REAL one for $365K. HTH

Thanks Bill,

I look forward to reading your article.

Alan, I wish I could afford the real spyder. But I just don't have that kind of money.

I'd just be like a kid in a candy store to have a Daytona coupe or conversion.

Drew

All Daytonas, cut or otherwise, are REAL. Perhaps "original" would be a better choice.

I like that Bill!