Fake Ferrari sells for $396,000 in the US

A fake Ferrari famously used in iconic 1980s movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, has sold for a staggering US$396,000 (A$577,000) at auction last weekend.

The replica Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB is one of three cars built by Modena Design and Development for the 1986 movie, that starred a young Matthew Broderick as the eponymous hero enjoying an illicit day off from school.

While real Ferrari California Spyders command astronomical money when they appear at auction (a 1961 example sold for US$17.6million – A$25million – in 2016), the fake 250 GT represents value. Of sorts.

The movie’s producers used a real 250 GT California Spyder for close-up shots, but when it came to scenes where the ‘Ferrari’ was thrashed through the streets of Chicago before being crashed by Bueller in the famous ‘odometer rollback’ scene, the film’s budget demanded replicas be used as stunt doubles.

According to auction house Barrett-Jackson, car #GTC0001 has recently undergone a body-off restoration with the rub treated to carbon-fibre panels. Powered by 7.0-litre V8 mated to a five-speed manual gearbox sending drive to the rear wheels, the replica is a far cry from the original car’s 3.0-litre Colombo V12.

The car rides on independent suspension all-round with adjustable coilovers. The beautiful 16-inch chrome wire wheels are custom-made and wear BFGoodrich rubber.

Far from being a period correct replica, #GTC0001 features a GPS-based speedo, a Retrosound radio with Bluetooth connectivity with a pair of Blaupunkt amps hiding in the refurbished boot, powering 14 speakers tastefully hidden throughout the cabin.

Included in the sale price is a swag of movie memorabilia including signed photos, a 1/24-scale diecast model while anyone doubting the provenance of the fake Ferrari can be shown a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Modena Design and Development. No, really.

The car went under the hammer at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale, Arizona, event last weekend. It’s not the first time a Bueller ‘Ferrari’ has come up for sale, with chassis #GTC0003 selling for $407,000 (A$593,000) in 2018.

We have a few questions we'd like your feedback on: Did you cringe during the movie thinking the producers were junking a real Ferrari and are you now relieved it was a fake? And would you pay $577,000 Aussie dollars for this movie car?

Photos by Barrett-Jackson