12/22/05
Sydney Ferrari Shop: Part II
As I walked around David Levy's shop, I noticed a shape of a car that
looked vaguely familiar, and yet it was something I had never seen
before. It had many Ferrari, Scaglietti, and Pininfarina design cues,
but it was not recognizable as a particular model. When I asked David
what it was, he told me it was a pet project that he has been working
on "all too many years."
The car sits on a 400/365 chassis that has been shortened by Levy. He
completely removed the old body, and began literally with a blank sheet
of paper. He drew his car on bits of paper, and fabricated sections in
steel from scratch. He let his eye and hand form the shape of the car
following lines originally sketched by the Italian design houses in the
60s. Everything on this car has been reworked or formed by Levy, even
the bumpers. When I asked if he used pneumatic tools for some of the
forming, he laughed and told me EVERYTHING was formed using only hand
tools and a torch! I did not know whether to be sympathetic or
impressed with the amount of hours he has spent on this car!
The nose of this car has a narrowed 330 2+2 grille, and a shape very
similar to a short nose GTB. The head lights will use Plexiglas covers
that were fabricated along with the stainless surrounds. The two
bulges in the hood similar to the single hood bulge found on early TRs
tells another story of what will power this car.
The engine in this car came from a GTC/4 or a GT/4 that has dual
overhead cams and side draft DCOE Weber carbs. This configuration was
used so these two models could have a low hood line, but created a very
wide engine. Levy's car could not afford the space for the carbs so an
alternative was needed.
Levy created and cast a set of downdraft intake manifolds so fuel
intake could come from above! The shape and castings look like they
came from the factory, and to the casual observer would look like a
Ferrari "one-off!" David plans to use fuel injection with a
fuel rail and custom air cleaner, all to hide under those two hood
bulges in the the bodywork. I only wish I could see this car running
and driving on the street someday! Good luck David, and thanks for the
tour!
After a long morning, and a nice lunch in Cronulla, Adam dropped me off
in Sydney to catch up with my wife and child. I should mention my ride
was in Adam's 1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina Sedan that he uses as a driver.
It was comfortable and fun to see the area in vintage Italian iron.
Thanks for the lift Adam, and I hope you see another 100K miles in that
car!
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