Iconic Miami Vice Ferrari Daytona Replica With A Dark Secret Heads To Auction

‘Miami Vice’ was a cultural phenomenon that defined the visual style and atmosphere of the nineteen eighties. Don Johnson starred as Detective James Sonny Crockett and cruised through neon streets in a black Ferrari Daytona Spyder. This specific vehicle became a character in its own right during the first two seasons of the hit police drama. Now this controversial piece of television history is preparing to cross the auction block at Mecum Auctions. It offers wealthy fans a rare chance to buy a legitimate screen legend.

Most viewers at the time believed they were watching a genuine European supercar worth a small fortune. The reality was that the gorgeous Italian convertible was an impostor hiding a secret under its fiberglass bodywork. It was actually a replica built on the chassis of a 1976 Chevrolet Corvette C3. The creation was the handiwork of Tom McBurnie from McBurnie Coachcraft who was hired to build the cars. The production team used these replicas to avoid damaging expensive real vehicles during stunts.

The show became a massive global hit and eventually caught the attention of executives in Maranello. Ferrari North America was furious to see a cheap imitation representing their prestigious brand to millions of viewers. They filed a lawsuit against the coachbuilder for trademark infringement and demanded the production cease immediately. This high profile legal battle forced the production team to make a drastic change to the storyline. The studio had no choice but to retire the fake Daytona.

Enzo Ferrari personally offered a compromise to the producers to settle the heated dispute. The company agreed to donate two brand new white Testarossas for use in the upcoming third season. The strict condition was that the Daytona replica had to be destroyed completely within the series narrative. Viewers watched in shock as the beloved black spyder was blown up by a Stinger missile during a tense episode. This paved the way for the white Testarossa to become the new icon.

The car currently heading to the auction block is the surviving example from that tumultuous era. It features a sleek black exterior paired with a tan leather interior that closely mimics the original Italian design. Under the hood lies a standard 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 engine rather than a complex V12. The power is sent to the wheels through a three speed automatic transmission. This setup made acting while driving much easier for Johnson during intense dialogue scenes.

This vehicle holds a unique place in Hollywood history despite its total lack of Italian pedigree. It comes with extensive documentation proving its authenticity as a screen used prop from the iconic series. Mecum Auctions will offer this replica at their famous Kissimmee event in January without a reserve price. Collectors often value this specific car higher than many real Ferraris due to its immense pop culture significance. It represents a specific moment in time for car enthusiasts and TV fans alike.

The interior features custom touches that were added specifically for the television production. It includes a Momo steering wheel and custom seats that look correct on camera. The car has been restored to ensure it looks exactly as it did when it roamed the streets of Miami. The bodywork shows the distinctive lines that McBurnie crafted to fool the world. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity of Hollywood prop builders.

Owning this roadster means possessing a physical representation of the cop show genre from the eighties. It tells a fascinating story of copyright battles and marketing deals that shaped television history. The next owner will have to decide whether to drive it locally or preserve it as a museum piece. The estimated value reflects its status as a true legend of the small screen.

Tell us if you prefer the original Daytona replica or the white Testarossa in the comments.