These rebodies are selling far below construction costs and will deliver miles of smiles. But don’t go near Pebble Beach, and don’t expect to make money
Carrozzeria Touring’s 1949-53 Barchetta is considered one of Ferrari’s classic models. Only about 35 Touring Barchettas (literally translated as “little boat”) were produced using Touring’s patented Superleggera or super light construction, which wrapped the aluminum body panels on a lightweight steel tubing sub-frame. Most were intended for competition, but a few “Lusso” or luxury versions were fitted with leather interiors and a leather covering surrounding the cockpit area.
This beautiful alloy-bodied recreation is built as a Lusso version utilizing a left-hand-drive 330 2+2 chassis and driveline. Dominic Scaduto at his Scuderia Carrozzeria Italia in San Marcos, California, constructed it in the late 1980s.
Scaduto worked for Touring in the 1960s before immigrating to the U.S. in 1986. He built three of these Barchettas in the late 1980s utilizing Ferrari parts from a 212, 250 and in this case a 330 2+2 donor car. He shortened the chassis and fabricated the Superleggera sub-frame using slightly larger tubing than the original. Aluminum sections were cut, then shaped over a wooden body buck and welded to form the panels.
The whole process absorbed more than 2,000 hours. The finished chassis/body was trucked to a specialist shop to receive the rebuilt 4-liter, 330 2+2 300-hp engine and running gear. The “Lusso” interior gives it a charming dual capability for high-speed competition and open road events as well as being a satisfying and comfortable Gran Turismo. Correct outside laced Borranis with Dunlop racing tires complete the replica. Except for the 330 Veglia gauges substituted for the original Jaeger ones, the Touring Barchetta Recreation could pass for a 1952 original.