Phony ponies

Ferrari’s allure has people fakin’ the funk—RIDES picks the top three bootleg

1. Modena’s Micro Machine
It took Frenchman Pierre Scerri 12 years to build a dead-perfect, 1/3-scale replica 312PB. There’s a miniature flat 12-cylinder motor that revs to 10Krpm, a real 5-speed ’box that shifts, shocks that bounce and brakes that bite. Every piece is a one-off and true to the original, and the car works. It’s so damn hard calling this a fake, but it weighs only 132 pounds and is 49 inches bumper to bumper. The only thing missing is a mini racecar driver. Vote yes for stem cell research! Jack Chinelli

2. Prancing Horse in Sheep’s Clothing
Wool over, it’s the fashion police! Style and creativity points go to British art student Lauren Porter for her fancy finger work. The 355-slash-Testarossa wooly mutant was showcased at a Bath Spa University graduate exhibition. Forget carbon fibers or Kevlar weaves, this fur-bucket features over 12 miles of yarn. It’s a fresh twist on fakin’ an
F-car, but it don’t drive!

3. Bellissimo: The Elmer’s Glue Ferrari
The Pontiac Fiero takes the brunt of many a car joke—for good reason. Pontiac had good intentions when it first built its mid-engine car, but driveway grease monkeys couldn’t resist using the Fiero as a platform for fakeness. Mail-order parts or kits containing Ferrari-like fenders and badges always seem to be fastened with Elmer’s Glue. Most wannabes mimic the 328 GTS, 355 and F40.

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