His fake Toyota-based Ferrari F430 was destroyed by the Italian police!

It was an almost surreal scene that took place in Asti, Piedmont: a Ferrari F430 was destroyed by the Italian authorities. But behind this radical gesture lies a surprising discovery... and an illegal one at that.

A F430 too good to be true

It all began in 2022, when the Guardia di Finanza d'Asti, as part of Operation Cavallino, seized a suspect vehicle bearing a striking resemblance to a Ferrari F430. The illusion is almost perfect: Ferrari and Pininfarina logos, specific rims, front and rear hoods faithfully reproduced, right down to the brake calipers. At first glance, a thoroughbred from Maranello. But underneath that red dress was actually... a fully modified Toyota MR2.

The transformation is astonishing. The experts themselves had to carry out extensive expertise to confirm that it was indeed a counterfeit. For, despite its convincing appearance, the car was a fake Ferrari, right down to its registration papers.

This handcrafted work, although carried out according to the rules of the trade, was deemed illegal. The unauthorized use of Ferrari trademarks, as well as the counterfeiting of official documents, justified the intervention of the authorities.

Acquittal of the owner... but destruction of the car

The case had a judicial twist. The 26-year-old owner was finally acquitted. However, Italian justice has not cleared the vehicle. The court ordered the destruction of the fake Ferrari, judgment upheld on appeal. On June 30, 2025, the car was crushed.

According to the authorities, this operation is part of an effort to protect Italy's industrial heritage. "We aim to protect national production, especially when it represents a symbol of Italian quality in the world," said Guardia di Finanza.