In 2024, American YouTuber Vin_Tra caused a sensation in his video by buying a Ferrari 360 Modena for just 47,000 $, probably the cheapest on the North American market at the time. One year on, what's the status of this crazy gamble? Here's a full review of a project like no other.
A risky but responsible purchase
No Ferrari dealership, no pre-purchase inspection. Vin_Tra trusts his instincts and takes home this 1999 Ferrari, F1 version with robotized gearbox, in a less popular configuration: "grandfather" color and tired "Crema" interior. From the very first wash, the verdict is in: paintwork redone, opaque headlights, faded interior, leather that shrinks, trim that hangs... but an engine that runs smoothly and impressive maintenance records, exceeding 220,000 $ in cumulative invoices (from 1999 to 2024).
Objective: make it a daily
Against all odds, the 360 becomes his daily. In one year, he covered over 12,000 miles (19,000 km), took it on road trips, rode it to Pikes Peak, pushed it on the track, and gave it a second mechanical and aesthetic life.
Key changes include :
- 6-speed manual gearbox conversion
- New Inconel exhaust system
- Nitron R3 suspension with front lift
- Modified BBS wheels from a Nissan 240SX
- Fully tinted black interior
- Optimized braking with JurroDisc discs
The result? A Ferrari transformed, more reliable, more alive, more personal.
Unexpected visibility
The 360 has also transformed its owner's career. Appearing in a music video, used in two commercials, the Ferrari has become a character in its own right on the channel, despite its criticized looks in its early days. This "grandpa spec" has brought the Youtuber a great deal of notoriety.
And the problems? Of course there were. The Ferrari suffered some damage. A cardan shaft bellows patched up with scotch tape eventually failed, and the front aluminum fenders were cracked after an impact. Repairs? Too costly. Replace? Impossible without changing the entire front end. As a result, the fenders are repaired.
The mechanics: a pleasant surprise
One year on the road: no major breakdowns. Two oil changes, replacement of the engine mounts, and a clutch changed when converting to a manual gearbox. And that's all there is to it. Not bad for a Ferrari with a reputation for temperament. And that's despite an unresolved co2 emissions anomaly that still prevents the car from passing Californian standards.
The project is now entering its final phase:
- Complete paintwork (correction of body defects, harmonization)
- Interior refurbishment (dashboard, Recaro bucket seats)
- Finishes and new aesthetic elements
What's next? A real, personal Ferrari restomod, built with passion and resourcefulness.
Summary: good plan or golden trap?
For less than 65,000 $ (€57,000), Vin_Tra rides in a Ferrari 360 Modena manual, reliable, high-performance, with a unique look. It opened doors, generated views, and proved that a affordable supercar could still exist, provided they had courage, tools... and a lot of patience. One year on, his gamble has paid off. And this is just the beginning.
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