I transformed £2,000 Ford Ka into ‘Ferrari' with racing-style seats & digital dashboard – now it's SOARED in value
Businessman Daniel dos Santos, from São Paulo, Brazil, bought the tired hatchback at auction for just BRL 16,000 (around £2,123) and set out to turn the humble motor into his dream machine.
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After hundreds of hours of painstaking graft, Daniel proudly revealed his unique creation, a bizarre mash-up of budget car and high-end flair.
But he's taken care to avoid upsetting the real Ferrari makers, whose legal teams are known for cracking down on copycats.
Instead of badging his car with the famous Ferrari logo, Daniel came up with a tongue-in-cheek twist.
He's dubbed the vehicle the 'Ka-rrari' — styled in the same distinctive font — and swapped out the iconic prancing horse for a grinning donkey.
The outside of the car now features dramatic Lamborghini -style scissor doors, while inside he's fitted sleek racing-style leather seats and a modern digital dashboard.
Despite the flashy upgrades, the engine under the bonnet remains the original one-litre Ford unit, pushing out a modest 72bhp — a far cry from the 199mph Ferrari SF90 XX he took inspiration from.
Still, Daniel reckons the unique build has sent the car's value soaring, claiming it's now worth around BRL 190,000 (around £25,194).
He said: 'The idea is to transform an ugly car into a beautiful one.'
Daniel isn't the only one breathing new life into tired Fords.
Iconic 1965 Ford Racer that starred in Top Gear is so rare only two in the world exist - but could be yours at auction
Another car enthusiast in the UK who revamped his rusting 2004 Ford Fiesta with luxury leather interiors, LED lighting, and a booming sound system — claiming it turned heads everywhere he went.
Another car lover proudly showed off his Ford Focus that he transformed into a replica rally car — complete with a bold wrap, racing stripes, and a custom spoiler.
He admitted the car cost more to modify than it was originally worth, but said, 'it puts a smile on people's faces, and that's priceless.'
Meanwhile, a DIY mechanic on a tight budget managed to craft a convincing Aston Martin replica out of an old Ford Mondeo, using second-hand parts and plenty of ingenuity — proving that with vision and patience, even a family saloon can become a head-turner.
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By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Looking for a lease on the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe? Find out the August lease special, including monthly payment, term length, and down payment for this popular SUV. A Ferrari is still a Ferrari (that is, unless it's a Mondial) When you think of Ferrari, chances are your mind jumps straight to icons like the F40, 250 GTO, LaFerrari, or even more modern fare like the SF90 Stradale, the 296GTB, and the new F80. While not all of the modern Ferraris are as iconic as the ones of old, they're still worthy road and track machines that command attention. But what about those lesser Ferraris that don't end up on teenage boys' walls or command high prices at auction? 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Some viewed it as having too soft a look to be a hot performer, but they'd be wrong. The 612 was never meant to be a brash supercar because it was built for covering long distances in supreme comfort and style, with room for four. Under the hood sat a sonorous V12 derived from none other than the hyper-exclusive Enzo supercar, paired to either a six-speed manual or the F1-style automated manual transmission. In terms of practicality and performance, the 612 delivered in spades, and today it represents a surprisingly affordable gateway into V12 Ferrari ownership. Good versions sell for between $80,000 and $150,000, and the fact that you can have one for the price of a new BMW 7-Series is almost shocking. Its aluminum chassis, adaptive suspension, and usable rear seats make it a rare offering in Ferrari history—one that's aged with quiet dignity and whose appearance has held up quite well over time. It's time the 612 Scaglietti got its due as a refined and capable GT machine. Ferrari FF (2011–2016) Engine: 6.3-liter V12 Power: 651 hp 0–60 mph: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 208 mph Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The FF is what you'd call a 'family Ferrari'. That's right, the slinky all-wheel drive, four-passenger, hatchback shooting brake was touted as just that. The 'FF' name stood for 'Ferrari Four,' denoting its four-wheel drive. Ferraristi didn't know what to make of it because there had never been anything like it before (unless you consider the 1962 250 GT SWB Breadvan). The mere thought of putting your child in the back seat of a Ferrari was pretty radical, but the FF could do it with luxury and aplomb. Source: Amos Kwon The FF's V12 remains one of Ferrari's finest, delivering instant throttle response, an engine note from the automotive gods, and relentless acceleration. The innovative 4RM all-wheel-drive system was rear-biased and incredibly lightweight, preserving much of the classic V12 grand touring Ferrari driving feel while adding all-weather traction. Despite its polarizing styling and hefty price tag when new, the FF has developed a niche following. It's eminently practical as a daily driver thanks to its AWD and room. It offers practicality, exclusivity, and real-world versatility that few exotics can match. For those in the know, the FF is a modern classic in the making, and the average used price right now is just over $132,000. That's about $30,000 less than a new Maserati GranTurismo. That's a no-brainer, we say. Ferrari 456 GT/GTA (1992–2003) Engine: 5.5-liter V12 Power: 436 hp 0–60 mph: 5.1 seconds Top Speed: 186 mph The 456 GT marked Ferrari's return to the front-engine V12 grand touring formula after a break from that effort in the '80s. The long, sculpted hood, the eggcrate grille, and the flip-up headlights gave the 456 GT presence. Credit goes to Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina for giving the 456 GT an understated yet undeniably elegant look. Like its 360 Modena sibling, nothing about the styling of the 456 GT was overdone. With a sloping roofline that terminated into a lovely integrated decklid spoiler and capped off by quad round taillights and quad tailpipes that sang mellifluous V12 notes, the 456 GT was a gentleman's GT. At the time, it was one of the few Ferraris available with an automatic transmission, known as the 456 GTA, which made it appealing to a wider swath of customers. That said, the gated manual shifter is our choice. Despite the 456 GT's luxurious appointments, it was no slouch. The V12 engine delivered strong performance, and the car's dynamics were impressive for its size and layout. Today, the 456 remains one of the most affordable V12 Ferraris on the used market, with good examples going for about $72,000. It's a Ferrari classic that can be had for a little more than a Mercedes E-Class. Tough choice? Not really. Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina (2001) Engine: 5.5-liter V12 Power: 485 hp 0–60 mph: 4.4 seconds Top Speed: 186 mph If you love the 550 Maranello as much as we do, the Barchetta ratchets it up a notch. Built to commemorate Pininfarina's 70th anniversary, the 550 Barchetta (Italian for 'little boat') was a limited-run, open-top version of the iconic front-engined V12, rear-wheel drive Maranello. The 550 Barchetta embodied everything wonderful about the 550 hardtop but chopped off the roof, added roll-hoops at the cowls, and a manually removable and abbreviated fabric top meant only for light rain. Ferrari made a mere 448 units, which is part of the reason why you never see them. They also didn't get as much love as the F50 or the Enzo did. The Barchetta was like an Italian speedboat on wheels. It was a pure-looking and pure-driving Ferrari that came with a gated six-speed manual and minimal driver aids. This was a car designed for blasts down sunny Italian coasts listening to the sonorous V12 soundtrack. The heavily bolstered seats, the gated manual shifter, and the waterfall center console all contributed to a driving experience that elicited nothing but grins. While it's not nearly as affordable as some of the other Ferraris here, averaging about $480,000, it's a very reasonable price to pay for such stunning and powerful exclusivity. Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 (1973–1980) Engine: 3.0-liter V8 Power: 240 hp 0–60 mph: 6.4 seconds Top Speed: 155 mph The Dino 308 GT4 isn't nearly as prominent as the Dino 206 and Dino 246 GTs, but it stands out in Ferrari history as the first first mid-engine V8 production car, the first Ferrari badged as a 'Dino' (named for Enzo's son) before eventually wearing the Prancing Horse badge, and the only Ferrari designed by Bertone rather than Pininfarina during that period. The Bertone style stood out in the 308 GT4's straight-edge styling, which was more reminiscent of a Lotus Esprit than a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Its angular, wedge-like styling wasn't universally loved, but the GT4's 2+2 layout, balanced handling, and high-revving V8 made it a rewarding driver's car. It offered Ferrari thrills in a more practical and attainable package. Not exactly beloved in the Ferrari collector world, the GT4 has begun to gain appreciation as enthusiasts seek more accessibility into vintage Ferrari ownership. With its racing DNA, daily usability, and unique place in Ferrari's history, the Dino 308 GT4 is pretty affordable, unlike other Ferraris from the same era. Examples sell for between $40,000 and $80,000. Final thoughts Each of these Ferrari models represents a unique chapter in Ferrari's history. They may not have the instant-name recognition of the Testarossa or F40, but they offer something equally important: individuality. Whether it's the grand touring prowess of the 612, the all-weather usability of the FF, or the nautical-themed 550 Barchetta, these forgotten Ferraris remind us that the brand's greatness isn't confined to just its most boisterous and head-turning models. Granted, not everyone can find (nor afford) the Barchetta, but that 456 GT might be calling your name. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
