Volo Auto Museum to Boast Rare Miami Vice 'Ferrari,' One of Two Replica Daytona Spyders Driven in TV Series

VOLO, Ill., Oct. 25, 2006 -- The driver's side seat is positively shriveled. Dust is caked on its once famously gleaming exterior.

But the Ferrari Daytona Spyder custom built for the hugely popular '80s "Miami Vice" television series soon will be restored to its former splendor. The car Don Johnson drove as Det. James "Sonny" Crockett will be a polished and especially prized piece of Volo Auto Museum's remarkable collection of more than 300 collector and Hollywood cars.

A holiday season debut of the Spyder is planned. Right now, pros at Rainbow Collision Center in Volo are painstakingly bringing it back to a pristine state.

"This is the car that was driven throughout two years in the series," said Greg Grams, museum owner. "It was used by Don Johnson and abused by Don Johnson. They used the car up and it was left out to pasture. We got it and we're bringing it back to life."

Johnson as Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Det. Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs set fashion trends (think pastel suits and loafers with no socks) as they dealt with nefarious drug dealers.

Meanwhile, the Daytona Spyder Crockett drove became notorious among Ferrari aficionados and executives because the car gaining all that attention from viewers wasn't really a Ferrari, but a replica built on a Corvette chassis. With only 165 real convertible Daytona Spyders ever made, it's not difficult to comprehend the economics behind the faux car for the faux cops.

In later years, Ferrari North America provided two Testarossas to the show. But Crockett, whose cars were part of his drug-dealing cover, loved his Spyder. The public will love it, too, when it is unveiled late this year.

Volo Auto Museum, 27582 W. Volo Village Road, Volo, is open daily year- round and features a military exhibit, food court and gift shop in addition to its car collections.