The 1980s cult classic car, tied to the original series, is now up for auction just as a new Miami Vice film heads to production
Live on Catawiki from 18 to 30 December, the Miami Vice McBurnie Spyder is a chance to own not just a car but the symbol of an era
Amsterdam, 18 December 2025 - It’s no secret the 80s are back. From the runaway success of Stranger Things to a Miami Vice film reportedly in development — with Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan in talks to star — pop culture is leaning hard into nostalgia. Against this backdrop, Catawiki, the leading online marketplace for special objects, is bringing a true cult icon to auction: one of the two original McBurnie Spyders used during the filming of the iconic 1980s Miami Vice TV series.
This isn’t just any car. When Ferrari declined to supply cars for the first season of Miami Vice, the producers turned to McBurnie Coachcraft in California to build convincing lookalikes. Based on a Corvette C3 chassis, this tailor-made Ferrari Daytona Spyder became an instant icon. Two were built – one for close-ups, one for stunts — this one being used for stunts. Driven by Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett, it lit up the screen for two seasons before making a dramatic exit, written out of the series in a fiery explosion.
“This car is pure 80s charisma,” says Franco Vigorito, Catawiki’s Expert in Classic Cars. “It’s got the looks, the backstory and the star power. For collectors, it’s more than a car: it’s a cultural token. We’re thrilled to see this extraordinary car coming up for auction.”
For automotive collectors, this car doesn’t shy away from its technical credentials. One of only two custom-built Ferraris, adapted by McBurnie Coachcraft specifically for the series, it features a Chevrolet V8 engine tuned by drag racing pioneer Don “Big Daddy” Garlits. Estimated at €90.000 - €120.000 and originally owned by the show’s head of filming, it comes with a certificate of authenticity, period memorabilia, and its original “MI-VICE” licence plate.
The auction runs exclusively on Catawiki from 18 to 30 December 2025.
