Tag Archives: NEC Birmingham

Giordanengo Replica TR – Ferrari 250 GT #0611GT

Sitting on the Coy’s stand at the Autosport International show a couple of months ago was this eye catching Ferrari, the car appears to be part of the Coys showroom stock and acted as eye candy for the Coy’s stand despite not being entered into the auction.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

This particular 1956 Ferrari chassis #0611GT started out as the 53rd Boano low roof coupé bodied 250GT of a total of 88 built, a left hand drive model originally sold new to Mario Machiarelli of Genova, Italy.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

By 1988 a Mr Robert Fehlmann, whom I believe once raced a rare, if not unique,Ghia Supersonic bodied Conrero and ran a garage business in Altenhaus Switzerland, owned #0611GT.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Fehlmann had the Boano body on #0611GT replaced by highly respected restoration specialist Giovanni Giordanengo of Cuneo Italy with a likeness of a Le Mans winning 250 Testa Rossa Scaglietti pontoon body with right hand drive.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

It is believed of the 33 original 250TR’s, which can fetch upwards of $10 million, as many as 46 exist today some unsurprisingly with disputed identities.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Sources I have seen suggest a car like #0611GT featured today would have cost around #150,000 to build excluding the cost of the donor car.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

In 1990 #0611GT was bought by Peter Heuberger of Oberramsern in Switzerland.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Peter is known to have driven the car at classic events at the Nurburgring and Montreux up until at least 2002.

Ferrari 250 GT, Coys, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

It is unlikely that this car will handle or perform anything like as well as a well maintained original 250TR which it imitates, but at less than 1/50th of the cost of an original it will probably turn just as many heads.

Thanks for joining me on this “Giordanengo Replica TR” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a Liege Trials Car. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Protoect-O-Top – Ford Ranchero

Unlike it’s earlier siblings, which had been based on the full size Ford Custom range, the second generation Ford Ranchero was based on the mid size Ford Falcon range and launched in 1960.

Ford Ranchero, Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham

In 1964 like it’s parent Falcon the Ranchero received a face lift with the 4.7 litre / 289 cui Windsor V8 replacing the 4.3 litre / 260 cui variant in the top performance models.

Ford Ranchero, Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham

Note that while the ’64 Falcon was known as second generation, the ’60 to ’65 model Ranchero’s inclusive are known as second generation Ranchero’s.

Ford Ranchero, Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham

Toady’s featured vehicle powered by a “289” was built in 1965, but appears not to have been imported into the UK until 2009.

Ford Ranchero, Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham

The rear deck is covered by an aftermarket Protect-O-Top made of fibre glass with spring loaded hinges made in Santa Clara CA, Protect-O-Top appears to have gone out of business after the owner failed to attract a buyer some years ago.

Ford Ranchero, Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham

In 2011 a ’65 Ranchero owner managed to trace two former Protect-O-Top employees who had access to the original moulds. They were persuaded to make up some new Ranchero Protect-O-Tops for between $650 and $900 each. The cost of shipping these items doubled the cost, because they could only be carried at commercial rates due to their “66 x 60” unpacked size.

Ford Ranchero, Classic Motor Show, NEC Birmingham

With a larger payload than the VW Type 2 pickup, against which the Ranchero was designed to compete, the model did well, unlike it’s parent Falcon which could not hold it’s own against the new Ford Mustang pony car.

Thanks for joining me on this “Protoect-O-Top” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Brighton Speed Trials Under Threat of Permanent Cancellation !

In their infinite wisdom, Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking to ban the Brighton Speed Trials from 2014.

If you care about speed and or motorsport history, please sign this linked petition to save Brighton Speed Trials in 2014 and beyond.

It’s a faf to Register before signing, but relatively painless compared to loosing the event which has been run with few interruptions since 1905.

You do not need to be resident in Brighton or even the UK to sign.

More on Brighton Speed Trials on this link.

Thanks and please spread the word through whatever social media you have at your disposal.

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