Tag Archives: Ferrari

Ferrari Friday – 9th Danville Concours d’Elegance

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Geoffrey Horton attended this years 9th Danville Concours d’Elegance last month and kindly shared today’s collection of Ferrari photographs.

Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Pride of place belonged to this Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder PF Series I chassis #0408 MD which featured on this blog some time ago.

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, Danville Concours d'Elegance

I still have not established if the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso chassis #4237 like the one above is actually missing or not, if anyone has any information about #4237 please do not hesitate to chime in below.

Ferrari F355 Spyder, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Moving forward a couple of decades the Ferrari F355 was fitted with a Japanese starter motor in an attempt to bring the marque up to compete with and beat the Honda NSX on price, reliability and handling when it was launched in 1994.

Ferrari F360 Spyder, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Ferrari’s 20th convertible the 360 Spider was launched in 2000, former Ferrari Formula One Team technical director Ross Brawn had one as his company car.

Ferrari California, Danville Concours d'Elegance

The Ferrari California, launched in 2008, was originally designed as a Maserati but sold only as a Ferrari to recoup the development costs

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, Danville Concours d'Elegance

If stealth is your rocks your boat I guess matt black is the way to go, but I’m not sure I could ever get used to it, matt black to me looks like the new primer, something unfinished or a work in progress which is I am sure the last thing I’d think of in the event I ever bought a Ferrari 458 Italia Coupé.

Ferrari F12berlinetta, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Despite being launched last year to replace the Ferrari 599, I still have not come across a Ferrari F12berlinetta like the one above, I must get round to making an appointment with my local stockist.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s photographs more of which will appear in next Wednesday’s blog.

Thanks for joining me on this “Ferrari Friday” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll resume this month’s 50th Anniversary celebration of the Porsche 911. Don’t forget to come back now !

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8 Inches Shorter – Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB #2891 GT

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Sharing the same chassis as the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, the short wheel base (SWB) Ferrari 250 California Spyder was a fraction under 8 inches shorter than the original Long Wheel Base Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder of which 49 examples had been built 1957 and 1960.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

Of the 55 SWB California Spyder bodies designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti 37 had faired in headlights.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

First seen at Geneva Motor Show in 1960 the California Spyder was powered by a 276hp version of the 3 litre / 183 cui V12 motor designed by Gioacchino Colombo.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

Along with the additional power the SWB California was fitted with hydraulic disc brakes in place of the drum brakes of originally fitted to the older long wheel base model.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

At the time of writing it is not known who first purchased chassis #2891 in 1961, but it’s three known subsequent owners all lived in Europe, so this car appears to have never seen the California sunshine for which it was built.

Thanks for joining me on this “8 Inches Shorter” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll for the start of GALPOT’S 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911 celebration. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Criptic Details – GALPOT Quiz Answers

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Last Wednesday I set a Criptic Details Quiz here are the questions and answers.

Quiz

It’s a ’58, but which letter ?

Chrysler 300D, Gold Cup, Oulton Park

Answer 1958 Chrysler 300D.

Quiz

Another slippery MOPAR, but which model ?

Dodge Viper, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Answer Dodge Viper.

Quiz

What was the code name that Product Planning Dept leader Erick A. Reikert lent to the base model of this RS Turbo ?

Ford Escort RS Turbo, Castle Combe

Answer Erick A. Reikert lent his name Erika to the base Ford Escort Mk III of which this is the top of the range RS Turbo model.

Quiz

Surnames names of two US presidents who might be associated with this door handle.

Lincoln Continental, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Answer Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy are the names that might be associated with this Lincoln Continental.

Quiz

What was the most popular block used in the Formula A / Formula 5000 open wheel series ?

Lola Chevrolet T142, Gold Cup, Oulton Park

Answer The most popular block used in Formula A / Formula 5000 series for cars powered by production block motors was the Chevrolet small block as seen on this 1969 Lola Chevrolet T142 once run by Horst Kröll.

Quiz

Which Brazilian went on to become a three time world champion after running into the rear end of Martin Brundle’s Formula Three Ralt RT3 ?

Ralt RT3, Gold Cup, Oulton Park

Answer Brazilian Ayrton Senna went on to become three time world champion after running into the rear end of Martin Brundle’s Formula Three Ralt RT3 seen here at the recent Oulton Park Gold Cup meeting driven by Graham Fennymore.

Quiz

Enzo Ferrari described this as “The most beautiful car ever made” what is it ?

Jaguar E-Type, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Answer Enzo Ferrari described the E-Type Jaguar as “The most beautiful car ever made”.

I hope you enjoyed taking part.

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

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Rosselini’s Racer – Ferrari 212 Inter Pininfarina Cabriolet #0235EU

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Today’s featured Ferrari 212 Inter Pininfarina Cabriolet was built built primarily as a road car in 1952 it is one of only two 4 seat 212 Inter’s with a Pininfarina Cabriolet body and of the other 77 212 Inters Abbot’s of Farnham fitted 1 cabriolet body and Vignale 4 more.

Ferrari 212 Inter Pf Convertible, The Quail,

The early ownership of this car appears to involve either Californian building contractor Tony Parravano and or Italian film maker Roberto Rosselini. In August 1953 Rosselini entered #0235EU in the 1000kms (600 mile) race for sports cars at the Nurburgring, Rosselini was entered to drive but did not show up, his place was taken by Dutch journalist, with competition experience, Maurice Gatsonides who partnered Riccardo Vignolo.

Maurice is quoted as having said of his ride “I was to have the most magnificent car of the whole field, as this Ferrari was bodied by Pininfarina and carried a four seat drophead coupe with graceful lines, a sure winner at any Concours d’ Elegance”.

In this linked photo the street 212 Inter Cabriolet sticks out like a sore thumb twixt the race prepared #7 Lancia D20 and the #56 Jaguar C-type.

Of the three cars in the photo that finished the race the #1 Ferrari 375MM #0286AM, far left, driven by world Champions Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Farina won, the three Lancia’s #5, #6, and #7 all retired with today’s featured #0235EU coming through to finish ninth, eleven spots ahead of the #56 C type driven by Belgians Kasimir Olislaegers and Charles de Keerle.

In 1954 the car was sold and ended up in the USA, in the 1970’s the motor and 4 speed transmission were removed and replaced with a cheaper to maintain Chevrolet V8 and 3 speed Muncie transmission.

All the correct bits and pieces were traced in the 1990’s and #0235EU reappeared fully restored for the first time last year.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s featured photo taken at The Quail a few weeks ago.

Thanks for joining me on this “Rosellini’s Racer” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Zagato bodied Aston Martin. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Grigio Ingrid – Ferrari 250 GT Competition Berlinetta Speciale #0403

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Unbelievably, thanks to the continuing support from you dear reader the “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres adventure today enters it’s fourth year. To mark the occasion I have selected, in my humble opion, one of the finest Ferrari’s known to humanity.

Ferrari 250 GT PF Speciale, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Chassis #O403 has a one off body by Pinin Farina that was to have been given to Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman in 1956 who was, at the time married to Italian film director Roberto Rosselini.

Ferrari 250 GT PF Speciale, Goodwood Festival of Speed

For reasons that are not clear to me, Ingrid never took delivery of the car, possibly because her relationship with Rosselini whom she would divorce in 1957 was drawing to a close.

Ferrari 250 GT PF Speciale, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The car ended up being sold to American James Gerard Murray who lived in Modena and Pittsburg.
In 1986 #0403, painted red since 1983, was being offered at a knockdown price of $145,000, down from 175,000 by the same vendor.

Ferrari 250 GT PF Speciale, Goodwood Festival of Speed

#0403 changed hands for 1.6 million dollars in 1989, but by 1999 it was bought for ‘just’ $945,000.The following year it was restored to it’s original Grigio Ingrid, a colour mixed just to suit Ingrid Bergman, that had first been seen on a pair of custom Ferrari 375 MM’s built for Rosselini and Bergman in 1954.

Ferrari 250 GT PF Speciale, Goodwood Festival of Speed

When Sergio Pininfarina saw the elegant #0403 at Pebble Beech in 2004 he commented that it was one of his favourite.

Thanks for joining me on this third birthday “Grigio Ingrid” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, thanks also for sticking with the blog, if you have not done so before do not be afraid to like the “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’ facebook page, to share the page with your friends or leave a comment below. I’ll be continuing the series commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Aston Martin tomorrow with another car that has a Scandinavian connection. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Photographers Brush – GALPOT Automobilia

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A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay.

Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

From this weeks collection of advertisements appearing in Connaissance des arts Magazine that I posted this week is this October 1970 advertisement for Dunlop SP Sport Tyres featuring 4 images of cars in competition.

Beltoise, Matra MS11, Dutch GP, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The first “1. Grand Prix de Hollande 68. 1er : Jackie Stewart” is incorrectly labelled as Jean Pierre Beltoise is seen driving a V12 Matra MS11, identifiable by it bulky exhaust, at 1968 Dutch Grand Prix carrying the #16 appears which appears to be an altered number as Beltoise actually drove the #17, Stewart drove the #8 Ford DFV, less bulky exhausts, powered Matra MS10 that won the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix. As can be seen in this linked photo Beltoise helmet is dark not white and has also come under a photographers touching in brush.

Tour de France, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The second shows Gérard Larrouse / /Maurice Gélin #181 Porsche 911, Greder / Vigneron #143 Corvette C3, and Rouget / Depret #192 Ferrari 250 LM chassis #5981, at the start of a race at Reims which was part of the 1969 Tour de France won by Larrouse and Gélin.

Porsche, Tour de Corse, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des art

“3. Tour de Corse 69. 1er : Gérard Larrousse” is also incorrectly labelled as Gérard won driving a white Porsche 911 bearing the #70 competition number. The car in the third photo seems to be competing in the 1968 Tour de Course, won by Jean Claude Andruet with Maurice Gélin driving an Alpine A110 and is thought to have either Claude Ballot-Lena or Gerhard Schuler at the wheel, neither of whom was classified at the finish.

Stewart, Matra Ford MS80, French GP, Clermont Ferrand, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

“4. Jackie Stewart, Champion du monde 69, en action.” shows Jackie Stewart in his Matra Ford MS80 on his way to victory in the 1969 French Grand Prix at Clermont Ferrand, which coincidentally is also well known as the home of Dunlop’s rival tyre manufacturer Michelin.

The strap line for the ad approximately translates as “Dunlop SP Sport Nouveau profile born of (the) competition. For you.”

My thanks to Paul ‘Macca’ M, Ray Bell, Tim Murray and Nanni Dietrich at The Nostalgia Forum for their help unpicking the mysteries of today’s ad.

Thanks for joining me on this “Photographers Brush” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Coffee and Croissants with the Avenue Drivers Club. Don’t forget to come back now !

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The Prettiest Ferrari ? – Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale Coupé #0313EU

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A couple of weeks ago today’s featured Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale Coupé chassis #0313EU sold for US$ 2.8 million / 1.8 million pounds.

Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale, Bonhams, The Quail

The car was built in 1953 with a unique body designed by Giovanni Michelotti and built by Vignale.

Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale, Bonhams, The Quail

When US Ferrari distributor Luigi Chinetti took delivery of it he had no hesitation in sending to the 1954 New York Auto Show where it was at the center of the Ferrari stand.

Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale, Bonhams, The Quail

The #0313EU remained in the USA for most of it’s life being painted red with a black roof, from the original colours seen here, in 1954, in 1960 it was painted purple (!) and later that year it was fitted with a supercharged Chevrolet V8.

Ferrari 250 Europa Vignale, Bonhams, The Quail

In 2001 the correct type motor #0331 was installed in the car and by last year the paintwork was restored back to it’s original colours.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photo’s taken at Bonhams, The Quail.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Prettiest Ferrari ?” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a one off Aston Martin. Don’t forget to come back now !

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