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March 7, 2025Alfa Romeo / Events / Ferrari / Lamborghini“Automotive Collectors and Enthusiasts From Around the Globe to Reunite and Celebrate”
Monterey, California (March 06, 2025) – Concorso Italiano has announced their 40th anniversary car event will take place Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Bayonet Black Horse, on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula. Held during the famed Monterey Car Week, the celebration of Italian cars and style will reunite owners, collectors, and enthusiasts for a day of camaraderie and stunning vehicles including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and more.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the organizing committee for one of the most anticipated automotive celebrations of the year, Concorso Italiano, an incredible event that fosters friendship and celebrates everything we love about Italian culture, design, passion and excellence,” said Clarence Habovstak, Director of Business Development. Habovstak joins Tanya Kosta and Samantha Tobias, the duo that has been the backbone of the event across decades and multiple owners. Together, and with the backing of International Car Week, they are poised to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Known for unique features that educate and inform guests about the wonderful world of Italian cars, the event will feature automotive milestones including the 80th anniversary of Cisitalia, the 60th anniversary of Iso Grifo, the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 308, and several other significant anniversaries. An Italian Legacy display will feature one-offs, engine displays, and other highlights of Italian automotive innovation.
As always, attendees will enjoy the popular vendor row, Concorso Piazza, filled with food, fashion, and automotive-themed gifts for sale, along with entertainment, the awards ceremony, and exceptional food and beverage. General admission tickets and elevated VIP experience tickets are now available for purchase.
“My goal for the 2025 event is to recapture the spirit of our early days, when guests gathered to reconnect with old friends and forge new connections. The car owners, car clubs, and enthusiasts are the heart and soul of Concorso Italiano. Our 40th anniversary will be a celebration to thank them for making this event so special,” said Tanya Kosta, Chairman.
When: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: Bayonet Black Horse 1 McClure Way, Seaside, California, 93955
Purchase Tickets
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Media Contact: Cindy Meitle/CAR PR USA, +1 480 277-1864, media@internationalcarweek.com
Concorso Italiano stands as a cornerstone event of the famed Monterey Car Week, attracting over 80,000 automotive enthusiasts from around the world to California’s Monterey Peninsula each August. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, the event has blossomed from a private gathering of car owners into a public celebration, showcasing Italian automotive design and craftsmanship with a spectacular display of cars and motorcycles.
This year, International Car Week has taken the helm as the new event owner, bringing a fresh vision while honoring the event’s storied past. A new leadership team has been assembled, reuniting individuals who have been the backbone of Concorso Italiano along its timeline. In 2025, the event continues to blend classic allure with contemporary innovation while educating visitors about the history of magnificent Italian vehicles and their creators.
International Car Week, introduced in 2024, is set to become a signature series of annual events on the Bayonet Black Horse property, building on the heritage of Concorso Italiano and evolving into a week-long automotive celebration that will ultimately harness the capabilities of the Grand Hyatt resort currently under construction on the property.
More than just a car show, Concorso Italiano is a vibrant festival of Italian culture, offering Italian-themed culinary delights, exclusive VIP experiences, an incredible vendor row, and an awards ceremony that acknowledges the finest examples of Italian engineering. Join the milestone celebration on Saturday, August 16th, at Bayonet Black Horse on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula. [...]
March 6, 2025Ferrari / PodcastIn this episode William delves into the overlooked life and contributions of Laura Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari’s wife, in celebration of Women’s History Month. He covers various aspects of her life including her role in Enzo life, their complex relationship, her unseen influence on Ferrari’s financial stability, and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated era. William highlights Laura’s crucial involvement in maintaining and managing Ferrari’s finances, which arguably saved the company from financial ruin. He also touches upon personal anecdotes, the impact of their son Dino’s illness, and the controversial dynamics involving Enzo’s mistress, Lina Lardi. He also emphasizes the need for more recognition of Laura Ferrari’s significant, yet underappreciated contributions to the legendary car brand.
Episode 35
On Ferrari Friday’s, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing; drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales and trends in the collector market.
00:00 Introduction to the Show
02:04 Celebrating Women’s History Month
02:11 The Enigmatic Laura Ferrari
03:35 Early Relationship with Enzo
05:18 Marriage and Early Challenges
07:29 Laura’s Increasing Involvement in Ferrari
11:23 The Palace Revolt and Aftermath
15:07 Laura’s Legacy in Ferrari
17:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
Welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast. I’m your host, William Ross. Thanks for listening. I really appreciate the support. I’d like to give a shout out to a few of our sponsors and supporters before we jump into things here. I want to give a shout out to the Exotic Car Marketplace. For everything exotic cars from Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Koenigsegg, check out ExoticCarMarketplace.
com for all your exotic car needs before, after, and during ownership. The Motoring Podcast Network. Check out the family of automotive podcasts at motoringpodcast. net. If you’re into anything with wheels and a motor, this is the site to check out. Check out slotmods. com. Let your imagination run wild with what they could build for you in these outrageous and beautiful and minutely detailed slot car tracks.
And finally, to Grand Touring Motorsports covering all aspects of auto racing, be sure to check out the monthly e zine at gtmotorsports. org. All the links are posted up in the description. And I’d also like to kind of give a heads up to everyone. Our second annual Rockin Revs Automotive Festival happening here in Fairview Park, Ohio on July 27th.
This event is put together to help raise money for two near and dear things to my heart. One is ACBC, known as Aluminum Cans for Burned Children. Who raised money to support pediatric burn survivors and send them some camps a couple of times a year and anything that may require at their home, but also the Island Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary in Marblehead, Ohio.
To Nancy and her team up there that take in all the older dogs and dogs with medical needs and whatnot that are usually very difficult to kind of get adopted out. They tackle them head on and give these beautiful, beautiful animals a nice warm place to stay and live to hopefully get adopted out. But if not, she keeps them.
So anyways, onto our topic. Month of March is Women’s History Month. So what we’re going to delve into Laura Ferrari. Yes. Enzo’s wife, the enigmatic lady behind the man that created probably the most famous car brand known to man. A lot of this stuff is going to come from just what you can find in Witchcreed, which is not a lot.
And if you kind of referenced the Michael Mann movie from a few years ago, you know, a lot of the stuff they try to do for Penelope Cruz to portray her, they had a very, very difficult time trying to get the truth, get the story, get the history, kind of get anything on her. Because, well, I wouldn’t say very close to the vest, but there really wasn’t much written about her.
Back then was such a different time. You’re talking early 1900s of all the way up to the 1970s when she passed, especially in Italy and Italian heritage, who my producer Eric should be familiar with, is back then it was very, very different times in regards to having a wife, a mistress, girlfriend, what have you.
It was common and it was not, I want to say frowned upon maybe, but kind of just, all right, it’s accepted. Very different times in very different ways things were done. But again, also back then women were never viewed as equals of men, which is a sad, sad situation, but it was just how things were done and how people were brought up.
And this day and age, we still have a long way to go. But back then it was horrific. Some of the stuff here is just baffling to me. But anyways, we’re going to talk about Laura. I’m going to give what I can give, what I’d be able to dig up. This is just my viewpoint. Now Enzo and Laura met 1920, 1921, somewhere around in that era.
They Supposedly met at a train station, but other hearsay, other stuff, you know, she was actually a go go dancer at a, um, I don’t want to say discotheque, but you know, nightclub, whatever you want to call it back then. An Enzo dashing racing driver, racing alpha males, this kind of stuff. So, you know, he had that charisma of the genesis.
Allure, I guess you could say, you know, women get drawn to. So they had met and again, either at the train station or whatnot, but they actually, I want to say had a whirlwind romance. But from my understanding is, you know, they jumped into bed pretty quickly and started basically having, you know, obviously romantic relationship from the get go.
Again, back then, especially in Italy and how. strong the catholic faith is in that country. Having sex before marriage was a big no no. They always wanted, oh you marry a virgin, that kind of stupid shit. So, they kind of kept it hush hush. But what’s interesting for image wise, Enzo Referred to her very early in the relationship as Laura Ferrari as his wife, basically, because the circles he was going in.
And again, this is just that weird dynamic and the way things were done back then him being a single guy and whatnot with the girlfriend was not viewed very good. They kind of, I don’t want to say shun their nose at her, but that they, I don’t know if it was immaturity or whatnot, or just weird because, you know, this is someone in their early twenties, this day and age, you look at someone that’s married in the early twenties, like what the hell’s wrong with you?
Did you marry high school sweetheart? I mean, you don’t get married that young, that early, so frequently anymore. It’s just not as common. But back then, got married in 1819, you know, you bam, right out of the thing. And I think that had to do with the fact is, you know, you married the first girl and you had at it.
But anyways, He came out of the gate pretty early within the first year or something like that and correspondence or something like that was stating the fact and referring to her as Laura Ferrari as his wife. So he would be received more favorably. Being a racing car driver, obviously you’re running around people with money, you know, royalty with clout.
Obviously perception is key. So he wanted to be perceived, you know, as a man that I have a wife, I’m a stable guy, you know, I got a good head on my shoulders. So he started referring to her that way. In the early days, everything was hunky dory, everything’s good. Laura was a very outgoing person, you know, very charismatic from my understanding, from what I could see.
She attended, went to all the races, went to them, everything like that. Even after they got married, she attended a lot of the races. Within the first year or two, but then after they got married, it kind of started waning. She started spending a lot more time, you want to say vacationing, but she was more on, you know, a wellness situation, going up into the hills of the Italian River areas and getting the better air, going to stay at her sister’s and stuff like that.
So you have a period of time in there after their marriage in the first few years where things started waning in regards to that relationship, partnership, and it got to the point. Where supposedly Enzo had sent her a, basically a letter that is either you come home or no, we’re done. So he just kind of got fed up with it.
I think the image part of it was, may have been the situation may have been as a problem. He’s married, but okay, where’s your wife? Well, she’s hundreds of miles away in the Riviera to Snatton. In this time that this is happening, his company’s going to shit. And him trying to build what he was trying to build wasn’t coming together.
Just wasn’t working out his racing career, everything like that. He was a good racer, that’s for sure, but gave her an ultimatum. So all of a sudden she comes back and she comes back to a situation where everything’s kind of the finances and stuff are all kind of in disarray. And as we all know Enzo’s story, then he goes on to start looking over the Alfa Romeo race team to snap.
But again, Laura’s nowhere to be found. She hasn’t come to races. She come to. If you’re here and there, she was in the one photo of Scuderia Ferrari’s first victory and that stuff. So she was in that photo. So she still traveled a bit, but just not quite as frequently as she used to in the past. Now, this is when after 12 years of marriage and all this turbulent times or anything like that, they have a son, Dino Alfredo.
So, we all know Dino died at a very young age, and basically it was from muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, I guess you get more specific. And the one thing about it is Enzo found out, or back in the time, and I don’t know, I’m not a doctor, so I don’t know how true this is or what not, but this is passed on to a child from a chromosome from the mother.
So Enzo basically blamed her for Dino’s death. So many years later from this horrible disease, obviously things got that much more strenuous after the passing of Dino. But here’s the one other side of this, not long after them getting, honestly not getting married, but I’m going to say in the early 30s.
Before Dino was born, Lena Lardy came into Enzo’s life. So this is an interesting dynamic because again, how I stated earlier was back then in that day. It wasn’t, I don’t want to say final, maybe it was final, but it was like, it was accepted that you had a wife, you had a mistress, plain and simple. So I mean, I guess this is how it was back then.
Kept hot shots, she really didn’t know about Lena until many years later, but this is when Enzo started to have, I want to say a double life. Spending time with her and splitting all his time, so I mean, I don’t honestly, I don’t know how he did it. It’s not like this day and age where you got cell phones, all this kind of stuff, and All these guys, you’re talking about a time when, you know, you had to drive and all this stuff and it’s, it’s unbelievable how he was, you know, did it.
But anyways, we’re jumping, not doing the early stuff. We’re going to get into the meat of stuff in regards to where Laura’s story is more prominent in the history of Ferrari. Ferrari’s up and going by the time Dino’s 24 when he passes. Ferrari itself is embedded in the racing world and, you know, they’re starting to make their, uh, production road cars to support the racing.
You know, getting into this fact is, well, After Dino passes, there’s always this head biting. Laura, after a bit of mourning, everything like that, all of a sudden she becomes very, very involved with the running of Ferrari. She gets into more of the financial side of things, looking at the books, looking at expenses, everything like that.
And all of a sudden, She starts going to all the races now mind you Enzo as he got in the things He stopped going to races unless it was in Italy within a few hours or what have you he would go But anything else of that he would get phone calls from the team managers They would pass along the results the information to him to telephone telegraph what have you, but Laura Would go and this is where this kind of becomes an odd situation.
Is she reporting back to him? Whatnot people don’t know, but she’s all of a sudden going thing. You see her in photos, everything like that, but she’s more prominent within the running of Ferrari itself and looking over the finances to be sure dollars aren’t getting spent, whether it’s supposed to that kind of thing, which needs to be done, you can’t just run haphazardly and, you know, stay in business.
So. That side of it, I think her taking that over, I think is brilliant because I think it actually, to an extent, saved Ferrari from probably going under and going bankrupt or broke in the early years where they would never even gotten to the point where Fiat would have came in and saved them or all that stuff playing that little game with Ford and everything like that.
So I think that’s kind of a very, very, I don’t want to say underrated. I don’t think people talk about it enough and saying, you know, this. Woman came in and started going over the books started mining expenses started going to the races are like that and watching what people were Doing in regards to what money they were spending what expenditure like every dollar counts So I think that was a very I would say brilliant move But I think it was a very pragmatic move in regards to the history of Ferrari and keeping the doors open and getting where they Are today at this point in time by some things are happening.
Enzo’s got his girlfriend Lena Piero was born. We’ll get into that a little bit more with how Laura handled that. And again, it’s just a weird dynamic and the times back then were completely different in how the thoughts were and you don’t know how someone was thinking. You don’t, can’t get in someone’s brain.
But in 1961, they had the Palace Revolt because there’s All these engineers and managers were getting upset and pissed off. They felt, and again, this is probably the male ego involved saying a woman shouldn’t be on the floor. A woman shouldn’t be telling us what to do, dah, dah, dah, this and that. Cause she was getting into everything, coming on the floor, getting a thing and probably minding the P’s and Q’s of the finances, trying to find out what’s going on and hey, my husband owns a company.
I own the company too as well. Then you listen to what I do. And headstrong Italian men probably didn’t take kindly to that. So they basically. So a lawyer net, they go to Enzo and say, she’s got to go. It’s either her or us. Well, guess what? They went, which there were some very, very prominent people that left the company on that day, but then also elevated Ferrari because of for Gary came on board, you know, was there and very young was early twenties and he gets elevated to the team manager, all this stuff and everything happened.
It seemed, you know, Hey, it all worked out, obviously. Enzo Bacchus and he kicked them out. So even though all those problems were there that head butting everything like that He still stood by and I’m supporting my wife, which was awesome to see, you know, so everyone leaves So there’s a big swift times change whatnot They had the next couple years in the racing department that did not go very well because I want to say starting from scratch But basically is because you know, you have that core that’s working.
I think they all leave. Okay, you guys start over So for the next two seasons They didn’t do too good. Obviously, they came roaring back. We know what happened after that. They just dominated F1. They dominated endurance racing, everything, everything and everything under the sun. Taking lemons, making lemonade, I guess you say.
So that was kind of an interesting little dynamic, even though, and I don’t want to say animosity, but I want to say, you know, just the friction between Enzo and Laura. Going on, he still stood behind her. And up until 1970 in Italy, you couldn’t get divorced anyways because the Catholic Church wouldn’t allow it because you had to go to the church to get permission to get divorced.
So unless there was some really strenuous circumstances that would justify, you weren’t getting divorced back then. It wasn’t happening. I guess maybe that goes back to things, hey, you could have a mistress, whatnot, but hey, you kept the family together, everything like that. So in this time, then all of a sudden, Laura finds out about Lena.
Lardy, Enzo’s mistress. And Piero! Watching the Ferrari movie, you probably saw all this stuff about her hunting her down or anything. Now, a lot of that’s relatively true in regards to her laying down the law and fighting it. But one of the big things that came out of that is says, Piero will not take your last name, Enzo, until after I’m dead.
He was always Pyrrha, now in the movie they say it somehow is true because Lena Lardy, she kept everything close to the chest and she wouldn’t divulge much and kudos to her. Now hey, it’s no one’s business, it’s her business, between her and Enzo. But after obviously the Lord died in 1978, Piero took the last name Ferrari, and there you go, as Enzo’s only surviving son, who’s still alive today, and he’s got his own kids, and one of them is named Enzo, I think, going to school in California, something like that, so, the legacy lives on, and I think he owns 5%, 10 percent of the car, I don’t know, he’s got a nice chunk of it, where, you know, he’s, Obviously having that last name he’s, he’s enjoying life.
All this is going on and Lena does not live all that far. She lives in Modena and the fact is she’s not living all that far from where Laura and them are living. It’s not like she’s on the other side of the country or other side of the world or anything like that. Obviously back then you’re not following someone on Instagram or Facebook stalking them.
Enzo put them up in a nice little house, you know, Laura and them, they were living in this apartment. Again, it’s something you try and wrap your head around now. You’re just like, how is that possible? How can you, you know, it’s like, there’s just no way. I mean, you hear stories and stuff all the time. And you know, he had a second family, all this stuff.
But back then it was, oh, that’s his mistress. Oh, this and that, you know, it was just basically, oh, that’s what that is. So anyways, you know, she just put it to him after the fact. And she got involved with Ferrari, which I believe her involvement. I want to say save the company. Now, I know in the movie they kind of said, Oh, she had half the shares and then she needed to give some back to him and she wanted a half a million dollars, dah, dah, dah, about the timeframes were off and whatnot, and it’s basically not true.
Obviously that thing for the story, for the movie, you got to build something up. That wasn’t true, but she did have the ownership in the company, but having that half the shares and all this stuff and holding it over Enzo’s head, as far as anyone knows, and as far as I know, I could find that wasn’t true.
She was a very prominent figure with Ferrari. And I honestly think her role in the story of Ferrari itself, the company needs to be, I want to say more prominent in regards to what her roles and what she did and how much she actually contributed to the company. Cause again, I think when she stepped in and started doing the finances and everything like that, that wasn’t Enzo’s forte.
His thing was corralling good people, getting them to do what he wanted them to do. And he was a leader, got the right people, put them in the right positions and just cracked the whip, going like that. Accounting wasn’t his thing of doing finance, but you know, Laura, she stepped in and I honestly believe, I think she saved the company, kept it from going under.
Probably had a huge part in that. Yes, he built great road cars for that, but you got to remember they weren’t building all that many cars back then. So it wasn’t like they’re cranking out tens of thousands of cars a year and say, Oh, we got all this money coming in. It was a tight thing. And the amount of race cars and racing they’re doing, I mean, you got to go to shipping, all this kind of stuff.
I mean, there’s a lot of costs involved in that. So it’s like. You got to get money for someone or whatnot. So you got to mind your P’s and Q’s. So I believe she needs to be recognized more in regards to the story of Ferrari itself, the company and stepping in. And again, a lot of this stuff you read about is, I would say hearsay, but it’s from stories from other people.
Everyone’s, Oh, it’s this or that. Some of the stuff you can figure out like Laura and Enzo’s mother. He didn’t get along, but. How common is that, that the daughter in law doesn’t, doesn’t get along with their mother in law and especially back then because the hierarchy was and everything like that, your mother was God, so to speak, you know, it’s just commonplace, but you hear those stories and I just think she’s always been put in a negative light wrongly, what she put up with, what she had to deal with.
Enzo was a difficult, difficult man, ego, whatnot. I mean, just, For what she had to do and what she had to tolerate, a mistress. A mistress having Enzo’s love child, and that kind of situation. Being accepted or what not back then, still doesn’t matter. I mean, it’s a slap in the face in regards to your wife.
It’s like, you don’t respect me. But again, it’s just such a different time back then. You know, and then you’re talking, you know, a time it was in Italy, that was old world, just different, different time. So, I hope you appreciated my ramblings. About Laura Ferrari and like you said celebrating women’s history month here I wanted to get out there look I think for her role what she did and contributed to Ferrari is Undervalued and I think there needs to be more Celebration of regards to how much she contributed to the company I honestly believe she saved it from financial ruin when she finally started taking over the finances, getting involved more, going to the races, everything like that.
I think she actually probably saved the company. So I think she needs to be celebrated a lot more in regards to the story of Ferrari to where it is today. Because everything always lines up in place. You look at something that’s getting close to 100 years old. It’s an entity lasting that long. You have your ups, your downs, your peaks, your valleys.
All these things happen. Hindsight, you can look and say, oh well. That happened, the Palace Revolt, but then this happened, which was successful for them. So it’s like, oh, look it, the man upstairs, oh, he’s got a plan, that kind of stuff. Everything lined up, but you know, certain things, I think, you know, also happen that you just, they don’t get spoken about or I don’t think they get brought to more people’s attention in regards to that.
I just feel that she needs to be celebrated more in regards to this history and the story of Ferrari. That’s all I want to say about that. Again, I appreciate you guys listening. Go check out Zotacar Marketplace. Firemarketplace. com website. It’s in the family of the Zotacar Marketplace website. Check out motoringpodcast.
net. And check out your favorite automotive podcast. Be sure to go and check that out because there’s a lot of cool stuff. Go through the archives. Definitely subscribe to all what you can because we’re adding more and more podcasts as we speak. Getting some new stuff on there to just expand what we can offer everyone.
So everyone’s got something to listen to. I appreciate you listening. Celebrate Women’s History Month. If your mom’s still around, give her a big kiss because without her, you wouldn’t be here.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our motoring podcast network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like The exotic car marketplace, the motoring historian, brake fix, and many others. If you’d like to support grand touring motor sports and the motoring podcast network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
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Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
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February 27, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari 340 America is a significant chapter in Ferrari’s illustrious history, representing a crucial evolution in the brand’s development as a manufacturer of both race-winning cars and luxurious grand tourers. Introduced in 1950, the 340 America was a powerful, exclusive vehicle designed to compete in endurance racing events while offering unparalleled elegance and performance for discerning customers.
This comprehensive article delves into the history, technical specifications, racing success, design, and legacy of the Ferrari 340 America, exploring why it remains one of the most celebrated models in Ferrari’s early years.
Ferrari in the Early 1950s
By 1950, Ferrari had established itself as a formidable force in motorsport. The company’s early successes in racing, including the achievements of the 166 MM and 195 S, demonstrated Enzo Ferrari’s commitment to engineering excellence and competition. However, the growing demand for high-performance road cars led Ferrari to create models that bridged the gap between the racetrack and the open road. The Ferrari 340 America epitomized this dual-purpose philosophy.
The Vision Behind the 340 America
The 340 America was conceived as a high-performance sports car capable of competing in prestigious events like the Mille Miglia and 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the same time, it was designed to appeal to wealthy enthusiasts who sought a powerful, stylish, and exclusive vehicle for grand touring.
With its potent V12 engine and bespoke coachwork, the 340 America became a symbol of Ferrari’s ability to blend racing pedigree with luxury and refinement.
The Lampredi V12 Engine
At the heart of the Ferrari 340 America was the Lampredi-designed V12 engine. This powerplant marked a departure from the smaller Colombo V12 engines that had powered earlier Ferraris. Developed by engineer Aurelio Lampredi, the 4.1-liter V12 was designed for greater displacement and higher performance, making it ideal for long-distance endurance racing.
Key features of the Lampredi V12 engine included:
Displacement: 4,101 cc
Power Output: Approximately 220 horsepower at 6,000 rpm
Induction System: Triple Weber carburetors
Construction: Aluminum block and heads for reduced weight
The engine’s robust construction and high-revving nature provided exceptional performance, enabling the 340 America to achieve speeds exceeding 150 mph.
Chassis and Suspension
The Ferrari 340 America was built on a tubular steel chassis, a hallmark of Ferrari’s engineering approach during this era. This lightweight yet rigid frame provided an excellent foundation for handling and performance.
The suspension system featured:
Front: Independent suspension with double wishbones and a transverse leaf spring
Rear: Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers
This setup balanced ride comfort with precise handling, ensuring the car performed admirably both on the road and the racetrack.
Transmission and Braking
The car was equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels. The transmission’s close-ratio gearing allowed drivers to fully exploit the engine’s power, particularly during high-speed competition.
Hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels provided stopping power, a standard for the era but one that required skillful modulation during racing conditions.
Exterior Styling
The Ferrari 340 America featured bespoke coachwork from some of Italy’s most renowned carrozzerie, including Touring, Vignale, and Ghia. Each car was unique, reflecting the collaboration between Ferrari, the coach builders, and the individual customers.
Common design elements included:
Aerodynamic, flowing lines that emphasize speed and elegance
A long hood and short rear deck, typical of front-engine sports cars
Prominent grilles and headlamp configurations varied by coachbuilder
The combination of artistry and engineering made the 340 America a standout on both the road and the track.
Interior Craftsmanship
The interiors of the 340 America were tailored to the preferences of their owners, often featuring luxurious materials such as leather upholstery, wood trim, and polished metal accents. Despite its racing capabilities, the car offered a comfortable and refined driving environment, making it suitable for extended journeys.
Success in Endurance Racing
The Ferrari 340 America was designed with competition in mind, and it quickly proved its mettle in endurance racing. Notable achievements included:
Mille Miglia: The 340 America competed in this grueling 1,000-mile race across Italy, showcasing its speed and durability.
24 Hours of Le Mans: The car participated in this iconic endurance race, demonstrating Ferrari’s commitment to competing on the world stage.
While the 340 America faced stiff competition from rivals like Jaguar and Aston Martin, its powerful engine and skilled drivers often gave it a competitive edge.
Contributions to Ferrari’s Racing Legacy
The 340 America played a vital role in Ferrari’s evolution as a racing powerhouse. Its performance in high-profile events bolstered Ferrari’s reputation and paved the way for future models that would dominate motorsport for decades.
Limited Production
Only 23 examples of the Ferrari 340 America were built between 1950 and 1952, making it one of the rarest models in Ferrari’s history. This exclusivity added to its allure and ensured its status as a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Appeal to Wealthy Enthusiasts
The 340 America’s combination of performance, luxury, and exclusivity made it a favorite among wealthy automotive enthusiasts. Its ability to transition seamlessly from the racetrack to the road underscored Ferrari’s commitment to excellence.
A Collector’s Dream
Today, the Ferrari 340 America is considered a prized possession among collectors. Its rarity, historical significance, and racing pedigree contribute to its desirability. Examples that appear at auction often fetch millions of dollars, reflecting the car’s enduring value.
Influence on Future Models
The 340 America set a precedent for Ferrari’s future grand tourers, combining high-performance engineering with luxury and style. Its legacy can be seen in later models like the 250 GT and the 275 GTB, which continued to define Ferrari’s identity as a maker of world-class automobiles.
The Ferrari 340 America stands as a milestone in the brand’s history, embodying the fusion of racing performance and grand touring luxury. Its powerful Lampredi V12 engine, bespoke design, and success in endurance racing cemented its place in automotive lore. Decades after its debut, the 340 America continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors, serving as a symbol of Ferrari’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
As one of the rarest and most historically significant Ferraris, the 340 America is a testament to the brand’s innovative spirit and unwavering dedication to creating exceptional automobiles. Its legacy lives on, inspiring admiration and reverence among generations of automotive enthusiasts.
Engine
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 80 x 68mm
Unitary displacement 341.80cc
Total displacement 4101.66cc
Compression ratio 8 : 1
Maximum power 162 kW (220 hp) at 6000 rpm
Power per litre 54hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 40 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication dry sump
Clutch single-plate
Chassis
Frame tubular steel
Front suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, transverse leaf spring, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspension live axle, semi-elliptic springs, Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers
Brakes drums
Transmission 5-speed + reverse
Steering worm and sector
Fuel tank capacity 135 litres
Front tyres 6.40 x 15
Rear tyres 6.40 x 15
Bodywork
Type spider, Berlinetta, coupé, 2+2 or two-seater
Length-
Width-
Height-
Wheelbase 2420mm
Front track 1278mm
Rear track 1250mm
Weight 900 kg (dry, Berlinetta) [...]
February 24, 2025Ferrari / PodcastIn this episode of the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast, host William Ross discusses Ferrari’s recent tightening of their car personalization program, limiting what owners can do in terms of customization. He explores the impact of these restrictions on resale value and the buyer’s pool. He criticizes manufacturers like Ferrari and Porsche for enforcing strict post-sale modification guidelines, even for subsequent owners. Through various examples, he highlights the tension between manufacturers wanting to maintain brand integrity and the rights of owners to modify their cars. He also references legal cases, such as Ford’s failed lawsuit against John Cena, to illustrate the complexities of these issues. The episode ends with a call for listener interaction and potential guest appearances to discuss related topics.
Episode 34
On Ferrari Friday’s, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing; drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales and trends in the collector market.
00:00 Introduction to the Show
01:12 Ferrari’s Customization Crackdown
03:02 Impact on Resale Value
04:05 Rich People and Their Spending Habits
04:59 YouTubers and Ferrari’s Brand Image
05:51 Liberty Walk and Customization
07:32 Legal Battles and Manufacturer Rights
09:45 Ownership and Customization Rights
20:30 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
Welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast. I’m your host, William Ross. Before we jump into this, I want to give a shout out to our supporters and sponsors. First, the Exotic Car Marketplace. ExoticCarmarketplace. com for everything exotic cars from Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Koenigsegg. To the Motoring Podcast Network, check out the Family of Automotive Podcasts at motoringpodcasts.
net. If you’re into anything with wheels and a motor, this is the site to check out and listen to your favorite podcast. To Grand Touring Motorsports, covering all aspects of auto racing, and be sure to check out the monthly e zine at gtmotorsports. org. And finally, our favorite slot mod guys at slotmods.
com. For the coolest slot tracks in the world, check out their website and let your imagination run wild. This week we are going to be talking about Ferrari’s latest, I don’t want to say onslaught. God, how would, I’m trying to think of what the right word would be to say this. Their latest thing to rail against, I guess you could say, and attacking owners and what someone’s allowed to do with their car after they buy it.
Now they put out a presser in regards to stating, and I’m sure they were kind of doing this, but I don’t know how wild they let people get, but in their personalization program. Obviously, those lucky few that are in that little, uh, family or whatever, they get to choose and customize their cars from the factory.
Ferrari says they’re going to tighten the reins, so to speak, on what someone’s going to be allowed to do, can’t do, or what they’re going to let someone do. Now, obviously, I don’t think they’re going to let him come out of the factory like in polka dots and stuff like that. But as the YouTube generation and Instagram, TikTok and all that gets bigger and more influential and people needing to stand out from the guy next to him, so to speak.
So they’re doing stupider, wilder, crazier things with their car. Ferrari’s just not going to let you come out of the gate swinging for the fences. with the car from the factory that’s customized to the tilt. So they’re going to get really stringent and strict in regards to what you’re going to be able to do.
And it’s going to, and this is going to come down to color combinations too. I don’t think they’re going to let someone go nuts with the color interior choice. Like even if you’re doing a solid exterior. Then, you know, your interior colors, they’re not going to let someone go with a yellow exterior, red interior with green stripes, you know, something stupid that makes it look like it’s a hamburger topping on it, you know, just like with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and all that kind of stuff.
So they’re going to get a little more strict in regards to that. Cause I think they’re, you know, looking at obviously resale side of it. And I would say, you know, looking out for that purchaser, because you get more and more individualized with your options and choices, which what you do for your guys from the factory, or even after the fact, I mean, you really narrowed down.
You’re buying audience when you go to resell that car. I mean, and it’s with any car. Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, any car. Chevy, doesn’t matter. You know, if you get stupid with some combos and stuff like that, you’re buying pool gets very, very small because now you’re talking about someone’s personal preference and taste.
And let’s face it, you know, and to try and remedy some of those things, even though you’re working with a great solid base, you’re working with a 296 or 488, whatever. Okay. Yeah, you can go back and you can change it. It’s one thing to do it on, say, a Chevy Corvette or something like that, where I say it’s relatively cheap, so to speak.
You know, you got your Ferrari tax, so it’s gonna be a lot more expensive to get stuff back to either original or factory or what have you on a Ferrari than it is, say, on a Chevy or a Ford. So, you gotta look that way. Now, of course, people that are buying these things got the checkbooks and the pocketbook, you know, to be able to remedy these things.
But surprisingly, and I’m sure a lot of you probably do know this or are aware of this, rich people are very, very cheap. Very, very cheap and stingy. Uh, I don’t know, maybe that’s the way they, you know, they are rich. They hold onto the money because they just are very, very cheap. I mean, I can tell you horror stories.
People trying to save, you know, a hundred bucks or something like that and the guy’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars. He wants to save a hundred dollars and cheapen out. This kind of goes back to the shipping situation in regards to someone Trying to go with the cheapest route for someone shipping their million dollar car.
Why would you do that? So, and that’s a scenario too is they’re going to go the cheapest route or they’re going to expect it for free or like that. Cause as also rich people kind of anticipate the figure everyone should just give them everything because, Oh, I have all this money. Just give me stuff for free.
Their mentality and the way they view the world is so different from actual people that live in the real world compared to where they are. But anyways, and this kind of goes back to my last episode in regards to. These annoying YouTubers and their statements they make about what they do with their cars.
Ferrari’s getting more and more tricked, I guess, I guess you could say, in regards to setting out cease and desist letters and telling people, Hey, you can’t do that. Hey, you’re diminishing our brand value because you’re doing this to your car. Some of the people that I was referencing in my last episode, it’s like, they’re just waiting, counting the days till they get the cease and desist.
Well, they get it. Who knows? On one side of it, they’re worried about their brand and value and all that. Also is another side, when you got someone that’s got four or 5 million subscribers and they get, you know, half a million views per video, as soon as it drops, that’s pretty good marketing. That’s not costing you a penny.
So it’s kind of like. All right, where do you draw that line? And, you know, I’ve heard the stories, you know, people fiddle with it and they do certain things to it, but then they remove the badging, and if they don’t refer to it as a Ferrari XYZ, whatever you want to call it, then, you know, they kind of will leave you alone, but they get a little prickly when you start fiddling with Something and you throw the Ferrari name in there and they put some other name or something to it But then the car is like absolutely horrendously gaudy and ugly nothing against I like some of the stuff Liberty Walk does Don’t get me wrong, you know some of the stuff that their kits and stuff are pretty nice.
They’re pretty cool. Again though, I’m a purist. I don’t like things too obscene or too crazy because some of the things they put out there are just like way over the top. Now I will say what they just did with that Lamborghini Miura is outstanding. That looks gorgeous. Subtle, but what they did was instead of like just doing some bolt on stuff to the fenders and that kind of stuff, they actually made.
Whole clamshell the whole thing and whatnot. So it’s all one piece. So it all looks like it was almost from the factory Not so much. Okay, you just went down to AutoZone and bought yourself some mud guards and screwed them on with some tap screws You know that kind of scenario sad to say some of this stuff does look like You get some of these guys that you know again trying to get views is I’m gonna buy something off of Timu and get it On there.
Obviously you good. Well, no, I mean any kid you can buy anything from anywhere high end low end whatnot It’s never always going to fit 100%. You’re always going to have to fiddle with it. You’re going to have to have body work done to it. It’s just plain and simple. It’s just, it’s the way it is. I mean, unless you build each kit specifically for each car, like you do a 3D scan of it, you got your ferro arm or whatever you’re scanning, you scan that specific car, then you get it all made specifically for that car.
They’re okay, but you still got to do some tweaks to it. But, going back to this fiddling with It’s the brand and image and what Ferrari’s doing and Porsche is notorious for this as well. I have a little back story on that for a project that I was involved in for a period of time, but the lawyers got ahold of the one person that was involved in this kind of got the whole thing hatched.
And you know, they got their panties in a bunch because the way the verbiage were title was like that. Of course, then they got mad at me because I was out there trying to promote it a little bit and I was using exactly what. They had put out there in regards to the website, everything. So they get mad at me.
It’s like, well, they’re going to find out some point in time. So why are you mad at me? You know, I don’t get it. But again, it’s always those people. They point fingers at everyone else. So looking in the fricking mirror and say, Oh, you know what? I effed up my bad. Oh, well, we got it taken care of. You know, that kind of nonsense.
But anyways, back to Ferrari. You’re finding it more. I would say with four or five eights are being that’s a notorious. But those are the ones you’re seeing a lot. That’s so much a four, eight, eight. 458s, there’s a lot of aftermarket kits out there for those cars. Now the one very high profile celebrities that do some obnoxious, really obnoxious things with their car, i.
e. there’s one Canadian person that got blacklisted by Ferrari because he did some absolutely obnoxious things to his car. So I mean, given blacklist, what’s that going to do? Okay. You’re not going to be able to buy a new one, but you can buy a used one, obviously. But they went so far and I guess, and it’s all how this person is using that vehicle in regards to image and branding and how Ferrari is perceiving it.
Yes. They did some. Absolutely obnoxious, totally just horrendous. I mean, this thing looks horrible to the car. So kudos to Friar say, no, you can’t do that. You can’t have our emblems on there. You can’t have any Ferrari branding on that car. And you cannot say anything saying that it is a Ferrari because that is not the Ferrari that left our factory.
So you cannot say that. So that’s kind of the big thing is like, look, if you’re going to do it, you just, you cannot put it out there that this is a Ferrari, or this is my Ferrari. blah, blah, blah. Bieber model. There you go. I said his name, you know, that kind of scenario. So they keep track of that pretty tight.
Again, it’s gonna be interesting to see how far they’re going to go with it. Cause I’ve been on the side that once I buy something, it’s mine. I can do whatever the F I want with it. You can’t tell me. As a matter of fact, that’s what commerce is. You make something, you sell it, it’s mine. I own it. You don’t own it anymore.
You have no say in this situation. It’s interesting, this day and age, I don’t know, the lawyers are very good, how things are interpreted from, you know, one country to the next, I don’t know, but I think it’s rude. Plain and simple. I just think it’s wrong. You should be able to do what you want with your car after you buy it and you can’t have the manufacturer coming in dictating to you after the fact that oh you can’t do this you can’t do that it’s like hey I just spent half a million dollars on this car from you even after the fact you know it was a 10 year old car I bought it used for 200 grand and you’re trying to tell me after the fact that I can’t bolt this on I can’t do that I mean and everyone knows what brand it is everyone can 200 Plainly see what it is, unless you’re doing something crazy, you know, doing a complete new body shell or front clip, rear clip, quarter, rear quarter, you’re doing something totally outlandish with this car turned into a four by four or something, you know, jacking up an F40, making it off road, buy it, you know, that kind of stuff.
People will know exactly what that car is and what brand it is and how it started life out. I don’t see what their point is in trying to come after that fact and doing it. Plus the fact that if you’re going after someone that’s like a YouTuber, Instagram, whatever, TikToker, they’re just going to take that and that’s just fodder for their followers and what they can put out there.
It’s almost like they want to get that cease and desist because you want to talk about content that’s good for four or five episodes and talk about stuff in the future because you can always go back and reference it and drop it in their own. If you haven’t seen that, go back and watch this video, you know, that kind of stuff.
So it’s almost like they’re daring. Ferrari to send them the cease and desist because they want it and again like these one gentlemen that are doing that Supposed as they like to say the only one in the world They mention it quite often in their videos when they’re talking about this car that you know Oh, we haven’t got it yet.
Why not and they even use the tease that they’ve gotten a cease and desist supposedly But then it’s something completely different you know that clickbait shit doing the bait and switch stuff on you to get you to watch the video and Oh, we got to watch all the way to the end. It’s a 40 minute video.
Yeah, well you know what you can do? You just fast forward the video. You don’t have to sit there and watch the whole damn thing. Because it’s basically always the same stuff. There’s really nothing ever new in it. You know, you got to wonder about the life of these. Because, you know, look at it as, you know, a show.
A sitcom. On, well, I guess it used to be on regular TV, but now wherever. It’s got a life to it. Because it runs its course, because you only can repackage and regurgitate something so many times, so many different ways, then you’re done. So, unless you get real creative. And again, that’s when these YouTubers, they start going nuts and start doing stupid crap.
They totally deviate away from what they actually Started the channel out at as an automotive channel look at some of these really big ones I got a lot of followers look at whistling diesel how you start out. Okay, so what are you doing now? What was his latest one someone gave him? I think it was more advertisement for his lawyer or whatever it was But you know they took this guy’s Rolls Royce and beat the shit out of it in LA then Vegas And that’s all I did was just go out and destroy the car just driving like an asshole I just started watching Cletus McFarlane.
I never really got into what he was doing, but after his little NASCAR stuff, running the ARCA race, stuff like that, I started watching it, and you know, he’s not a bad dude. Guy’s super smart. I’ll give him that. I mean, super intelligent guy. He knows what he’s doing, but kind of getting away from his Freedom Factory and race stuff like that, because from my understanding, because he was just on Dale Jr.
‘s Dirty Mo Media’s podcast, and Job the Bomb, that their thing is to build the shortest, Smallest aircraft boat carrier. I guess you could say that’s only gonna be three pontoon boats long So it’s like 60 or 70 feet because I guess you know, he’s a really good pilot Garrett Mitchell is his real name So I guess Garrett’s a super talented pilot and he does stall competitions And though you know stall competition is take these single engine prop planes Cessnas Whatever and you’re able to take off in like 50 60 feet and land them short and all this kind of crazy stuff It’s very I would say But it’s really cool stuff.
I mean, it takes a lot of talent to do it, you know, because it’s one thing to kind of fiddle around on the ground with a car and stuff like that, you stall whatnot, but when you’re up in the air in a plane, you’re 500 feet in the air, even a hundred feet in the air, you know, some screws up, you’re falling a hundred feet flat straight to the ground.
Yeah. You’re dead. So again, now you’re talking, he’s deviating away from what he originally doing the freedom factory, doing the races, doing that kind of stuff. Cause he’s got to get the audience. Okay. I just sidetracked way off of what I’m supposed to be talking about again, and Ferrari and branding and image and stuff like that.
So it goes back to his. You know, my argument is how can the manufacturer instead, not just Ferrari, how can they come back at you for something, especially if you’re like the fourth, fifth, sixth owner of that said car. Cause let’s face it, people do not keep these cars for five, six, seven, 10 years. They keep them for a year, six months, get their use out of it, get their peacocking done to go out and look at me, puff out their chest.
Oh yeah, I’m so cool. I got to show all their friends off. Then they turn around and they sell it. A, you know, they stretched themselves too thin or B, they got bored of it or who knows. You look at Carfax or history on these cars, a good majority of them have had multiple owners in their short lives. Now, okay, if you got a 10 year old car, three owners, okay, that’s not bad.
But when you have a five year old car and it’s gotten six owners, what’s that telling you? You know, and you look at this, it’s going to tell you mileage, everything like that on it too. But how can you go after someone who’s like, I’m the fifth person to own this car. So it’s traded hands four times prior, but you’re still coming at me saying, I can’t do this with my can’t do what I want to the car.
I don’t understand it. And again, that’s, you know, how the law works and everything like that. And I think it boils down to basically is deep pockets. You know, let’s face it, who’s really going to go back and try and battle Ferrari in the open court system because they got nothing but time and money. Now, okay, if you’re a billionaire or whatnot, you’re the same position.
You got nothing but time or money, but is it really worth it to drop millions and millions of dollars to try and prove your point? Now, ego gets in the way for some of these people. I can see him doing it, but you don’t hear about people battling this. Now you do hear some people battling in regards to like that one.
It was just with these Jaguar D types. They were building the replicas of, you know, they start out, they built one for themselves. And again, then it blows up because someone sees it. Hey, can you build me one? Dah, dah, dah. And you know, actually built in like 60, 70 of them. All of a sudden Jaguar comes after him saying, you know, it’s copyright infringement, blah, blah, blah, all this stuff.
They lost at first, but then they came back around and appealed and all that. And so they ended up winning. So then final cost, all this crap, he added up, but you know, Jaguar had to. Pay everything because these people won so it’s kind of again, where’s that line get drawn and what legal right and recourse does a manufacturer have to go after someone because let’s face it, you have these multi billion dollar corporations going after a little mom and pop to do it.
You know, 500, 000 a year. I mean, They know that they’re just going to basically intimidate them and freak them out and scare them enough away that they’re just going, okay, we’ll stop. We’ll stop. All right. Yeah. Hands up. Okay. I got it. We’ll get rid of everything. But to those people with the Jags, I mean, that was a huge financial.
Basically, bury them beyond broke in the poor house. They would have basically ended up in the end losing completely. But I think these manufacturers, they don’t give a shit. They’re like, you know, they’ll go in and just look who we are, flex their muscles and say, Raaah, we’re gonna scare you! RUN! That kind of scenario.
Being a bully. Instead of embracing it, now they said, you have those smaller manufacturers. They embrace it. No, do that because it’s your own car. See what we can do because think about it. When a car is designed and built, you’re getting the vision of who’s ever employed by that builder, manufacturer, that group, those people, that person, whatever, the outside entity, yada, yada.
You see it all the time, but someone’s looking at a car and say, well, I would have done this. Well, I might’ve tweaked this. I might’ve taken this line this way. You know, everyone’s going to view something differently. The manufacturer’s trying to make a, build a car that I want to say appeals to a large audience instead of just like.
F you, I don’t care. This is what I like. And if you don’t like it, then don’t buy it. Well, no, they got to sell vehicles. They’re going to stay in business. So again, it’s going to see how this plays out because if they can get away with it and bullying people and making it stop, everyone else is going to fall right in line.
Look at what has been happening in regards to a lot of these manufacturers coming out with these halo cars and basically making these owners sign. Documents stating that you cannot sell this for two years or their legal action will be taken against you. Now, Ford did this and they lost against John Cena against his Ford GT, the new one.
You know, he bought it and within two months turned around and sold it. He only made half a million dollars on it, but Ford went after him, but Cena won. So what does that kind of tell you? What does that say? It’s only worth what it’s written on. That’s the value of it because, you know, lawyer, you know, it doesn’t matter.
Contracts, what not. Contract may be broken. If you got a good enough lawyer, they can work your way around it and get you out of, you know, everything. Again, it all boils down to money. That’s why it’s unfortunate you get some of these people that are innocent that end up going to jail because they can’t afford proper representation and they get screwed and then they’re in jail and it takes 30 years.
for them to finally get acquitted and then, you know, then they don’t get any money or it gets capped. I mean, that kind of stupid shit. But anyway, back to the point is again, my, uh, ADD, OCD, whatever, all that stuff makes me go on these sidetracks. My brain works out that way. And I know some of you understand that, but anyways, back to my final point here, to what point does a manufacturer have the right?
To dictate to someone. Now I agree when someone comes in, they’re building a brand new car and order it from the factory, Ferrari and whoever else can say, no, we’re not going to do that. No, no, no, no. That’s no, we’re not going to put that color combination. No, we’re no, we can’t do that. No, no, no, no. That’s fine, because, hey, they’re building what, their control, because they still own that car.
The sale has, the transaction has not been completed. After the fact, I buy it, I own it. And especially if I’m like the fourth, fifth, sixth owner of said car, how can you come at me and tell me what I can and can’t do with my car? Good taste, bad taste, whatever. If I’m going to put pink ponies all over it, polka dot, whatever.
I, that’s my car. I can do whatever the F I want with it. Like I said, it’s going to be interesting to see how far they take this. And you know, Ferrari is very uppity and you know, they got their nose up in the air so I could see them pushing this real far. I mean, they got very deep pockets and yes, they have their own entity in the public trade, but you know, they got fiat money behind them.
So, I mean. Trust me, it’s a battle that I don’t think you want to get into because it’s a battle you, I don’t know. Again, it just boils down to how good your lawyers are. That’s what it is. So, but anyways, that’s my viewpoint on it. Be curious to see what you guys think. Shoot me an email, links in the thing, william at defraud marketplace.
com. Let me know your thoughts. I’d like to get some other people here on the show. Let’s chit chat. Let’s talk about some topics about Ferrari. I’d like to get other opinions. Let’s talk about old stuff, new stuff, whatever. Reach out to me. Let’s get you on the show and uh, let’s have some conversations. So again, check out the website, exoticcarmarketplace.
com. Go to theferrarymarketplace. com. It’s our family of websites. We got everything on there. Check out motoringpodcast. net, our family of podcasts as well. So we are out there doing it to it. Stay tuned. New episode coming next week. Don’t know the topic yet, but stay tuned because it’ll be a fun one.
Thanks guys. Keep the wheels on the ground, right side up. Thanks.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast Network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like The Exotic Car Marketplace, The Motoring Historian, BrakeFix, and many others. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
patreon. com forward slash GT Motorsports. Please note that the content, opinions, and materials presented and expressed in this episode are those of its creator. And this episode has been published with their consent. If you have any inquiries about this program, please contact the creators of this episode via email or social media as mentioned in the episode.
We also recommend…
Episode 29: William crosses over with Crew Chief Eric from Break/Fix Podcast to talk about the Netflix Series, Car Masters: Rust to Riches, Sixth Season, and the conclusion of their journey into high-end exotics and the Ferrari saga.
and Episode 18: William and co-host Crew Chief Eric discuss the latest season of the reality TV show ‘Car Masters: Rust to Riches,’ particularly focusing on their controversial project of modifying a Ferrari 360 Spider. They critique the show’s modifications, including a Porsche Carrera Green paint job and rose gold accents, and question the legitimacy and market potential of such custom Ferraris. The episode concludes with a cliffhanger about potential future projects involving a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and a Ferrari 458 Italia, and teases upcoming episodes about the Mille Miglia and a review of the Ferrari movie.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
February 20, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari 257 S occupies a unique and often understated position in Ferrari’s storied history. As an experimental and ultra-rare racing car developed during the mid-1950s, the 257 S exemplified Ferrari’s unrelenting pursuit of innovation and excellence. Although not as widely recognized as models like the 250 GTO or the 166 MM, the 257 S is a fascinating example of Ferrari’s engineering ingenuity and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance. This article explores the Ferrari 257 S in depth, examining its development, technical features, racing history, and lasting impact on Ferrari’s legacy.
Ferrari in the 1950s
By the mid-1950s, Ferrari was already a dominant force in motorsport. The marque had achieved considerable success in events like the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Ferrari 257 S was conceived during this period of rapid innovation as a prototype aimed at further refining Ferrari’s performance in sports car racing.
The Purpose of the 257 S
The Ferrari 257 S was designed as an experimental platform to explore new ideas in chassis design, aerodynamics, and engine performance. Unlike Ferrari’s production sports cars, the 257 S was built in extremely limited numbers and intended primarily for competition use. This exclusivity has contributed to its mystique and collectability.
Chassis and Suspension
The Ferrari 257 S was constructed on a tubular steel chassis, reflecting Ferrari’s focus on rigidity and lightweight construction. This design provided a robust foundation for the car’s high-performance capabilities.
The suspension system featured:
Independent front suspension with double wishbones and coil springs.
A live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers.
This setup was optimized for high-speed stability and cornering performance, crucial for competitive racing.
Aerodynamics and Bodywork
The 257 S was clothed in sleek, aerodynamic bodywork crafted by renowned coachbuilders such as Carrozzeria Scaglietti. The design emphasized low drag and high-speed efficiency, with features like a streamlined nose, integrated headlights, and a rounded rear deck.
The car’s body was made from lightweight aluminum, further enhancing its performance by reducing overall weight. These aerodynamic advances not only improved top speed but also provided better handling and stability at racing velocities.
The Lampredi V12 Engine
At the heart of the Ferrari 257 S was a 3.0-liter V12 engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi. Known for its larger displacement compared to the Colombo V12, the Lampredi engine delivered robust power and torque, making it ideal for endurance racing.
Key specifications of the engine included:
Twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank.
Triple Weber carburetors for precise fuel delivery.
An output of approximately 280 horsepower at 6,500 rpm.
This powerplant was paired with a four-speed manual transmission, enabling the 257 S to achieve impressive acceleration and top speeds.
Debut and Competition History
The Ferrari 257 S made its debut in the mid-1950s, competing in a variety of sports car races. Its performance on the track was a testament to Ferrari’s engineering prowess, showcasing strong speed, reliability, and handling.
Notable races where the 257 S competed include:
The Mille Miglia: A grueling 1,000-mile endurance race through Italy, where Ferrari’s cars consistently demonstrated their dominance.
Local Italian hill climbs and circuit races, which served as testing grounds for Ferrari’s evolving designs.
Although the 257 S did not achieve the same level of fame as some of its contemporaries, its contributions to Ferrari’s racing development were invaluable.
Driving Characteristics
Drivers who had the opportunity to pilot the 257 S praised its balanced handling, responsive steering, and powerful V12 engine. The car’s lightweight chassis and advanced suspension system allowed it to tackle corners with agility while maintaining stability at high speeds.
Influence on Future Ferrari Models
The Ferrari 257 S served as a testbed for technologies and design principles that would influence future Ferrari models. Lessons learned from the 257 S’s development and racing experience were applied to iconic cars like the 250 Testa Rossa and 250 GTO.
Collectability and Historical Significance
With only a handful of examples built, the Ferrari 257 S is among the rarest Ferraris ever produced. Its exclusivity, combined with its historical importance and performance capabilities, has made it a highly sought-after collector’s item. Examples that appear at auction command significant attention and often achieve multi-million-dollar prices.
Preservation and Restoration
Given the rarity of the Ferrari 257 S, surviving examples are meticulously preserved and restored by dedicated collectors and specialists. These cars are often showcased at prestigious events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
A Symbol of Ferrari’s Innovation
The 257 S remains a symbol of Ferrari’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Its combination of cutting-edge engineering, bespoke design, and racing heritage embodies the core values of the Ferrari brand.
The Ferrari 257 S is a remarkable chapter in the history of one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. As an experimental racing car, it exemplified Ferrari’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and innovation. Although it may not enjoy the widespread recognition of some of its successors, the 257 S’s contributions to Ferrari’s legacy are undeniable.
Today, the Ferrari 257 S is celebrated as a rare and valuable piece of automotive history. Its story continues to inspire enthusiasts and collectors, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come.
Engine
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 72 x 68mm
Unitary displacement 276.86cc
Total displacement 3322.34cc
Compression ratio 8 : 1
Maximum power 199 kW (270 hp) at 7200 rpm
Power per litre 81CV/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 40 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch multi-plate
Chassis
Frame tubular steel
Front suspension independent, unequal-length wishbones, transverse leaf spring, hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspension live axle, semi-elliptic springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Brakes drums
Transmission 5-speed + reverse
Steering worm and sector
Fuel tank-
Front tyres 5.50 x 16
Rear tyres 5.50 x 16
Bodywork
Type two-seater spider
Length-
Width-
Height-
Wheelbase 2420mm
Front track 1270mm
Rear track 1250mm
Weight 850kg (dry) [...]
February 20, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari 195 Inter occupies a distinguished place in the annals of automotive history as a luxury grand tourer that signaled Ferrari’s transition from a purely racing-oriented company to a manufacturer of exclusive road cars. Introduced in 1950, the 195 Inter was designed to cater to a burgeoning market of discerning customers who desired both performance and refinement in their automobiles.
With its striking design, powerful V12 engine, and bespoke coachwork, the 195 Inter represents a perfect synthesis of Ferrari’s racing pedigree and its aspirations for road-going excellence. This comprehensive article explores the Ferrari 195 Inter—from its inception and technical innovations to its design philosophy, market impact, and enduring legacy.
Ferrari’s Early Years
The late 1940s and early 1950s were pivotal for Ferrari, a company that had established itself as a formidable force in motorsport but was seeking to expand its influence in the luxury automobile market. Ferrari’s initial models, such as the 125 S and the 166 Inter, laid the groundwork for its reputation as a builder of high-performance cars.
The 195 Inter was introduced as a successor to the 166 Inter, offering more power, greater refinement, and enhanced customization options. It was aimed squarely at wealthy clientele who valued exclusivity and performance, making it a cornerstone in Ferrari’s efforts to establish itself as a maker of bespoke grand tourers.
The Transition to Grand Touring
Unlike Ferrari’s earlier racing-focused models, the 195 Inter was conceived as a road car first and foremost. It retained Ferrari’s trademark engineering excellence but incorporated features that emphasized comfort and style, appealing to a different segment of buyers.
The Colombo V12 Engine
At the heart of the Ferrari 195 Inter was the Colombo-designed 2.3-liter V12 engine. This engine, an evolution of the powerplant used in earlier Ferrari models, was a masterpiece of engineering. Producing 130-160 horsepower depending on the specific configuration, the V12 offered smooth, high-revving performance that was ideal for long-distance touring.
Key features of the engine included:
Single overhead camshafts per cylinder bank.
A triple-carburetor setup for optimal fuel-air mixture.
An aluminum alloy block and heads for reduced weight.
This engine not only delivered impressive performance but also contributed to the car’s reputation for mechanical reliability, a crucial factor for a grand tourer designed for extended journeys.
Chassis and Suspension
The 195 Inter’s chassis was a tubular steel frame, a hallmark of Ferrari’s early design philosophy. This construction method provided the rigidity necessary for precise handling while keeping the car’s weight manageable.
The suspension system featured:
Independent front suspension with double wishbones and a transverse leaf spring.
A live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers.
This setup offered a balance between comfort and sporty handling, ensuring that the 195 Inter could tackle both winding mountain roads and long highway stretches with equal aplomb.
Transmission and Drivetrain
The car was equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels. The transmission’s ratios were carefully selected to provide strong acceleration and high-speed cruising capability, aligning with the car’s dual-purpose nature as both a performance machine and a luxury tourer.
Bespoke Coachwork
One of the defining features of the Ferrari 195 Inter was its bespoke coachwork. Ferrari collaborated with some of Italy’s most prestigious coachbuilders, including Carrozzeria Vignale, Carrozzeria Ghia, and Touring, to create unique and individualized bodies for each car. This approach ensured that no two 195 Inter models were exactly alike, enhancing their exclusivity.
Common design elements included:
Elegant, flowing lines that emphasized aerodynamic efficiency.
A long hood and short rear deck, reflecting the car’s front-engine layout.
Distinctive grilles, headlights, and chrome detailing that varied by coachbuilder.
Interior Luxury
The interiors of the 195 Inter were tailored to the tastes of their owners, featuring high-quality materials such as leather, wood, and polished metal. The instrumentation was simple yet functional, with an emphasis on clarity and driver engagement. Despite its focus on performance, the 195 Inter offered a level of comfort and refinement that was rare in its time.
On the Road
Driving the Ferrari 195 Inter was an experience unlike any other in the early 1950s. The car’s V12 engine delivered linear power and a sonorous exhaust note that made every journey memorable. The precise steering and well-balanced suspension allowed for confident handling, whether navigating tight corners or cruising at high speeds.
Racing Heritage
Although the 195 Inter was designed primarily as a road car, its racing DNA was evident. Several examples were entered into competitive events, achieving respectable results and showcasing the model’s versatility. This duality—being both a capable racer and a luxurious tourer—was a hallmark of Ferrari’s philosophy during this era.
Exclusivity and Prestige
With only 27 examples produced, the Ferrari 195 Inter was an exceedingly rare car even in its own time. This exclusivity made it a status symbol for the elite, attracting high-profile customers who valued its blend of performance, luxury, and bespoke craftsmanship.
Influence on Future Models
The 195 Inter laid the groundwork for future Ferrari grand tourers, such as the 212 Inter and the 250 GT series. Its combination of a powerful V12 engine, sophisticated design, and luxurious appointments became a template for Ferrari’s Road cars in the decades to come.
A Collector’s Dream
Today, the Ferrari 195 Inter is one of the most coveted classic Ferraris, with its rarity and historical significance driving high demand among collectors. Well-preserved examples often fetch millions of dollars at auction, reflecting their enduring value and appeal.
Cultural Significance
The 195 Inter represents a pivotal moment in Ferrari’s history, marking the company’s emergence as a builder of world-class road cars. Its legacy is not only defined by its technical achievements but also by its role in shaping Ferrari’s identity as a purveyor of luxury and performance.
The Ferrari 195 Inter is more than just a car; it is a milestone in the evolution of one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. With its groundbreaking engineering, bespoke design, and dual-purpose nature, the 195 Inter exemplified Ferrari’s commitment to excellence in both racing and road-going automobiles.
Decades after its debut, the 195 Inter remains a symbol of Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and artistry. It continues to inspire admiration and reverence, not only among Ferrari enthusiasts but also within the broader context of automotive history. As a masterpiece of engineering and design, the Ferrari 195 Inter holds a timeless allure that ensures its place among the greats.
Specifications
TYPE front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 65 x 58.8mm
Unitary displacement 195.08cc
Total displacement 2341.02cc
Compression ratio 7.5: 1
Maximum power 96 kW (130 hp) at 6000 rpm
Power per litre 56hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed single Weber 36 DCF carburetor
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single-plate [...]
February 14, 2025Ferrari / PodcastIn this episode of the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast, William focuses on the often frustrating world of automotive YouTubers, particularly those focusing on Ferraris. The episode discusses misleading content, such as incorrect claims about car purchases and modifications, and the challenge of creating engaging yet truthful videos. He also highlights the complexities of car valuations and repairs, pointing out that many YouTubers don’t account for labor costs in their builds. Throughout, he contrasts different approaches by various influencers and commends others like Steve Hamilton for their genuine and accessible approach to car enthusiasm. The episode wraps up with reflections on balancing content integrity versus clickbait tactics.
Episode 33
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Sponsor Announcements
01:07 Rant on Automotive YouTubers
03:35 Annoying YouTuber Trends
06:50 Ferrari-Specific YouTuber Critique
14:21 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts
23:05 Conclusion and Sign-Off
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
And welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast. I’m your host, William Ross. Represented by the exotic car marketplace for everything exotic cars from Ferrari and Porsche to Lamborghini and Koenigsegg check out exoticcarmarketplace. com Check out the Motoring Podcast Network, the family of automotive podcasts.
If you’re into anything with wheels and a motor, this is a site to check out. So head on over to motoringpodcast. net. Also Slot Mods, one of the coolest slot car tracks in the world. Check out slotmods. com and let your imagination run wild. And Grand Touring Motorsports, covering all aspects of auto racing.
And be sure to check out their monthly e zine at gtmotorsports. org. All the links are up in the description. Now onto this week’s topic, I’m going to talk about something that’s really annoying to me, and that is automotive YouTubers. For those of you that watch Tyler Hoover, they actually, I just saw it this morning and I don’t know if it dropped yesterday, but they kind of did one.
Cause I can’t remember the website, but the website did on like the top 10 most annoying. Things about automotive YouTuber. So I want to say they beat me to the punch, but I’m getting more specific in regards to YouTubers that I guess, utilize Ferrari as their, uh, talking point or thumbnail or whatever you want to call it.
And there’s quite a few of them out there now. Well, I should say. I think it’s on April’s Garage, his new girlfriend, partner, I don’t know what you want to call her, someone who kind of came out of the blue. Tyler divorced his wife and also now he’s living with this person in Nebraska or Kansas, wherever he lives.
She’s riding his coattails to having a successful YouTube channel. Not saying it’s wrong, but you know. I’m not sure how far she would have got on her own, but hey, to each their own. They were discussing it, going over the ones, and you know, there were some ones in there I’m going to touch on too as well.
I’m not going to get into naming names. I’m not going to sling mud like that. But what I’m just going to talk about is the topic. And there’s a few of them that really just annoy the shit out of me. Pardon my French. It’s baffling how people get sucked into these things in regards to looking at the thumbnail and whatnot.
Cause especially the ones that whatever the title of thumbnail is, has absolutely nothing to do with the video. And it’s like talking about hardship or talking about this or talking about that. And it’s just like, you get into watching. It’s like, it has nothing to do with it. That’s not even the topic you’re talking about in the.
I don’t get it, but I’m an older guy. I’m going to be 55 here in another month or so. So my mind works and brain works a little more differently than these. Teenagers and 20 some year olds that these things get sucked into and watch, you know, They want to hear all the loud bangs and pops and people just drifting cars and whatnot We kind of like to talk to the more mature audience people that like to learn about things You know if you go over to my channel You’ll see that, that, you know, we hit up a bunch of events.
We try and check out automotive people that are building stuff, creating stuff, you know, and get more about their story and find out about them. You know, that’s just me. Well, I get a million subscribers. No, probably not. It would have to be a miracle. We can hopefully get a decent amount, but anyways, that’s a whole nother argument anyways, too, but onward.
First thing I want to talk about one thing that annoys me. You see the thumbnail title screen, whatever I call it, and the person touts out. I bought the cheapest da da da in the United States. Or I bought the cheapest in the UK. Wherever it’s at, wherever they’re shooting it. One, that’s kind of a ballsy statement to say that you bought the cheapest.
Because did you really, I mean, where’d you buy it from? I mean, just do a kind of a quick Google search on auto tempest, you know, and find say, all right, I’m going to just have them sort by the cheapest to the highest price and go that route. Who knows? I mean, I’m sure if you do a little digging, you find something cheaper, but again, that just drives me nuts when they, and you see it all the time, I bought the cheapest, this or that.
So they get, oh, let’s find out what’s wrong with it, da, da, da, you know, that kind of stuff. Something that’s going to have a high mileage. I don’t care if you are, you know, you’re buying a Lamborghini, Ferrari, whatever like that. Yeah, it’s got high mileage, it’s been a good, yeah, you’re going to have it. You could buy an Astrovan that’s got 200, 000 miles on it cheaply for 500 bucks.
It’s going to have things wrong. It’s just an old car. And it just annoys the heck out of me because you see it all the time. I want to say people aren’t creative enough, but, you know, obviously having to come out with content continuously. Because once one does it. Then sure as heck enough, you’re going to see multiple ones in the coming weeks, people doing the same thing.
Oh, I’m going to ride that one because they look at, oh yeah, they got some, they got all these views. They got all these likes. So I’m going to do that too, but can’t do the same car. So I’m going to do something different. They go find something different or maybe they just find the same branch, different model within that brand and do it.
That just drives me insane because you buy. And then they just do a few, a little bit of TLC, and you know, then, hey, there it is. It’s always interesting, and you see some of them do it, though. But, once that’s done, that falls off the radar. That car’s gone. It’s history. You don’t see it anymore. Well, this is what happened to it.
You’ll see other videos down the road where you see in the background, whatnot like that. It’s like, why don’t you go into about, okay, now you did all that. Why don’t you turn around and resell it and let’s see if you made some money or whatnot. Is it still the cheapest? You know what you got into it. And another thing as a side note that also drives me insane when these guys work up.
Pricing on it, you know, I’m not gonna get in name names, but you know, you’ll have some of them They’ll start going. Okay, you know car cost this this part cost that this kind of they are not including a labor rate in Those numbers so they’re like, oh look I ended up getting this thing for basically 20, 000 below market what they’re going for and I fix it up that it up Well, yeah But how many hours in total not just you but everyone helped you went into doing that if you got?
500 hours total amongst you and whoever else is doing it At what, a standard labor rate, especially on an exotic car, 150 an hour? You know, even going on the lower end, 125 an hour? Do that math. That adds a chunk of change to that total, but they just don’t include that in there. Very deceptive, and you would hope that people would catch that and realize, well, wait a minute.
If I took that to a shop to get everything done, they’re also going to charge me a labor rate because these people don’t work for free. You know, they’re not shooting YouTube channels where they’re hoping that, you know, they get 500, 000 views and, you know, they get their ad return on it from YouTube and they get a check from that.
It drives me nuts and seeing these guys do this stuff. Next one that really bugs me, now we’re going to get into specifically talking about Ferraris. There’s someone, there’s a very large channel out there, and you guys probably better figure this out. Claiming this is, it’s the only Ferrari drift car, Ferrari F12 race car out there, blah, blah, blah.
How do you know that? You’re just making this statement. Now don’t get me wrong, what they built and created is really cool. I mean, they did a heck of a job. And while I should say the one individual that built it for them, that they had hired and brought into it, did a phenomenal job and it kind of sucked.
He left. And again, you guys probably figure who I’m talking about and kudos to him though, to go live his life. He, that him and his family, they had, you know, a mission. They had a dream of what they want to do. And then he went and did it, you know, not to say that he won’t be back. I have a feeling that in a year or two, he’ll be back because they’ll probably start to wear a bit thin sailing around the world.
doing whatever and living on a boat. I’m sure I can get old after a while, especially it’ll be one thing if it’s just you and your wife, you and your spouse, you and your partner, whatever, but you know, they got two kids, all this kind of stuff. Younger kids. I mean like that. I mean, who’s going to, who’s going to homeschool?
I mean, you have all these tangibles. I could see us starting to wear a real thing. The guy’s got gasoline running through his veins. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him back in a year or two doing some things like, Oh, we’re taking a break from sailing or this and that. We got to come back. We’re taking a break for, you know, whoever, but I can go back to them.
They’re making that statement that this is the only one in the world. And again, I find that hard to believe, you know, when someone makes a bold statement like that, how much research did they get into in regards to that? Cause I, you guarantee there’s someone else out there that took that car. Now, did they go to the extreme?
They did. No, probably not. I mean, these guys stripped this down, built the tube chassis, everything like that, and just basically, you know, bolted the panels back on and everything like that. But I mean, it’s a phenomenal build. And what he’s doing with everything like that is fantastic. My opinion, they’re getting a little fake about everything.
You know, the content becomes more, you have to cater to your crowd because to their point is overhead, everything like that. And then you got to bring in the money to be able to do these bills, everything like that, but getting a little cheesy. Now I know off camera, everything, these guys are not as enthusiastic, I guess you could say, or not as, you know, I mean, they’re, they’re good guys.
It’s just that who they cater to. I’d love to see their demographics on their views or stuff like that, because it’s obviously a very, very younger crowd. And. The main people on the channel, they’re in their forties. So, I mean, they’re not young, but you see what works and then you stick with it. And then I want to say you get pigeonholed, but you kind of got to follow that path because all of a sudden you become enslaved to what you’re putting out there on your channel.
Because, hey, you know, again. You’re getting driven by views and hits and likes and everything like that. So, you know, it’s, uh, something to watch. But, again, I would really hope and wish that when someone makes statements like that, it’s like, you know, did anyone else go out and look? I mean, obviously we know there’s other Ferrari race cars out there.
You can buy them from the factory, people build them up themselves and everything like that. There’s a likelihood there’s another F12 type race car out there. Probably somewhere someone that doesn’t splash their life all over God’s creation on a YouTube channel But you know making that statement I’m waiting for it to also and pop up somewhere somehow someone says well, I built one I built one ten years ago, you know, someone’s line again Probably not as extreme because these guys went crazy with what they built.
I mean, it’s super cool what they built I’d love to drive the thing. It’s got to be a blast Again making statements like that just kind of irked me a bit Are you sure? That’s the only one. But again, you know, you’re driven by your thumbnail. You’re driven by, you know, traffic. You’ve got to drive to it. So you’ve got to make something that’s bold and makes a statement like that.
Next, we are going to talk about someone who, and I can’t, she gets tons of views. And now I just said it, you know, it’s a female. I can’t watch a thing because the way she talks, that just drives me insane. And how many views and whatever and subscribers she’s got, I mean, I don’t know, it’s baffling. But, this person did a video a while back about Ferrari wanting to buy back her Ferrari.
And I think it says, Ferrari wants my car back, or blah, blah, blah, or wants to buy back my car. Bullshit. One, it was modded beyond all belief. It had a, um, a body kit on it, all this stuff. I didn’t like it. I’m sure the younger generation, younger crowd, they, you know, thought, Oh, it’s so cool, but, you know, I’m a purist.
But to make that statement, because the dealer, if it was an actual authorized Ferrari dealer, And they bought that car back whenever Ferrari probably take their dealership license away because what they did to that car goes against everything Ferrari is about and stands for it. And if you’re familiar with it, they have no issues throwing out cease and desist for people doing stuff to their cars.
You know, they’re very, very, how can I say this correctly, uh, protective of their brand logo and everything like that out in the marketplace. Making that kind of statement is just, I, I saw that and I actually, I just started laughing hysterically because it’s like, no, they did not. It was a used car dealer that deals in exotic cars and that.
I wanted to get it back because one, they were going to ride the coattails of saying, hey, we have so and so’s old car here for sale, you know, and that’s going to drive hit stuff. Now, are a lot of those people able to buy and afford that car? No. But they probably would sell it quick or they might just sit on it for a bit and advertise it and put some stupid number on it.
But it would, uh, you know, give them a lot of exposure, you know, so it’d be a good investment on their part. But to make the statement that Ferrari themselves wanted to buy it back, no, I don’t think so. And again, it’s sad because people will see that thumbnail and see the title and be like, Oh, wow, man, Ferrari wanted to buy her car back.
Oh, that’s so cool. I mean that tells you right there Ferrari digs it. Bullshit. And again, you know, hey, you can put whatever the heck you want on your thumbnail and your videos, everything like that. It’s just baffling though, that people fall for that. Again, they might just want to watch and see the car or what not, I don’t know.
See the content, I don’t know. But, I just don’t get it, how someone puts that statement out there. It falls back on you. It falls back on that person. They might have people they hired and work for that person that creates all that stuff. Does their video editing, does all that stuff, creates a thumbnail, then puts it out there.
But again, it’s your name attached to that. So now this, you know, tag is put on you, so to speak, that, you know, you’re making these type of statements, even though you didn’t create the statement, you didn’t create the thumbnail, you didn’t, you know, but you did the content it’s tied to you, you’re the face of it, you’re the face of that brand.
So whatever you put out there comes back on you doesn’t matter who your workers or bees whatever put up together or whatnot It’s gonna come back on you. I’m more cautious about stuff like that I mean, I I just I don’t like making weird statements like that And I don’t maybe that’s why my channel doesn’t grow as fast as I’d like it to but I just again Statements like that just drive me insane I mean, and this person has been known to do a few other ones that have just been just so, so wrong.
But again, what can you do? It’s, um, what people do. It’s just, you know, again, it’s all about driving traffic to their YouTube channel. You know, it’s just unbelievable. And here’s the other thing that drives me insane. You get these people, and obviously their family’s got just boatloads of money. You know, hey, if they made it on their boat, hey, there’s a few guys out there that, hey, they built it from the ground up, you know, and God bless them.
They busted their ass, were able to afford the stuff. But what I can’t stand is you get these guys, kids, obviously it’s daddy’s money, family money. And again, they’re so detached from reality in regards to, Just everything. You know, they don’t know about real world, real life. There’s a couple channels out there.
There’s, there’s a father and son. They’re rebuilding. I think it’s a four or five, eight. Don’t have a lot of subscribers or that, but it’s, I like to challenge it because it’s really cool to see it’s a father son. They bought it. And obviously They’re not hurting, they don’t have tens of millions of dollars in the bank account.
You know, they’re kind of bootstrapping this in essence to rebuild this car. And God bless them. So it’s kind of neat to see that. I mean, that’s, I mean, that’s me, that’s me personally, I guess. That’s the content I prefer to watch. Something that again is educational. I learned something from watching because one, hey, someday.
God willing, you know, I get my hands on one. I want to know how to repair some of this stuff, because again, kind of going back to my earlier statement in regards to labor rates, you know what, if you can fix it yourself, you can save yourself a ton of money because working on cars, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsche set, it ain’t cheap when you send it to a dealer or just a mechanic or anything like that.
You know, again, kind of going back to Mr. Hoovey, Tyler Hoover stuff, you know, he’s, he’s had a few Ferraris go through. No, he had that 355 famously that burnt to the ground and he made that statement just in this recent video that that kind of really kind of blew up and made his channel take off in regards to it because it’s like everyone I guess wanted to see misery.
I don’t know. Then he has that 456 that he had bought that was on car track, but he bought it from the Middle East or from Dubai or something like that. But it just, I think he’s on his third engine rebuild. But what I like with him, what he does, I like, I watch Tyler’s stuff. I do. I watch his stuff. It’s interesting, but it’s kind of, I don’t say interesting, but it kind of a head scratcher.
You know, you built this big old channel because basically all it is. He goes, finds a POS of whatever, gets it home somehow, either drives it up to, or gets it dumped off at the car wizard, Omega Auto Clinic, then they start going, he fixes it, Tyler comes in, periodically, what you got going on, what’d you do, oh you did this one, what’d you do that one, because he always has multiple cars in there.
He shows them the bill. Whips out the card, pays for it, you know, and a lot of stuff’s not cheap, but it’s interesting because they go through everything right down the line on that, on the bill, on the bill, which I did, I really like to see because that’s reality right there in regards to cost and everything that that’s what it took.
If you bought one and you have actually no mechanical wherewithal. And you send it somewhere and get it done and look at it. Now, hopefully you do a little more research on the car for you. Buy it. Unless you have a YouTube channel and you’re like, I bought the cheapest blah, blah, blah, you know, and. I’m just going to go and throw a bunch of money at things and, and do it that way.
So, and again, Hey, that four or five sticks. And by the way, very underrated, fantastic car front engine V12, obviously get a factory manual, but you can do a, you know, a swap on it as well. Touring coupe. Very underrated. I ain’t not the best looking, but still it’s not a bad car, but it’s a lot of fun. Great car.
Got that. And then he has that Testarossa as well. What is that? Did he buy a 308? 320? He’s got a couple of them. So he gets these things and God bless him. He keeps cranking them out and obviously he gets other brands and stuff like that. But again, what I like about that, it’s realistic in regards to what it’s going to cost and take to get that repaired.
So. He shows it, which is awesome. Do other people? No. I, I got one off topic there, but again, going back to these people that buy a pristine car, they order a brand new one and they were on the list and they got able to get access, dah, dah, dah. And when there’s a will, there’s a way you could buy whatever.
It’s just that, you know, you’ve got to think outside the box of it. You know, those are the other ones that are annoying. Again, no concept of reality, cost, price, anything. Oh, we got 50 cars and we got this and da da da. You know, um, kudos, but there’s a better way to approach it. I’m going to call out Mr.
Steve Hamilton because he is a great, great guy. Super nice. I met him in, um, Uh, what’s his other guy’s name in it that helps him and does all the videos with them. I can’t think about top of my head, but anyways, that’s a guy that built everything ground up. I really like that. I had the opportunity to meet them last year at the triple F collections, the event, which sadly, you know, due to their mother’s passing, they’re not having it this year, possibly in 2026.
But that’s a whole other story to talk about. Uh, those guys are super nice too. I met them at Moda last year. Very, very nice. Super nice family. The old man’s fantastic. Great people. So it’s gonna kind of sad to see him go away. But anyway, it’s back to Steve Hamilton. We’ll come back to Triple F. But anyway, Steve Hamilton at his shows, he actually opens up the cars, lets people sit in them, everything like that.
Take pictures. You know, there was massive lines for all this, you know, the Pagani he had and what was it, the Bugatti, everything like that to be able to sit in them. So that is super cool. I mean, that’s awesome. That’s a guy that knows where he came from, respects it. And look, Hey, it’s a car. It’s a beautiful car.
It’s a fast car. But. Hey, let other people get that chance. Cause you cannot go into a dealership and just kind of poke around and say, Hey, can I sit in that? Hey, can I sit in that? You know, they’re going to be like, no. Can you buy it? Can you afford it? You know, that kind of thing. He lets you get in a car.
So, which is really cool. So. Kudos to Steve. He doesn’t do things where he’s buying the cheapest, this, that, whatever. He spends a lot of money on cars, that’s for sure. But you know, the way he goes about sharing it is brilliant. So kudos to Mr. Hamilton. Shout out to you, Steve. Yeah. Kind of side note on the triple F guys.
I don’t know if everyone was kind of watching those guys from the beginning of that, but back in the day, the family had a. It was a plastics business. I don’t know if it was injection molding or whatnot, but they built themselves a mastic, massive plastic business, something in the plastic industry. I don’t know what, I never really didn’t delve in it too far.
And they sold it for over a billion dollars to some entity. You know how much after that they net? I don’t know, but they sold that for over a billion dollars. I need to take a sip of my diet Mountain Dew, and this is not paid endorsement, but I thrive on this stuff. You know, it’s kind of a bad habit, but you gotta have a habit.
So anyways. The Triple F guys, they decided to start accumulating these cars, started the YouTube channel, everything was great. They built this, the old man built a massive house, but they already had an old house, because they were, they were pretty wealthy to start with having that plastic. So they were doing well, they had, you know, some nice cars, stuff like that.
Sadly, you know, their mom was battling breast cancer for quite a few years, and then she passed last year, and it really, really, you know, decimated those guys. Going through that myself, but my mother passed away very suddenly back in 2017. It’s a huge blow as someone that’s, you know, obviously very important in your life.
You lean on, you get strength from, you get support from. They finally released a video the other day and. One of the Frecka boys did it. I’m trying to remember. It’s the older guy. Older one. About, yeah, hey, they’ve been laying low and this is why. And that they’re probably changing direction. Who knows?
Cheryl come back in some shape or form. You know, their event was really cool. They did the event because they did it to raise money for Make A Wish. I’m a big supporter of Make A Wish. But you know, they had some really cool stuff. Now, they were more of a McLaren. Centric with their a lot of their stuff and Pagani that kind of stuff never was so much Ferrari We should’ve been lean more Ferrari, but you know, hey But they have a really beautiful four five eight, which I know they love because they all said and come back Oh my god.
Why don’t we drive this more? It sounds great No, no, and I agree because if you ever have the chance Our opportunity to buy a 458, get one, put some pipes on, everything like that, that thing is glorious. The last naturally aspirated V8 they’ve created, so it’s beautiful. But anyways, I kind of got off, um, a tangent here.
But again, like the Triple F boys, you know, how they go about doing it, you know, like they’re doing their events, it’s great. So, there’s people out there that do it correctly, they don’t try and bait you, but again, it’s clickbait. It’s getting these people to watch your video, that’s what you want. It just drives me nuts with what a lot of these people do in regards to, cause it’s just a lie, it’s a blatant lie.
misinformation, whatnot. But again, you got to get people to watch your videos, right? Anyway, I’m going to sign off here for this week’s episode. Uh, hope you enjoyed it. I know I kind of just babbled about things. It was more about venting and about people just on YouTube that just make blatant, stupid lies in regards to making statements.
And I’m sure you’ll figure out ones I was speaking about that I didn’t name drop. But it is what it is. But again, guys really appreciate you listening. Stay tuned. Have another episode next week. Don’t know yet what I’m going to talk about. A lot of interesting stuff going on in the collector car market in regards to higher end stuff, race cars, what have you.
So stay tuned next week. Cause that’s where you’re going to be. Appreciate it guys later.
This episode has been brought to you by grand touring motorsports as part of our motoring podcast network. For more episodes like this tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like the exotic car marketplace, the motoring historian. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
patreon. com forward slash gtmotorsports. Please note that the content, opinions, and materials presented and expressed in this episode are those of its creator. And this episode has been published with their consent. If you have any inquiries about this program, please contact the creators of this episode via email or social media, as mentioned in the episode.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
February 13, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari 195 S stands as a testament to Ferrari’s early years of innovation and dedication to producing world-class automobiles. Introduced in 1950, the 195 S marked a significant evolution in Ferrari’s lineup, bridging the gap between the brand’s motorsport pedigree and its growing ambitions in the grand touring segment. Built in extremely limited numbers, the 195 S was as much a statement of engineering prowess as it was an embodiment of luxury and exclusivity.
This comprehensive article delves deep into the Ferrari 195 S, exploring its development, technical specifications, design, performance, racing success, and enduring legacy.
The Early Years of Ferrari
By 1950, Ferrari had firmly established itself as a serious competitor in the world of motorsport. The 166 series had proven successful on both the racetrack and the road, and the company sought to build on this foundation with more powerful and refined models. The Ferrari 195 S was introduced as a successor to the 166 S, offering improved performance and greater versatility.
The Vision Behind the 195 S
Enzo Ferrari’s vision for the 195 S was to create a car that could dominate on the track while remaining suitable for road use. This dual-purpose philosophy was central to Ferrari’s early models and set the stage for the brand’s future success in both racing and luxury automotive markets. The 195 S was designed to appeal to wealthy enthusiasts who sought the thrill of racing combined with the prestige of owning a Ferrari.
The Colombo V12 Engine
At the heart of the Ferrari 195 S was the Colombo-designed 2.3-liter V12 engine. This engine, an evolution of the powerplant used in the 166 series, was tuned to deliver higher performance while maintaining reliability and efficiency. It produced approximately 130 horsepower, a significant increase over its predecessor.
Key features of the engine included:
Single overhead camshafts per cylinder bank.
Triple Weber carburetors for optimal fuel delivery.
An aluminum block and heads to reduce weight and improve cooling efficiency.
The V12 engine’s high-revving nature and smooth power delivery made it ideal for both competitive racing and spirited road driving.
Chassis and Suspension
The 195 S featured a tubular steel chassis, a hallmark of Ferrari’s early engineering. This lightweight yet rigid frame provided excellent handling characteristics and a solid foundation for the car’s performance capabilities.
The suspension system included:
Independent front suspension with double wishbones and a transverse leaf spring.
A live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers.
This setup offered a balance between comfort and precision, allowing the 195 S to excel on various road and track conditions.
Transmission and Drivetrain
The 195 S was equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels. The transmission’s robust construction and well-matched gear ratios ensured smooth operation and allowed drivers to fully exploit the V12’s capabilities.
Exterior Styling
The Ferrari 195 S was offered with bespoke coachwork by some of Italy’s most renowned carrozzerie, including Touring and Vignale. Each example of the 195 S featured unique design elements, reflecting the preferences of its owner and the artistic vision of the coach builder.
Common design themes included:
Aerodynamic, flowing lines that emphasize speed and elegance.
A long hood and compact cabin, characteristic of front-engine sports cars.
Prominent grilles, chrome accents, and distinctive headlights.
Interior Appointments
The interiors of the 195 S were crafted with attention to detail and luxury, despite its racing roots. High-quality materials such as leather and wood were used throughout the cabin. The instrumentation was functional yet stylish, providing the driver with all necessary information in an easily readable format.
On the Road
The Ferrari 195 S offered a driving experience that was both exhilarating and refined. Its V12 engine delivered a thrilling soundtrack and brisk acceleration, while the well-tuned chassis provided confidence-inspiring handling. The car’s lightweight construction and responsive steering made it a joy to drive on winding roads and open highways alike.
Racing Pedigree
Although the 195 S was designed as a dual-purpose car, its performance capabilities made it a formidable competitor in motorsport. The car was entered in several prestigious races, including the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio, where it demonstrated its speed, reliability, and endurance.
Exclusivity and Prestige
With only a handful of examples produced, the Ferrari 195 S was an exceptionally rare car even in its time. This exclusivity made it highly desirable among wealthy enthusiasts and collectors, cementing its status as a symbol of prestige.
Influence on Future Models
The 195 S played a crucial role in Ferrari’s evolution, paving the way for subsequent models such as the 212 Inter and the 250 GT series. Its combination of racing performance and grand touring luxury set a standard that would define Ferrari’s identity for decades to come.
A Collector’s Dream
Today, the Ferrari 195 S is one of the most sought-after classic Ferraris. Its rarity, historical significance, and racing pedigree make it a prized possession for collectors. Well-preserved examples command millions of dollars at auction, reflecting their enduring value.
Cultural Significance
The 195 S represents a pivotal moment in Ferrari’s history, marking the transition from a focus solely on racing to the creation of versatile, road-going sports cars. Its legacy continues to inspire admiration and respect, not only among Ferrari enthusiasts but also within the broader automotive community.
The Ferrari 195 S is a car that embodies the spirit of Ferrari’s early years. With its innovative engineering, bespoke design, and dual-purpose nature, it set the stage for Ferrari’s success as both a racing powerhouse and a builder of luxury sports cars. Decades after its debut, the 195 S remains a symbol of Italian craftsmanship, passion, and excellence.
As a rare and historically significant model, the Ferrari 195 S continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike. Its timeless appeal and enduring legacy ensure that it will always hold a special place in the story of Ferrari and the world of automobiles.
Specifications
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 65 x 58.8mm
Unitary displacement 195.08cc
Total displacement 2341.02cc
Compression ratio 8.5 : 1
Maximum power 125 kW (170 hp) at 7000 rpm
Power per litre 73hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 36 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch multi-plate [...]
February 7, 2025Ferrari / PodcastIn this episode William focuses on notable sales and no-sales from the RM/Sothebys auction in Paris, highlighting specific cars such as the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, a Ferrari 599 GTO, and others.
He provides insider opinions and market insights on why certain bids succeeded or failed, discussing the intricacies of car auctions, market fluctuations, and the collector car market. He emphasizes the importance of passion over profitability in car collecting and shares his views on the potential market shifts.
Episode 32
00:00 Welcome to the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast
01:08 RM Sotheby’s Auction Highlights
02:16 Ferrari Memorabilia and Collectibles
06:23 Ferrari 599 GTO and Market Trends
09:28 Ferrari 360 Challenge and 512 M
18:54 The Grand Finale: 1964 Ferrari 250 LM
24:17 Market Reflections and Upcoming Auctions
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
Welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace podcast presented by exoticcarmarketplace. com. For everything exotic cars from Ferrari and Porsche to Lamborghini and Koenigsegg, the Motoring Podcast Network, check out the family of automotive podcasts at motoringpodcast. net. If you’re into anything with wheels and a motor, this is the site for you to check out.
And to Slot Mods, for the coolest slot car tracks in the world, check out slotmods. com and let your imaginations run wild. And finally, Grand Touring Motorsports, covering all aspects of auto racing, and be sure to check out the monthly e sign at gtmotorsports. org. All links for these sites are up in the description.
And now, I’m your host, William Ross. And this week’s topic, we are talking about the RM Sotheby’s auction in Paris, where there’s some heavy hitting cars that went across the block, as we all know, the one Mercedes went earlier in the week. Now, but we’re going to discuss some of these other ones, but the big one was the 1965 Ferrari 250 LM.
I’m sorry, the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that won the 1965. Overall, with Yoke and Rint and Mast and Gregory. There was a lot of other stuff in there that was Ferrari related that wasn’t sold on this. So there was some interesting stuff. Some stuff sold, some stuff did not, some stuff went cheap. You know, there’s some, uh, interesting I guess you would say trinkets that went by, you know, stuff’s not cheap.
There was a nardy steering wheel that did not sell. I didn’t catch what the high bid was on that. Cause I jumped in a little bit late, but you know, they had an S between the two to 4, 000 euros. So I would say it was bid under 2, 000 cause it didn’t sell. So. I don’t know. I think that’s right in the range of about 2, 500 bucks for that.
But I guess no one needed a new nardy steering wheel for their Ferrari. Then there was another one that was a F 300 formula one engine signed by Michael Schumacher that went for 48, 000 euros. That’s kind of interesting. I mean. I don’t know, I guess you’re just going to display that thing because it’s not like it’s going to be able to run again or anything like that.
Then there was a Gilles Villeneuve Cavalino Trophy that sold for 12, 000 Euros. Obviously the name tied to that is going to push it up there in value wise, but that’s a neat little trinket for somebody. That’s pretty cool. That’s, you know, that’s for the person that’s got everything Ferrari. Then they had an F40 luggage set that was done up by Chidoni, who, uh, if I’m not pronouncing that correctly, I apologize, but.
43, 200 euros for some luggage. So it was basically three pieces, hangers, some, and the bags for me like that. But I mean, obviously they’re not making them anymore. So whoever got their hands on that was wanting to complete the, what they have for their F 40. So, cause obviously the more stuff you have for it, the better and the higher it’s going to sell.
Now this is because right after that was a toolkit for an F 40. So my guess. Same owner had that and just didn’t bother to include it with the sale of his F40. He decided to hold on to it. I cannot stand that. When people have the stuff that goes with the car, that when it left the factory had all the little accoutrements, and then they don’t send it along its way when they sell it.
They keep it. And then it’s just like little piecemeal things. It’s just wrong. It’s rude. It’s just Just sell everything that came with it. The big one that’s always annoys me is the f50 I don’t know if anyone knows or is aware of it The fact is but f50 actually came with your own pair of racing shoes was one of the things that came with it And that’s a rare oddity to have those included with the car So then there were a couple of race suits from Michael Schumacher.
The first one went for 6, 000 It’s 62, 400, but that was from 2003, but then the one that was just a year old or 2002 went for 48, 000 euros. So, not signed by him, anything like that, so, but it was one of his race suits. I guess that’d be something cool to frame up, put on your wall, you know, put in a nice glass case, do something really nice to it.
Cause I doubt you’d fit into it, but unless you’re a tiny person, but I don’t know, would you wear it? I mean. Me, I’d probably wear it if I could fit in it, but I doubt it highly. Now the next one that came up that did not sell though was just an engine from a 512 BB LM. Unbelievable engine. I was a little surprised this didn’t sell because you can kind of put this thing in quite a few things.
And there was actually a actual 512 BB LM that went later in the auction. So again, why they didn’t sell this as a pair? Hey, you got, you know, send a Spare engine along with your new 512 BBLM. I don’t know. Again, some of this stuff is just nonsense. And it just irritates the hell out of me doing it. But, that would have been a nice piece.
I don’t know what it got put up to. Because again, this is about where I jumped in at here. Few vehicles after that. Few lots, I guess you could say. I came in because I was a little bit sidetracked. So, I came in with right about a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT by Scaglietti. Yeah. So for 342, 500 euros, that’s actually pretty good right there on the money for that car.
Now, these things have been gaining value, getting a lot of traction. People have been kind of overlooking the fact that, you know, originally there’s, they weren’t called Ferraris. It was, you know, you know, just the Dino, you know, it was assembled by Fiat. It had a Ferrari engine, but everything else. But in subsequent years, people kind of, I guess, turned the tide and said, no, that’s a Ferrari.
And a lot of people, Remove the Dino badge and put a Ferrari badge on there. They’re gorgeous, gorgeous cars, small. I don’t fit in it. So, I mean, I could fit in it, but just not comfortably. Beautiful car, but that was about right where it is on the money. Those things are getting really, really popular out in the marketplace.
I’m not quite sure why. I mean, it’s not like it’s got tons of horsepower, but, you know, fun little car, light, toss it around. It’s like a little go kart, so you can have some fun with it. Little bit fragile, but, you know, hey, it’s one of those things to enjoy and just have some fun with it. You know, it’s like, why not?
You got the money, spend it. Ciao! The next item that came up that was a Ferrari was a 599 GTO. Now there was a lot of, I don’t want to say pushback, but there was a lot of scuttlebutt when they came out with the 599 GTO. Because people thought, you know, that moniker Only gets attached to very special Ferraris and some Chevys.
But anyways, so there was a lot of push because it’s like, Oh, it’s not special. If they really didn’t do enough for it to be considered a GTO and you know, putting that tag to it, was it a money grab by Ferrari? Possibly, but. Again, these are jumping up in price, too, and this thing sold for 815, 000 Euros.
Now, these numbers are all in, so this is including buyer fees and everything like that. I think RM’s at, like, 12 percent the first 100, 000, then, uh, 5 percent on the balance, something like that. Getting up there, so, if you want to do the math, have at it. These things have been gaining value and 599s have been getting a lot of traction.
Awesome car, absolutely awesome car. That’s one of the ones that everyone’s buying. Because you can get them for 150, 000, 140, 000 with low mileage, great services, right like that, and just do a manual swap on it. There is only 30 worldwide, 20 for the U. S., in a manual, factory manual 599 GT, uh, 599 GTP, I should say.
The GTO, so they started to come out with other variants and everything like that, but you know, fantastic car. Oh, sounds beautiful. Fantastic car. So, that was, you know, probably about right where the money’s at on those. Um, that wasn’t too shocking. It’s not too difficult to find those out in the marketplace, though.
So, you know, it’s always kind of interesting when these people, uh, you know, send this kind of stuff to the auction. Because the one thing I always kind of tell people in regards to, you know, sending a car to auction, you know, and then especially if it doesn’t sell, you kind of tainted it. Because now it’s like, well, that’s what people are willing to pay for it.
Now, granted, it all depends on who is in the room, who is on the phone, who is following. Yeah, there’s some variables, but that’s all public knowledge now. So everyone’s going to think, no, it’s only worth that. So you kind of screw the pooch when you do that. If it doesn’t sell, um, that’s why I kind of, a lot of people, well, if you’re going to do it, do no reserve, but you know, that’s a big old gamble on the other side of it.
People say, well, people know we’ll sell them when you do a no reserve. So it has a tendency to have a little more panache to it. So it gets a little more value to it. So it all depends what your mindset is and you know, how much the auction house talks you into it and how much they try and butter it up.
Cause I, some of these, you know, the auction house will bid themselves, not so much a no reserves, but you know, they’re, they do all these backdoor things and stuff like that. You know, that’s one thing why I really am not a fan of taking a car to an auction house. They’re not no different from any other auction that’s selling off of farm equipment from a farmer that went bust or something like that.
You know, I mean, it’s just, I don’t know. I’m just not a fan. There’s some cool stuff to him, but Anyways, that’s my opinion. Now, the next one came up and this was a heck of a deal, I thought. It was a 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge race car. Now, that one went, sold all in for 109, 250 euros. I thought that was a heck of a deal.
Now, if you look at the Challenge Stradale’s, you know, obviously it’s a road legal version of that car, basically. Not as hardcore, uh, not as stripped out, but. I don’t think it would take all that much to take that challenge car and turn it in and make it street legal. If you really wanted to. Now it’s got an F1 transmission in it.
It’s a little bit quicker, but that’s kind of, it’s very raw. Fantastic car, but for someone that wants to go racing, do track days, something like that, do some historic stuff. That is a fantastic car to go do it. It’s very, very well mannered, very neutral. fantastic car. Um, you know, not that difficult to work on, still get spares for everything like that.
So you’re not really left in a lurch. So that was a very, very good buy. Now, the next one we’re going to talk about was one of the big hitters, the 1970 Ferrari 512 M, one of the only ones in yellow. Now this thing is stunning and it sounds fantastic. That got bid. up to a little over 7 million and they had the low estimate of nine.
So they were saying nine to 12 million euros. So it went just a little bit over seven. So it was pretty dang low in regards to Where it was going to go, um, which was very surprising to me, and it was very surprising to a lot of people in the room, online, everything like that. I had a conversation with someone after that thing did not sell, and everyone was really shocked that that thing didn’t sell.
I mean, it’s got people talking about, okay, Seinfeld sent his 917 through. Uh, in Kissimmee, and it didn’t sell 25 million, you know, was that just a ploy? Was that just a play? Was that just something by Dana Mecham and Jerry and stuff? Hey, Dana stroked him a check for half a mil or something like that. You know, hey, bring it down, we’ll pay for everything, and we just won’t sell it, blah, blah, blah.
You know, we just want publicity, something along those lines, which, hey, if that’s the case, that’s genius. But, it kind of sours things, because people are like Wait a minute, he just bought that not, well, a few years ago for 13, 000, 000 or something like that. Again, though, it’s not like he needs the money.
But anyways, so this thing basically got bid up to roughly just under 2, 000, 000 below its low estimate. I mean, that’s significant for a car like that with its race history, everything like that. So, I mean, was the owner greedy? Thinking it was worth more? Was the auction house wrong with the value? And placing that, but I mean, that’s significant.
1. 7 million euros below the low estimate. I don’t know. And dot maybe, well, Hey, after the sale, do something, you know, uh, close it with somebody after the sale to kind of negotiate, but that’s a big jump. 1. 7 million is quite a bit to try and close the gap and make people happy. And my guess is the owner of that car was like, I’m not budging from my low estimate of 9 million or something like that.
And again, who knows what the reserve was? I mean, that’s an unknown number. I mean, could it have been like 8. 5, maybe something along those lines? 8. 2 or 8 million, maybe? I don’t know. It’d be interesting to find out, but the thing is still available. It’s still, you know, good. Still available for sale through RM.
Curious to see in a week or so here, I’ll find out. I’ll let everybody know what they’re trying to get out of that car. But I mean, that’s a stunning car. I mean, unbelievable race history. It’s yellow. It’s not red. You know, I mean, just fantastic car. Again, what’s going on with race cars in this market right now?
They’re not selling. It’s a little strange. Now, the next Ferrari that came up was a few lots after that. And again, I felt this was a heck of a deal. Now I don’t know if it had it’s um, battery redone. Cause I know after a certain amount of Ferrari did a recall or something like that and they swapped the battery out for free I think.
Or it was like a hundred grand, I don’t know. But after a certain point the batteries on those things needed to be changed no matter what. But this thing sold at 3. 55 million euros. And it’s yellow. So I think, you know, that gives it some value. I thought this was a heck of a buy. In my opinion, wafts are more up in the 4 million range, 4.
Three maybe, something like that, depending on mileage, service history, and that kind of stuff. Or if it’s a U. S. version. Again, I think someone got a heck of a deal. They bought it at the low end of the market, that’s for sure. So someone’s going to have a, a LaF, that’s a LaF, no, a LaF Ferrari. For a heck of a deal, go out and enjoy it and have some fun.
I’ve never had the opportunity to drive one or sit in one. But from my understanding, they’re fantastic cars to drive. Very easy. I mean, just incredible stuff. So, again, someone got themselves a heck of a deal on that car. So, have fun and enjoy. Now, the next one that popped up was right after the LaFerrari.
Was a 1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM. Now this is the one where that engine that did not sell before should have went with this or should be stuck with this instead of selling them separate. Now, that one got bid up to 1. 6. Low estimate. Two million euros. Are you far off? Yes or no. I mean, obviously 400, 000 doesn’t seem, is a lot, but you know, you start talking to it.
So I was surprised I didn’t find a happy medium with someone in the room or on the phone with that car and move it along and find a new owner. It wasn’t that big of a gap. Unless, again, unless the owner was sticking to their guns and said nope, this is what I want, this is what I’m sticking to, I ain’t budging.
I don’t know, but it’s still available for sale. Great for historics, everything like that. You know, it’s on that cusp of a lot more things becoming eligible, like, you know, year wise, everything like that. But, that would be such a fun track car. It’s a very unique car, especially the bodywork’s unbelievable on that car.
It is so, I don’t want to say aerodynamic, but just swoopy. It’s a great looking car. I think that’s my opinion. But again, it did not sell and race car street car. I mean, way below estimate. I mean, unbelievable. The next one that came across that did not sell. was a 1950 51 Ferrari 212 225 export by body by Vignale.
They were asking, the low estimate was around 2. 5 million euros. It got bid to 1. 9. Not that far off, but now you’re marketing. Who’s going to want to buy that car shrinks a bit. I would think possibly that would be, you know, millimillion eligible. Obviously go to myself that, I mean, it would be eligible for a majority of the events around the world.
I’m surprised, again, they didn’t find a happy medium between someone in the room or on the phone to have someone take this thing home. It’s, that one was a little baffling itself, so I’m not quite sure why that one didn’t move along to a new home either. But again, it was just, it’s a, it’s a weird market.
Weird things going on stuff that should sells not selling stuff that you sells you’re like jeez for that much again I don’t know next up. It was right after the 212 was a 2005 Ferrari Super Amaro stunning stunning car Fantastic car again, though, but it was kind of weird. It got bid up to 550, 000 euros The low estimate was 650, 000.
Meet in the middle. I mean, 50, 000 to you, 50, 000 to me. Come on. Find that happy medium. I am surprised that did not find a home. Because one rarity on that car, first of all, you know, is one of the things, I am just amazed that it, uh, didn’t, especially the fact Five. It’s a manual 550 super. I mean, it’s a manual.
I mean, great color combination. Silver. The red. How could that not find a home? And how could they not find a medium? I mean, someone step up. This thing is stunning. I just, I don’t know. That one was a baffling one. How it did not sell again. That was a head scratcher on that one because it’s a stunning car.
Manual transmission. Weird. You know, being based on the 575. Five. how few actual manual just base 575s were built then you got the super america based on that it’s a 5 7 and i’m trying to remember top of my head i think it was just around 43 of them were all produced with the manual transmission so i mean that is a rare rare bird And I don’t think it would take much to get that, you know, to import it in here to the United States, kind of federalized somehow, some way.
Whether there’s a will, there’s a way. But again, I don’t know, man, that was just odd. I figured that was a slam dunk. And it stalled at 550, 000 Euros. When you got standard, a manual 575 going for 350, 300, 350 maybe range, maybe a little more. And then you got the rarity of this. I, again, I don’t know. That was a big head scratcher.
Now on to the granddaddy of the whole day, I guess you could say, or the two days of this auction. The 1964 Ferrari 250 LM. The 1965 Le Mans winner by Masten, Gregory, and Jochen Ritt. That is a great story on that because, you know, that’s one of those deals where the moon and the stars and everything aligned Didn’t really even want to race.
They didn’t think there’s no way this car is gonna make it So they beat the shit out of it in the beginning just pounding and pounding and pounding it and it just wouldn’t break They actually had to go hunt down Cause he was basically getting, I think like halfway gone track, something like that. He like disappeared cause he’s like, Oh, it’s not going to last.
And Madison Gregory did not like racing at night. He couldn’t see all that well. It got to the point where they had to go try and find Yoko. And Madison Gregory came in to do a driver change. They couldn’t find Yoko, so he had to go back out. I think it was for like another three or four laps before they finally got Yoken, found him, brought him back to the track, and got him in.
He’s like, oh geez, okay. And so that point on, a lot of the leading cars were dropping out, the ones that were the favorites, and lo and behold. These guys were leading, like I said, you know, it’s one of those things where, yeah, skill, everything like that, but a lot of luck plays into that, especially back then when a lot of mechanical failures were happening, because those cars weren’t designed like they are today to be like just brick shithouses.
Back then, yeah, they were fragile pieces of machinery. For them to last 24 hours and then to go balls out like they were doing, normally it was, those races back then, it was, okay, set a pace, we need to get to the last few hours, once we get to the last few hours, depending on where we’re at, Then we’ll just start hammering out.
But these day and age, it’s a sprint from get go. From the drop of the green flag to the checkered flag waves. You know, they’re just going balls out because those things are bulletproof. Back then it wasn’t. But absolutely stunning car. I’ve seen this car several times in person. You don’t realize how small that car is.
It is tiny. You know, and the V12 in it. I’m sorry, the 12 cylinder in it. It is, um, the pistons are tiny, it was at a 1. 5, I think it is, if memory serves me correctly. So I mean, it’s not a big motor, it sounds glorious, that’s for sure. I mean, it’s just an absolutely stunning car. Now here’s the thing, this was one of the ones that was being auctioned off by our own RM Sotheby’s on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Because they’re, they shut down because they’re doing massive expansion and everything like that on the museum. Now, here’s the thing that people, you know, they’re thinking, Oh God, they’re going to get all this money and they’re going to do this massive renovation and stuff like that. All the money and proceeds generated from the sale of all the cars that they put up for auction cannot go towards the expansion and renovations.
All that money can go towards future purchases of vehicles and set up an endowment. To operate and run the museum. It cannot go towards any construction on that. So that’s a whole separate fundraising effort by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And you know, oddly enough, I don’t know if people know this, but Penske bought IMS and all that.
The museum wasn’t part of that. So the museum is actually a whole separate entity. But anyway, all this money can only go towards buying new cars and new inventory and stuff to put out there, which is interesting. So that sold, all in, fees and everything, for 34 million eight hundred eighty thousand euros.
They had it at, how was it, 25, 000 or more. So they really didn’t even go with the high part. So, being a Le Mans winning car adds a ton of value to this car. Especially being the last Enzo era Ferrari to win Le Mans, really kind of put an emphasis on it. You know, I was talking with someone about this a couple days ago, and my guess, to compare it to a standard, I say standard, but you know, one with not much race history or, you know, especially this pedigree.
My guess, this added 30%, 35 percent to the value of the car. I know of a couple 250LMs that are out there that are available. Uh, some really good ones too for, you’re in the mid 20 millions range. So, you know what, so you’re up above that by another, you know, 10 million. I, I thought it was well sold. I mean, great price.
But where it should have been, I hope the owner takes it out and shows it and runs it and drives it doesn’t just get, you know, put away and no one gets to see it again because the museum took this car to a lot of places. I always saw it up to the M one concourse. They always brought it out. But I, you know, I saw it Amelia stuff like that.
So I mean, they really got this car out and showcase showcase it to everyone. Everyone got to see it. Not say touch it and feel it, but you’ll get to hear it run when they’re moving or anything like that. So that was really cool. So I’m hoping that happens with the new owner. So anyways, that was probably the only one that wasn’t shocked.
Well, besides that Dino, fantastic, fantastic buy for this person, such an unbelievable car. The museums own this thing since 71, 72, something like that. So they’ve owned it forever. And for this thing to finally come up and go into private hands is unbelievable. I, if I was a museum, I don’t know if I would have sold it.
I mean, that’s just, it’s such a, such a special car. Cause again, it could be on display so everyone can see it. You can do stuff, so it all depends on what the new owner is going to do. We shall see! So who knows, but all in all, like I said, a lot, a lot of surprises. Cause of these no sales, and being a no sale like way under the low estimate.
I think we’re seeing a bit of a shift in the market here, what’s going on in regards to car prices, uh, collector car prices. People not thinking, you know, thinking they’re going to still get the same kind of money they were getting a couple years ago. Has stuff dropped off? Is there a big switch? I don’t know.
I mean, you always have adjustments here and there. And then what happens is all of a sudden stuff becomes a bargain. People start jumping on stuff and buying it and prices go back up. So you’re always going to have up and downs in the collective car market. And again, my adage is, look, if you’re in, if you’re buying this car solely to try and make money on it.
You’re not buying it for the right reasons. Now, if you have plenty of money where it doesn’t matter, but Hey, I’m going to take a swing at this buy and hopefully see where it gets to in five, 10 years. Okay. Have at it, but that’s just me, but I’m more about passion of the car. Not so much. Hey, collectability wise in regards to, you know, numbers and, Oh, I’m going to double my money in 10 years.
If that happens. That’s just a bonus. All in all some interesting stuff. So we have some new other auctions come up here soon. That’s got some big stuff in it. You know, obviously Amelia’s coming up. Moda is going to be coming up. So they have some great things coming across the block. We’ll see where things go.
One auction really doesn’t kind of dictate the market, but there’s a lot of similar cars going across the block at those next two big events. So it’s going to be interesting to see where things settle and see if we got some adjustments going on. Appreciate you guys listening. Stay tuned. Great stuff coming next week.
Appreciate it guys.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast Network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like the Exotic Car Marketplace, The Motoring Historian, Brake Fix, and many others. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
patreon. com forward slash GT Motorsports. Please note that the content, opinions, and materials presented and expressed in this episode are those of its creator, and this episode has been published with their consent. If you have any inquiries about this program, please contact the creators of this episode via email or social media as mentioned in the episode.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
February 6, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari 166 MM holds a special place in automotive history as one of the most iconic and influential cars ever built by Ferrari. Unveiled in 1948, this car marked a significant milestone for the company, blending cutting-edge engineering with timeless design. The 166 MM was named after the Mille Miglia, a grueling endurance race where it achieved legendary status by securing victories. More than just a race car, the 166 MM served as a bridge between Ferrari’s early racing heritage and its emergence as a manufacturer of road cars.
In this comprehensive exploration of the Ferrari 166 MM, we will delve into its origins, technical innovations, racing triumphs, design philosophy, and lasting legacy. This car represents not just an engineering marvel but also a cultural artifact that embodies the spirit of post-war automotive ingenuity.
Post-War Italy and the Birth of Ferrari
The late 1940s were a time of rebuilding and innovation in Italy, a country recovering from the devastation of World War II. It was in this setting that Enzo Ferrari, a former Alfa Romeo racing manager, established his company. Ferrari’s first models, including the 125 S and the 159 S, were racing-focused machines that showcased the brand’s commitment to performance and engineering excellence.
The 166 MM emerged as a natural evolution of these earlier models, embodying Ferrari’s ambition to create a car that could dominate on the track while also appealing to private customers seeking exclusivity and prestige. The MM designation paid homage to the Mille Miglia, a race that symbolized endurance, skill, and speed.
Powertrain and Performance
At the heart of the Ferrari 166 MM was the Colombo-designed 2.0-liter V12 engine. This powerplant was an engineering masterpiece, featuring a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank and three Weber carburetors. The engine produced approximately 140 horsepower, an impressive figure for its time, and was capable of propelling the car to a top speed of around 200 km/h (124 mph).
The V12’s compact dimensions and high-revving nature made it ideal for both racing and road use. Its reliability and performance solidified Ferrari’s reputation as a leader in engine design, a legacy that continues to this day.
Chassis and Suspension
The 166 MM’s chassis was constructed using a tubular steel frame, a hallmark of Ferrari’s early engineering approach. This lightweight yet rigid design provided excellent handling characteristics and ensured that the car could withstand the rigors of endurance racing.
The suspension system included independent double wishbones at the front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. This setup balanced comfort and performance, making the 166 MM versatile enough for both racing and touring.
Transmission and Drivetrain
The 166 MM featured a four-speed manual gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels. The transmission’s gearing was optimized for racing, allowing the car to accelerate briskly and maintain high speeds over long distances.
Carrozzeria Touring’s Influence
The Ferrari 166 MM is perhaps best known for its stunning bodywork, much of which was crafted by Carrozzeria Touring using the “Superleggera” technique. This method involved stretching lightweight aluminum panels over a framework of thin steel tubes, resulting in a car that was both aesthetically pleasing and aerodynamically efficient.
The Barchetta
The most iconic version of the 166 MM was the Barchetta, a term meaning “little boat” in Italian. This open-top design featured smooth flowing lines, a low windscreen, and minimalistic detailing, emphasizing simplicity and elegance. The Barchetta’s design was both functional and beautiful, reducing weight and drag while capturing the essence of Italian automotive artistry.
Interior
The interior of the 166 MM was Spartan by modern standards but reflected the car’s dual-purpose nature. Lightweight materials, simple gauges, and bucket seats ensured that the focus remained on performance. Despite its minimalism, the cabin exuded a sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail that appealed to discerning customers.
Mille Miglia and Beyond
The 166 MM’s racing career began with a bang when it won the 1948 Mille Miglia, driven by Clemente Biondetti and Giuseppe Navone. This victory was a monumental achievement for Ferrari, solidifying its reputation as a manufacturer of world-class racing cars. The following year, the 166 MM repeated this success, with Biondetti and Ettore Salani taking first place once again.
24 Hours of Le Mans
In 1949, the Ferrari 166 MM achieved another milestone by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon. This marked Ferrari’s first victory at the legendary endurance race, an event that would become a cornerstone of the brand’s identity.
Legacy in Motorsport
The 166 MM’s racing successes extended beyond these marquee events, with victories in numerous other competitions, including the Targa Florio and various hill climbs. Its versatility and performance made it a favorite among privateer racers, further cementing its place in motorsport history.
Exclusivity and Prestige
The Ferrari 166 MM was produced in extremely limited numbers, with only 47 examples built between 1948 and 1950. This exclusivity made it a symbol of wealth and status, attracting elite clientele from around the world. Owners appreciated not only the car’s performance but also its craftsmanship and design.
Influence on Future Models
The 166 MM set the template for future Ferrari models, combining a high-performance V12 engine with stunning design and exceptional engineering. Its success paved the way for legendary cars like the 250 GT and the 275 GTB, establishing Ferrari as a leader in both racing and luxury automotive markets.
A Collector’s Dream
Today, the Ferrari 166 MM is one of the most sought-after vintage Ferraris, with pristine examples commanding millions of dollars at auctions. Its rarity, historical significance, and timeless design make it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts.
Cultural Impact
The 166 MM’s influence extends beyond the automotive world. It represents a moment in history when innovation, artistry, and ambition converged to create something truly extraordinary. The car remains a symbol of post-war optimism and the enduring appeal of Italian design and engineering.
The Ferrari 166 MM is more than just a car; it is a legend that embodies the spirit of Ferrari’s early years. From its groundbreaking engineering to its racing triumphs and timeless design, the 166 MM laid the foundation for Ferrari’s legacy as a purveyor of excellence. Decades later, it continues to inspire admiration and respect, serving as a reminder of the brand’s roots and its enduring commitment to innovation and performance.
Whether on the track or as a collector’s centerpiece, the Ferrari 166 MM remains a shining example of what makes Ferrari unique. It is a testament to the vision of Enzo Ferrari and the team that brought this extraordinary car to life, securing its place in the pantheon of automotive greatness.
Specifications
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 60 x 58.8mm
Unitary displacement 166.25cc
Total displacement 1995.02cc
Compression ratio 10: 1
Maximum power 103 kW (140 hp) at 6600 rpm
Power per litre 70hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 32 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two magnetos
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single-plate [...]
January 31, 2025Events / Ferrari / PodcastThis episode specifically recaps the Cavallino 2025 event in Palm Beach, Florida, where William shares his experiences of traveling amidst a freeze in Cleveland, flight delays, and attending the event despite high ticket prices. He reviews the cars showcased, including the Ferrari F80, various 512 models, and a 250 GTO, highlighting interactions with notable car enthusiasts and industry figures. William also comments on the pretentiousness of some attendees, the impressive collections on display, and provides insights into the collector car market.
Episode 31
00:00 Overview of the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast
01:05 Cavallino 2025 Event Overview
01:56 Travel Woes and Weather Challenges
04:31 Exploring Ferrari Palm Beach
05:55 Cavallino Event Ticket Prices and How I got In
08:36 Highlights from the Cavallino Event
15:27 Reflections on Ferrari Models and Market Trends
17:00 Ferrari and Lamborghini Six-Speed Swaps
18:29 Show Field Setup and Experience
18:43 Upper Level Car Display
20:52 Ferrari’s New Models
23:48 Santino Ferrucci and the 599XX
28:29 People Watching at the Event
30:03 Event Summary and Final Thoughts
31:42 Upcoming Episodes and Announcements
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
And welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace podcast presented by the Exotic Car Marketplace. For everything exotic cars from Ferrari and Porsche, Lamborghini and Koenigsegg, the Motoring Podcast Network. Check out the family of automotive podcasts at motoringpodcast. net. If you’re into anything with wheels and a motor.
This is the site to check out and slot mods from Dave Beatty and his team up there in Detroit for the coolest slot car tracks in the world. Check out slot mods. com and let your imagination run wild and Grand Touring Motorsports covering all aspects of auto racing and be sure to check out the monthly e sign at gtmotorsports.
org. All the links are posted up in the description. So we’re talking about Cavalino 2025 today in this episode, this podcast, wherever you like to call it. So, as usual, January is Cavalino time down in Palm Beach, Florida. And interesting enough, one, this year the weather was a bit crappy. It was cold, and as everyone knows that lives here in this country, what’s going on, California is burning to the ground, but then actually the Southern United States States was into a freeze.
I mean, some really rarely see, but it’s coming more and more common, but they’re just not equipped for it. So there were some people that we knew are supposed to come down from Georgia and some of those surrounding areas and they couldn’t even leave their house. The roads were just impassable. They couldn’t even come down.
I mean, unbelievable. So, and down in Florida. I got the whole story. I’ll go into here real quick. Florida was cold. Here’s the, I was leaving. My flight was Wednesday morning. Last Wednesday was that January 20, whatever it was, or whatever that day was. It was negative four here in Cleveland. It was cold. We get to the airport, our flight starts getting delayed.
My flight in total got delayed five hours. But here’s the thing, I flew Frontier, which I rarely ever do. It was the only way I could get a direct flight. United was just asking for an astronomical amount of money to go direct and then trying something reasonable was going to be changing flights either in Chicago or Houston or somewhere.
Like, I’m not doing that. So I just fly Frontier to direct flight. How bad could it be, right? Oh well, it was bad. First it was, they had to warm the plane up, because the ground crew from the night before and that just didn’t do what they were supposed to do with hooking things up. Well then it turns out that the toilet lines for the waste and everything were frozen solid.
So I guess they couldn’t have that. So they were trying to do whatever they could with that to try and warm, get it up, because also it was about also filling up the plane with potable water. So that was the other problem. So they just couldn’t do it. After about two hours, they move the gate and get a new plane.
Now, in the meantime, other Frontier flights are leaving from the airport. Whatever is going on, who knows, but we actually kind of came to the conclusion we think it really wasn’t a lot of maintenance stuff. It was more, hey, they just didn’t have the crew to handle. They didn’t have the stewards or the pilots or whatever.
Because all of a sudden we get to the new plane, new gate, same exact thing. All pilots got to warm the plane up. It’s cold. So this should take, you know, half hour, hour, then same thing. Well, the lines are froze. I don’t know. Same crap. Five hours later, we finally get off and take off. So negative four, I mean, it was freezing here in Cleveland, just bitter cold.
So it got down to Florida. It wasn’t actually that bad. It was kind of nice. You know, it’s better than negative four, but it was in the. Mid fifties, high fifties, something like that, or low sixties, so, obviously, hey, I’ll take it compared to negative four, so, it wasn’t bad. So, Thursday, same thing, it was high fifties, low sixties, still, not bad, but Friday, it was cold.
It was in the low fifties, all day, and the other problem was, it was raining. There was rain going on, on Wednesday and Thursday, not so much Friday, but the problem is, you know, you have Cavalino, it’s at the Breakers Hotel, and they have it on the golf course, part of the course, it’s in front of the hotel.
So it’s like, oh, are they going to let these cars drive on the course? Obviously, they have an unbelievable drainage system and everything there. I was a bit surprised they did. Onward, because I did a few other things too that were really cool. We checked out Anthony Laurel’s, if you don’t know, check out hotshoestudios.
com. He creates some most unbelievable artwork. A lot of Ferrari related stuff, everything like that. He does some really, really cool stuff. So he checked out his shop, went over to a Ferrari Palm Beach, met up with my buddy, Bud Root, who’s been there forever. And I got to give a big shout out to Bud. I’m not sure how many of you follow or aware, but I’m a big animal advocate.
I volunteer and help out on a few animal shelters in this area. And Bud’s been actually taking care of this kitty. named Blondie for got 15 plus years, he said, taking her got her neutered because that’s one little trick for you guys. If you see a feral cat or cat running around outside, if it’s ears clipped at the top, so it’s like flat, that means they got fixed.
So, but Bud’s been taking care of it. This cat shows up like clockwork twice a day to get fed. And he featured and just kudos to him. My heart goes out, this is my bud, such a good guy. So, we checked out Ferrari at Palm Beach. They had some cool stuff. They had a little hidden gem up on the second floor because it’s a two story showroom, I guess you could say.
Is they had a 812 Competitione up there and it’s one of one color. It was Rosso Double. It was so cool. It was almost, it was like a really deep, almost like a root beer maroonish chair. I mean, gorgeous color, sweet, sweet car. Anyways, off market. So, if you’re looking for a car, let me know. Looking for an 812 comp?
Hey, I can get my hands, actually I can get my hands on two. Cause they’re a bit pricey at that one. They’re at 1. 8. Actually, I know of another one that’s got less miles. It’s a 2024. Where’s that one at Friar Palm Beach is 2023, but a 2024 one with 54 miles, something like that. I think it was red exterior color, 1.
5. So I can save you 300 grand if that’s how my public school math works. But anyways, this whole time I’m getting ready to go to Cavalino. I’m not sure if you ever looked or were aware of it, but it was 480 a ticket to attend this event. Yeah, you heard me right. 480 for one person just to go and that was for the one day.
That’s just for one day, the Saturday. It’s a multi day event. There’s stuff going on Sunday too, so if you had to buy another ticket for that, was another couple hundred dollars. Freaking highway robbery. And here’s the thing, Cavalino used to be run, you know, almost like how Amelia was. It was more like kind of family or whatnot, mall group running, everything like that, firing, doing this, yada, yada.
Well, they sold out to Canoosa Events. Well, Canoosa Events basically almost tripled the price of the tickets. When I first started going, tickets were like 120 bucks, which is reasonable, that’s great. 480 this year for a ticket. So I kept dragging my feet. It’s like, I really don’t want to spend 480 to go and see stuff that I could probably finagle my way to see for free anyways.
But I mean, the one key thing, and they kind of put me over that, hey, I got to go, is I found out that the F80 was going to be there. That’s what they were saying. I got to go. I kept dragging my feet though. Come Friday night. We go out to dinner, be Dave Beattie from slot mods. And this one gentleman, John Romano, super cool guy, vintage racers.
Got some gorgeous cars, went out to dinner. I got back to my hotel on those nine 30, 10 o’clock. So I was like, well, I guess I got to suck it up and buy a ticket. Okay, I guess the universe is telling me that I guess I shouldn’t be going to this or something or spending that money. I’m like, all right, I live with it.
Cause like, you know what? I can do whatever. I’ll figure it out. If you watch the video up on my YouTube channel at Garage 65, you’ll see it’s a little more in depth. So anyways, last year. I did this, you know, I have, I went to the event, but in the morning I had gotten up and I just went and checked out all the cars getting unloaded, getting them driven over, doing that kind of stuff.
So I was like, you know what, I’ll just do that. So like around 630 AM, got up, I went up to the Breakers Hotel, got myself parked up. So I walked around. I went over to the one main area where they kind of do a lot of unloading. Now there’s a big parking lot obviously for the Breakers Hotel where they already had a lot of the cars staged up.
I think they set them up the night before or whatever. So I went where a lot of the trailers were at for dropping off the cars and getting them set up. So I was checking out. So I’m like, well, alright, really not much is happening. There was a cool F40 LM that I was hoping it was going to get unloaded when I was standing there, and I kind of dicked around and it never got unloaded, so I didn’t know if it got onto the show field.
So I walk over to the hotel, and obviously they’re setting up, cars are driving up. I just walked right onto the field, which was awesome. I’m like, okay, cool. The F 80 was there. It was still partially covered. So like, I don’t know, maybe I might not get to see it completely, whatever, but hey, I got to see, I got to see part of it, right?
So I started walking around taking tons of video, taking lots of photos, checking out all the cars. This year’s special was the F50 they’re giving tribute to. So there’s just tons and tons of F50s coming on. And down the road, I got to get set up. I’m waiting to hear back from them, from the people at Gentleman’s Garage, Tom Flory, Flory, something, I think that’s his name.
If you watch his channel, he’s got some gorgeous stuff that he just picked up. These Giallo F50, which there was only seven made F50s, I think, in Giallo. 33 worldwide. Super nice guy, so I talked to him a bit. Saw JR from GT Motorcars, he was there. I saw a bunch of other people and talked to people, got some other things set up, so it wasn’t bad.
It’s nice because it’s low key at this point in time because it’s just these guys setting the car up, setting the cars up. A majority of them are either A, they work for the owner. And they’re handling the car right there. So there’s a down to earth dude that, Hey, they’re just doing their job, you know, getting set up.
So, you know, you shoot the breeze with them. You chit chat and check things out and talk and everything like that. Or you got the guys, that’s the only Ferrari they have and it’s their baby. We’re not talking some little 1979 or. 1983, 08, or anything like that. You know, they got some nice stuff, couple 512s, some older stuff, like, there’s a, was it a 212 export?
There’s some beautiful stuff. There was actually this one gorgeous one too, listen up. I gotta give a shout out to Hugh Angle. Hugh, I’ll send you the link for this, you can listen up. And I can never pronounce their entity. They have two showrooms. They got one here down in Miami, but they also have one over in Germany.
Schaltkuhlesee. I don’t know if I’m pronouncing that right, but it’s S C H A L T K U L I S S E. They’re at 277 Northeast 61st Street in Miami, Florida. If you’re down there, definitely go check out this room. They get some really cool stuff. Hugh is a super nice guy. I’m trying to get him to come on the show, but he had a customer’s car there that they just got restored.
They got it painted back to the factory color that it was. It was like this icy blue. And then they did the blue interior, which I just absolutely love. I guess at some point in time, the life, it was a Dino by the way, I apologize. Some point in time in his life, someone painted it red and you know, did tan interior, everything like that.
Went to that standard, you know, hey, red, tan, which, yeah, as far as that, I prefer colors. Yeah, red’s a color. I hate light colored interior. I hate tan interior. I like dark colored interiors. Red, black, there’s blue, dark blue, gorgeous. Ferrari does this gorgeous dark blue. You know, if they have a, on a 360 is more prevalent, not so much on a 430s, but they got a dark blue.
That’s just absolutely stunning. I’m horrible at saying the factory calls these colors. I am absolutely terrible. My brain does not work that way. And remembering all these different names and all these kinds of stuff for the color. It’s blue. It’s yellow. It’s red. I know they have these fancy names for it.
There’s tons of guys out there can just rattle this stuff off. They walk up and they say, Oh, it’s, my brain doesn’t work that way. I had a lot of fun in college. I killed a lot of brain cells. My brain just can’t store the information that way. So I call it as I see it, I own up to it. What can you do?
Gorgeous, gorgeous Dino. I mean, just stunning Dino. And again, you super nice guy. So I’m walking around and talk some other people and you don’t have your pretentious pricks there yet because they’re all just sitting there getting all dressed up and coming. and hanging out at the, uh, event. They’re preening and just peacocking around and stuff like that.
Cause that’s what you’re going to find a lot of these people do. These vets, that’s so much going to check out the car and stuff. They’re just there to peacock just there to say, Hey, look at me. You know, they’re holding court. They got these people all around them that are kissing their ass because they’re the hanger ons or whatnot.
And they stroke this person’s ego. So they keep them hanging around. It’s pretty pathetic. I don’t get that. I mean, if you don’t want to hang out with me cause if you like hanging out and having some fun, that, that is just, ain’t me. You know what? I’m not there to kiss your ass and you get a lot of these people that got a lot of money.
That’s all they’re looking for. And then they want to treat you like shit. They want to make themselves feel better. So they cut you down. And so they just laugh and giggle, you know, and think it’s funny and stuff like that. Not my cup of tea. I do not do that. That’s just not how I live my life. If you can’t respect me, I’m not gonna respect you.
But anyways, I snuck in so I saved myself the 480 which, woohoo, that’s fantastic. And it started warming up so it was getting nice. Kind of a side note too, I actually had my dates kind of screwed up and I was actually supposed to fly back on Saturday and I messed up so I changed my flight back to Sunday.
Which, uh, kind of worked out well because When I got done, I was able to get some other stuff accomplished, which helps out my other little side endeavor I help out with, which is ACBC, which is aluminum cans for burned children. We help support pediatric burn survivors by working with over a hundred local fire stations and departments, collecting aluminum cans and donations and everything like that.
We do events to raise money and we send them to camp a couple of times a year and do whatever else we can for them. Check it out. It’s ACBCOhio. org. You can get all the information. It’s really cool. If you want to donate. Check it out. Hey, there’s a link on there to donate to as well. So I’m walking around, you know, they’re doing all the setup, which is cool.
Cause it’s not crowded. And I was able to get a lot of cool video. And when I first walked onto the field, you know, I was expecting within five minutes to get kicked off. Cause I was like looking around to see if someone had badges or anything like that, or kind of a, you know, a lanyard with a tag or a badge on it.
No one did. So everyone’s just coming in, walk around, get stuff. It’s like, all right, I’m good. I mean, it crossed my mind, like, well, Hey, I could just probably just hang out and just. Not have to worry about it. But here’s the problem, how the layout is. One, this is at 7. 30, 8 o’clock in the morning. The event didn’t start till 10.
So I really didn’t feel like hanging out there that long. Once you see all the cars, you go through them, you talk to who you needed to talk to, who I wanted to talk to, and everything like that. I was good. They don’t get hundreds and hundreds of cars at this event. It’s probably about 75 cars, maybe, if that, maybe 65 cars.
So, I mean, it’s not like you got to spend all day like you’re at Amelia or something like that, or say Moda, where you got tons and tons of cars, and it’s going to take you all day to go through and see them all. So, they have everything lined up nice, they kind of go. Kind of, I’m going to say by year, make, model, that kind of stuff.
So they kind of have them all clustered together. There was a really cool little cluster of cars that we had a 512 M or they would add a few yellow cars. And again, shout out to JR. They had a party, which I didn’t get invited to. It was on a Wednesday, but of course I wouldn’t have been able to attend to it because my flight was late.
He did a cool part, but he had a lot of the Giallo collection of cars. There was a, uh, 550, 512 M, I think a 512 TR, a 575 Super America, I think it was as well. So that’s some sweet. Sweet yellow cars a little cluster grouping of them, and I’m a huge fan of the 512 M and the 512 TR I mean, I think it’s great.
So it’s final iterations of the Testarossa I kind of almost prefer the 512 TR over the 512 M because the 512 M went with the flush headlights They tweaked it up a little bit. They tightened it up a little bit. Made it a little more, I’d say, racy for the street. Still a gorgeous looking car. You know, it’s a different look.
That’s why I like the 512TR the pop up lights. It’s just, the car is more crisp compared to like a Testarossa from your 85s to uh, your 90, 91. Something about it. If you park next to it, you can tell the difference. There’s a little more crisp on the lines. Something about it. But, 512TR is a fabulous car.
I’d love to get my hands on one one day. That’d be one to go tooling around. You can do some grand touring in that. I mean, do some road trips, comfortable V12, just putter along. Testarossa. Yeah, you can do the same thing with it, but I’d love to get my hands out of fire. But anyways, you know, they had some gorgeous, gorgeous stuff.
One thing, cause it’s climbing up in value. And that is a four or five, eight special. They had a couple of those there. So if you’ve been following market trends with that car, that car is going through the roof and it’s only going higher. If you have the means and the way to do it. Go buy a 458 Speciale.
They’re gonna be three quarters of a million dollars in that neighborhood. Maybe six hundred thousand. So they’re not cheap. They are not cheap at all. Especially when you want a really good car that’s got history. It’s got all the paperwork, documentation, and that. That car is unbelievable. That’s your last naturally aspirated V8 in the Ferrari.
It just screams. You put a good exhaust on that thing. Oh my god, it’s a symphony. They have some of those there. Like I said, you know, again, they don’t have. It’s a ton of the newer stuff. It’s all the older stuff that they seem to focus on. So, which is cool. I love the new stuff. It’s great, but you know, I’m more towards the older stuff.
You know, again, Testarossas, the 550s, the 575s. That stuff’s just beautiful. They have some gorgeous 355s there, which is another one I love to get my hands on. And that’s another one that’s going through the roof. Creeping up, it’s holding its value, that’s for sure. But those are the ones, your 355, 430, your 575s.
You can save yourself a ton of money. None’s like a factory manual. They can say, oh yeah, EAG, everything like that, they do this great kit, blah, blah, blah. Now, there’s a couple other manufacturers that are starting to step up to create these kits for them. And they’re getting better and better. And yeah, you probably really wouldn’t notice this, it’s there, it’s just a mental thing.
And I want to give a shout out to Granberry Hall Performance, they are stepping up their game here soon. I don’t know if they’re starting yet, but I know they are working on it to become like your Midwest connection to get your six speed swaps done on Ferraris. I don’t know if they’re going to step up and do the Lambo stuff that’s starting to pop up on Mercys and stuff like that, because I know EAG I guess built an incredible, incredible six speed conversion kit for the Lamborghinis as well.
Which means, again, that’s a situation where we’re supposed to be talking Ferraris. But again, that’s a scenario where a factory manual. Mercia Lago is twice if not three times the money as compared to the E gear. So you can get yourself an E gear, save a crap load of money, and then just do a 6 speed swap for 50, 60 grand.
Maybe, even if it’s a little bit more, you’re still saving 150, 100 grand. I mean, you’re saving a lot of money. A little sidebar, I don’t know if any of you guys watch it, but Mr. J. W. W. James, he stumbled across and bought, cause he did the, gumball he did, or I don’t know, he was over, or no I’m sorry, it was for um, Pebble Beach.
He hung out with the DDE boys, and Damon Fryer let him drive his Mercilago the whole week. All the way up from down in, uh, SoCal, all the way up to Pebble Beach. And he just fell in love with it, screaming it’s a factory manual car. So he says, I gotta get one. Somehow, someway, he found a, a, I want to say it was a right hand drive, Mercedes Lago, E gear, but it had Like a hundred miles on it and I guess, you know, he said, I’m going to buy it.
I’m going to put the swap in it, that all this stuff. And I guess he just got blasted about that because people like, I don’t do that to that car. I mean, that’s and just getting, you know, offers out or anything. So I’m curious to see what he ends up doing that. But anyways, we got a little off side track there to start talking about Lamborghinis back to the show show field.
It’s really cool in this situation about doing this stuff because I had not ever done that before. I said I went over last year and probably just watch it unload. I never really nailed it. Check ’em out, driving the cars up on the field and everything. Getting that kind of set up. So this is really deep.
Now the one way this is set up, kinda going back my comment earlier, you have your lower level where the golf course is. Then you have an upper level where it is like they have a little practice putting green, that kind of stuff. So it’s like when you walk outta the hotel, there’s a little practice putting green area.
So they park up a bunch of cars up there. It’s usually, it’s all. usually the very older stuff. Stuff that’s significant, i. e. 250 GTO right up front, which I had the pleasure of really kind of getting up and close and personal with. It was Jeff Fisher’s car. We were at a party Thursday night with that and then the next day hung out with the gentleman that did the restoration.
He was doing some detail work on it. Stunning car. Brian Ross had his 250 Testarossa there. Unbelievable car. I missed the opportunity to meet and talk with him and trying to get him to participate in Rockin Revs. So I got to talk with page in his office again. I don’t know what I was doing. I was doing something and he walked by just, I told him and I’m kicking myself in the ass about that.
Cause he’s right up here in Ohio with us out there by Youngstown. So it’s like perfect. And, and yes, we have the same last name and no, we’re not related. Now, I don’t know if he’s got the same lineage and going back to Scotland like I do, but that would be kind of cool. But seemed like a super nice guy. I just missed the opportunity, which sucks.
So hopefully I get another chance one of these days to meet him, speak with him and see what he can do. If not, I guess we’re about to wait again until next year for Cavalino. He’s got an unbelievable collection of Ferraris. Ultimate goal getting a private tour of his collection of Ferraris because he’s got his one 250 He has one like, you know, you have all your concourse events Uh, Estella, or um, God, I can’t remember the name off the top of my head.
You know, you have all your concourse events, you have the big ones. So all the cars that went best in showing that, they go to Villa, Diesta, and so it’s like, basically, the winner is the best of the best. And then they pick one of that, and his car won, was it this past, in 2024? Huge win! That’s, I mean, that’s significant for that car.
So up top, that’s where it is. But here’s the thing is, is you have to walk out off of the lower show field and walk back into there. So you have to have your little wristband thingy to get it. Cause you walk out and back in. So it’s not like you can just kind of walk all around. There’s a path like that.
So I was like, Oh crap, I might even be able to get up there. So I walked around to a bunch and the lower level checking all the cool stuff. Which I’m going to come back to in a second. Luckily, it’s still setting up, I was able to go up there. But, when going up from the show field, up there, walking towards the hotel, Ferrari themselves actually set up a bunch of the new cars.
And they had the new 12 cylinder there. It’s a love hate thing, but this one they had there. Either check out my Instagram or check out the YouTube channel. In this green, it was stunning. It was absolutely stunning. You know, in that car in person, it’s absolutely beautiful. You know, I know there’s a lot of people that are knocking and hating on it, but I said this thing was absolutely stunning.
I thought it looked gorgeous in the screen. Absolutely beautiful. And they have their obligatory, they have the 296, had their, uh, was it the Portofino now, whatever the hell they’re calling, um, the California spider. But this is when they had the F80 and thankfully they took off the cover of it and they were starting to set up.
They’re putting a little barrier around it, everything like that. So they were getting it all make it look pretty. And I gotta say that car is unbelievable in person. The pictures don’t do it justice seeing it online. It’s one of those cars you have to see in person. Oh my Lord, is it gorgeous? I mean, it’s a stunning, this thing is low.
God, it’s low to the ground. I mean, roof heights, can’t imagine it might come up to your hip. So cool. And that thing is wide. That is a very wide car. This thing was absolutely beautiful. Seeing that thing in person, seeing how all the arrows working on it and everything like that. I would have loved to if they would have started it up, but that didn’t happen.
But it was just so cool to see that. So that was mission accomplished. That’s what I wanted to see was that F80. That thing was awesome. So I gotta tell you, if you get the chance to go see this thing in person somewhere, go see it. You even gotta drive a few hours. Go see it. It is unbelievable. It is a great car.
I know it got a lot, it knocked a lot in all its comparisons. Oh, it’s got the V6. All that. It still has over a thousand horsepower. What is it? Almost twelve hundred horsepower with the V6 and the electric motors and that stuff. Yeah, a V12, an NA V12 and their screaming would have been perfect, but packaging wise and all that.
It works. Just let’s say, it works. Let’s go for example here, the Ford GT. Everyone’s blasted them. How can you put the V6 in there and stuff? That car is still holding it’s own and it’s double what it’s sticker price was. It’s still holding it and that car is unbelievable as well. So, again, don’t knock until you try it.
If you listened to my last podcast episode, we were talking about allocations with the F80. And I think people see it in person because that’s the conversation I had. People want to physically see it. I know some of them are like, oh, I want to drive it first. Eh, I don’t know if that’s going to happen, but, you know, if you got enough money.
Uh, anything can happen, but that was cool to see. Yep. I checked out the Pearl Sangway. You know, they have one there. You know, obviously it’s been out for a while now. I’m curious to see, I’m not sure when the V8 version of that’s going to come out. So I’m curious to see what happens with that because these have all been the 12 cylinder versions.
Ferrari Palm Beach had one. It was 750, 000 crazy money for an SUV. I mean, things unbelievable. Yes, I’d love to have one. Who wouldn’t? I would love to do some cross country driving and that thing. Just have some fun with it. But seven, three quarters of a million dollars. But I got to sit in it there, which was cool.
That was the first time I got to sit in one. One of these days I want to get someone to let me drive one. I got to get ahold of a client. I know he took delivery one recently, so I need to butter him up. Go see if he’ll let me drive it. But anyways, this is why I went up top. Thank God they’re still setting up.
Cool thing is Santino Ferrucci, yes, the IndyCar driver. One side note, that boy is small and short. If he weighs 140 pounds, I’d be shocked. Muscle around that IndyCar, thank God they got power steering and this, power that, everything like that, because this guy’s, he’s not a big dude. And again, hey, it’s weight savings.
But anyways, he came tooling in with JR’s, and I don’t know if it’s his inventory or it’s just probably a client’s, but the 599XX. And you want to talk about something that sounds mean? Again, check out my Instagram or check out the YouTube channel. You should hear that thing rumble. Oh my Lord. It was so cool.
So, so cool. Him pulling in again. I’d love to hear that thing at full chat. It would be unbelievable just to hear that thing ripping down the road. I could only imagine. Listen.
Is that cool or what? Now that’s just a short one, there’s a longer one when he’s puttsing in, but like I said, that thing just sounded Unbelievable. They have probably about three quarters of the cars up top. Like I said, Brian Ross had his car there. Jeff Fischer’s 250 GTO was actually outside of where it was, so that was kind of just out in the open.
Because again, they have it set up, you walk out in this putting green, it’s roped off, so that’s how you got to get in. You got to have your little wristband. You paid 485. Frickin dollars for but then you got your outside air. They have a beautiful courtyard that this is what kills me 500 bucks These people that’s nothing that’s like they probably change it.
That’s nothing to these people. They could care less So again, they’re like holding court and I’m not gonna name names because I know who they are I had the opportunity to meet a couple of these people and they basically turned their nose up because, you know, they think their shit don’t stink. One of those things is like, come on, you know, give it up.
I cannot stand people like that. You are blessed. Here’s the funny thing. You can tell the difference between someone that is self made and created their wealth by busting their ass or someone that won the sperm lottery. Because, it’s just, they’ve grown up in this scenario, it’s just, again, they think their shit don’t stink.
It’s just unbelievable, you know, seeing some of these people. Like, the one person that, again, he’s one of those ones, he thinks he’s high almighty. He’s sitting at this little cluster, one couch thing, and tables around it. You know, he’s sitting there, and all these people around him, you can tell they’re all just kissing his ass.
And, you know, he just got, I don’t want to say ignoring him, but, it’s like when it’s such an era, you can see someone’s like talking to him, and he’s just looking past them. Cause he’s like, Oh, I can’t be bothered with you. You’re not important enough. No, he’s looking for that important person to talk to because he feels you’re not important enough.
And there’s a ton of these people. They’re peacocking. I get it. It’s a Ferrari event. You should dress nicely. But I mean, you got these people dressed to the nines. Some people like me, I was wearing my t shirt. I’m like, I’m just loud and proud. I was wearing my exotic marketplace hoodie. Cause this is in the morning.
So once I got done checking everything out, I walked around everything, you know, got that stuff after set up. It’s like, well, okay, I got some time because the other cool thing is the parking lot is unbelievable. The parking lot itself could have been a show. So I went back to my hotel for a little bit to relax down like that.
I was like, all right, relax for a couple hours. I did a bunch of posts and whatnot on my social medias. So then I came back after the event started. And it was pretty crowded. So maybe it was sold out. I don’t know if that was a marketing ploy or something like that. It just seemed weird, though, that on Friday night, before I went out to dinner at six o’clock or whatever it is, but I’m going to go even until there were still tickets.
Then when I came back, no tickets, it seems to be they might just be kind of doing a marketing ploy that says, Oh, no, we’re sold out. So you can say, Oh, we sold out. There weren’t that many people. I mean, it was. It was not sold out. I doubt it highly. So I went back after the event had started and meandered around.
Obviously, I couldn’t go out on the show field. I’ve already seen all the cars, so I really didn’t care. And so I, you know, ran into a few other people, chit chatted, and I checked out, went to auctions. You know, they do the silent auction and stuff. And what’s crazy is I could not believe how many, I don’t want to say timeshare rentals, but like villa.
Luxury villa rentals they had that were up for auction. Like one was the minimum bid was 17, 000, you know? And they had one that was like, uh, in Croatia, another one that was Belize or Bob, I don’t know, they had like five different auction items that were for these villas. Uh, out wherever. I’m unbelievable.
They had a lot of other cool stuff. Some cool posters, everything like that. So a lot of neat stuff. The cheapest thing, I think it was 500 starting opening bid. Be curious to see how all that played out and what was sold. And I’m sure someone grabbed those villas cause all those people have very deep pockets.
Not all of them, but a good portion of them. But anyways, again, they had some really cool stuff that was up there for your auction items. So that was neat to see. And again, walk around, but kind of going back to how people were dressed. It warmed up. It was in the low seventies by this time. So it’s warm. I have my t shirt on in jeans.
I’m wearing my FerrariMarketplace. com t shirt, wearing it proudly, sporting the brand, going around just checking things out. But what kills me is you have these women that attend. You can tell they’re either husband hunting or doing God knows what. They’re wearing heels. When I mean heels, I mean massive, tall heels.
You’re walking on grass, lady. Give it up. They’re just dressed to the nines. You kind of say, okay, trying to snag yourself the trophy. And then it’s always funny. Someone walking around, especially you see a lady that’s in her 30s or maybe even 40s, but then she’s walking around with some dude in his 70s.
Married, you can tell. You can see they got the wedding rings or anything like that. And no, it’s not his daughter. You can just tell by how they interact. Just a total gold digger. And he doesn’t care. Trophy wife for him. Unbelievable stuff. It’s always fun to sit down for a little bit and just do a little people watching because you see some really funny stuff and you just laugh going, Oh my God, it’s like she must have to drink a crap load of booze and make him hurry up or something because get a fluffer or something for her husband.
So she’s only got to go in there for the last like 30 seconds and then done with it because it’s unbelievable. But how much money can blind someone and just how much someone’s willing to put up with and tolerate because they want to have that lifestyle. Unbelievable. Out to the parking lot, which is unbelievable out there as well, F 50, F 40, a Bugatti Veyron.
Unbelievable stuff in line of just cars out in the parking lot itself. So I mean, that was cool in its own right. Just checking that stuff out. It was really neat to see because again, they’re just parked there. You can get up close, check things out, look in the windows, everything like that. So it was really, really cool.
I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. I checked it all out. Like I said, it’s something that’s really cool to go to and attend if you can get in for free. But if you’re ever in that area around that time, Cavalino’s going on. Definitely just go there and just, you don’t even have to go in. You can just hang out on the outside cause you can see the field and you can see everything from everywhere, walking around.
You can check things out. You just can’t walk right up on the cars. But like I said, that 250 GTO. Which was a Series 2, one of the three original Series 2 built from the factory, not a Series 1 that got re bodied. You know, that was just out, so I didn’t want to go out and check it out. But it’s definitely worth it to go check it out for your Ferrari fan especially.
You see some really, really unbelievable cars that you rarely ever get to see. Then it’s neat because, one, like hey, if you’re watching the setup, you know, you get to see them actually in motion, moving, hear them running, everything like that. So, which is really cool. But, all in all, like I said, it’s well worth it to go.
I mean, it was, it was a good time. Me and Dave had a really good time. I was hanging out with Mr. Beaty from Slot Mods. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. A few days, you know, we were down there. He said we hit up Jeff Fisher’s invite only party, which was really cool. You got to check out because, again, his collection is unbelievable.
He stores it in this old building that used to be a cigar factory. Really cool stuff, but Like I said, it’s definitely worth the trip if you’re in that area. Uh, obviously in years past, the weather’s been a lot better. So there’s a lot more activity days leading up and that’s where did they do on Friday?
They do a, uh, a drive or rally wherever it goes. That’s really cool to see just the line of cars going. They didn’t quite have as so many this year because of the fact of the weather. Some people held back, but that’s cool to see as well because you know, just seeing them, these people driving their cars is really cool.
Especially the older stuff. You get the stuff from the sixties and seventies. It’s just really cool to see, but that’s kind of my summary on Cavalino. Gorgeous cars, pretentious people, and hey, the sun came out, so it was a beautiful day. So it all in all, it came out well. I’m going to wrap it up here. I really appreciate you listening.
The next episode, I want to get into talking about These YouTubers and clickbait and calling out and saying, Oh, this far is that this is, I mean, I’m not going to call people out, but you probably will figure out who I’m talking about, but there’s a bunch out there that make these statements with their thumbnail or whatever, or at least even in the video itself and talking, which is just totally, totally false and a blatant lie.
I want to get into that because that really chafes my ass. And the problem is, yeah. A lot of people fall for it and they believe it. So they drink that juice. So they start arguing the fact, no, no, it was like, no, we’re going to get in that in the next episode. And then, like I said, stay tuned. So hopefully in the next few weeks, we’ll have the gentleman from the gentleman’s garage.
So hopefully I can connect with him and get him on. We’re going to do that one up. We’ll have Eric on board as our moderator. We’re going to actually, uh, not only record that, we’re going to do some video with that as well. Recording it and we’ll post it up on the channel as well. So, remember guys, check out the website, thefiremarketplace.
com, hit up the exotic car marketplace. com, check out gtmotorsports. org, and check out themotoringpodcast. net. Check those all out. We got a lot of cool stuff that’s happening, man. 2025, we’re going to blow it up, so stay tuned. Great stuff coming. See you on the flip side.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast Network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like The Exotic Car Marketplace, The Motoring Historian, BrakeFix, and many others. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
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Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
January 30, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari name is synonymous with automotive excellence, blending cutting-edge engineering, timeless design, and a passion for performance. Among the models that helped define this legacy is the Ferrari 166 Inter Sport, a vehicle that bridged the gap between race cars and road-going grand tourers. Building on the success of its predecessors, the 166 Inter Sport embodied Ferrari’s vision of creating vehicles that could excel on both the track and the street. This article delves into the origins, design, engineering, and enduring legacy of the Ferrari 166 Inter Sport, a car that played a pivotal role in shaping the Ferrari brand.
The late 1940s and early 1950s were transformative years for Ferrari. Emerging from the devastation of World War II, Enzo Ferrari sought to build a brand that would dominate both motorsport and the luxury car market. Following the success of the 166 S and the 166 Inter, Ferrari introduced the 166 Inter Sport to cater to customers who desired a car that combined the track-ready performance of a racing car with the comfort and refinement of a grand tourer.
The 166 Inter Sport was developed during a time when sports cars were evolving rapidly. Manufacturers were experimenting with new technologies and designs to create vehicles that were not only fast but also versatile. Ferrari’s approach was to adapt its racing expertise to create cars that could deliver exceptional performance without sacrificing elegance or usability.
Powertrain
At the heart of the Ferrari 166 Inter Sport was the Colombo-designed 2.0-liter V12 engine. This engine, a masterpiece of engineering, was an evolution of the powerplant used in earlier Ferrari models. Featuring a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank and three Weber carburetors, the engine produced between 110 and 140 horsepower depending on its state of tune. Its high-revving nature and smooth power delivery made it a joy to drive, whether on winding country roads or racetracks.
The V12 engine’s compact dimensions allowed it to be mounted low in the chassis, improving the car’s center of gravity and handling dynamics. This engine configuration became a hallmark of Ferrari’s design philosophy, influencing countless models that followed.
Chassis and Suspension
The 166 Inter Sport was built on a tubular steel frame, which provided a balance of strength and lightweight construction. The chassis was adapted from Ferrari’s racing cars, ensuring excellent rigidity and responsiveness. Independent double-wishbone suspension at the front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear provided a combination of comfort and precision.
The car’s suspension system was tuned to deliver exceptional handling characteristics while maintaining ride quality suitable for long-distance touring. This dual-purpose approach made the 166 Inter Sport a versatile performer, equally at home on the track and the road.
Transmission and Drivetrain
A four-speed manual transmission transmitted power to the rear wheels, offering smooth and precise gear changes. The gearbox’s ratios were optimized to take full advantage of the V12 engine’s power band, ensuring strong acceleration and high-speed cruising capabilities. The rear-wheel-drive layout provided a balanced driving experience, with predictable handling and excellent traction.
Design and Aesthetics
The Ferrari 166 Inter Sport’s design was a collaboration between Ferrari and some of Italy’s most renowned coachbuilders, including Touring, Vignale, and Ghia. Each car was a bespoke creation, tailored to the preferences of its owner. This approach resulted in a diverse array of body styles, ranging from sleek coupes to open-top barchettas.
The design language of the 166 Inter Sport emphasized elegance and aerodynamic efficiency. The long hood, flowing lines, and sculpted fenders were hallmarks of its styling. Chrome accents and wire-spoke wheels added a touch of luxury, while details like recessed headlights and grille designs reflected the craftsmanship of Italy’s finest carrozzerie.
Inside, the 166 Inter Sport featured a driver-focused cockpit with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. Leather upholstery, wood trim, and analog gauges combined to create an environment that was both functional and luxurious. While the interior was relatively sparse compared to modern standards, it exuded an air of sophistication that appealed to Ferrari’s elite clientele.
Racing Pedigree
Although the 166 Inter Sport was designed as a dual-purpose vehicle, its racing roots were unmistakable. The car participated in numerous competitions, including endurance races and hill climbs, where it showcased its performance capabilities. Drivers praised its balance, agility, and reliability, attributes that were critical in the demanding world of motorsport.
One of the most notable achievements of the 166 Inter Sport was its participation in events like the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, where it competed against some of the best cars and drivers of the era. These successes not only reinforced Ferrari’s reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance vehicles but also demonstrated the versatility of the 166 Inter Sport.
Market and Reception
The Ferrari 166 Inter Sport was a limited-production model, with fewer than 40 examples built between 1948 and 1950. This exclusivity made it highly desirable among collectors and enthusiasts. At the time, the car’s combination of performance, elegance, and craftsmanship set it apart from competitors, earning praise from automotive critics and customers alike.
The 166 Inter Sport’s appeal extended beyond Italy, attracting buyers from across Europe and the United States. Its success helped establish Ferrari as a global brand, laying the groundwork for the company’s future expansion.
Legacy and Influence
The Ferrari 166 Inter Sport played a crucial role in the development of Ferrari’s road car lineup. Its blend of racing technology and road-going usability set a template for future models, influencing iconic cars like the 250 GT and the 275 GTB. The lessons learned from the 166 Inter Sport’s engineering and design were instrumental in shaping Ferrari’s identity as a manufacturer of luxury sports cars.
Today, the 166 Inter Sport is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Its rarity, historical significance, and timeless design make it one of the most coveted models in Ferrari’s history. Restored examples often command high prices at auctions, a testament to the enduring appeal of this groundbreaking car.
The Ferrari 166 Inter Sport represents a defining moment in the evolution of Ferrari as a brand. By combining racing DNA with elegance and practicality, it bridged the gap between competition cars and road-going grand tourers. This dual-purpose approach not only set the standard for Ferrari’s future models but also established the company’s reputation as a leader in the automotive world.
As a symbol of innovation, craftsmanship, and performance, the 166 Inter Sport continues to inspire admiration and respect. Its legacy is a testament to Enzo Ferrari’s vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the Ferrari brand. More than seven decades after its debut, the 166 Inter Sport remains a shining example of what makes Ferrari truly exceptional.
Specifications
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 60 x 58.8mm
Unitary displacement 166.25cc
Total displacement 1995.02cc
Compression ratio 11 : 1
Maximum power 96 kW (130 hp) at 6500 rpm
Power per litre 65hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 32 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two magnetos
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single-plate [...]
January 23, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceWhen one thinks of Ferrari, the brand’s racing heritage often comes to mind. However, Ferrari’s reputation as a producer of luxurious and high-performance road cars began with a single groundbreaking model: the Ferrari 166 Inter. Introduced in 1948, the 166 Inter was Ferrari’s first grand tourer designed for the road, marking a critical transition from race cars to vehicles that combined performance with everyday usability. This car not only established Ferrari as a force in the automotive industry but also laid the foundation for the luxury sports cars that would define the brand.
Post-War Recovery and a New Vision
The late 1940s was a period of reconstruction and reinvention for Europe, particularly in Italy, where the scars of World War II were still visible. For Enzo Ferrari, the war’s end presented an opportunity to expand his vision. Having already made a name for himself in motorsport with models like the 125 S and 159 S, Enzo saw the potential for Ferrari to enter the road car market. The Ferrari 166 Inter was the manifestation of this vision, combining racing DNA with the refinement and elegance required for road use.
The 166 Inter was derived from the Ferrari 166 S, a sports car that had already proven its mettle on the track. By adapting the 166 S’s chassis and engine for road use, Ferrari created a car that offered unparalleled performance for its time while meeting the demands of discerning customers who sought exclusivity and sophistication.
Engineering and Performance
At the heart of the Ferrari 166 Inter was its Colombo-designed 2.0-liter V12 engine, an evolution of the power plants that had powered Ferrari’s earlier race cars. This engine featured a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank and three Weber carburetors, producing 110 to 140 horsepower depending on the configuration. The engine’s compact design and high-revving nature made it a technological marvel of its era.
The car’s chassis was a tubular steel frame, a hallmark of Ferrari engineering that provided both rigidity and lightweight construction. The suspension system consisted of independent double wishbones at the front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, delivering a balance of comfort and handling. Paired with a four-speed manual transmission, the 166 Inter could achieve a top speed of approximately 170 km/h (106 mph), making it one of the fastest road cars of its time.
Design and Customization
One of the defining characteristics of the Ferrari 166 Inter was its bespoke nature. Unlike modern mass-produced vehicles, the 166 Inter was a coachbuilt car, with each example featuring a unique body designed by one of Italy’s premier carrozzerie, including Touring, Ghia, and Vignale. These collaborations resulted in a variety of styles, ranging from elegant coupes to sporty cabriolets, each tailored to the preferences of its owner.
The design language of the 166 Inter emphasized flowing lines, aerodynamic efficiency, and timeless elegance. The proportions were classic—a long hood, a short rear deck, and a low-slung profile. Details like chrome accents, wire-spoke wheels, and meticulously crafted interiors added to the car’s allure.
A New Market for Ferrari
The introduction of the 166 Inter marked Ferrari’s entry into the grand touring market. Unlike its racing counterparts, the 166 Inter was designed for comfort and usability on public roads. This broadened Ferrari’s appeal beyond the racing world and attracted wealthy clientele who valued exclusivity and performance.
Production of the 166 Inter was extremely limited, with only 39 examples built between 1948 and 1950. This exclusivity further enhanced the car’s desirability and cemented its status as a collector’s item in the decades to come.
Racing DNA in a Road Car
Despite its focus on road use, the 166 Inter retained much of the racing DNA that defined Ferrari’s earlier models. The V12 engine, lightweight construction, and advanced suspension system gave the car exceptional performance and handling characteristics. These qualities made the 166 Inter a true driver’s car, capable of delivering thrilling experiences on both winding roads and long-distance journeys.
The 166 Inter’s performance and engineering excellence set a benchmark for future Ferrari road cars. It demonstrated that a car could combine the spirit of racing with the refinement required for everyday use, a formula that continues to define Ferrari to this day.
Legacy and Influence
The Ferrari 166 Inter holds a special place in the brand’s history. As Ferrari’s first road car, it established the company’s reputation for building vehicles that were as luxurious as they were fast. The 166 Inter also set the stage for Ferrari’s grand touring lineage, which includes iconic models like the 250 GT, the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, and the modern-day Roma.
In addition to its historical significance, the 166 Inter remains highly regarded among collectors and enthusiasts. Its rarity, combined with its connection to Ferrari’s early years, makes it one of the most sought-after models in the company’s history. Restored examples frequently command high prices at auctions, a testament to the car’s enduring appeal.
The Ferrari 166 Inter represents a pivotal moment in automotive history. As Ferrari’s first road car, it bridged the gap between the brand’s racing heritage and its future as a producer of luxury sports cars. Through its engineering brilliance, bespoke design, and exceptional performance, the 166 Inter set a standard that continues to inspire Ferrari’s creations today.
More than seven decades after its debut, the 166 Inter remains a symbol of innovation, craftsmanship, and passion. It is a reminder of Enzo Ferrari’s vision and the legacy of excellence that began with this remarkable car. The 166 Inter not only defined an era but also laid the groundwork for Ferrari’s enduring status as one of the most revered names in the automotive world.
Specifications
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 60 x 58.8mm
Unitary displacement 166.25cc
Total displacement 1995.02cc
Compression ratio 6.8 : 1
Maximum power 66 kW (90 hp) at 5,600 rpm
Power per litre 45hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed single Weber 32 DCF carburetor
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single-plate [...]
January 18, 2025Ferrari / PodcastIn this episode William’s focus is on the Ferrari F80, its market dynamics, allocation process, and the challenges faced by customers in securing these exclusive models. He also touches on other exotic cars and their market trends, emphasizing the significant value and investment required to own such elite vehicles.
Episode 30
00:00 Introduction to Ferrari Fridays
00:33 Shoutouts and Sponsors
01:46 New Year Resolutions and Personal Updates
03:04 Deep Dive into the Ferrari F80
08:13 Market Trends and Allocation Challenges
13:02 Comparisons with Other Hypercars
22:52 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
And Happy New Year everyone! This is William here at the Ferrari Marketplace Podcast. Welcoming you to a new year. I’d like to give a shout out to our supporters and sponsors. Did I say that right? Supporters? Yes. Our supporters and sponsors. Gotta give a big shout out to the Motoring Podcast Network.
Check out MotoringPodcast. net to take a look at all the podcasts that we have that are available. There’s a nice variety and selection of different automotive related podcasts you can check out on two wheels and four wheels. So check that out. Take a look. Also, obviously, the FerrariMarketplace. com but then also we have the Exotic Car Marketplace.
com The name says it all, where to find it. So go check those out and also check out Grand Touring Motorsports. Uh, they also got some great e zines that Eric has spent a lot of time cultivating and put together and redoing. So definitely check that out because there’s a lot of cool stuff to check out from the past few years put together.
Eric has done. Did that make sense? But yeah, so take a look at that. Check those things out. We’ll, uh, put the links up and everything on in the description. So when you check it out, you can just click on those and take a look. I definitely recommend checking them all out. Lots of cool stuff to go see, listen to, watch, hear.
You know, the basics. So anyways, onward and upward for 2025. Let’s try and make this a little more regular and get more podcasts out there. I know I keep saying this in all my previous podcasts that, Oh, I got to do this more. I got to get more of this. I’m busy. I got a lot of stuff going on. You know, uh, I’m not home a lot.
I travel. I got all these other things going outside of the automotive stuff. For those of you who may not know, I also do a lot of charity work. I help run a couple, uh, not a couple, I said I help run, uh, One organization that helps support pediatric burn survivors. So if you want to check it out, it’s acbcohio.
org. Uh, but then I also volunteer a couple of animal shelters, trying to help them out, walk dogs and whatnot like that. So I’m kind of spread out there. So, but you know what? I enjoy it. I love it. And Hey, this is how I want to live my life. So I’m going to try and do everything I can, but I’m gonna try and do what I can to get more, uh, podcast episodes out there this year for 2025, because there are a lot of cool things we can discuss and talk about, or I don’t see so much discussed, but I guess I could.
Opine on and tell you my thoughts and opinions on right, but you always can reach out to me at William at the Ferrari marketplace. com If you got any questions want a discussion to talk about hey, maybe you want to come on the show More than happy to have some guests on here. We have a lot of fun with it So anyways, I’m wearing upper today’s episode the first one of 2025 We are good.
We’re gonna I guess a revisit. We’re gonna talk about the f80 again But not just F80, we’re going to talk about, you know, all these, uh, I guess you’d say hypercars or whatnot that are out there right now. And the reason I want to bring up the F80 though is because it’s become, it’s rather interesting what’s going on in the market with the F80, the allocations.
They haven’t started building them yet. They may be getting in the process of starting, but they haven’t started building them yet. But, As all of you know, I’m sure many of you know, are aware, you know, Ferrari’s got a very selective process in regards to doling out allocations for build slots, so to get your hands on it.
So you gotta be a big ol VIP customer, uh, to get yourself an allocation of these halo cars, I guess you could call them, that they put out every 10 years roughly. So, I will say this, I just watched this morning, and I, check it out, it’s really good, you know, Mr. Bolin on Vindwiki, uh, did a really good, uh, overview in regards to about how you get on these VIP lists and go about doing it, because it kind of changes, you know, from time to time in regards to what you need to do and a lot of it used to be about, you know, obviously you got to have a lot of Ferraris.
Uh, they used to kind of almost base it on, hey, all right, do you have, you know, the, I don’t know what you’d want to call it, the Holy Five, um, you know, 288, F40, F50, Enzo, uh, LaFerrari. So, um, you know, and now obviously the F80 is coming into play. So, You know, you used to have to have that. Now it’s kind of more, as he’s stating, and as I’m aware of, is the fact is, you know, now it’s kind of more biased towards the fact is, you know, what are you doing option wise?
You know, are you dropping the 200, 000 in just options on a car? So, you’re talking, you got your base price of 300, 000, 400, 000, 500, 000 put into the car, and then you’re dropping another 200, 000. Basically half the price of the car on options, but you know, it’s, you know, I don’t know if they’re looking for loyalty or whatnot, but then you also have the avenues if you run the challenge series, there’s all these different avenues to go about doing it, but the one thing for sure, it will cost you a lot of money.
to be on that. So you have to have some very, very deep pockets, a trust fund, whatever, you know, gotta be one of those, you know, you hit the sperm lottery, uh, and you know, your parents, grandparents, whoever, you know, left you a lot of money, what have you. Um, you know, so then you could be in that position. So, but anyways, hey, God bless you if you are, cause hey, you know, it’s a very privileged thing and you’re among the 1 percent of the 1%, you know, what have you.
So, but the reason I want to talk about and revisit this F80 and talk about some more, so. We’re not going to discuss in regards to, hey, what it is, we already did that, but what we’re going to talk about in regards to, it kind of, it’s going to reflect kind of back to that, I would say the Holy Trinity, you know, he had the, uh, he had the LaFerrari, the 918 and the P1, the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, obviously in the Ferrari, LaFerrari.
So, Then, you know, it was kind of, you know, they were all very similar in regards to Powertrain, what have you. You know, obviously there’s some variation to them and everything along those lines. So, but, you know, again, there’s, there’s, I don’t want to say significant, but there’s enough difference between the two.
And obviously it’s going to depend on who you talk to, oh, one prefers the other. But it almost seems to be the consensus that, you know, You know, just squeaking, eking out on top is the P1. Um, that seems to be the consensus. Now, I love what McLaren’s doing and they’re getting a lot better at it, but you know, their quality issues and everything like that were kind of, you know, as they’ve been labeled McCarron’s.
Um, they can be a little testy, I guess you could say. So. But anyways, so they came out with those and they’re all very similar. Now, what you have, as everyone’s probably well aware of, the F80 has a six cylinder motor. So, they’re basically trying to copy what the 499 is, their, uh, WEC car. So, they wanted to go that route, kind of, you know, hey, they spent all this money on that technology, put it in there, hey, let’s just put it in the road car.
It’s got a ton of horsepower. It’s fast. It’s good to handle. It’s going to be a great car. But, These cars, a Ferrari, should be, you know, be 12. Maybe even a twin turbo V8. Okay, let’s go back, you know, to that 40, 288. You’re even going to drop, man, a V6, a six cylinder motor in this thing. So, what’s happening is, you know, out of all the, the cars, you got, what is it, 799 they’re going to build.
And, obviously, you got to be that special person to get on, you know, get the allocation. You, hey, you get that. You know, get you got that, you got that package, whatever, you know, uh, got it to you in the mail. I’m sure you knew ahead of time that you’re probably going to be receiving it, but you know, you got that moment in regards to, Hey, alright, it’s official.
I have an allocation. But now just because you get sent it doesn’t mean you have to take it. But here’s the problem. If you turn it down, you don’t take it. How does that affect you for the next one that comes out in 10 years? Did they go, you know, build it because they will. And by that point, it’s going to be all electric.
So, I mean, I don’t know my opinion, do you really want it? But anyways, so that’s where that tricky fine line comes into. I mean, you really can’t turn it down, but the problem is, is you have, you know, a lot of people out there and I, I have a couple of clients that it’s that position, they have allocations.
You know, and they’re sitting on it because they’re kind of like, they’re not sure they want to get it because they actually want to drive the car and see what happens, I guess, in the market. Cause here’s the other thing that’s going on with this car. Now, Back in the day, with your other previous cars, they were priced, I guess you want to say, all within reason.
You know, yeah, the LaFerrari was up there, it was 1. 8, like, it’s under 2 million bucks. You know, it came out of the factory, but as soon as it hit the market, got out there, it basically doubled in value and whatnot. So, hey, yeah, I think, but, you know, obviously Ferrari’s putting these restrictions on, you know, reselling it.
So, hey, you can’t do it for two years, it’s not, because again, it will hurt your status with Ferrari. And they will find out. No matter how you get that car, whatever you do, they will find out. Alright, so they’re like Interpol, basically. They’ll figure it out. The FBI, CIA, they’ll get this stuff figured out and know what you’re doing with your cars.
Trust me, they watch that stuff like nobody’s business. Their business, I guess you could say. So anyways, what they’re running into is, out of the 799 allocations that got sent out, There’s still 20 percent of them that have not, I guess, that’s obviously spoken for, haven’t been, the option to do it has not been taken up.
So, what is that out of 799? Now this is still rough, obviously it’s going to change on a daily, weekly basis. So, um, let me bust out my calculator here. So you got 799 times 20%. That’s almost 160 cars. Just a smidge under. So, it’s probably worth saying it’s 150 cars right now. They have 150 allocations that no one is taking that option up on because of the fact is they’re not sure.
But here’s the other thing that’s kind of, I guess you would say, maybe making people a little hesitant in regards to it. You know, somebody’s going to play that long game. Oh, it’ll go up in value. Why not? You’re going to be over 4 million, if not close to 5 million on that car. Sticker! Sticker. Buying that car.
Now, Ferrari, I’m not saying this is what they’re doing. I’m not saying this is what is happening. But, You know, they see what happens in the market. They see what happened in the previous thing with these cars. That people get them, what not. They have them for a year or two. And then, all of a sudden, BAM!
They’re doubling, tripling their money. You know, turn around and just sell it then, because then they’re out of that, hey, they can do whatever they want, you’re out of, you know, you’re out of that penalty window, I guess you could say. So, Ferrari’s mindset is, well, we feel that out in the secondary market, these things are going to be 5 million bucks.
So, let’s just charge that, retail wise. I would love to know what their gross profit is on those cards. It’s got to be obscene. I’m sure it’s, you know, seven figures of some sort. But it’s an interesting market move for them in regards to what they’re charging for that car. Now, again, obviously they’ve sold quite a few of them.
They’ve sold, you know, over, uh, 600 of them. Obviously, people have taken up doing it. But, again, are those your hardcore people? I don’t know. And, again, as people understand, you know, I have to buy it. It’s part of this game I gotta play with Ferrari to be a VIP still to get, you know, other allocations.
Because, as we all know, uh, As of now, you know, some years ago, hey, that was it. They just had these halo cars that would come out, and that’s it. Yeah, they had the other cars that you could drive, the roads, you know, road cars. They were awesome. They come out with their special editions, everything like that, and limited production quantities, everything like that.
So, getting your hands on those. I see like, uh, you know, more recent arguments, say, 812 TDF, 812 Comp. Um, those are, but now all of a sudden you have the IKONAS series. Now, obviously, some of those you cannot get them registered in the United States, but you know, where there’s a will, there’s a way. There’s always a way to work things around, show and display, what have you.
So, but, you know, you had your SP1, SP2, SP3. I’m sure there’ll probably be an SP4 somewhere there, and just kind of as a side note. That’s where they need to come and do a factory manual because this has actually been coming up in a lot of discussions and stuff. If you listen out there on podcasts, YouTube or anything like that, people are really starting to push.
Why are you not just building another factory manual? Look what, look what the market’s doing in regards to prices on cars that are factory manuals. Just look at, you know, 360s not so much, but look at F430s in regards to a factory manual. Compared to the F1 tranny and compared to a six speed swap car. I mean, just look at what’s the value wise is there.
But anyways, back to what we’re talking about. So anyways, so you look at what, you know, they’re doing with the F80. Now look at McLaren dropped the W1. Now people are kind of like, wow, it really doesn’t look much different. You know, it’s got the center look to it. You know, I mean, it’s really not out to kind of like how the P1 was, but it’s got a twin turbo V8 in it.
Again, power, what have you. And it’s all about perspective. So I got V8, you know, it’s, it’s a little six cylinder in my car. Woo hoo. You know, I don’t care how much power you’re putting out there. I mean, You know, Ford did well with the GT, you know, their last one, they had the EcoBoost, they did the six cylinder in it, and people, when it first, you know, was coming out, they announced it, people were like, oh my god, six, they took a lot of shit for it, I will say that, but, the car did well, and people still doubled their money in regards to doing it.
Now, Ford tried to do the same thing in regards to, hey, you can’t resell it, do all that stuff, they tried to do it, but they lost. We have our friend, well, I say friend, but, Mr. John Cena, you know, kind of, uh, had his and he’s like, F you, you can’t tell me what I can do with this car because he got it and basically I think it was within a couple of months to turn around, so when you were supposed to like, I know it was a year, two years, I can’t remember what it was.
You all know. So, but anyways, he then went to court and everything like that, but he won. There’s nothing they could do. It’s like, look, I own this car. How can you take dictate what I can do with this car if I own it? You know, it’d be, I guess it’d be one thing if you leased it, what have you like that kind of stuff, or, Hey, maybe your finances do for credit.
I don’t know, but you know, that’s what always baffled me is how a manufacturer can dictate. After the fact you buy and own this car I mean and that’s and it has you know I get with brand and stuff like that and protecting your brand and that kind of stuff But that’s a whole different ballgame. That’s a whole different argument in regards to what’s doing it.
I don’t get I buy a car I want to do it. It’s like hey if I went up, you know, I have my f 150 But then I you know, I I bought it then three slater I turn around and sold it and I saw where I paid for me a couple bucks or maybe I lose a couple dollars I don’t know I think Ford ain’t going to come after you.
I mean, so again, it’s kind of, it’s, I don’t know, it’s a little bit odd, but anyways, back to our discussion. What’s going on with F80s is interesting because there’s actually, is it in Germany, I think it’s Germany, there’s a dealer who’s advertising an allocation spot for sale, just the spot. This doesn’t include the car.
For a little over 6. 3 million dollars they’re trying to sell the allocation for. Not the car, so you got the car’s price on that as well. So you’re going to be over 10 million dollars for an F80. Ain’t going to happen. You know, so I, someone’s reading for the moving stars and again, hey, someone’s just throwing something against the wall seeing what sticks.
But, It’s baffling. It’s absolutely baffling. And this has been going around so and I’m sure this person has been getting tons of calls and whatnot. They’re like, I don’t care what you think, someone will end up paying it. And again, it’s that thing. You can ask whatever you want, but what’s someone willing to pay?
And here’s the thing, if you put something out there, You know, depending on what it is, but you put something out there for sale, you’re going to have an asking price and you’re always going to set it high and say, look, all right, I know I’m not going to get this, but I’m gonna start here because I know someone’s going to come in and offer me X.
I’m going to come back at Y and we’ll settle at Z. Possibly that’s what he’s doing, but if he sticks to his guns, he ain’t never going to get 6. 3 over it, someone’s going to make it, especially when there’s 20 allocations, I mean over 150 allocations still sitting out there, 20 percent of them are still available.
You know, and again, that’s a really tricky road to go when you take over an allocation spot like that, because then you kind of got to get, I don’t want to say shady, you know, there’s things to do where you have to set up a, You know, you set up a joint LLC with the person that has the allocation, all that kind of stuff.
And then after a year or two, when it’s all good, they sell you the LLC, they buy out for a dollar. It’s just, there’s all these, there’s a bunch of different ways to go about getting around it. But. I’ve never been a fan of it. I don’t like to partake in them. I just, I’m not comfortable doing that. I just, I just don’t like it.
Other people don’t care. Well, and not so much dealers. Well, you’re gonna have some shady dealers do it, but you know, other, you know, brokers out there, they don’t give a shit. They want to make their money. As soon as they get their check, they’re out the door. They don’t care. They’ll never revisit that subject again, and that person tries to call and say it went sideways.
No more problem. You know, is, hey, your lawyer should have looked into it more, right? You know, so. Anyways, it’s just not something I like to delve into. So it’s going to be curious to see here how much longer it takes. If, you know, and what would be interesting is if there’s still allocations that are sitting out there once the first deliveries start happening of the F80, which I’m going to assume should be mid this year.
end of this year, you know, come summer, late summer, fall maybe, I think it is. Now, I could be wrong, might be a little sooner, but who knows. All of a sudden, you’re going to see it out there, someone’s going to have video on it. Hey, first delivery, I got my F80. It’s a spectacular car. It’s going to have unbelievable performance.
It’s going to drive phenomenally. I mean, it’s got so much tech, everything, you know, it’s going to be a great car. But here’s the thing is, you know, again, it’s that perception. When you have your true enthusiast, Don’t understand. That’s like with the Ford GT. You know what? Hey, it’s still gotta go. Crap load of horsepower, same thing with the F80.
It’s got over a thousand horsepower. So I mean, look, the car is not going to be slow. It’s going to be fun to drive. It’s kind of a bigger car, but it’s going to be a lot of fun to drive this car. It’s going to be spectacular. So you can have your things. Well, I don’t care. You know, I’m going to, they’re just going to sit out and hold it because then they’re going to line it up with all their other Ferraris.
They got a nice little, you know, display there row going on. They’re going to start with their 288 and all the way down to their new F80. Again, these people got the money. So to them, It’s no big deal. It’s like, Oh, four million. Oh, I make that in a week. You know, that kind of stupid ass shit, you know, but again, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens in regards to that car once it starts hitting the ground and gets delivered to customers, you know, normally with these, you know, these halo cars, they’re sold out, you know, the allocations get there, they’re, you know, they have no issue.
The manufacturers, like they don’t even bat an eye. They’ll, they’ll get herself. I’m curious what’s going on possibly internally with Ferrari. I’m sure you have the people. Oh, don’t worry about it You know, give us some more time. They’ll all get taken care of We’ll get it situated if for whatever reason the person who got the allocation decides that they don’t want it Which would be baffling if they did because that really just screws up their status and how Ferrari’s looking at them VIP wise But for whatever reason, someone says, no, there will be someone else that will step up and take it.
You know, it’s, it’s a given. There’s no doubt about that. I mean, it’s just, it’s a, it’ll just happen. So, but it’ll be interesting to see what comes about playing that. Cause obviously we know what the W1 is, but then, you know, Porsche don’t know what they’re doing. They have that mission X concept, but that’s all electric.
So, I mean, that’s, that’s night and day. I mean, that’s when you’re, you’re, you’re talking two totally different cards, in my opinion. Yeah, I see they’re in the place in this world. Yes, there’s the thing for electric cars to an extent, but the technology, everything that’s involved in these cars and not just electric cars, but what’s coming out.
It’s going to be interesting, you know, in the used car market side of stuff because you’re not going to be able to fix them. I mean, it’s just and it’s going to be cost prohibitive to want to do it because it’s just going to be unbelievable. I mean, you can’t work on them yourself. There’s no way. I mean, uh, I don’t even think you can change a light bulb in or something or a headlight or anything like that, at least with these older cars from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s.
Like, you can work on them to some extent, I guess you could say, and it depends on your means and your wherewithal. But you know, there’s a lot of things you can do yourself. So, hey, you can offset stuff and hey, you get that pride. Hey, I worked out of myself, but you know, it’s These newer stuff, you ain’t touching that thing yourself.
There’s just no way. It ain’t gonna happen. It’s gonna be an interesting year in 2025 to see what happens with these F80s. Because again, you know, and listen, McCarron’s got W1 and I mean, you have all these other halo cars. You know, Aston Martin’s got, you know, the, you know, their Valkyrie, their Valhalla’s.
When you’re starting to get in that 4 million price, I mean, you’re Bugatti price range and stuff like that coming out. I mean, so you’re definitely up there with some very high profile cars. You’re not saying that Ferrari’s not high profile, but you know, your pool of cars, I guess you could say choice wise, it’s pretty big in actuality.
If you look at today, this today, what’s going on out in that car market. Marketplace in that area at that level. So I mean you’re not limited to hey, there’s only a couple choices of cars But at that level, I mean you have a lot of choices out there in regards to what you can spend your money on I get I should say what you want to spend your millions of dollars on because all those cars are Multi million dollar cars now.
I want to throw this out there because here’s what stats right now but if you’re buying a car from Foreman’s and Yeah, it’s gonna be after I went you’re gonna be over 200 grand on it But the, the C8, Corvette C8 ZR1 should be, what, this fall I believe they’re going to start deliveries on it. Performance, everything like that be unbelievable.
Now that’s going to be a car, I’m just curious to see what they’re going to do with that. In regards to, are they going to, you know, try and stranglehold owners that they can’t resell, what have you. I don’t know, I know, you know, Chevy was trying to do that. Originally trying to but again, you know, how can you dictate to someone what you do with the car?
Contracts or not you sign everything. I don’t know. It just seems baffling to me, but You have an unbelievable performance card for 200 grand, around 200 grand. Now, my guess, someone’s going to get that. You’re going to be looking at half a million bucks, 400 grand for those on a secondary market once they hit, you know, even if it takes a year that someone’s got to sit on it, because again, I’m trying to remember what the limited quantity, uh, uh, build up number is on those, but look at the costs that are between two, the CA has done phenomenal in regards to, I should say Chevrolet has done a fabulous job in regards to.
leveling up in regards to You know build materials everything’s on the interior of that car because that was always kind of its Achilles heel Then everybody mocked it. Yeah, I had the horsepower Yeah, I can have it but the interior when it was just crap because you’re like you’re getting buttons, you know from a Chevy Cavalier or something like that in there because you know, obviously pinching pennies accountants get involved Well, just use that one that we use on the s10.
Just put those switches in there You know, it’s and you saw that so but they’ve done X job but Let me see what happens there, but anyways to kind of wrap this things up. We’ll see what happens with the f80 and their allocations and What happens down the road here because having that many out there?
That’s a significant number especially on that special of a car a limited production car. You know, the other thing is doing 799 of them that’s a lot that is a lot of cars But normally they’re doing like, you know, 299, 399, that kind of stuff. All of a sudden, they basically doubled in regards to what they want to do with tail cars.
And the amount of money they’re making on them, it’s just a patented thing. If you ever looked at Ferrari’s stuff, because obviously it’s a public company, you know, they only sell X amount of cars a year. Man, they make a crap load of money from just branding, everything like that. But they must be, they make a nice chunk of change on all the cars as well.
But I mean, They do very, very, very well. There’s no doubt about that for building what less than was it? 15, 000 cards a year. I think it is. Uh, I haven’t looked at production hours, but it’s not that many. It is not that many. Basically it’s what, you know, for GM or building a day they’re building a year. So, but anyways, I’m going to wrap this up.
Appreciate you guys. Remember, uh, you got to try and get more of these out there, but hey, also check out the YouTube channel, everything like that. Like I said, if you got any questions, why not, you know, shoot me an email, william at theferrariadmarketplace. com. But also remember, check out our sponsors and supporters.
Check out motoringpodcast. net. Check out our other podcasts that we have available. Check out the exoticcarmarketplace. com. Check out theferrariadmarketplace. com. It all falls under there, but hey, check everything out. But guys, I appreciate you listening, and like I said, more to come here in the coming months.
And like I said. I will get off my ass and try and get more episodes out on a more frequent basis. Appreciate it guys. Have a good one.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast Network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like the Exotic Car Marketplace, The Motoring Historian, Brake Fix, and many others. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
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Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
January 18, 2025Classifieds / FerrariThis is a rare and unique tribute to one of the most significant, historic and beautiful Ferrari’s ever made, the Testarossa 250, 1597. This car became notorious not only for its outstanding performance, but for its sound and looks. It’s a tribute to the Ferrari model that shocked the world with its famed and impressive “pontoon fenders” in 1957.
This is one of the very few seen in the world with this level of detail for a tribute car. The car was hand made in the 1980’s using as many original parts, bits and pieces available and found at the time by one of the most well reputed and respected automobile sculptors of that era, the famed Giovanni Giordanengo, from Cuneo, Italy; well renowned for his exact tributes of competition Ferraris, such as this one. This example is the best evidence of his art, meticulous detail and talent, as a tribute to himself and the Testarossa TR 250, 1957 here replicated. This car, as a tribute to what it represents, is titled and registered true to its origin (the Ferrari donor car for its engine and transmission), a GT 250, 1962, serial number 3181.
It bears the correct 250 V12 engine modified to the Testarossas correct specifications, fed through six (6) dual barrel carburetor’s that provide twelve (12) open “petrol thirsty mouths” to give it its power, thrust and unique sound it is so famous for, as well as its “red heads” which give it its name, delivering 300 HP at 7500 RPMs.
The detail on this car is magnificent. Built on a hand made tubular chassis/frame, identical in all respects to the car it emulates; an all-aluminum hand sculptured bodywork detailed to the hilt, as a tribute to this Ferrari model, breed and the history it represents.
Prior to its present ownership, this rarity was acquired by Ferrari expert, market connoisseur and trader Mr. Axel Urban, from Germany, together with six (6) other Ferrari (a total of seven (7), from Mr. Pierre Fandl, of Bitburg, Germany. The collection included the tribute Ferrari as well as a GTO, 250, 1962 both by Giovanni Giordanengo, as well as five (5) other world class Ferraris of the era.
This specific Ferrari was then sent to the well-known, highly reputed Ferrari specialists’ establishment of Mr. Uwe Meissner in Germany, MODENA MOTORSPORT, for its complete refurbishment. The car was originally red, and it was there meticulously stripped down and painted to its present silver finish, to be shipped to its actual owner. this car has been stored and garaged for the past twenty (20) years. It was only brough out publicly as a special favor to two close friends of the owner in 2017, to be displayed as the “center stage attraction” in San Juan’s then most important car event “La Gran Feria De Autos Antiguous de Puerto Rico.”
After the show, the car was brought back to its storage place. In the last two (2) decades, this beauty has been driven less than ten (10) miles through the hills and beautiful winding roads typical of the area where its stored, garaged and kept. A unique and rare find in excellent condition ready to be shown, driven and enjoyed; a tribute to a legend hard to find, available through this fine handmade work of art.
If you’re interested in learning more, or inquiring about purchasing this vehicle, please contact William Ross, william@theferrarimarketplace.com [...]
January 16, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceThe Ferrari 166 S occupies a pivotal place in the annals of automotive history. Introduced in 1948, this car represented a defining moment for Ferrari, encapsulating the brand’s ambition, engineering prowess, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The 166 S was not just a car; it was a symbol of post-war recovery, a competitive force in motorsport, and a precursor to Ferrari’s illustrious lineage of grand tourers and racing machines.
This comprehensive article delves into every aspect of the Ferrari 166 S—its design, engineering, racing achievements, market impact, and legacy. Join us on a journey to understand how this iconic car laid the foundation for Ferrari’s reputation as one of the most revered automakers in the world.
Post-War Italy and the Birth of Ferrari
The late 1940s were a transformative period for Italy and its nascent automotive industry. Emerging from the devastation of World War II, Italian engineers and designers sought to restore their country’s reputation for craftsmanship and innovation. Among them was Enzo Ferrari, a man whose vision for creating the ultimate racing machines led to the establishment of Scuderia Ferrari in 1947.
The Ferrari 166 S was born out of this fervent drive for excellence. It followed the 125 S and the 159 S, refining their concepts while introducing significant advancements in performance and design. The “166” designation referred to the displacement of each cylinder in cubic centimeters, while the “S” stood for “Sport,” emphasizing the car’s dual-purpose nature as both a racing machine and a road car.
Design Philosophy
The 166 S was designed with a clear goal: to dominate on the track and captivate on the road. Ferrari collaborated with some of Italy’s most renowned coachbuilders, including Touring and Vignale, to create a car that was not only functional but also beautiful. The resulting designs set the standard for Ferrari’s aesthetic language, blending elegance with aggression.
The Colombo V12 Engine
At the heart of the Ferrari 166 S was the Colombo-designed 2.0-liter V12 engine. This engine, developed by legendary engineer Gioachino Colombo, was a masterpiece of efficiency and power. Producing up to 110 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, the V12 was compact, lightweight, and capable of high-revving performance.
The engine featured a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, a wet sump lubrication system, and three Weber 32 DCF carburetors. These components worked in harmony to deliver smooth power delivery and exceptional reliability—qualities that were critical for both racing and long-distance touring.
Chassis and Suspension
The 166 S utilized a tubular steel chassis, a hallmark of Ferrari’s early engineering approach. This frame provided the rigidity needed for precise handling while keeping weight to a minimum. The suspension system included independent double wishbones at the front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. This setup offered a balance between comfort and performance, ensuring the car could handle the demands of racing as well as the open road.
Transmission and Drivetrain
A five-speed manual transmission delivered power to the rear wheels, providing a level of control that was unmatched by many of the car’s contemporaries. The gearbox was praised for its precision, allowing drivers to fully exploit the engine’s capabilities.
Mille Miglia Triumph
The Ferrari 166 S made its mark in motorsport with an impressive victory at the 1948 Mille Miglia, driven by Clemente Biondetti and Giuseppe Navone. This grueling 1,000-mile race across Italy tested the limits of endurance and performance, and the 166 S rose to the challenge, showcasing its reliability and speed.
Success at Le Mans
In 1949, a 166 S variant achieved Ferrari’s first victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon piloted the car to an extraordinary win, cementing Ferrari’s reputation on the global stage. This victory was a turning point for Ferrari, establishing the brand as a dominant force in endurance racing.
Other Achievements
The 166 S’s success wasn’t limited to these marquee events. It also claimed victories in hill climbs, road races, and circuit events across Europe. The car’s versatility and performance made it a favorite among privateer racers, further enhancing Ferrari’s prestige.
Exterior Styling
The Ferrari 166 S’s design varied depending on the coachbuilder, but all versions shared a commitment to aerodynamic efficiency and visual appeal. Touring’s Barchetta (“little boat”) body was particularly iconic, with its flowing lines, minimalistic grille, and open cockpit. This design not only reduced weight but also captured the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors.
Interior Features
The interior of the 166 S was purpose-built, reflecting its racing DNA. Sparse yet functional, the cabin featured lightweight bucket seats, a simple dashboard with analog gauges, and minimal trim. Despite its spartan nature, the interior exuded a sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Limited Production
Ferrari produced only 39 examples of the 166 S between 1948 and 1950, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Ferraris. Each car was hand-built, with variations in bodywork and specifications based on the preferences of its owner.
Customer Appeal
The 166 S attracted a clientele that valued exclusivity, performance, and style. It was a car for the discerning enthusiast, offering a level of sophistication and capability that was unmatched in its era.
Influence on Future Models
The Ferrari 166 S set the template for future Ferrari sports cars, from the 250 GT to the modern-day 812 Superfast. Its combination of a high-revving V12 engine, lightweight chassis, and stunning design became hallmarks of the brand.
A Collector’s Dream
Today, the Ferrari 166 S is a prized possession for collectors. Its rarity, historical significance, and racing pedigree make it one of the most valuable Ferraris ever produced. Restored examples often fetch millions of dollars at auctions, a testament to its enduring appeal.
The Ferrari 166 S is more than just a car; it is a cornerstone of Ferrari’s legacy. From its groundbreaking engineering to its racing triumphs and timeless design, the 166 S embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence that defines Ferrari. It remains a symbol of post-war optimism and the enduring allure of Italian automotive craftsmanship.
As a piece of history and a work of art, the Ferrari 166 S continues to inspire admiration and respect. Its legacy lives on, not only in the cars that bear the Ferrari name today but also in the hearts of enthusiasts who recognize it as one of the greatest cars ever built.
Specifications
TYPE front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 60 x 58.8mm
Unitary displacement 166.25cc
Total displacement 1995.02cc
Compression ratio 7.5 : 1
Maximum power 81 kW (110 hp) at 6000 rpm
Power per litre 55hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 32 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two coils
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single-plate [...]
January 9, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceFerrari is a name that resonates with automotive excellence, blending innovative engineering with a passion for speed and performance. While the Ferrari 125 S holds the distinction of being the first car to bear the Ferrari name, the Ferrari 159 S represents a critical evolutionary step in the brand’s journey. As the second car produced by Ferrari, the 159 S played a pivotal role in refining the company’s engineering and establishing its reputation in competitive racing.
Post-War Ambitions
In the aftermath of World War II, Europe was rebuilding, and so too was its automotive industry. For Enzo Ferrari, the war’s end marked a fresh opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream of building high-performance cars. After the debut of the 125 S in 1947, Ferrari sought to improve upon his initial creation. This ambition gave rise to the Ferrari 159 S in 1947, a car that would embody incremental advancements and set the stage for future successes.
Technical Innovations and Engineering
At the core of the Ferrari 159 S was its updated engine. The 1.5-liter V12 engine, originally designed by Gioachino Colombo, received enhancements to boost its performance. While retaining the 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks, the engine’s displacement was slightly increased from 1,496 cc to 1,905 cc. This modification allowed the engine to produce 125 horsepower at 6,500 RPM, a notable improvement over its predecessor.
The V12 engine featured three Weber 32DCF carburetors, a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank, and a lightweight aluminum block. These innovations contributed to a higher power-to-weight ratio and improved performance. The car’s top speed exceeded 170 km/h (106 mph), making it competitive on both the track and the road.
The 159 S’s chassis was an evolution of the steel tubular frame used in the 125 S. It retained independent double-wishbone suspension at the front and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. These refinements enhanced the car’s handling, stability, and overall driving dynamics.
Function Meets Form
The Ferrari 159 S retained the barchetta (“little boat”) design of the 125 S, characterized by its open-top body style and aerodynamic lines. The bodywork, crafted by Carrozzeria Touring, exhibited clean, minimalist aesthetics that emphasized functionality and performance. The low-slung design, curved fenders, and iconic grille bearing the Ferrari emblem contributed to its timeless appeal.
While the 159 S’s design was rooted in racing efficiency, it also hinted at the elegance that would later become synonymous with Ferrari road cars. The craftsmanship and attention to detail demonstrated Ferrari’s commitment to creating vehicles that were as visually striking as they were mechanically advanced.
Racing Achievements
Enzo Ferrari’s passion for racing drove the development of the 159 S. The car made its competitive debut in 1947, just months after the 125 S’s introduction. With drivers like Franco Cortese and Giuseppe Farina behind the wheel, the 159 S quickly demonstrated its potential.
One of the most notable victories for the 159 S came at the 1947 Circuito di Parma. Franco Cortese piloted the car to victory, showcasing its improved performance and reliability. The car also competed in other events, including hill climbs and endurance races, where it consistently demonstrated its capability against more established competitors.
The 159 S’s racing success was instrumental in establishing Ferrari’s reputation as a formidable contender in motorsport. These achievements also bolstered the company’s credibility and attracted the attention of enthusiasts and investors alike.
Legacy and Evolution
The Ferrari 159 S was a transitional model, bridging the gap between the 125 S and subsequent Ferrari cars like the 166 S. While only a limited number of 159 S models were produced, their impact on Ferrari’s development was profound. The lessons learned from the 159 S’s engineering and racing experiences informed the design and performance of future models.
Moreover, the 159 S solidified the foundation of Ferrari’s V12 engine lineage. The engine configuration, initially developed by Colombo, became a defining characteristic of Ferrari vehicles. Over the decades, this V12 architecture evolved and powered some of the most iconic Ferrari cars, from the 250 GTO to the modern-day Purosangue.
Enzo Ferrari’s Vision
Enzo Ferrari’s relentless pursuit of perfection was evident in the creation of the 159 S. He viewed each car not as an end in itself but as a step toward something greater. This philosophy drove continuous innovation and improvement, ensuring that Ferrari remained at the forefront of automotive performance and design.
The 159 S also highlighted Ferrari’s ability to attract and collaborate with talented individuals. From engineers like Colombo to skilled craftsmen at Carrozzeria Touring, the collective expertise and passion of Ferrari’s team brought the 159 S to life and set the stage for the company’s future triumphs.
The Ferrari 159 S occupies a unique place in automotive history. As Ferrari’s second car, it represents a crucial phase in the company’s evolution, embodying the spirit of innovation and determination that defines the brand. Through its technical advancements, racing success, and timeless design, the 159 S contributed to Ferrari’s ascent as a global icon of performance and luxury.
While the 159 S may not be as well-known as some of Ferrari’s later models, its legacy endures. It serves as a reminder of the brand’s humble beginnings and the relentless drive to push boundaries—qualities that continue to define Ferrari today. As enthusiasts and historians reflect on the milestones that shaped Ferrari’s journey, the 159 S stands as a testament to the enduring vision of Enzo Ferrari and the birth of a legend.
Specifications
Type front, longitudinal 60° V12
Bore/stroke 59 x 58mm
Unitary displacement 158.57cc
Total displacement 1902.84cc
Compression ratio 8.5 : 1
Maximum power 92 kW (125 hp) at 6500 rpm
Power per litre 66hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 32 DCF carburetors
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two magnetos
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single plate [...]
January 2, 2025Ferrari / ProvenanceWhen one thinks of Ferrari, images of sleek, high-performance sports cars speeding down scenic roads or dominating racetracks come to mind. The prancing horse emblem has become synonymous with luxury, power, and prestige. However, the journey of Ferrari as an automotive powerhouse began with a single groundbreaking vehicle: the Ferrari 125 S. This car, the first to bear the Ferrari name, represents a pivotal moment in automotive history and serves as a testament to Enzo Ferrari’s vision and determination.
The Birth of a Legend
The Ferrari 125 S made its debut on March 12, 1947, at the factory gates in Maranello, Italy. This car was the result of years of planning, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the company, had long been associated with motorsport through his work with Alfa Romeo and Scuderia Ferrari, a racing team he established in the late 1920s. However, World War II disrupted his ambitions, and he had to temporarily pivot his operations to manufacturing machine tools.
After the war, Enzo Ferrari returned to his true passion—building high-performance cars. The result was the 125 S, a car designed not only to compete on racetracks but also to establish Ferrari as a force to be reckoned with in the automotive world.
Engineering Excellence
At the heart of the Ferrari 125 S was its groundbreaking V12 engine. Designed by Gioachino Colombo, this 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine was an engineering marvel. With an output of 118 horsepower at 6,800 RPM, the engine featured a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks, a single overhead camshaft per bank, and three Weber 30 DCF carburetors. This compact yet powerful engine set the stage for Ferrari’s future dominance in both racing and road car development.
The 125 S was built on a steel tube-frame chassis, with independent double-wishbone suspension at the front and a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The car’s lightweight construction and advanced suspension system provided exceptional handling and stability, characteristics that would become hallmarks of Ferrari vehicles.
Design and Aesthetics
The 125 S was designed as a two-seater Barchetta, or “little boat,” with an open-top configuration. Its sleek, minimalist design prioritized functionality and aerodynamics. Crafted by Carrozzeria Touring, the body featured clean lines, a low profile, and a distinctive grille adorned with the Ferrari emblem. While the car’s aesthetics were relatively simple compared to later Ferrari models, its design exuded elegance and purpose.
The First Test
The Ferrari 125 S underwent its first public test drive on the streets of Maranello. This marked a historic moment not just for Ferrari but for the automotive world at large. The car’s performance impressed onlookers, and it was clear that Enzo Ferrari had created something extraordinary. However, this was just the beginning.
Racing Heritage
Enzo Ferrari’s primary goal for the 125 S was to prove its worth on the racetrack. The car made its competitive debut on May 11, 1947, at the Piacenza Circuit. Unfortunately, the debut ended in disappointment due to a mechanical failure. Despite this setback, Enzo Ferrari referred to the race as a “promising failure,” as the car had shown great potential during the initial laps.
The 125 S quickly redeemed itself. On May 20, 1947, the car achieved its first victory at the Rome Grand Prix, driven by Franco Cortese. This triumph marked the beginning of Ferrari’s illustrious racing history. Over the course of its brief career, the 125 S competed in 14 races, achieving 11 victories—an impressive feat for a debut model.
Legacy and Impact
The success of the Ferrari 125 S laid the foundation for the company’s future. It demonstrated Ferrari’s ability to produce cars that excelled in both performance and reliability. Moreover, the 125 S established key principles that would guide Ferrari’s development for decades: a focus on innovation, a commitment to excellence, and an unwavering passion for racing.
The 125 S also marked the beginning of Ferrari’s relationship with V12 engines. Over the years, this engine configuration became a defining feature of many iconic Ferrari models, including the 250 GTO, the Daytona, and the modern LaFerrari.
The Road Ahead
Although only two examples of the 125 S were ever built, their influence is immeasurable. The car’s success gave Enzo Ferrari the confidence and resources to expand his company and develop new models. In 1948, Ferrari introduced the 166 Inter, its first car designed for road use, signaling the start of Ferrari’s dual focus on road and race cars.
The legacy of the 125 S is evident in every Ferrari produced since. From its engineering innovations to its racing achievements, the 125 S embodies the spirit of Ferrari: a relentless pursuit of perfection and a passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
The Ferrari 125 S was more than just a car; it was a symbol of determination, innovation, and excellence. As the first vehicle to bear the Ferrari name, it represents the birth of an automotive legend. Through its engineering brilliance, racing success, and lasting impact, the 125 S has earned its place in history as one of the most important cars ever created.
Today, Ferrari stands as a beacon of performance and luxury, a legacy that began with the modest yet groundbreaking 125 S. This car not only launched a brand but also set the standard for what a Ferrari should be: a masterpiece of art and engineering that captures the hearts of enthusiasts around the world.
Specifications
Bore/stroke 55 x 52.5mm
Unitary displacement 124.73cc
Total displacement 1496.77cc
Compression ratio 9.5 : 1
Maximum power 87 kW (118 hp) at 6800 rpm
Power per litre 79hp/l
Maximum torque-
Valve actuation single overhead camshaft per bank, two valves per cylinder
Fuel feed three Weber 30 DCF carburetor’s
Ignition single spark plug per cylinder, two magnetos
Lubrication wet sump
Clutch single-plate
Frame tubular steel [...]
November 12, 2024Ferrari / PodcastIn this episode of Ferrari Fridays, William marks the return of the Ferrari Marketplace channel after a brief hiatus. William introduces the newly launched Ferrari F80 hypercar, highlighting its design influences from previous Ferrari models and the Le Mans-winning 499 car. He elaborates on the car’s technical specifications, including its twin-turbo V6 engine, electric motors, and all-wheel drive system. The episode also touches on Ferrari’s configurator, allowing fans to explore various options for the F80. The podcast gives shout-outs to partners and invites listeners to explore more content from the Motoring Podcast Network.
FERRARI HAS UNVEILED THE F80 AND WROTE A NEW chapter in the history of legendary supercars bearing the badge. The F80 will be produced in a limited run of just 799 examples and joins the pantheon of icons such as the GTO, F40, and LaFerrari by showcasing the best that the Maranello-based marque has achieved in terms of technology and performance.
Ever since 1984, Ferrari has periodically released a new supercar that represented the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology and innovation of its era and that was destined to become enshrined
in popular culture. Intended for the most discerning clients of the brand, these cars immediately became legends in their own lifetime, making an indelible mark not only on the history of Ferrari, but on the history of the automobile itself. The latest addition to this family, the F80, is tasked with embodying the ultimate in engineering for an internal-combustion-engined vehicle and employs all the most advanced technological solutions, including latest-generation hybrid technology for the powertrain, to achieve unparalleled levels of power and torque. Every
aspect of the architecture is conceived to maximize performance, from the carbon-fiber chassis and extreme aerodynamic solutions far beyond anything seen before in a road legal car, to the new
active suspension optimized to let the driver wring every ounce of performance from the car on the track.
Unlike anything else in the current supercar world, the F80 combines all these attributes with uncompromising levels of usability on the road, where it can be driven with ease. This ability shaped
every choice made in terms of technology and architecture to achieve the goal, which at first sight seems impossible, of creating a track-oriented supercar that’s just as drivable as a production range model.
As with all the supercars preceding it, the F80 marks the start of a new design era for Ferrari, with a more tense, extreme design language accentuating its race-bred soul. There are clear references to cues borrowed from aerospace, which underscore the cutting-edge technology and elegant engineering of each and every technical solution. But there are also nods to its hallowed progenitors which clearly declare the illustrious lineage of the F80.
LAUNCH THE F80 CONFIGURATOR
This week William discusses the launch of the new Ferrari F80. There are 35 color options, nine carbon fiber choices, two wheel designs, but can you afford any of them? Tune in to learn more.
Episode 27 – The Ferrari F80
00:00 Welcome to Ferrari Fridays
00:25 Introduction and Apologies
01:16 Shoutouts and Acknowledgements
01:38 Discussing the Ferrari F80
02:32 First Impressions of the F80
03:15 Design Influences and Features
05:30 Active Aerodynamics and Comparisons
10:58 Mechanical Details of the F80
12:39 Exclusive Ownership and Community
14:51 Discussing the F80’s Powertrain
15:43 Ferrari’s Impressive Warranty
16:31 Electric Motors and Torque Vectoring
17:11 No Full EV Mode: A Bold Choice
17:49 A Funny Lamborghini Story
18:36 Exploring the F80’s Cockpit
19:57 Diving into the F80 Configurator
23:42 Final Thoughts on the F80
25:24 Outro and Additional Content
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace channel. Yes, it’s been a while. Yes, I apologize. Yes, I know I said I was going to have a lot more stuff coming, but you know what? I got crazy busy. So, now that the temperatures are cooling, I’m going to I have some free time, so to speak. I guess that’s kind of maybe not so true, but now that I’m going to be indoors a lot more, uh, I have the time and we can start nailing out some more of these podcasts to keep you guys entertained throughout the winter.
Because as we all know, especially up here in the north, northeast, northwest, it gets cold, it gets snowy, and you really can’t take your cars out unless you’re a maniac, got all wheel drive, or you just want to have some fun. But why not? You know what? It’s a car. Car’s a car, right? So, but anyways, really want to welcome everyone back.
I appreciate you guys listening. We appreciate all the support we’re getting. Big shout out to the motoring podcast network. Big shout out to the exotic car marketplace. Big shout out to the garage style magazine. Really big shout out to Mr. Beaty and Slot Mods if you haven’t checked out Slot Mods check out the video just did on it We dropped it.
It’s on the channel on the Garage 65 channel and also to Hot Shoe Studios to Tony Thank you very much my man. But anyways, onward and upward Today’s episode we are talking about the one the only the successor The one in the lineage of many, many cars that Ferrari’s put out. The 288 GTO, F40, F50, then we went into the Enzo, then the LaFerrari, and now what do we have?
Thrrrrrrr Double! The F 80. Yes. Ferrari dropped their newest and latest hypercar today, the Ferrari F 80, keeping in line with kind of how all the names go, which I really like. You know, they could have came up with some goofy name, like La Ferrari, Ferrari, the Ferrari, which it kind of grows on you. But anyways, I, I like that going kind of at 40.
F50. Bam. Let’s go with F80. Yeah, you got a couple in there in between, but I like the continuation and keeping that lineage going. I really, I kind of dig it. So, anyways, first impressions, me personally, love it. I think the thing is awesome. It, uh, doesn’t, you know, I guess if you look a lot of these hyper cars that come out, you know, they all have the same look to them, the same kind of style, everything like that.
Now, of course, you have to understand, as everyone knows, a lot of these, the design aspect of things is aerodynamic driven. So you kind of have to all of a sudden reverse engineer, so to speak about your aerodynamics, what do you want to achieve performance wise? So then what do you do? Okay, here’s what we want to achieve.
Okay. What do we need to do? Drag all that kind of stuff. So, but what I really, really dig and you can see it as soon as you, you know, when you start looking at it, get those first images. It’s not, I want to say you’re spitting, you know, image replica of it, but you can see the heavy, heavy, heavy influence.
The Le Mans winning 499 car has on it. It’s got that it’s, it’s low, it’s why the cockpit’s a little bit more narrow than the body, you know, it’s not going out to the edges. It’s got a really, really cool look to it. I really dig it. It’s definitely going to stand out when wherever at the lucky bastards that get to buy one.
Uh, hopefully they drive them and take them out. Uh, but you know, it’s just got a really. Really muscular mean look to it when you’re staring at it. You know, it’s uh, the silhouette and everything like that It’s just got that very 499 esque look to it, which is really cool. Now the one thing you will see in the front They kind of pull it off of the new 12 cylinder If I pronounce that right, probably not.
But anyways, they got that dark color, the band going across to replicate from the Daytona back in the day, which had just kind of a tidbit. Everyone else, it was never officially called the Daytona from the factory. The writers and media nicknamed that and dubbed it the Daytona after obviously the 24 hours Daytona and it competing it and saw it actually, that thing came out of the factory.
It was just a three 65. So, but. Media dubbed it so but anyways you look at the front and you’ll see they’re going across and for those of you that don’t know that going across what happened was or what it is is the European cars that were built or when they built the 365 that actually the designer they put as a plexiglass it went all the way across it was clear and actually put these really cool like little lines and everything like that.
You check it out because you know, the headlights were reset, recessed in to the front there. So the plexiglass went all the way across the front. So that’s where they look. But the problem was is here in the, uh, old lucky USA we are because the morons in, uh, the, uh, in Washington DC decided, Oh no, you know, your headlights are too low, whatnot, because your headlights had to be a certain height or like that.
So. The 365 and that stuff here is they were pop ups. So once they popped up, they met the minimum requirement for height wise. So to kind of get that same look, you know, they would paint that, that color or whatnot to kind of give it that look. So hence that’s why. But anyways, back to the F80. So you look at the front.
You know, it’s really cool and obviously there’s a lot of the active aero going on. There’s a lot of that, you know, going, but you know, it’s, it’s not, it doesn’t jump out at you. It doesn’t have like all these little flap things and all this stuff like that. It’s all kind of tucked underneath the nose and that.
So which is really cool. And a lot of stuff’s underneath. So it’s not really kind of overpowering the car having all these little, Doodads and gadgets and whatnot on the front and all these little lines breaking up the whole, I guess you’d say, view of it because you got all these little flaps popping up and into that stuff, you know, a la, like, if you look at Pagani’s and whatnot like that, you know, they got all these flaps that pop up and everything like that to help control it, uh, aerodynamics and that, but the problem is it really kind of messes up the lines, but that’s just me personally.
So, now going around, like I said, the, you know, the, uh, The greenhouse you got the cockpit. It’s really cool. How it’s kind of shrunk into the car I guess you don’t speak so you got shoulders to it going all the way down So it’s not like you have smooth on the side It’s really neat and then when you open up the doors, you’ll see the tub to it Which is really really cool get ahead of myself though because that’s we’re getting in the interior But the only one drawback I have with this when you get into the back gas and looking at it It looks like a C8.
Yes, it does. It’s one of my first impressions. I saw it go. Wow, that looks very C8 ish Um, I think there could have been something they could have done with the lights maybe Uh, the taillights something along those lines kind of get it away, but it’s got a very very far Chevrolet C8 esque look to it. Now that’s just me I don’t know.
And it’s kind of one of those things. Now I mentioned it whatnot. People can’t, can’t unsee it. That’s kind of like that new Bugatti turbulent lawn, whatever it is. If you look at it, put it up next to a pig snout, take a picture of a pig in a snout, put up the new Bugatti next to it. You cannot unsee that.
It looks like a pig snout. So, but anyways, so it’s very CA desk. So, but it still looks damn sexy. And again, that back wing is active arrow. So it’s going to either, you know, for breaking, it’s going to be an airbrake. It’s going to tilt down. It’s going to level out for top speed, everything like that and go around.
So it’s really cool. It’s neat tricks. This is obviously the. The, uh, generation or genre or whatever you wanna call it, the uh, what the, what we’re in now with all the electronics and everything on these cars, you know, and it just, you know what, it just kind of scares me down the road though. I’ll be dead.
So, um, but people that are gonna have to deal with this, you know, you look at your, your pre-war car, your brass air cars, you stuff all the way up to the, you know, eighties, even into the nineties, you know. You can still work on them yourself technically, because it was very basically your straightforward car.
You know, you started getting into having, you know, your on board computer to do diagnostics and that, but it was super, super basic. So you could still work on the car yourself. Get in there with the wrench and ratchet and all that. These cars this day and age, starting in the 2000s and whatnot, forget about it, because you’ll screw it up.
And, uh, obviously, that’s almost done, like, yeah, you’re gonna get for performance and whatnot. Yeah, it’s supposed to, you know, improve things, but it goes along the lines where these, Manufacturers want to control every aspect of these cars, you know, not just selling it, but then after sale maintenance, everything like that, beyond warranty and stuff, because you have some of these guys, well, the warranty will get voided if you don’t take it to an authorized dealer.
Which is insane. I mean, that’s just, I don’t know. I just don’t understand that, you know? And so, but anyway, so look at the car back to the F80. So exterior wise, everything like that. It’s stunning. I really like it. I’m sure there’s going to be other people that hate it, but that’s all it is because everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.
But I said, like I said, I really liked the fact is it’s separating itself away from what some of these other ones have come out with. Now the AMG one, Came out so to speak recently, but IE that means it was, you know, customer deliveries, but we’ve been seeing that car since what, 2017. Um, you know, McLaren just came out with the W1, but they kind of mismatched in there the Senna.
And the 750 and whatnot. So you can see a lot of influences there. So, but McLaren, technologically great car performance, everything like that. But, you know, there’s a reason they’re nicknamed McCarrens. So, um, but you know, so that’s what I really love about the Ferrari. It’s kind of separating itself away from it.
Big jump, big step away from LaFerrari itself too, which is great to see. Now, supposedly Porsche is coming out with also another one here somewhere. It’s kind of, you know, um, I really haven’t heard much about it. Maybe you guys have, but supposedly Porsche also is coming out. Now it’s interesting to see what Lamborghini is going to do.
Cause now obviously Lamborghini has got their Rovalto. It’s awesome car. Um, to having some gremlin issues, a little, you know, stuff like that, growing pains to be in a new car. But, with them entering into the WEC next year, you almost gotta wonder, are they gonna drop some sort of hyper, hyper car? On the public, you know, something to go online to what they have that we see.
So it’d be interesting to see that would be really cool to see Lamborghini jump into that hyper car game. Um, you know, for what they build, because, you know, they like to really, I would say, break the mold, but push the boundaries, you know, and get very bold and daring with their designs or they, which is fantastic.
Um, you know, but here’s the thing, like with the Ferrari, every like, you know, these things, they’re all going to smaller motors and turbos and everything like that. So, Let’s get into the F80 and it’s mechanicals. So we got going on there. Yes, sadly it is a v6 So, no V12, no V10, no V8. Yes, it is a twin turbo V6.
Now, the one cool thing about this is, it’s basically the same motor that is in the 296 that just came out, which is an impressive, impressive car. Obviously, you know, it’s still half a million dollars, but what you get power and performance wise out of that V6 is unbelievable. So, it’s, obviously, it’s running the twin turbos, but the twin turbos are electronic.
So, they have electric power to spool them up quicker. So basically it, I’m not going to say a hundred percent. It completely eliminates turbo lag, but it’s pretty dang close that you really even, you know, normal person driving it. They won’t even know that there’s any lag or what’s in that. Now you can get your guys out there that used to driving performance cars, race cars, they might feel that little twinge in their foot and whatnot, but you know, they race cars and they, they, every little slight thing, You know, they’re bred to know that, but no person driving this, you know, and the, uh, the twat that can afford it to buy it, you know, the, you know, uh, he won’t know because it’s clueless.
So, you know, he might drive the thing 500 feet, you know, just to say, look at me, I own this. He’ll drive it from where it was, comes off to the, uh, transporter under the show field, or even if that may not even drive at 10 feet. So. That’s sad, but it is what it is. It’s where we live in cars, 3 million plus.
So obviously you gotta have very, very deep pockets for this. People that buy this car obviously had to be selected by Ferrari. So individuals that are selected to buy this car obviously have many, many, many other Ferraris. I’ll give you a point. In fact, Mr. David Lee, love that guy. He’s awesome. If you ever get a chance to cross paths with him, go up and talk to him.
Introduce yourself. David’s a phenomenal guy. Super, super nice. And he will just tell you, he’s a super, super guy, not pretentious whatsoever. Super nice, willing to talk to you about everything and anything Ferrari. But again, he did a cool video because the people that got selected, they got sent a key for it.
And what, so he did a video on it. Which is really cool, so I guess that’s, and I don’t know if they knew they were getting it, I have no idea how that part of it works, uh, you know, I’m not in that boat, I don’t have that kind of money, um, but it’s um, it was really cool to see, but anyways, so if those select few, they’re gonna be able to get this car, hopefully they, they take him out, they drive him, I know Mr.
David Lee will. Uh, and get it out there in front of the public and let people see it and enjoy, you know, just enjoy it. The cool thing would be if they went the route like Mr. Hamilton does up there with his cars. You know, that was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. When in Columbus at triple F collections, the event, the event, or whatever I call it, Mr.
Hamilton had his cars there and he lets people sit in them. The lines are, I mean, in his Bugattis, everything’s Bugattis doors open. Just get in the line. You get in there. You can sit in there for, I don’t know if he had a time down there. If you like similar for 30 seconds or whatnot, it didn’t seem like it, but Hey, people get in there.
They could take selfies, photos, whatnot, everything like that, which is awesome to see. Cause again, it’s a car. Let people enjoy it too as well. You know, you’re in blast and that’s what I think. Uh, Mr. Hamilton’s a fantastic guy. And again, him and Tommy, super, super nice guys. Don’t ever be afraid to go up and talk to those guys.
They will talk to you. Hey, you know, they’re not going to be pretentious about it. So if you haven’t listened to this podcast there, uh, Mr. Hamilton, they love to come up and chat with you some more. Personal just to kind of get to know you, uh, jump on the podcast. We’ll have a chat. So, but if you have to get this, we’ll see if you can, uh, maybe we can set something up.
You’re just in Chicago. I’m here in Cleveland. You’re nothing but a four and a half, five hour drive away. So, but anyways, back to the F80. So we’re getting into the cards, twin turbo V6, three electric motors. The uh, V6 itself is putting out la, just a little under 900 horsepower, like 884 horsepower. Um, roughly in that neighborhood, 800, between 880 and 885.
That’s what they’re stating. Now, what’s the interesting thing is, because being the fact it’s the same motors in the 296, it’s pumping out almost 237 more horsepower than the 296. Same pretty much motor and that, but they, you know, worked their magic and they’re able to squeeze it out. Could you imagine if they were tweaking that and that 296 and pumping out that kind of horsepower on that?
Which, my guess, if you got someone that knows how to operate, you know, uh, ECU management, everything like that, and have them plug in and do it, I’m sure you could probably figure it out pretty quickly and how to jump it up there. My guess it would void your warranty. Uh, and Ferrari’s got it! Outstanding warranty on their new cars.
I mean, it’s unbelievable what you get on that. I want to say I think is now it’s seven years unlimited mileage because they know these people aren’t gonna go nuts on mileage. Um, and bumper to bumper, everything like that. I mean, loaner cars, the whole nine yards. So kudos to Ferrari for standing behind their product in regards to stuff like that.
I mean, that’s unbelievable. So, but anyways, so twin turbo V six. So you got the, you got the V6, turbo spooling up, going and thing, you got about 885 horsepower roughly. So then you jump in with your three motors. You got two in the front and you got one in the rear, in the rear axle. Your two front ones and that stuff puts your total output to about 1, 200 horsepower.
To about 2. 1 seconds, 0 to 60. It’s roughly in that range. Two seconds. So, um, you know, it’s, it’s rather impressive, I must say, but what helps is all wheel drive because the electric motor is in the front, motor in the back, so you got your grip, you’re just going at it, going at it, going at it. Now with the electric motors on the front of that, you do have torque vectoring, so in regards to that stuff, you don’t have to have rear wheel steering on this because it’s Plenty going, you know what you have there And it wouldn’t be even actually necessary No So and it saves a nice bunch of weight because you’re not putting steering mechanisms as enough on the back wheels So it’s really cool to see that so those things are powering up gets going now the one thing this does not have Like some of the other ones came out.
There is no like full EV mode. There isn’t somewhere where you could drive safe Four miles, eight miles in an electric only. Nope, doesn’t have it, which I think is kind of cool. So some people might frown upon that because you got these guys. I mean, it’s like a neat party trick though. You know, it’s, you know, as they say, you know, you can start it up and go in your electric boat.
So you’re not waking up your neighbors or whatnot. Some along those lines. But it is what it is, you know, hey just have at it just go for it So I think that was kind of interesting. They said F that we’re not gonna do that It’s just hey you get going and right at it. I said I saw this real cool Short on YouTube the other day.
It was a guy. He had a Lamborghini It looked like he was a doctor because he does scrubs but someone had left a note I don’t know if it was a Murcielago or Diablo, uh, what he had, or maybe it was, I think it was an Aventador. Uh, I don’t know what kind of exhaust he had on it, but obviously it was pretty loud.
He’s in a parking garage by and far. Someone left a note that says, you know, to whom it may, to the person or individual owns the Lamborghini. You know, you’re leaving early and your car is very loud, blah, blah, blah. So it showed him actually pushing the car. out to a spot so then it wasn’t loud and whatnot.
It was great. It was like, that’s cool, man. It’s being real considerate. It’s like, you know, uh, appreciate that much respect for him. But anyways, back to the car. So we’re getting to the powertrain got to all that. So you’re putting down impressive power numbers. So let’s go into the cockpit. Now they have, they have a designated original design thoughts was we’re going to do a single senior.
It was like, no, it just really doesn’t fit what for, you know, that ain’t it. So they call it plus one. Which, which is a little baffling. It’s, um, 1. 5, whatever it is. Look up how they state it. It’s kind of humorous. Basically, it is, I mean, there’s a passenger seat, but what it is, it’s staggered just a smidge behind the driver’s seat, uh, to kind of give you that feel like they’re not right next to you and everything like that.
But what that does though is, you can actually get things closer to each other so you can kind of shrink that cockpit a little bit. Uh, width wise, because you kind of get things tucked in a little bit tighter. Now, the one cool thing is Also, I say one thing, the one cool, another cool thing is the fact is all these ones you see, they got the screen, they got it on the Pro Sangway, they had it, you know, all these other ones that started in the FF and that stuff, you know, so the patch you can’t see is going to change the screen.
Now there’s a configurator on there, and if I understood the configurator, you can delete that and not have that if you don’t want that. If you don’t want your patch, you’re dealing with that stuff or dicking around and touching, you know, which I personally do, I’d say get rid of it. They don’t need to see what’s going on.
Tough shit. So, um, But anyways, it’s, it’s neat that you can have that option. So another thing is too is it’s two different colored seats. Now, again, you want to go and spend and waste hours and hours and hours going to the Friar website. They have an F80 configurator up. And you can just go nuts. I got on there.
I was trying to pick this, you know, learn everything about it and get all the notes and everything. And I think I was on the configurator for about two and a half hours, just doing different colors, doing everything like that. There’s a lot of options. It’s really cool. I mean, you can’t go too nuts in regards to like, you know, carbon fiber add ons and everything like that.
There are some, but. There’s so many different color combinations. Color combinations you can do with the seat, the seatbelts and stitching. Um, I mean, it’s just, it’s really cool. All your exterior color choices and everything like that. You know, it’s, it’s awesome. I tell you, I mean, even if you’re not the biggest Ferrari fan, go on there and do it because it’s a lot of fun.
There’s a lot of different configurations you can do. You can get nuts with it. It’s really cool. The one thing I really liked, Also was for the wheels. You can go full carbon fiber if you want. Uh, but you can keep the lip like silver. But you can also get just basically standard, you know, aluminum wheels.
I believe they’re aluminum. Uh, on there so they’re silver. Go back to how it used to be. You know, this trend with black wheels got, I don’t know how long ago it started. It was, you know, some years ago. Yeah. I don’t know if it was, you know, making it look meaner or menacing, but I think it also had more to do with hide and break dust.
Uh, but it was a trend and all of a sudden it went all the way down to, you know, SUVs and whatnot, you order it from the factory and buy it, it’s got black wheels, but it’s really cool to see that they’re going back to having silver. Silver wheels. Now, I wouldn’t necessarily go all the way back to doing what they used to do in the 80s and 90s, doing chrome.
Yeah, leave that back then. Leave it alone. Leave it back to history. Silver, though, looks cool. It gives really that cool contrast to it. Uh, it was nice to see, you know, Matt Armstrong. Uh, I believe it was on his, uh, Nissan, his GTR he did, he kept them silver and it just, it’s very, I don’t want to say retro, but it’s, it gives it a really kind of different look compared to what everyone’s kind of used to with the black wheels.
So it’s cool to see that, uh, but then you get into like seat colors, y’all can tear all this stuff. I’m telling you. Go on the website and just start messing around with the Farquhar configurator. Now, the other, funny thing I thought with the configurators when you get done, there’s the option to send it to a dealer.
To your local dealer. Now, mind you, all these cars are sold. Mind you, these things are 3 million plus dollars. Uh, but you had the option, when you get done, to save it, send it to a dealer. I’m curious to see what happens. I set mine to a dealer. I want to see if I get a phone call. Cause I mean here, it’s kind of one of those scenarios that, okay, you have something that’s screwed around.
I mean, is it going to waste a lot of these guys time salesman? Oh, I’m sure. I’m sure they’re going to get super annoyed cause they’re going to just get these jokers just doing, you know, 50, 60 different configurations a day and just sending each one to the dealer. You know, so, but you know what, it’s fun.
And it’s not like the dealer’s got to like do any work and produce a car. Cause they’re all sold. So what’s the difference? Let people have some fun, but I’m curious to see what they do. Do they take to the point where they take down the information? Hey, this, they could maybe buy, you know, a new SF 90 or something, which, you know, people are just not buying, um, and resales gone in the tank.
Um, so I don’t know, this is kind of, kind of fun little tidbit, but like I said, definitely check out the configurator. You can spend, you can waste a lot of your day and be careful because if you start some point in the morning and you’re at work. Before you know it’s going to be time to go home and you got absolutely nothing done But you did configure about 50 different types of ferrari f80s.
You could buy option and color wise So was it productive in my mind? Yes your boss probably not so much So but anyways, so getting back to the car So again, you know, my impression, I love it. I think it’s fantastic. I can’t wait to see what out on the road driving kind of get some impressions. Uh, cool to see what some of these guys do on it.
Uh, go on YouTube. Top gear does an awesome walk around of, obviously their time is limited. Uh, Tim, Mr. AKA shmi 150. He did another one too, cause he’s really in deep with the Ferrari. Cause as anyone that watches this channel, subscribe to his channel, um, he’s got a Uh, so he’s kind of getting in there. Good graces.
So they probably offered him one, but I don’t know if his, uh, his channel has gotten to the point where he can afford a 3 million car, but he’s getting up there. I mean, he bought himself that new SF 90. Uh, he’s bought a couple other cars that are not cheap. So, and the one cool thing you also know about Tim, Tim’s a very, very savvy, smart guy, financially wise.
So, you know, You’re smart with your money. There’s a lot of good things you can do, make your money work for you. So there’s a lot of cool things you could do. So anyways, precious of the F80 love it. Can’t wait to see it out on the road. Definitely go on the configurator, go check it out, have some fun with it, really dive deep into it.
There’s a lot of cool little nuances to it. You know, again, you know, they didn’t go totally nuts in regards to electronics and most stuff, but they did enough to it. Um, so it, it’s a, I want to say, I’m not going to say perfect followup to the LaFerrari, but I will say as a successor to the LaFerrari, they hit it.
They did a heck of a job with it. It’s outstanding. Kudos, Ferrari. It’s outstanding. So, alright guys, I appreciate you listening. Stay tuned for more. Like I said, I got some more, uh, a lot more, uh, episodes coming out here in the near future. So stay tuned, this was going to drop rather quick, so, uh, but be sure to, uh, like and subscribe and check out what else, uh, Motoring Podcast Network has in their arsenal.
You gotta check out John Summers, he’s got some cool stuff on there. Like I said, you also gotta check out Brake Fix, we got some really cool ones on there as well. Mr. Beatty’s on there, uh, if you haven’t, We got Mario Andretti on there. There’s some really cool people on there. And you gotta listen to some of the other ones on there from the ACO we got here in the USA.
They said, um, there’s also some really cool stuff. with the IMRCC as well. So take a listen to that stuff. Subscribe, get on Patreon. Uh, there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff you can get access to with that as well. I know a lot of people likes getting all the little nooks and crannies. Some people like reading just the show notes itself instead of listening to it, they’d rather read everything.
So it’s a lot of cool stuff. So. Definitely sign up for our Patreon, get all the cool stuff, check out what else we got on Motoring Podcast Network, and remember, stay tuned, we got a lot more cool stuff coming. Thanks guys, really appreciate it, hang in there, more to come, later.
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very much for watching, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
November 1, 2024Ferrari / PodcastOn Ferrari Friday’s, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breath the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing; drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales and trends in the collector market.
This week William crosses over with Crew Chief Eric from Break/Fix Podcast to talk about the Netflix Series, Car Masters: Rust to Riches, Sixth Season, and the conclusion of their journey into high-end exotics and the Ferrari saga.
Episode 29: MODDED.
William Ross: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace. You know me, William. And I got my buddy and partner here, Eric, on the other side of this. And we’re going to revisit, I guess you could say. We had a review of the Car Masters episodes being shown on Netflix. It kind of left it at a cliffhanging moment, which they really didn’t go back into more into season six.
They just went a completely different route. I don’t know what they’re thinking at Counts Customs. Oh, I mean, I’m sorry.
Crew Chief Eric: Gotham Garage.
William Ross: So if anyone’s watching. Every time I see their gates, it says Gothico. I’m just thinking it looks just like Count’s Custom. Man, are they just like copying those guys or what’s the deal?
Crew Chief Eric: Picture it, January 2024 when Season 5 came out. This is the first time Car Masters has aired what I call the second half or the next season in the same year because we’ve gone so long between seasons you almost forget. you’re like, Oh shoot, another season of car masters.
William Ross: Honestly, till you said something about it. I had completely forgot about the show. It was out of my mind.
Crew Chief Eric: If you’re watching this behind the scenes of Patreon, I dress the part. I got my beanie logo and I’m looking my best Mark Towley. Right. I don’t have the ponytail like he does, but you know, I figured I got to dress the part to get into the mood for this.
William Ross: Do you think that ponytail is real?
Crew Chief Eric: No, I think he’s bald. He’s bald under there.
William Ross: Well, I guess you would say start with season five. It was absolutely horrendous what these people did to this 360. It just got even worse for season six that just got released. There were some Ferraris involved in the beginning. There’s one at the end. We’ll get to that.
Crew Chief Eric: You and I talked about the green monster, the 360. And as you mentioned, the season ended on a cliffhanger, which now we find out is West Coast exotics. touring the dealership. And at the time, Nick Smith presented a package deal, this sort of ultimatum, all or nothing, get into the high end community with a navy blue Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, and then a Ferrari 458 Italia that were supposed to be customized with no confirmed client. Bargain combo for the low, low price of 290K. And you’re sitting there going, how the hell are you getting these two cars for 300 grand? That just doesn’t make sense.
William Ross: Yeah, what’s going on with that?
Crew Chief Eric: So they left us there. Again, as my wife likes to point out when we watch the show together, it always sort of feels like half a season at a time is what we’re getting.
And okay, so be it. So when we start season six, we’re sort of doubling down. We find ourselves Resetting the entire scene like all right guys forget what happened in season five We’re at west coast exotics again, and we’re presented with two ferraris and we’re like wait What happened to the blue car and the black car?
Now we got a white car and a yellow car and instead of a 612 and a 458 We’ve got a F8 Tributo and a 488 GTB.
William Ross: Yeah, completely changed. Completely different car.
Crew Chief Eric: But the deal remains the same. 300, 000 for these two cars. And I’m scratching my head. Even my wife’s going, one of these has to be worth 300, 000 by itself. There’s no way.
William Ross: Well, that’s what was baffling me. It’s like, all right, is it got a salvage title? There’s something more to that story on those cars that they obviously don’t go into at all. If I walked into a dealership and says, Oh, you can have this basically three year old car and five year old car for a two year old grand boat that both retailed over 300 grand brand new, just a few years ago. It’s not like they’re depreciating that bad.
Crew Chief Eric: No.
William Ross: I would have said done, but obviously there’s a lot more to, Hey, what’s the story behind these cars and whatnot. That’s why I’m saying maybe they’re salvatized and whatnot because their intent was anyways to hack them up.
Crew Chief Eric: Which is true of the 360 that they modified. That car was an accident car, an insurance car, a repo car. It was missing pieces, bumpers, all sorts of stuff. So in that sense, it made sense. We’re going to take a salvage title. Well, we don’t need to rehash that. There’s a whole episode on that thing. So again, we find ourselves at West Coast Exotics with this yellow 488 coupe and a white F8 Tributo.
And you maintain a Ferrari market value index on your website. And correct me if I’m wrong, William, the F8 is trending at 350 grand by itself. And the 488 is around 250 grand. How did they end up with a two for one deal of 300k when, to me, that adds up to basically 700, 000 in car?
William Ross: That’s even under wholesale.
That’s the other thing, too, that was kind of a scratch in my head, because I would love to know what the hell the background story was on those cars. You know, you go look at wholesale numbers on that, That’s still way, way under wholesale numbers. So it’s like, what is the story behind this car? Again, they didn’t get into it.
So who knows, but there was no physical attributes looking at the car saying, well, okay, there’s a ding here, scratch here, dah, dah, dah. There was really nothing very blatant saying, all right, I can see why they’re so cheap. They look fine to me. So, I mean, unless they had a hundred thousand miles each on them and.
That was a steal and a half. I mean, that was just a no brainer. Just taking those just to flip them. Yeah. They might’ve sat on them for a bit, but I mean, you’re going to make money one way or another on those cars as we’ll get into what they did with one of them. But that’s still a head scratcher to me, how that came about.
And no other things, baby. And again, that bean bowl wholesale. And even if those cars have been sitting there for six, seven, eight, nine months, you know, obviously just taking up space, how they have their dealerships set up. If they’re doing floor financing or what they’re doing on that, if they’re paying a nut on that every month or smart way to do it is know you own everything because you pay cash.
I mean, that’s the best way to ever set up your dealership if you ever get into that industry. I don’t know, maybe West Coast Exotics thought, well, hey, all right, put our name out there with this. You give us five, 10 minutes of the screen time. And that turns into, Hey, advertising, marketing for us. So we can duck this because, Hey, we’re getting exposure.
Cause you have X amount of viewers and whatever, blah, blah, blah, Netflix. I mean, I don’t know.
Crew Chief Eric: I think in Hollywood, they call that product placement.
William Ross: There you go. There’s so many ways to skin a pig, right?
Crew Chief Eric: Unlike the 360 that they trailered in, they drove both those cars and they’re street legal. They ran, they seem to have almost zero issues whatsoever.
William Ross: Well, before we delve into these two cars, I kind of want to get into their mindset, what they’re thinking in regards to, Oh, we’re going to take our garage this way. This is what we’re going to get more high end stuff that I, cause they think, Oh, we’ve struck the muddle load. You know, they just gaudied up this 360 and whatever rich meth head they got to buy that car.
Is beyond me so they’re thinking oh, we got this thing and you know, they made good money on the car So I was saying what they say 45 grand or something like that.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah in profit
William Ross: So he’s got all his costs everything labor and that stuff covered in that and so there’s 45 grand profit Well, you can’t ignore that say hey We’re onto something and
Crew Chief Eric: I like that he had enough leftover paint that he resprayed his truck the same color as the ferrari.
William Ross: Oh my god – Florida have mercy.
Crew Chief Eric: Did you notice the corvette? That he had in the background that was also matching the truck.
William Ross: You know, it kills me. Is there a, Oh, and he’s always saying, Oh, I’m the creative one. I have all these, uh, just let my juices flow. Give me creative control. I’m just going to do it. I was like, Oh my God, I’ve seen what you do.
That’d be a nightmare. If anyone’s watched this show, they’re not going to give you creative control because it’s horrendous. Nick should understand. I don’t know if anyone’s looked into his background. He’s got a little dealership, you know, he delves into these little cars I mean, he’s not all just Ferraris, Lamborghinis, stuff like that.
He gets into lesser expensive products.
Crew Chief Eric: And he’s known for vintage bikes as his thing.
William Ross: Yeah, how he got dang this, who knows, but it was like no real thought and conversation was had. Nick understands that market, that industry, those clients in regards to how it’s gonna work and what these people are and how they are.
Those other guys, they had no clue and they’re just kind of going off base and it seems like Nick should have sat down and had a very, very serious conversation with him and got him, I would say, sign off, but say, look, and hammered his home five, six, seven different times to him. Say, do you understand? No one’s going to give you carte blanche unless they’re just Incredibly stupid or as we’ll get into with that McLaren in a future episode to someone’s a youtuber They just want to get views and hits and whatnot.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah,
William Ross: that was a head scratch to me, too It’s like oh my god They’re just jumping in with just completely blind not understand us at all and thinking oh We’re gonna make 50 grand and all these we’re just gonna make these things look ugly as shit But anyways continue
Crew Chief Eric: there comes a couple of points in the first half of the season where Nick is like look whatever you do Has to be not so much subtle, but it needs to be in line with the ethos of Ferrari. Because if you do something drastic, the value of the car is going to plummet significantly. That 350 grand that that Tributo is worth. If they just sold it at that moment, take a hundred grand off the car easily because who wants a highly customized F8 Tributo or a 488 GTB or whatever. Now let’s get into his plan a little bit.
Because I didn’t disagree with his thought process. The execution is something else. Mark turned his attention on the white car. Satin white finished F8 Tributo. And they kind of parked the 488, which was in Giallo, which is yellow, off to the side. And they’re like, we’ll deal with that car later. Okay, fine.
When he first shows the plan for the Tributo, I went, ooh. F40. I like this. I see where you’re going. That’s kind of neat. You know, wide body is his thing and big wheels and, and all that kind of stuff.
William Ross: I’m glad you saw that. That was just a total rip off of an F40 front.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah. And I was like, okay, I can live with that.
Now the back end is always a problem. And we’ll get to that as we continue talking about these cars. But the front, I was like, okay, I’m on board. I would love to see you do this, but how are you going to do this without destroying the car? And in my opinion, that would have meant taking the hood off, taking the bumper off, taking the fenders off, making it so you could convert the car back to what it originally was.
But you’re going to have to create an F40 clamshell from scratch. And I don’t know that that was money and time well spent in that sense. They nipped that in the bud pretty quick. Nick turns around and tells him, the guy wants some vinyls, suspension adjustment, and he wants wheels, and a couple other little just simple mods.
You could tell everybody was like, why are we doing this? What’s the point? Which at that moment, my wife turns and goes, you know, sometimes it’s okay to just be a tuner shop. If that’s what the clientele wants and you can make profit on wheels and you can make profit on an exhaust profits, profit, exactly.
So I didn’t take issue with it. I do think it was a huge letdown because there was all this buildup to what they were going to do with the tributo. And it’s like. Okay, well you added two vinyl stripes and you put on some actually kind of neat looking wheels.
William Ross: Yeah, it wasn’t bad. I liked them.
Crew Chief Eric: I did love that the gotham garage shield double g thing was glued on and you could see them like With 3m tape like putting it on you knew that was coming right off.
William Ross: Oh exactly. Yeah That’s another thing too, you know, and you see a lot of those that you see on TV and stuff and do that. And you see it in this series too, putting their name, everything on that. And you’re putting it out there, but you know, it’s Gaudi’s it up so bad. I mean, and that logo sticking up there on the front.
I mean, that’s a scenario where it’s saying, Hey, do you mind? Hey, if we do this and this, and I’d be like, if I didn’t mind, I’d be like, well, then take some money off. Cause that’s advertising for you.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah. That is a weird situation to be in. Now. I do think that those Gotham garage emblems came off pretty quickly after the car was the West coast.
William Ross: Yeah.
Crew Chief Eric: I did check their inventory to see if either of those two cars are still there, and they’re not. Not available, not for sale, so whether they haven’t updated or they took them down because the show is airing or whatever, but they don’t list them as available there. So, the Tributo, all well and good aesthetically.
Nothing drastic, nothing major. The Italian stripes, Lended more to like the Lamborghini performante, which came with those stripes from the factory is kind of the same idea, especially offset asymmetrical. Okay. Nothing really original there. That’s fine. Now the exhaust swap was kind of interesting, but they didn’t make that exhaust.
They bought that exhaust. That was a bolt on competition replacement exhaust or whatever, which then they had issues with.
William Ross: Well, that’s the other thing too, is they didn’t get into this. Oh, we got the guys coming over. They’re going to die. Not see what the hell is going on with it. Why it’s coming up. Then they didn’t explain, oh, here’s what happened.
So obviously, I guess they fixed it. Maybe it’s just going into the ECU. So, but I mean, you have no clue.
Crew Chief Eric: Swap two vacuum lines because it’s a baffled exhaust and away they went. What clued me in there is when they called West Coast and brought the guys over to Quote unquote, fix the car or at least help them fix the car.
My wife and I pause and we were like, so is this the new deal? They’re going to be doing the tuning work for West coast because they don’t do their own tuning. They’re the dealership. They just want to flip the cars and sell them. That’s not a bad relationship. That’s not a bad side hustle to have. It’s like, here’s a bill of materials.
That the client wants you guys take care of it. We give you three or four points on the deal and the margin on the parts or whatever, and away you go. But that’s not what Mark wants, right? Mark wants to cut these cars up.
William Ross: Which is sad because it’s like to Nick’s point, it takes time. You got to build up.
One, I mean, that’s a great upsell for West Coast, because if a guy comes in and says, well, I like that, but I want some more zing to it, I’m like, well, hey, tell you what, this is what we can do. We have a partner we work with, what’s your thoughts and ideas, and we can get it done for you and do the upsell, you know, and right there, the dealership can tack on crap loads of profit into that.
And then, like you said, market stuff in the back end, but what happens is, is the dealer says, hey, this is who we partner with, so they know who it is. So. What do they do when they get tired of that after six months a year or whatnot, or they got all their hits and everything they wanted on their channels and Instagram.
They go back to Gotham, say, Hey, tell you what, I need a new wrap. I need this, dah, dah, dah. Then you all of a sudden you get in repeat business. And then now this person is coming direct to you. So you got the full boat, you know, on this stuff. It’s very short sighted thinking and it’s kind of like ego getting in the way.
And especially how they have that set up. Cause that’s the other thing too, is I know in the earlier season and how they originally set this up is, is they all share in the profits. Now, like these people are getting an hourly, nothing like that, unless they changed it. I don’t know, but my understanding is they all share in the profits and whatnot.
So this is all of them. Basically. It’s like an employee owned shop in essence, ESOP, whatever it is. Profit’s profit. And it’s not like they got 50 cars or 20 car jobs lined up, and you can turn and burn those things in a day or two.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah.
William Ross: That’s easy money. Buying the wheels, fixing the stance, the exhaust might take a bit, but doing the vinyl wrap, whatever on it, that’s a day or two depending on the extent of it.
And it gets them into that market. That’s the thing that I just don’t understand. He does not see it.
Crew Chief Eric: And we’re still just talking about the first episode. And one thing that Nick said towards the end of that episode is, And I thought it was code for something. You know, you could tell there was tension between him and Mark.
Like, things weren’t going well for a while. And you have to imagine, ten months has gone by. or longer since they shot and released season 5 to season 6 and all that kind of stuff. But Nick says, and he keeps saying, we got lucky with the 360.
William Ross: I was catching that too and I was like, damn straight. And that goes back to my comment, whatever meth head rich guy they got to buy that thing is, man they should have been thanking the man upstairs for that because god that thing was so ugly.
You know, I, I’m using the word someone said on the show, they use that. And I was like, that is just sums everything up right there in that car. Cause it was just absolutely gaudy as anything. I mean, that’s, I was just got stupid money and saying, ah, you know what? I’m going to be on the show and I don’t care.
I got dropped 160, 170 grand wherever it was. They sold it for, you know, and who cares? You know, he’s just got dumb money.
Crew Chief Eric: Look at it this way. A year later, we’re still talking about the green monster. So,
William Ross: yeah, I mean, I, yeah, I guess. Yeah. What, what’s that saying? It is
Crew Chief Eric: all publicity is good publicity, even if it’s bad.
William Ross: There you go. Yeah. Unless you’re Diddy.
Crew Chief Eric: Let’s talk a little bit about the 488 sitting in the corner. We don’t know what the heck’s going on with this Giallo 488 GTB.
William Ross: That yellow is beautiful. I mean, and that’s a factory colored car. Even that we makes it a little, I would say rare, but
Crew Chief Eric: I’m not a fan of yellow Ferraris, but the 488 wears it well, which is surprising.
You know what I mean? I’m like, ah, actually it looks pretty good. I think the 488 honestly looks worse in red. You know, if I had to choose between ketchup and mustard, probably go with the yellow in that case. Granted, I’m a big fan of gray and black Ferraris, but that’s a whole nother story, right? We sort of pan left suddenly, and Nick shows up with a McLaren.
Like, after the F8’s gone, we’re on to the next exotic, and I’m like, McLaren? Okay.
William Ross: Out of left field, all of a sudden, it’s just, and again, they just drop the whole storyline. You have to guarantee that there’s a lot of people watch. Well, what the hell happened to them? What’d you guys do? I mean, did you just sell them?
It’d take you a minute and a half or not even just to kind of go in the storyline saying, well, Hey, you know, we whole set out or we did this or we gave it back to, you know, whatever. Tell people what you end up doing with the car because it’s just hanging out there. They know they have the client and the customer.
They dialed up the F8, which again, didn’t turn out bad. Looked pretty good. But what did you do? You always see is Nick driving out with the car. That’s it.
Crew Chief Eric: On to the next one.
William Ross: Then there’s McLaren.
Crew Chief Eric: I knew something was up. Even my wife says this feels a little staged because of all the tape and the cardboard and all the stuff that they were mocking up.
They weren’t really working on it like they would something else. They started to do that with the Tributo as well, where they were like, well, this is where we’re going to cut the fenders. And they weren’t really, it was all just tape and magic markers, you know, that kind of stuff. I don’t know if Mark actually knew this kid was a kid.
What was he maybe 20 years old? YouTuber, TikToker.
William Ross: At best, if that, and you would think the kid must’ve been all hyped up on his Adderall or something. Cause I mean, he came in just all geeked up.
Crew Chief Eric: I mean, he was thinking need for speed underground. It was like, we’re going to put led lights and we’re going to big wheels and wings and flames.
And I’m like, Holy cow. That is Mark’s target audience is the people that are really into, as my wife likes to call it. Hot Wheels cars. Yeah. And that’s a shtick and that’s fine. And he does that really, really well. But I was like, this is a new McLaren. Like seriously. And then Nick shows up with his dad.
William Ross: Yeah. And
Crew Chief Eric: I, I’m gonna say it this way, shit gets real fast.
William Ross: Oh, gotcha. And you know, and you have to wonder too. And in that scenario I would put out some of that, blame a good portion of that on Nick. Nick had to have known the whole situation because I would have to say, I mean, I can’t imagine some young kid like that came to me.
My first thing to go, so wait, is this your car titled in your name? You can do what you want. Dad’s not involved. Mom’s not involved and get it clarified. Cause then if he says, Oh yeah, it’s mine. Okay. Then you put it on the kid. But if he would just went blind, the kind of this kid reached out and says, Hey, I got a McLaren.
I want to do this stuff. And just like, yeah, okay. We can do it, you know, and not really doing some due diligence. I’m at some egg on your face.
Crew Chief Eric: I also feel like it was a little petty. My wife said it Felt like Nick was trying to prove a point to the crew because the dad was really open and transparent.
That was not scripted. He was like, what are you thinking? The value of this car? Like he went on this tirade about, you know, not no way, not know how. And I was like, amen. And you could see when they would shoot Nick in the background, he had this cat eating the canary grin on his face. Like I’m making my point very clear that you cannot do what you want to do with these cars.
These types of buyers are all going to be kind of cut from this mold, so pay very close attention to what he’s saying because that’s what they’re going to want and that’s what they’re going to pay for.
William Ross: Another thing too, and again it’s a missed opportunity because it kind of goes back to what they did in the F8.
Someone could have stepped in and it should have been Nick. Tell you what, we obviously want to do some of this with the car. He wants to do this with it. Where’s our happy medium? Okay, well let’s not do all the fun stuff. What if we got into doing this? And again, it’s baby steps. Putting the underground light in it.
Doing a wrap on it. This and that. Putting some new wheels on it. Not getting too nuts and cutting the body all up. But you could do 15, 25 grand out the door and it cost you maybe 8 to 10. You know, hey, you could make some good money on it. But again, no one stepped in to do it. But to your point, it’s Nick’s in the background and whatnot saying, look, see, this is what I’ve been trying to tell you and you’re not listening to me.
And that’s exactly where they went.
Crew Chief Eric: And the other thing that my wife and I talked about was what happens when If this kid is driving his dad’s McLaren, as we found out, and his dad goes off about like, how are you going to clear the driveway with the splitter? And how are you going to drive this every day?
And it must be nice to, you know, be 20 years old and driving a McLaren every day. And that’s fine.
William Ross: Real world problems.
Crew Chief Eric: To each their own. But my wife said, what if that kid, God forbid, got into an accident with a modified McLaren? How does the insurance company handle that? Where you’ve cut up the car, And now they got to replace big sections of the car with stuff that maybe didn’t need to be repaired in the same way.
Does it change the safety? Does it do this? Does it do that? So it’s like, where does this rabbit hole finish? When you think about it from the perspective of I’m putting this highly modified car in the hands of a young driver.
William Ross: Obviously, you know, real world stepped in with dad standing there and pointing out all these things.
Yeah, cause guarantee that kid driving around, he’s going to crash it at some point in time. Be in the first six hours or first 60 days, it was going to happen. That McLaren, it’s a beautiful car too. I mean, what else you’d really want to do that anyway?
Crew Chief Eric: And the dad says that he says something like this car was perfection from when it left.
The factory. And he’s like, what are you going to do to it?
William Ross: Flare. Well, first of all, that’s like two feet coming out that side. So you’re adding another four feet. It’ll be as big as a dually. It’ll be ridiculous. I mean, that’s just obnoxious. And again, it’s just not being realistic in regards to that market.
Yeah, it’s a missed opportunity for them. It is the way they operate.
Crew Chief Eric: And so now we’re talking broader exotics and collector cars too at the same time, right? And so this is such a weird season because there’s this interweaving of classic muscle hot rods, all the stuff that they like to do, you know, big military vehicles and all that kind of stuff, not to give away the whole season.
And then we got these exotics and included in the exotics. I think was a bit of foreshadowing. You don’t realize until the end of the season why they suddenly brought in a DeLorean. You’re like, what the heck is this about? And to give it away is they’re setting up this whole idea of doing nostalgia cars.
At the end of the show, which we’ll talk about another Ferrari, they hone in on, you know, Magnum PI. My wife and I were laughing about, you know, Nexus Knight Rider and the Flintstones and the Munsters and God knows what else. But the DeLorean is another nostalgia car. And so they did it almost like, it’s like a litmus test.
And it was really interesting because it goes right in line with what Nick was saying about these high end exotics. The customers want things a certain way. And when they did the DeLorean, Mark goes. The DeLorean community is very specific about the way they preserve these cars. You don’t mess with the stainless.
You don’t do this. And the client was exactly like that. So what did they do? They wrapped it. And I’m just like, Oh my God, this guy is going to have an aneurysm when he sees this car.
William Ross: Oh my God. And that kills me. Cause I always go back to my mind and go, this guy thinks he’s creative and he can create. Oh my God.
It was again, fugly. Unbelievable what they did to that thing. And they put the exhaust on. Okay. It did sound a little bit better, but that thing’s got 130 horsepower. Okay. You need to do something with the motor. If you’re going to do something, but again, just do an aesthetic. And here’s the funny thing is that almost went back to exactly what they did on the F8 just a little bit more.
They put the air dam side skirt under tray. I mean, they did a little bit more, but it was basically almost the same thing they did with the F8 that they were pitching a moment about saying, well, we’re not just going to be a tuner shot. I mean, I was like, well, you basically did that with the DeLorean.
Crew Chief Eric: And I have to say that rear splitter was just.
Oh my god, let’s add some more weight to an already rear biased car.
William Ross: Yeah, I saw those brackets that they’re putting on there to mount that thing. They had a quick shot of it and where it was, I’m like, wait a minute, that’s just, oh my god, that’s, he’s just gonna kill it.
Crew Chief Eric: That’s so the owner can just unbolt it and throw it in the trash.
William Ross: Yeah, I felt so bad, you know, and the guys, You know, very adamant aluminum and is like, no, we’re going to wrap it. Screw it. We’re going to do it. And so, and then that rap was just horrendous. And was the doc being nice for the show? Oh, it looks great. This and that. And then as soon as he got to take that shit off, it didn’t do anything to it.
No,
Crew Chief Eric: I have seen some painted DeLoreans black and some other colors and they actually look really cool when they’re done right. So I wasn’t opposed to wrapping it because as my wife pointed out. If Doc doesn’t like it, they can just rip it right back off the car and it’s back to stainless steel. No harm, no foul.
Painting is a bigger deal and painting stainless is really, really tough anyway. I’ve seen them in other colors and I think they look neat. The candy apple carbon fiber probably wouldn’t have been my first choice. But then again, you’re sort of limited on what that car can wear that it’ll look good. I thought the wheel choice was bold, but it actually worked for the body style.
William Ross: Yeah, it wasn’t bad. I don’t know. It just baffles me each time you think he’s being creative on this. Now, I’m not going to take it away from the people in the shop.
Crew Chief Eric: No, they’re awesome.
William Ross: Yeah, caveman is just a monkey just cutting stuff up and whatnot. Assembles things takes it apart and cuts it up. But you know the new guy Jake they kept he’s really good the girl She’s a great engine builder.
She knows what she’s talking about and the other guy, you know, he’s babbling up metal work I don’t like that. I mean he does some really creative things and what he can build I just don’t see this creative that mark thinks he has
Crew Chief Eric: my wife and I always enjoy the episodes where mark, shawn and nick Are out of the way and it’s just the crew working.
And I’ll just lightly reference the Humvee build with the biodiesel. And I was talking about that and I said, I love when Tony starts to talk and he’s like the professor of the group. And he’s like, look, guys, this is how it works. And if you do this and then the science of that, and we’re going to take it over the machine and we’re going to run it in the CAD and it’s going to bubble up, dude, we’re learning something like this is awesome.
There’s another show on motor trend and it’s like one guy or two guys. And he’s very like that. Yeah. He talks through the process. Why he’s building it that way. Why we got to curve it like this. And it’s super educational. Now it might not be exciting and dramatic, you know, less reality, television and more reality.
Like the science of car building. I always appreciate when they have a build like that, where they can do what they need to do. It’s still creative, but we’re learning to your point, what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.
William Ross: Yeah.
Crew Chief Eric: The DeLorean is this beginning, this foreshadowing of this nostalgia thing that mark’s got running around in his head You see it again with the kenworth semi truck and all that kind of stuff And I will leave that to the article that i’m writing that reviews the entire season But let’s get back into the ferrari saga,
William Ross: you know talking about the guys what they’re able to do So, I mean, I guess bringing mark’s vision to life.
Obviously there’s episodes that go on between there’s some stuff that happens changing up their thought process, some hiccups and whatnot. But we get to the next Ferrari, the one episode it ends, Mark and Nick have a conversation and basically states, Hey, we’ll leave on good terms. Nick, you get something that comes about, Hey, let’s work together.
But you know, this is just not what we’re going to do. So right there, you think, okay, that’s it. Exit next stage left. That’s it. You’re not going to see him on the show anymore. How they do these shows, if they’re scripted out, planned out, or if it’s done, hey, they don’t know what they’re doing from two weeks to the next.
I don’t know, but you weren’t going to hear from Nick at all. Uh, the blue all of a sudden he reaches out and says he has something of interest. I want to say it was a 78 or 79. It was one of the early ones. You know, it was a Ferrari 308. It looked like it was sitting for a while cause it was a bit dusty and dirty.
But what is it? The guy that owned it obviously has a ton of money. He had a bunch of toys. Mark is trying to do this on his own because, you know, Sean’s all of a sudden all jazzed up because now, hey, we’re getting back to our roots, this and that. So he got his juices flowing again and everything like that.
In the one episode, he starts working on this big package deal where we’re going to build this and trade that and get this and work our way up. It’s almost like work your way up to a Ferrari from a paperclip situation. So that’s going on. They talk about, which you’ll read about and see is Mark Finch is building a Kenworth truck that was kind of basically a tribute to his dad’s truck that his dad used to drive back in the day for work.
And he was very familiar. So he does that up. I don’t know about that front grill, but it turns out pretty decent. So Mark’s kind of working with Nick, Nick reached out to Mark. So he says, Hey, we’ve got something to work out now. One whole deal fell through on the Humvee. That’s a whole story itself. And some people got to go to themselves, dig up these customers, this stuff.
I got to tell you what, that’s where a lot of these people act and aren’t the way they think, especially when they have money. They just think, Oh, I’m going to hoodwink these guys and this and that and stuff like that. And you get really annoyed to them. And there’s one guy in regards to this Camaro. They do a deal with that.
I would have punched the guy in the face when he was trying to pull that with me, because it was just, that was annoying to me to go. This guy’s just a piece of. You know what? But anyways, the one whole deal falls due on this Humvee. So that was supposed to get traded for the Jag that they were supposed to then all of a sudden work on and get into a six figure range.
What they had in their mind, thinking it was going to be a 200, 000 car.
Crew Chief Eric: You imagine what they would have done to that Jag?
William Ross: Exactly. Oh my God. That was in my mind going, what in the hell would they do to that poor Jag? I mean, that thing, as we all know it, you know, everyone says, Oh, Enzo said that’s the most beautiful car ever.
There’s a bunch of debate at that, but it’s a gorgeous, gorgeous car. You don’t touch that. You don’t do anything to it.
Crew Chief Eric: 63 Series 2 convertible. That’s the perfect E type Jag. Like what are you doing?
William Ross: Exactly. And it’s like, Oh my God. So that all falls through. So they’re stuck. They have no project done going on.
So Mark becomes the wheeler dealer. When Nick calls about this, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do the truck. Well, it turns out, well, this guy is pretty eclectic in regards to what he likes to have in his garage, which you see when they go there, he brings the semi and basically ends up trading the semi for the Ferrari.
You know, I don’t know trucks, semis like that, value wise, whatnot. I know some of those older trucks like that, when they’re done, they’re worth some big money. So it’s not like it’s cheap, but I want to say the guy with the Ferrari, I think probably made out in the positive, because that 308, you could tell it’d been sitting a while, a lot of dust on it, dirt, everything like that.
It did fire up, but service wise, I mean, that thing needed to be, you know, Gone through left, right, which is something else we can talk about, which they didn’t even say anything about on this car.
Crew Chief Eric: And so I went back to your Ferrari market index to see where the 308 GTSs are trending. And so obviously there’s a lot of variables to that.
Like you’re saying mileage records, you know, condition that it have this option or that option. This is a U S spec 308 GTS. Cause the big park bench bumpers and all that kind of stuff. According to the market, 88, 000 for a 308 in probably pristine condition. So they were saying in the show, 60, 000 to 70, 000.
The truck was probably worth 120, 000 to 150, 000 in that range. So Mark’s like, I’m upside down, but it’s going to take me months to unload a custom semi, which probably isn’t far from the truth. So I think he saw his exit. And he’s like, I’m going to take it in the shorts because we can continue to move the ball forward.
And then a bunch of people got upset by that, but it’s business, right? I don’t think he made the wrong move.
William Ross: No, no. You know, and I applaud him for that because when you have a business like that, and you’re the one running the show and it’s you and the buck stops with you. Those are the type of decision and moves you have to make.
They’re going to hurt. What’s more important, you keeping your toy or moving things forward to grow your business? Again, looking down the road, we’re in the future. Okay. Once we get bigger, blah, blah, blah. Yeah. Hey, I’ll buy another one. Isn’t that? I applaud him for making that move because he left a lot of money on the table, but Hey, he got going and he got it.
The body, everything on that car looked like it was in decent shape. Didn’t look bad, but again, who knows service history wise or whatnot. My guess would be is that guy that traded it with didn’t have it long or he just picked it up recently because when you see the guy’s garage everything’s got you think within the first two weeks that he has something he’s gonna clean it do whatever so who knows how this guy got the car so but then they get it and lo and behold what happens is they show up at the shop with it surprising everyone else in the shop well okay now we’re back to doing exotic so to speak if they want to call the 308 an exotic it was that curveball mark’s sitting there and who drives it in Nick, that was kind of an interesting setup, but again, you know, being scripted, I would hope, or I guess you say realism, that they didn’t tell everyone in the shop what was happening.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah.
William Ross: It should have surprised them. I would hope that’s how they went about doing it because, get that authentic, Whoa, what the hell, I didn’t think we were doing these anymore.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah, and Sean seemed legitimately angry, like, My wife and I both thought he was going to quit on the spot, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
William Ross: Exactly. I’m
Crew Chief Eric: sort of tired of his style and I don’t want them to replace him, but they need to replace him or they need to do this differently again, talking about the next season, if there is one, I think they are going to do things differently because this model of the negotiation and. The way they do things is tired.
It’s old. We need to move on from that. Now, Nick style isn’t any better. No, it’s different, but it’s also cringy and it’s just whatever. So yes, they show up at the shop and we thought that Sean was done. You can’t fake that. Like he was visibly disturbed.
William Ross: And you know, and I don’t know why, you know, honestly, because.
When you have a shop like that, if you’re going, all right, I got one person I only deal with, like this, and he works here, he’s fine. I’m like, you’re just setting yourself up fail. I mean, in this industry and doing especially that is you got to have so many contacts and whatnot. And who cares where the car or the source or anything came from?
Hey, if it’s going to work, you do it. And he should recognize that my reaction would have been, Oh, sweet. Oh, Hey, great job, Nick. This is awesome. We can do this and that. Who’s this guy. We got it from, what’s his deal, you know, and blah, blah, blah. Hey, what are the opportunities there? Again, very close minded and took it very personally, thinking he sucked at his job and he’s going to get fired or whatnot.
I had the same thought. I thought when he walked out that door, the next scene was going to be him, like, out in the parking lot talking to the thing, saying, Yeah, I’m done. I’m not going to be treated or disrespected, blah, blah, blah. You know, they sat down and talked it out. Something about him, I don’t know, just seemed shady.
I don’t know. He’s got that weird vibe, the way he goes about talking and everything. Just like he’s hiding something, you know, it’s like, I don’t know what it is, but it just seems, and the way he has that talk and this and that, and the way he just goes about doing things, it’s just like, Oh,
Crew Chief Eric: it’s sort of like the old wanted posters in the post office.
You’re like, did you buy a car from this man? I’m like, I don’t think so.
William Ross: Exactly. So obviously the tension, you know, you got to have your tension and whatnot, your little trauma stuff for the show. But they get the 308 silver black interior. And as they do in the other episodes, as everyone that watches knows is they do the computer generated what they’re going to do.
Oh my God.
Crew Chief Eric: Everybody loves to rip that whole thing off from the great British baking show. Like the artist’s rendering of what it’s going to be.
William Ross: Yeah. Then you start hearing the wife is getting this for her husband as a birthday present. So it’s going to be a surprise. So there’s no input from the person that’s getting it.
Hey, well, I want the Magnum PI, dah, dah, dah, this and that. So, okay, what are you, peanut red? Get into some little stuff to add to it. Oh, some Italian racing theme to it. But if you can, and she’s willing to pay a little extra if you guys can do it and they like it, some inspector gadget stuff. Right. I. e. some James Bond stuff in his car.
So like, oh my God, this is just, you start pictures, you shouldn’t have, what are you doing? Then they go to the computer generated stuff and you’re like, Wait, what? They’re gonna do what? It’s like, okay, maybe they’re just exaggerating on the computer generated stuff. But then all of a sudden you see them, they’re disbanding the car, taking out the ugly bumpers and whatnot.
But then you see them put on the first fender flare. And I’m like,
Crew Chief Eric: This to me was reminiscent of, I think it was season four where they did the Mako Shark C3 Corvette and they’re widening it and you know the side pipes and the big flares and the big wheels and all this and in a very Hot Wheels style.
Which, in some ways, I was on board with modding that C3 Corvette. And in the same way I was on board with modding the Ferrari. Because, like you said, is it really an exotic? It is the most mass produced Ferrari of all time. It’s like the 944 for Porsche. It’s what saved them from going under. You know, the same idea.
So there’s a ton of 308s out there. So I didn’t feel so bad about them cutting it up. But there’s a certain way of going about it. When you looked at the plan, as I like to call it, you know, the renderings
William Ross: air quotes in that plan.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah, it’s a little bit shooting from the hip, but I was sort of thinking, okay, we were going to do an F 40 tribute with the F eight.
Is he going to do a two 88 GTO? Is he going to do a three Oh eight evolution and like wide body? Is he going to try like this and that and the other thing? And they kept harping about, you know, we need to defuglify the car, all this kind of stuff. Yeah. You know, knock all the fugly off it is the exact quote that Mark uses.
And I’m like, okay, so you get rid of the U. S. spec bumpers. You get rid of this. You get rid of that. Can sort of see in my head, maybe where you’re going. And then it was again, like a carbon copy of what he had done before. And my biggest complaint with it. Is the unfinished rear fender quarter panel section.
He has a tendency to leave the wheels in the back exposed and it just bugs me because it breaks up the shape of the car, but the front that grill, I mean, literally to use the rapper term, that grill, not the grill, it looked like braces on a teenager, like I didn’t understand what they were doing. Because you only have so many options with the 308.
You can very quickly make it look like a 288. You can make it look like a 328 with a square air dam front end. But I was like, what are we doing to this? Yeah. When it’s all said and done, I was really actually happy with the front minus the back. The grill and the side skirts and like it worked to a point and then those scoops and that rear fender and I would have done the SS Camaro tail.
I would have extended the rear. I would have exaggerated that. I would have brought it down. I would have brought it into the fenders. Like a bunch of other stuff could have been done to that.
William Ross: Well, like you were saying, I had the thought we mentioned before, you know, Liberty Walk does their kits and that, but what they do and a lot of these other, you know, do it is they don’t just tack on a fender flare at the arch and that’s it.
So you got this thing just sticking out. Yeah. They take that whole panel. And shape it so it’s all extended out one piece, i. e. a la, hey, looks like a 288, just on steroids, because it’s bigger and beefier.
Crew Chief Eric: Bigger and beefier to the tone of 14 inch wheels. Huge!
William Ross: That’s why I was hoping, okay, it’s got promise, because again, you know, have at it, do something really cool to it, really fatten up and do it, but They just tack shit on.
That was it.
Crew Chief Eric: I’m a fan of a wide body when a wide body is done correctly and a 308 wears a wide body really, really well. If you look at even was a year or two ago, that SEMA 308 that had the Honda VTEC in it. And there’s been a couple other ones that have been done really, really well. And they look awesome.
Now, I get it. Mark’s going to do it in his style and he doesn’t want to copy somebody else and this and that either, but I’ve seen some of the other stuff that he’s done. And it’s like, come on, man, like smooth it out, make this sucker, like just look menacing in a three awake and look really just diabolical.
Right. And it can be a very James Bond car if you dress it up, right. But it was just like you said, it was sort of tacked on. And I think the problem came in when they had the wheels made for the car. And I don’t know what the hell they measured, Because I think a 10 and a half or 12 would have been the maximum under that body.
The first time he cut the fender, I said, we are so screwed, you know, because I looked at it and I said, there’s no way you can turn into a parking spot with this. No,
William Ross: no. And even after they think, Oh, I think we’re good. Oh. And then he makes the comment, Oh, even when it’s turned at the suspension, it’ll clear.
And I’m like, I guarantee the first time that guy goes turning left. Or right into a driveway or something. It’s gotta be
Crew Chief Eric: and I understood what he was saying when you’re turning The nose is gonna lift but that’s gonna happen at speed But the problem is you’re not thinking about the other side where the suspension is compressing and then cutting the tire Yeah, not only that they did the stretch tire thing like you see on a japanese import as well, and i’m just like They did as much as they could to fit the biggest wheel possible in there If I was building it, I would have gone, okay, do we have more space on the inside to have the wheel offset internally?
Maybe put coil overs in there, get rid of the stock 308 suspension. Cause they didn’t touch any of that stuff. And I’m like, there’s ways to make space and fit a big wheel and it’s not shoving it to the outside of the car and then cutting the body.
William Ross: Yeah. I don’t know where they got their history lesson or whatnot in that car and that frame.
That’s just a metal tube chassis. Basically. There’s plenty of room to go into that thing. So I don’t know what he was talking about with cutting into the unibody. This and that. I’m like, huh?
Crew Chief Eric: Well, I think for them, anything that isn’t American style body on frame is considered unibody, right? Regardless of the fact that it’s a tube frame car, regardless of the way those things were assembled. It’s just, okay, well, it’s a unibody in their world.
William Ross: Then you think too, and it kind of popped into my head. Okay. Maybe just because they’re in a tight timeframe, they had 11 days to do it. That’s kind of the other thing to this equation. Yeah. Now, if they had all the time in the world or hey, they had six months to do it.
You go back to other episodes and see what they’ve done in the past. This is their MO. Yeah. This is just how they do it. I think even if they had six months to do instead of 11 days, it wouldn’t turned out the same product. You know, it’s unfortunate because that car can be something really cool. We’ve seen it out there, people posted and whatnot, great car to start with.
It’s super light. Two thousand pounds. It’s got to get rid of the motor because you know, you got 210 horsepower I think when that earlier one
Crew Chief Eric: out of a three liter.
William Ross: Yeah, it’s like yeah, it ain’t going anywhere quickly But again, it’s got kind of thing lightness thing, but it’s again just about aesthetic So you could do something good with that.
But again, they just tacked this shit on and it looks unfinished I’m thinking to myself too is they’re lucky in the fact being that it’s an old 308 Ferrari won’t care.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah,
William Ross: if they would have done that with the newest, uh, been on their door with the cease and desist or something from Ferrari saying, what the hell are you doing?
Crew Chief Eric: You’re on one end like, Oh, this is not good. My wife’s on the other end going, I want to hate it, but it’s really hard to, she’s still on her pain meds. She liked it. She saw they executed the vision. They did what they said they were going to do. Yes. It’s reminiscent of that Corvette. And so I sit in the middle, I sort of love it and I hate it at the same time.
Cause there’s parts of it. I really like, I like the asymmetrical Italian flag paint scheme. I like the front end minus the braces. There’s other pieces that I absolutely despise. I think the back is terrible. You know, I thought that just like the slot machine thing, the revolving transporter style rotating license plate was really cool piece of engineering.
William Ross: That kid’s really good at that. Perhaps I’ve covered solutions for that. That was brilliant. They left
Crew Chief Eric: that bare aluminum. And I’m like, that should have been black and blended into the rear end, you know, all this kind of thing, blah, blah, blah. So there’s parts of it. I didn’t like those parts. I like now going back and reanalyzing it in slow motion and in still to prepare the article where we review all this stuff in more detail, I noticed at certain angles, it really made it look like a second generation.
Oh yeah. I Yeah, you’re right. And I’m like, Oh God. And then in my head, I’m going, Oh, this is like the 308 Fiero builds. And it gave it this like kit car feel. And that’s why I sort of sit in the middle because you’re looking at it going, is that a real 308 or is that a fake 308 built on something else? And that’s where it’s sort of like, it’s cool, but they ruined it.
I don’t love it. I don’t hate it. But they did walk away with a pretty sizable payday on it.
William Ross: Yeah. They made some money up. You made the comment about the paint job. I don’t know how close he looked at it. I might’ve paused. I think it was crooked. Yes. You saw it too. All right. So not just me. And when they did it, I’ll say a closeup of it, but they got kind of close.
It was almost like the one rear three quarter view of they got on it. It was a horrible paint job. It was almost like a rattle can job.
Crew Chief Eric: My wife pointed that out in the night shots. She said that satin finish looks really neat during the day, but at night it almost had like an orange peel and it looked like it was unfinished, like they needed to spray it again and put some clear on it.
Like it really did reflect very oddly in the dark. So I agree with that. And then to your point about the crooked thing, I joked and I said, is he trying to do what he did on the Camaro where the lines weren’t straight?
William Ross: Yeah.
Crew Chief Eric: Yeah, I guess that’s cool. It looked good on the Camaro. Because again, that was an asymmetrical black on one side, orange on the other.
I don’t know. I think Mark’s trying new things. I will say, and I’ve always said, which is what was disappointing about this car. He’s a really good painter. Yeah. When you look at some of the stuff he can do, especially that Corvette, where he did that gradiated from dark blue all the way to silver. So it looked like a shark.
William Ross: I guess you could say that might’ve saved him a bit too, is putting all those gadgets on there, getting that extra 18 grand they made out with. You know a lot of things you didn’t see the interior
Crew Chief Eric: the same thing on the DeLorean when they redid it Yeah, they didn’t show you the inside.
William Ross: No and supposedly they were supposed to redo on the door and it’s all we’re gonna We all love it.
It’s that then so you didn’t even see it’s just exterior tacking on some appendages Painting it and putting it out the door unbelievable, but that paint job was horrendous So again, i’m glad you saw it too because soon as I saw it on the road I go wait that line is not straight I mean, it’s just blatant because you got red on white there and it just goes off at an angle You Sad thing is, is that theme could have been done a lot better, but execution wasn’t there.
Again, because of the time crunch or what? I don’t know. The way it was painted with the color and stuff, that really accentuated, there was no flow to it. You could tell the shit was just bam, bam, bam, put on. It wasn’t like they did anything to make it nice and smooth. And, and when they’re saying, oh, we’re going to eliminate that one channel that’s going down kind of seperate.
Crew Chief Eric: And they ended up leaving that at the end too. It was like,
William Ross: Exactly. Whatever. So I don’t know. That would have been a lot of Bondo in that crevice. Buckets and bucket. We’re not ruining the episodes for you guys by telling you what’s going on. It happened. If you haven’t watched it, trust us, you need to watch it to see what it is.
Cause then you’re gonna be like, Oh my God, I see what they’re talking about. Cause there’s really no good thing to paint the picture.
Crew Chief Eric: And I think we leave our listeners with the question, if you’re going to modify an exotic. Especially a Ferrari. What camp are you in? And there’s multiple lanes. You could be on the far left, like these cars are, just like they came out of the Hot Wheels packaging.
Or you could be on the other side where it’s, I’m gonna do some vinyl, I’m gonna put on some wheels, a sport exhaust. Where is your happy medium? Where’s your comfort level of customization? And I think that’s the moral to the story with a lot of this. And someone’s creative vision doesn’t necessarily always align with what you want.
Your expectations. As a buyer as a collector and that’s why I think some of the cars that are on that far left side are extremely hard to move. And it begs the question, where do they end up? Where’s that green 360 after a year? Like who’s got that car? Like I’ve never seen it at a show. I didn’t see it at car week.
I haven’t seen it in a museum. You’d think it went up at like the Volo museum, you know, with all the other crazy cars that they have, but it’s sort of like tucked in a warehouse somewhere never to be seen again. Yeah. Probably being converted back to a stock 360, you know,
William Ross: at this day and age, obviously with YouTube, Instagram, all your social media platforms, everything like that.
If it’s a well known car and put out there and the person that owned it got a crap load of followers, whatnot, like that, moving it to someone that just worships to whoever the person is and getting rid of it, usually isn’t too bad. But beyond that, that’s just a drop in the bucket. You see these companies that sell the kits and everything like that.
For that one you see on a YouTube channel, there’s 15, 20 other kits they sold to someone else. You’re getting into the personalization programs these manufacturers have for all of them now. I mean, all your high end stuff, they have it because they can make 90 percent profit on these things. It’s unbelievable.
You’re getting it so specific in regards to your own taste. What are you going to do with yourself? Because you’re going to have to find that person. OK, I can live with half the stock three quarter stuff on there. Yeah, I probably would have done maybe that, but I can deal with it. You know, with vinyl wraps and stuff like that, you can change the exterior color pretty easily.
But option wise, you know, that’s kind of where you get stuck. It’s like, oh, I wish I would have this and that, but I’ll live without it. Because once it’s hacked up like that, and one thing, if you remove body panels off, and you’re putting whole new panels and sections on, you had to do a little massaging to make it work, but it wouldn’t take all that much to turn it back to original.
Are you keeping all those panels like that, so any subsequent owner down the line, say, look, here’s all the stuff that came off the car, you can turn it back if you want. Some of those manufacturers, those kits, kind of push that, say, look, oh, it’s bolt on, bolt off, yeah, maybe you gotta do a little this and that, I mean, how true it is, I don’t know.
What are you going to do with this? Oh, here’s the car. I mean, you got to have someone that’s like, that’s, Oh, I love it. That’s my style. I don’t know. Cause it changes the car. Especially if you start messing with stance, you’re making a wider, you’re making a lower, you’re doing all these things. You got these guys tacking on, having 1500 horsepower, this kind of stuff too.
Crew Chief Eric: You know what it is, William? We’re looking at the wrong car shows. We need to be looking at Radwood and not Car Week.
William Ross: Yeah. You would think to your point on that green 360, at least you think the guy would take it to some car shows or, or he’s not that because you know, I would say it’s. A famous car, but it’s decently well known.
I don’t know what the viewership is for this show, but people go Oh, that’s that car from god and I’d love to see that thing in person because god I only can imagine how bad it is In person, yeah pictures of it seeing that thing in person be like, oh my god, it’s worse than I thought,
Crew Chief Eric: you know It’s funny, We’ve always tried to track the newer What I call restoration shows. And to your point about viewership, Car Masters seem to have outlasted a bunch of other ones, whether it was Rust Valley Restorers or Goblin Works Garage, or even last year they did that one down in El Paso that has disappeared.
William Ross: Yeah.
Yeah. Interesting. You know, they’re talking about saying going into nostalgia and going that kind of stuff. My personal interpretation at the end of this season. They’re going into replica movie cars. Totally different genre in regards to marketing. And there’s a decent sized market for that, but you got to do it right.
You can’t just hack it together like some of the stuff they’ve done. I mean, you have to have that thing dead nut spot on for authenticity.
Crew Chief Eric: That’s where this season ends. I’m a fan of the show. My wife and I have been watching since the very first season. Cause we thought the concept was really cool and they leave us with them pushing in a 66 Imperial, the black beauty from green Hornet, and they’re on this whole nostalgia kick.
And this three Oh eight was allegedly the beginning, even though. I think the DeLorean was the beginning of this nostalgia thing and we’re going to build other stuff. The Nautilus from League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. We’re going to build, you know, maybe Kit, you know, who knows? And that’s cool. And that falls into that Hot Wheels sort of thing that Mark is very good at and the team can get all excited about.
The Ferrari saga is over.
William Ross: I hope so.
Crew Chief Eric: I think they put that to bed.
William Ross: They did that Pechanga car for the casino. That was cool. I like what they did with that. I mean, that theme car, whatnot, what they did, and they did the slot machine wheels, that steering wheel, everything was really good. That thing turned out really nice for what its purpose was.
And intent was that thing was fantastic. That looked great. And it’s our minds. That’s I think their niche is doing stuff like that. You’re getting into almost kind of an orange County chopper situation. Well, you’re doing it with cars and in previous season, it seemed to my person is that’s where they were good at and they moved cars and they made good money on just steer clear of our stuff because that’s not their forte.
You know, I know as creative as Mark likes to say he is and all of this and that he’s not, I think it takes some stuff and making these replica movie cars and what he’s done in the past and executing them. He’s got a great team behind it. Mark can stick with this paint job to make these things look spectacular because he’s a great painter.
Give him that. But as for coming out and really designing a whole car to tweak it or whatever you want to call it for him I would say to your point. I think that would make the show that much better if okay mark handles stuff You see the business side he goes out finds the cars do whatever You know get rid of sean and shows him doing the painting and everything on it prepping all that kind of stuff Tony’s on their side going through, Hey, how we did this stuff like that.
Crew Chief Eric: Here’s how you build a flux capacitor.
William Ross: Showing how they did it, especially go with these movie cars. Cause those things always have these cool little things. And if they’re fully functional and work, people want to know how you did it and incorporating the car and how’d you tie it in. Cause you know, some people are watching that going and saying, well, hey, I’m bored.
I’m going to see if I can hook something like that up my car. You know, you’ll learn from it. And I like watching stuff like that. I like watching the shows and YouTube and stuff like that shows with the build process, not so much rebuilding wrecked cars, which seemed to be a big thing. You know, I like the stuff where the guy’s taking the car, doing the modification, making it better and how they went about doing it.
That’s just really impressive to me because you know, having that ability to do it and complete it is impressive. And I think that’s the way they should go. In my opinion. And I think they would do a lot better viewer wise. You’re going to turn a lot of people off coming in, taking a Ferrari and hacking it up and just making it gaudy.
I’m going to watch this because if that’s what they think this is, forget it. I’m not going to watch. It’d be really interesting to see numbers wise from the end of season five, going into six, what happened in regards to, was there a big drop? What were the demographics of the people that you lost? I thought there were only six episodes.
So I got done with episode six. I’m like, All right, but then also the thing pops up in the bottom next episode. Like, oh, wait, there’s more. And then luckily my wife’s out of town. So I was like, well, I got nothing else to do. So, all right, I’ll watch the next episode. And then it got into, I’m like, where it ended up.
And again, it seemed like, all right, now it’s like, it was a half season. It’s like, okay, you guys, where you ended this? It seems like, should be more episodes.
Crew Chief Eric: And I think the bigger question for us, and I know you’re a newer fan, you haven’t been following the show from day one. Is there going to be a season seven?
We don’t know. We probably have to wait. Till sometime in 2025 to see, but it seems like they’re going to keep doing what they do. But are you going to keep watching it? Are you that kind of intrigued to see what their antics and what they’re up to next?
William Ross: Next season comes out when it does, I’m going to watch it.
Yeah, I want to see where they go because I think these replica car movie cars, I think it’d be a good route to go for them. Those are tough cards that they choose to build right off the bat. That’s for sure. But there’s good money in those things, real good money. Basically to see where they head, to hope they got all that other stuff out of their system.
To your point, what you said before is what tweaks they make to the cast. Finding what you need to build those cars isn’t too difficult, because you’re going to basically tear those things down to the frame anyways. There’s rust on the body like that. I mean, you can start with something that’s pretty bad.
Crew Chief Eric: And I’m glad you brought that up. And that’s kind of my final thought on this. And my wife made it really, really clear. When we wrap this whole thing up, kind of thinking about this season, previous seasons, and where they’re going next. She goes, did you notice that this was the rust free season? They’re going to have to change their tagline, rust to riches, because not a single one of those cars had rust on them.
William Ross: I said the same thing. I go, the title’s not working anymore, guys. There was no rust involved whatsoever. They were even saying it. Wow. There’s nothing on this body. It’s fantastic. There’s no rust anywhere. The rocker panels are fantastic. I’m like, Uh, you guys got to just change this to car masters building movie rep because something, but yeah, I had the same thought.
Yeah. The titles is not going to work for you guys anymore.
Crew Chief Eric: All right. We’ll bring us home, William.
William Ross: Yeah. Thank you guys for listening. I really appreciate it. As you can see, Eric’s cracking the whip on me to get more episodes out on a more consistent basis. So. Remember to leave some comments and your thoughts and feelings, because we’d love to hear you and get your feedback and see what you guys think of what Car Masters did with these Ferraris.
So let us know how you feel, guys. Remember to go over to MotoringPodcast.net to check out all the other episodes we have in regards to not just the Ferrari Marketplace, but the other podcasts we have on there. There’s some fantastic stuff on there, and we’re adding more as we speak. Just keep an eye on that.
Hit that up as your favorite because there’s some really cool things happening there. Check out the exotic car marketplace. We did a little bit of an overhaul the other week on that. So we rearranged some stuff in that. We’re tweaking it as we go. You’ll see what we want to see. Everything like that. And stay tuned to Rockin Rev’s website.
Also for the show next year will be updated. The date is July 27th. So keep that in mind. More stuff will be coming out on that. We appreciate you listening and stay tuned. More to come. Thanks guys.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast Network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like The Exotic Car Marketplace, The Motoring Historian, Brake Fix, and many others. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.patreon. com forward slash GT Motorsports. Please note that the content, opinions, and materials presented and expressed in this episode are those of its creator, and this episode has been published with their consent. If you have any inquiries about this program, please contact the creators of this episode via email or social media as mentioned in the episode.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
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October 25, 2024Ferrari / PodcastOn this episode, William delves into the viability and desirability of Ferrari producing new models with manual transmissions. Discussions cover various aspects of Ferrari models, from road cars to racing, owners, and market trends. The host considers the engineering and market demands for manual gearboxes in modern Ferraris compared to automated systems, citing examples like Koenigsegg and Pagani. He stresses that a return to factory manual transmissions could resonate deeply with Ferrari enthusiasts and boost sales, urging Ferrari to return to its roots with simpler, analog driving experiences. The episode invites listener feedback and suggests a roundtable discussion on the topic.
Episode 28
00:00 Introduction to Ferrari Fridays
00:57 Exploring the Manual Transmission Debate
01:50 Market Trends and Modifications
04:34 Koenigsegg’s Innovative Gearbox
06:13 Pagani’s Utopia and Manual Gearbox Popularity
07:44 Ferrari’s Potential Manual Gearbox
11:07 Market Analysis and Sales Trends
11:49 Case Study: Ferrari F430 Sales
15:09 Exploring Scuderia Conversions and Prices
15:42 Ryan’s Car and Inventory Insights
17:11 Ferrari Market Trends and Pricing
17:45 Comparing Ferrari 360 and 430
18:25 The Case for Factory Manual Ferraris
20:09 Engineering Challenges and Emission Standards
22:34 The Vision for a Basic, Analog Ferrari
25:30 Engaging the Community and Final Thoughts
26:28 Closing Remarks and Sponsorship Information
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace. I’m your host, William Ross. I appreciate you guys listening. And while you’re at it, when you finish up with this episode, be sure you head on over to the Motoring Podcast Network and check out what else we have to offer. We got some really cool content over there from Mr.
Jonathan Summers. We got BrakeFix over there. We got a few others that are just really, really cool to listen. So hop on over to NPN, see what we got going on. Onward and upward. This episode, we’re going to, I guess I want to discuss, everybody just talk about, is it prudent or would it, I don’t know, would it behoove Ferrari to build a new, new model?
With the factory manual six speed or seven speed. But would it, would it be in their interest, you think, to actually build a new car, new model without, with offering as a manual transmission. Now I would say, you know, wouldn’t be, you know, Hey, no, it’d be really cool. It’s in the two nine six. Um, but, you know, not just saying not a low end model, not their mid range, whatnot.
Would it be like one of the Icona series cars possibly? I don’t know. I mean, take a look what’s kind of going on in the market. Now, for those of you that listen to the episodes, you know, some episodes back I talked about doing, you know, people doing the swaps. Mainly on 360s and 430s, but, you know, people are starting getting doing the 599s.
Um, and I know there’s rumors some of you are trying to do a 458 as well, that’s getting really, really tricky because that is a whole system that’s actually just dedicated, you know, how that was built and made, you know, is for a dual clutch or, you know, uh, transmission, you know, whereas, you know, your 599, 575, 550s, Uh, well the 550, I’m sorry.
Take that out of the equation. 550, all of those were built, were, uh, factory manuals. Uh, but like say your 430s, your 360s, and down to your 355s. You know, not so many of them. Um, that actually, the transmission in that car, From the factory is actually what they’ve used when you also got a manual all they did was build this Hydraulic system that you know mimicked I guess you could say or would do, you know, you do your shifting for you So it’s just doing a lot of these actuators and doing all the stuff that needs to be done and do it You know, very clunky, you know, not the fastest You’re not slow, but not nowhere near as fast as they you know, dual clutches or anything like that But you know, so doing a swap Actually, it isn’t all that crazy or difficult, I guess you could say.
Um, it’s just coming up with, you know, the cables, everything like that. All the interior stuff, because you’ve got to modify the console. You’ve got to, you know, obviously do the gear selector itself. The ball, all that stuff, the gate itself, all that jazz. The big trick is, the computer, teaching it, reteaching it, formatting it, programming it to understand that, hey, now there’s a, there’s a third pedal in there that’s getting utilized, you know, shifting and whatnot for your revs, all that jazz.
So it’s just, it’s just reteaching it. So now the, obviously the big name of the game and that is EAG down in Texas. Uh, my understanding there was kind of, uh, some hubble blue going on with ownership, whatnot, fighting, blah, blah, blah. But anyways, I guess they must have gotten things sorted out because they seem to be just plugging away.
But anyways, you know, they’re the big player in this game. They actually sell the kits as well. So you can just buy the kit yourself. It’s like 40 Gs, uh, and do it yourself. Pardon me. Um, and have it done. I would recommend having a shop do it because of big, you know, doing the mechanical part, not that difficult.
But. Obviously doing the computer part, but hey, you can tweak it yourself. Why not? Uh, Vin Tran, or what’s his name? Vinnie? Vin, I don’t know, he’s got his episode, he was part of Who N Get It? a while back. Uh, probably seen him, you know, putzing around on YouTube. He’s got his own channel. But anyways, back to what I want to talk about.
So out there in the market, you’re starting to see some very high end limber reduction hybrid cars come with, offered, retrofitted, With the manual gearbox. Now Koenigsegg came out with this really, really cool setup. You know, and here’s the thing when you watch it, or you see how it is, and do it, you know, it’s actually mimicking a manual.
Is what it’s actually doing. So it’s not really so much it’s a manual transmission product. Percay with the clutch in that it’s mimicking it. So the computer is doing everything to give you that sensation that feel like you are actually Rolling your own, rolling the gears going through it. So, because you can actually put it into a fully automatic mode.
Or you can put it in where you got the flappy paddles. So you got three options. So is it technically, you know, a manual six feet? Yeah, I guess you could say, yeah, but I mean, it’s all done computers and stuff like that. It’s giving you that sensation to feel the clutch pedal. It’s giving you that sensation.
I mean, like that, where your pickup point is the whole thing. It’s really, really cool. The whole system. I mean, it is. Christian Koenigsegg and his team over there. They have some of the most brilliant engineers on the planet right now, what they’re doing. No offense against the guys over at Rimac and what they’re doing, stuff like that.
But, I gotta say, the Koenigsegg guys got it going on. So, and, I would love to be a fly in the wild or what not. See who, you know, has these Christian ideas, you know, some of his guys or what not. I don’t know, but I got to say they have some awesome, awesome stuff going on over there. Cody’s thing is really cool.
I really respect, like that brand a lot. Love what they do. But anyways, Pagani, Pagani actually offers on their newest model, the Utopia, a full fledged auto, automatic, full fledged manual gearbox, like full on. So you got a V12, twin turbo, V12. In that car, 800 some odd horsepower, everything like that, full fledged, you can get it.
Now, you can get the, uh, flappy is the interesting thing, and this makes you wonder if this is something that is starting to become, going to become more and more common with some of these more main players or, you know, more established, I don’t want to say established brands, you know, like the big names, Ferrari, Lamborghini, stuff like that.
Porsche obviously still offers a manual on some of their models. But, um, the up, the take up on that from clients, from customers, was like 90 out of the 100, it was like 95 percent of the people took the manual option. They ordered the car with a manual gearbox. And from my understanding, one or two of the people, they wanted to have it, but just due to health reasons, something, their legs or something, somewhere, they couldn’t.
Unfortunately, they just for, you know, medical reasons, do their, something with their body, legs, whatnot. They couldn’t do it because they couldn’t do the gear changes or whatnot. So, they had to get the automated, the, uh, you know, flappy pedal gearbox, as we all love to say. So, makes you go, hmm, is that something that Ferrari should consider?
So, In my opinion, yes, most definitely. I think they should. Now, see here’s what would suck. Because obviously when you look at what it takes to create that, the engineering, the investment, the time, I mean, you’d have to totally design a whole manual gearbox, everything. You know, and then you get into the fact is, you know, your interior wise, because you got the gear selector, third pedal, awesome.
There’s a lot of stuff that goes into that in regards to offering that as an option in a car. So it’s like, okay, what do you do? Do you do it along the Icona series where you’re doing maybe you’ll build a couple hundred cars? Um, or do you get it more mainstream and do it on a model where you offer it?
But you’d have to like also really completely change up everything on this car So it’s like you’d have to design and build this car from the get go that you were offering a manual It’s not like for the say the 296 which again i’m gonna say would be Awesome with the manual gearbox. That would be unbelievable with the manual gearbox, you know But the thing was designed that way is designed from the get go to have a flappy paddle gearbox everything like that How the whole thing’s done up the whole nine yards your interior design everything like that I mean everything’s designed to have that set up in there It’s not made designed to have this big stalk and ball sitting there between the passenger and driver’s seat and everything all that jazz And but it would look so cool Fucking cool, pardon my French.
But anyways, you know, so, do, do they, you know, the follow up to the 296? Because think about it, because like right now they’re in the stages of, okay, what’s going to be coming after the 296? What are they going to build? Because, you know, in product planning and everything like that, you know, you have your, you know, um, lifespan of a car, you know, depending on if they, you know, anywhere from 6, 7, 8 years.
You know, I don’t know how long they’re going to have that, the 296 in the cycle, but you know, sometimes they have them very lengthy, sometimes they have them short. You know, so I’m going to be keeping the thing going for a long time. Now take a look at like the F12, which turned into the 812. I mean, basically almost the same, identical car, just a few tweaks and whatnot.
But you know, the, the, the basic premise is there. So they get a custom, hey, so call it the, uh, I don’t know if you go 312, call it the 298, something, I don’t know. But I just think it would be awesome for them to come out and offer a manual gear. I see a lot of people are going back to want that analog experience.
Cause let’s be serious. Cars that are getting built today at that level. That price point, that performance, you’re not going to use nowhere near all the things that that car can do. You’re not even going to, those wheels will never see a track. You know, they might barely ever get over a hundred miles an hour.
I don’t, you know, I just, I don’t know. I mean, so why have a car that has all that performance, that capability? Oh, you can change gear and X amount of milliseconds. Oh, and this, that is going to shave 10 tenths off for this. Who’s going to do that? You know, the 1 percent of them, a lot of those guys, they’re buying the full fledged race car that their factory sells and taking them on the track.
So why do you, you know, why does it matter to road car? You want to have analog experience. You want to be part of it. That’s why you go into the marketplace and you look and see what people are asking for factory manual Ferraris, be it. That’s so much three sixties, but four thirties, if you guys jump on the foreign marketplace.
com, check out the analytics we got going on. We have from the past four or five years, we plugged in and put the data up to look at the sales and see where the trends are. I was going to take a look at and see. My man Eric put a lot of time and effort into that. Kudos to my man. He is awesome. But take a look at the numbers and the sales figures.
It kind of gives you a market forecast and where it’s been and everything like that. Kind of gives you an idea. Check out the numbers on that and you’ll see. The price and demand for the factory manuals, especially the 430, has gone to the roof. 599, forget about it. Worldwide, 30 built. 20 for the U. S. Now I think they got a little greedy and some people think it’s a million dollar car But if you look at some of the most recent auction numbers, it is about six seven hundred thousand dollars So I know there’s a dealer out there that they had one He was sitting on for a bit and he was looking close to 900 didn’t happen, you know So I obviously got those something out there to see what happens see if it sticks He was wants to know but he said that car for a bit Now you look at factory 430 manuals, uh, there’s a few that have been sitting out there for quite a while.
I’m going to pick out a couple. There’s a gentleman that’s over on the east coast. I’m not going to say his name, Ryan Freedman. Um, he’s had a few of these, and he’s got a hell of an inventory. Ryan’s a great guy. Super nice. Uh, but he’s had a couple now. There’s one he’s had. It’s blue, red interior. He bought it from a dealer out of Michigan.
I can’t remember the dealer’s name because it’s been a few months. It’s been a while. Um, that dealer had it at like 299, something like that. Carhead. 12, 000 miles, something like that. I have to go back and check. You know, mileage was decent. Anything crazy. Nice color combo. It’s pretty sick. I love the red interior with the blue.
It’s a great, great combo on it. So Ryan, you know, it wasn’t for sale long in Detroit because he snagged it up and bought it for what I don’t know. But then he turned around and threw it up on his site for 320. So he was trying to do a flip. He snagged that thing. He was hoping. Now what’s interesting on that car, he had put it up on bring a trailer.
And I made a post on there in the question, you know, in the comment section about, about the fact is, Oh, well, hey, this is interesting that this car came from X in Detroit for this. It was for sale at this price. Ryan bought it and then put it up for this curious to see what goes on here. My post got removed for not being, what do they say, it’s, it’s um, it’s not, it’s not contributing in a positive way or something, I don’t know, something cheesy.
So I redid it again and reposted it, then it stayed up there, but it’s like really, come on, people with half a brain. We’ll know to do the research. All you gotta do is pull the VIN up, type that into Google search, and it’s gonna come up to where this car is at and everything like that. So, I mean, it ain’t rocket science, people.
You can’t be hiding this stuff. So, didn’t sell on Bring a Trailer. I think it got up to 280, 270, something like that. I don’t even know it got that high. I’d have to go back and check. Um, here, tell you what. You know what? I got the computer right in front of me. Let’s go to Bring a Trailer. Let’s pull up 430s.
Come on, computer. Come on, computer. Uh, F430. Ferrari F430. Let’s see what we got going on real quick. Uh, let’s see here. Now let’s look at, where’s our auction results. Um, ba doom boom boom. Ba doom boom boom. Trying to remember how long ago it was in, um, give me a moment. Bear with me. It was a few months ago.
We’re back to, I don’t think it was that long ago, was it?
Is it even on here? I don’t know, do they do, no, they have the ones that are unsold and I’ll see we’re getting back into beginning of the year. Now where’d it go? Where’d you go Mr. Blue Car? Mr. Blue? It wasn’t there, wasn’t there, no, no. We’ll get into Scuds too because that’s a whole, that’s another, it’s interesting to see when you get to like conversions too and see the prices on that.
So, um, Oh, I’m sorry. You know what? It wasn’t Ryan’s car. I apologize. It was actually the yellow one. So, you know, I was talking about that yellow one. There was, and I don’t see it anywhere. How’d it go?
I don’t know. Anyways, I don’t, I ain’t going to ditch going through it. So anyways, but it was Ryan’s car. We’re going back for it. So, and he’s been still sitting on it and looking at his inventory and he’s got a couple other ones. There seem to get a little more realistic, but there’s a black on black of which I love to have, um, that he’s got reasonably priced at two 80, something like that.
And it’s got, um, I’m trying to remember the mileage on it. Um, let me see here.
Let’s see here, let’s go on, let’s see if he still has it. Let’s just check it out and see since we’re, since we’re talking about it. Let’s just go on to his website and say, what you got there Mr. Friedman? What you looking at? Inventory? Current inventory? Let’s go to your Ferraris. Let’s see what we got.
Maybe he sold it. I don’t know. But he’s got a black on black one. I just love to get my hands on. Um, here let’s just do the search. Make, we want Ferrari. He’s got 11. There we go. All right, got some got a 355 there’s an f1 tranny challenge to dolly Doom See he still has the blue one that one has 12, 000 484 miles He’s got a 289.
9. So he’s dropped it down. So I wonder how much he got it for from the Detroit guy. Um, then there’s a three 60 and then here is the two feet. Oh, he’s dropped the price, but it’s got a little over 26, 000 miles on it. Uh, black on black. My love to have that car. So it’s getting down there. So people got it. I want to say greedy in regards to pricing and what have you, but like I said, go on the, the fire marketplace.
com check out the market trends and you’ll see, so They didn’t sell. And I know there was a couple out there. People think, Oh my God, half a mil not happening. People markets going to dictate, tell you what something’s worth. So these guys are sitting on these cars cause they’re getting a little out of hand.
Now, the interesting thing is three sixties. You know, you get yourself, you can still, you’re still in the mid 100 range, 140, 170, depending on mileage, whatnot, what have you, um, and get it, so, those are still very decent. Now, I’m going to do the next follow up to this is going to be, I’m going to compare the 360 and 430 because there’s, even though they look extremely similar, there’s some huge differences between them.
But anyways, so you can still do well with the 360 in regards to getting a factory manual 6 speed. So, So here’s the thing, again, going with the price wise is on that. So a 360, you can pick one up for 80 grand. It’s got some, you know, maybe 20, 30, 000 miles on it, needs a service or anything like that. So if you’re going to go in there and do a manual swap, you might as well, you know, do your, uh, belts and everything like that as well.
So, but say you got 40 grand for the kit, put it in there. I mean, you could still be at the price. So why don’t you just spend a few extra dollars to get yourself factory manual, just the financial and the numbers don’t make sense. So anyways, Should Ferrari build another one? Factory with a new car? Yes, they should.
It’s my opinion that I think they would sell like hotcakes. You know? So again, it kind of sucks is, okay, is it going to be an Icona series where it’s a limited edition and you got to be on the list? You got to be the in, you know, you’ve had to had yourself 500 Ferraris before, you know, you got to own yourself, you know, the new F80, you got to own a lot of Ferrari and Enzo, you got to, I mean, you know, I didn’t, you know, some of these stipulations, well, if you, if you buy yourself an SF90, we’ll sell you this, you know, kind of that deal so they can move them because no one’s buying SF90s.
Um, you know, so it’s, so. Where do they drop it? You would hope they would drop it. So it would be a production car that, I mean, even a production car, they’re only building a few thousand a year of them. So it’s not like you’re building tens of thousands of them. So it’s still technically limb car. It would sound like crazy.
Could you imagine what the resale, the flip market would be? Oh my Lord. People would be making bank on those cars, but I just think it would be so cool for them to go back. Go to their roots, man. Build a factory manual. It’d be awesome to see the 296. I mean, obviously twin 36, but you know, it wouldn’t be that much of an engineering exercise to do it.
And I guarantee you’ll be leading the way in the marketplace. You want to talk about Lamborghini jumping on board. They did do that in a heartbeat. And you talk about, you know, their V12 just glorious sounding with the manual, everything. Uh, put a good tiny exhaust on there. Lord have mercy. You’d be singing to the gods with that’s my son.
So yes, they should do it again. Now, what do they put in it? Then here’s a question. Do you do it into, drop it into a VTOL? Because here’s the other problem you have. You got all these emission standards. You have all this stuff. So it’s like, oh, maybe you make it a track only car. Well, that would suck. Um, you know, you could go into the fact is you make it.
Barely a track only car, but you put all the stuff in there to turn it into a road legal car. You just have someone on the outside do it. So basically have all the wiring for all your stuff, you know that you need to transform it back into a road legal car. You know, there’s those entities that will do that.
There’s the, what you would call, they do that with the, uh, McLaren F1s. You know, they’ve done some very, you know, racy, racy cars with those and made them. street legal, and so it’s not out of the realm, so it would be cool for them to do. So, you know, there’s a way to flirt with everything and kind of get these things back to where it would need to be a road legal car.
Excuse me, so I don’t think it’d be all that difficult. But, again, you would almost have to go the route of having a twin turbo model, be it a V8 or a V6. Now, yeah, you could do the V12. Yeah, that’s true. So, but, again, for the emissions and all that stuff, they gotta meet all the stringent requirements, all that jazz.
You know, you gotta do this to the motor, so you couldn’t have an NA V12, V8, or V6, or anything like that. It’s gonna have to be twin turbocharged and do it. But I mean, you can still make it sound good. So, you know, you have all that to deal with. But I still think it would be so worth it. And I’m going to tell you right now, Ferrari, you would sell them out in a heartbeat.
You want to talk about just getting back to the core. You want to talk about not only taking care of your loyal supporters, followers, and clients, customers, man, you’d probably gain Crap load more, you know, you’d get a lot of people over from the dark side of the raging bull and get them over to the prancing horse Because you went back to hey, what let’s let’s do something like that Let’s let’s go back to let’s go back to building something that the clients would just absolutely go nuts for I mean that would just and could you imagine with what they have what you have at your you know, your Your arsenal what you have that you could get into in regards to Put putting this together.
It would be awesome what you could do with this car You know what and get rid of all no, you don’t need to have you know You know don’t need the the screen in there. You don’t need to have GPS. You need all that garbage Scrap that go back analog. Yeah, you still have all your computer stuff You need to really enhance it and all that jazz, but get rid of all that crap No one gives a shit about it.
No one wants it. And a lot of the times it runs like crap. Go back to make a nice bass. Balls out fun, just analog Ferrari that you can just go out and enjoy. You got your three things in front of you. You got your speedo. You got your RPM gauge. So you know if you’re going to run out of gas or not, you know, if you want to put a couple of other ones in there, fine.
So be it, put a couple of your smaller ones for your voltage and all that crap. But just get your big dot, two big dolls in front of you. Have your basic, I mean, you don’t even need a radio, but you know what people are going to want that. So put in a decent radio, your air con, that kind of stuff. But forget having that big fricking screen and touch buttons and all that crap.
You know, just have it nice and basic. Have it on your, know what you got on your steering wheel? A horn button. That’s it. That’s all you need. Horn. That’s all you need. You don’t need the magneto and do all that crap to go and raise, blah, blah, blah. All that stuff. No. All you need is your three pedals, your steering wheel, your couple of circle gauges, and that big metal stick sticking up out between your, uh, right next to your right hand.
Nice ball in there. Bam, bam, bam, bam. Going through the gates. You want to talk about selling those like, you could probably build a hundred thousand of them. You’d sell them in a heartbeat at 250, 000 a piece. Cost you a hundred grand to build them or whatever. You make a bank. I mean, it’s just an exercise in engineering.
I think Ferrari needs to go back to, I think it would just be phenomenal. It’d be so cool to see that happen just to go back to just doing something like that. It would just be so cool to see. I mean, again, obviously you got to have your safety features, got to have airbags, got to have those stuff, dah, dah, dah.
So, but just whatever the bare minimum is to pass all the regulations that you need. Cause let’s face it, you’re basically building the past the regulations United States because the United States sucks. in regards to what regulations you got to meet because you meet their U. S. regulations, that thing’s going to pass everywhere else.
Just plain and simple. So bare minimum, meet what you got to meet. Put in a six speed manual. Yes, you could do a seven, but it just looks too funky. Having that extra thing over there. All you need is a six speed. You’re finding good with that. Cause I said, that is more than enough for 99. 9 percent of the people that are going to buy it and drive it.
They’re going to talk about going to the tail of the dragon, going to those places with that, just hearing that thing sing. Um, I mean, it’d just be unbelievable what you could do with that car. Man, that’d be fantastic. So tell me your thoughts message. Shoot me an email. William at the far part for William at the Ferrari marketplace.
com. Shoot me an email. Let me know what your thoughts are. Put some comments down in the comments below. Share this around. Tell me what you think. I did a poll on LinkedIn a while back and yes, basically 99 percent of the people said yes, of course you had these youngsters. Nah, flap your paddle. There you go.
Cause they don’t know how to dry stick. That’s the problem. They didn’t learn. I learned my first car was a stick when I drove on the road. Cause I learned how to drive a lot earlier than that, you know, started riding motorcycles when I was five, four. So I guarantee a lot of these listeners, majority of your listeners, your first car was a manual.
You probably have a manual car in your garage right now. So, comment on this. Shoot me an email. Let me know what you think. We should have a roundtable discussion on this. I think it’d be really cool. Mr. Eric, I think we should maybe set this up on BreakFix and have a little roundtable discussion. I think that’d be fun.
So anyways guys, that’s about all I have on this episode today. Let me know your thoughts on this. Again, I appreciate you listening. Check out, get on over to Motoring Podcast Network, check out what else we got going on on the MPN. There’s a lot of cool stuff you guys can listen to. So don’t miss out on that.
So till next time guys, appreciate it. Have a good one.
This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part of our Motoring Podcast Network. For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational content from organizations like the Exotic Car Marketplace, The Motoring Historian, Brake Fix, and many others. If you’d like to support Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at www.
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September 24, 2024FerrariIn 1992, Kevin Waite was the artist commissioned to paint the original oil painting to commemorate Fangio’s visit to South Africa. Limited edition prints were reproduced of the painting for sale to the public, and Fangio personally hand-signed every print! The Pirelli agents in Australia used a portion of the prints as prizes for customers in their loyalty programs. A copy of the print is housed in the Pirelli archives in Italy.
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August 30, 2024Ferrari / Podcast / PorscheOn Ferrari Friday’s, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breath the Ferrari brand.
On this episode William does a crossover podcast with car specialist Greg Stanley, host of RM/Sothebys “The Collector Car Podcast” and the tables have been turned and William Ross interviews Greg Stanley on this episode of The Collector Car Podcast.
**REPOSTED WITH PERMISSION FROM RM/SOTHEBYS**
Please support our sponsors: www.RMSothebys.com, www.LLCTLC.com and www.EuroClassix.com. For discounted registration fees for your collector car, RV, boat or other awesome ride, please visit LLCTLC at https://www.llctlc.com/classic Follow The Collector Car Podcast: Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or communicate with Greg directly via Email. Join RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist Greg Stanley as he applies over 25 years of insight and analytical experience to the collector car market. Greg interviews the experts, reviews market trends and even has some fun. Podcasts are posted every Thursday and available on Apple Podcast, GooglePlay, Spotify and wherever podcasts are found. See more at www.TheCollectorCarPodcast.com or contact Greg directly at Greg@TheCollectorCarPodcast.com. Are you looking to consign at one of RM Sotheby’s auctions? Email Greg at GStanley@RMSothebys.com.
Episode 26
RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house by total sales. They are the preeminent market maker of high quality collector cars and collections, regardless of size or complexity. By working in partnership with the Sotheby’s team and its network of 80 offices in 40 countries, RM Sotheby’s has established the largest client network of any collector car auction house in the world.
Join the RM Sotheby’s family by connecting with one of their car specialists at rmsothebys. com. Or contact me directly at gstanley at rmsothebys. com. LLC TLC is here to save you money on all of your vehicle purchases. LLC TLC will permanently register your classic cars in Montana to avoid any annual renewal fees as your registered agent They will handle everything for you.
So you never have to step foot in Montana and as a listener of this podcast LLC TLC is offering 30 percent off your entire package simply go to LLC TLC comm forward slash classic Or mentioned this podcast when you contact LLC TLC directly. All right. Welcome to the collector car podcast. This is going to be a unique and different episode.
Mostly because I’m actually interviewing someone while someone’s interviewing me. We’ve never done this before. So it was for two different podcasts. So I’d like to welcome William Ross. William, how are you doing today? Doing fantastic, Greg. How are you doing today? I’m doing well. So you’re turning the tables on me a little bit by asking me some questions here in a minute, and I’m going to ask you some questions.
So why don’t I kick it off? Why? Like, What is the podcast that you’re interviewing me, interviewing me for. And then also, I know we want to talk about like the Ferrari marketplace and different things that you’re involved with. Yeah, that’s right. So welcome listeners on my side to the Ferrari marketplace.
We’re going to interview Greg here from RM Sotheby’s. And, um, if those of you. Watch and listen, you know, cause we did a, uh, episode on the Ferrari two 50 GTO that Greg was very integral in helping procure set up, do the whole program, everything was set up for the auction. So we’re going to talk about that with Greg and some other things, because he does a lot of cool, fun stuff.
He goes and sees a lot of cool collections. So he’s put eyes on a lot of cool stuff. So, and again, I’m going to ask him questions. He’s going to ask me questions. So, It’s going to be different, but it’s going to be fun. So you guys, you’re getting a twofer on this. So that’s right. Yeah. And we actually, we actually met up, uh, it was eyes on design weekend up in Detroit, and I happened to go to the M one Concord, um, and I actually met you there cause you were doing quite a bit of live streaming and activity.
So what kind of stuff do you typically put out there for your listeners and your viewers? You know, in my part of the world and in your part of the world, cause you’re just down south in Cincinnati. So I’m up north in Cleveland. So me and Greg are actually that far apart, you know, so, um, we have to travel a bit to get some really cool events.
We got some, like there’s the Cincinnati has a great Concord. They do down there. They started. That was what, like four or five years ago. How old is it? It’s old 1978, 78. All right. My bad. And, um, but anyway, so we kind of got to go distances to go and find some cool stuff, which isn’t bad because we’re both kind of right in the middle of heartland, so go into places.
But no, I tried to go to the events that, you know, obviously there are so many. During the summer, during this time of year. You know, that people are unable to attend. So like, I try to just give them a little insight, you know, and go to the events that, you know, Hey, people that say live in California, but they can’t go like next weekend’s the vintage Pittsburgh vintage grand Prix, um, go doing the event with the ACO and that up them one concourse, you know, um, you know, stuff like that, you know, then going, you know, seeing some collections and whatnot, if they allow me to video or take anything, uh, as you know, some people are very private.
Um, you know, I just try, you know, I have fun with it and what I go do daily. Cause I, you know, as you probably get asked, I’m sure quite a bit that either people that want to get into this business are in this business or just intrigued by it. Is, you know, how do you go see all these things? How, uh, you know, you get, you get asked, you got such a cool, fun job and this and that, and so it’s like, they want to know what you’re doing.
They kind of get intrigued about how, what’s this person do during the day or what, when they go to these events, what do they do? So it’s kind of like just a little insight into it. Um, and it’s fun because the one thing is it opens up that door for opportunity to really kind of, I guess they interview someone and get to know them a little bit more.
Instead of just casual conversation. You set the stage, having that camera in regards to, okay, Hey, let’s, do you mind if we talk a little bit on camera and I’m going to answer some questions. You know, so you can kind of, you can sidestep because if you’re just, as you know, if you’re having like just a personal conversation with someone, there’s certain questions you’re probably, but that, how’s that going to come up with a conversation while we’re interviewing them for content and just, you know, background history or whatnot, there’s questions you can ask that don’t seem odd.
Like Why the F did he ask me that? It’s one of those scenarios. Cause it’s, um, you know, cause obviously, you know, networking is huge in this industry. Um, and meeting people. Cause I mean, there’s awesome people in this industry. I mean, 95 percent of the people are awesome. You’re going to, in anything, you’re going to have those.
5% ers that are just, you know, you steer clear of them, but it’s, it’s one, it’s just, it opens doors. It’s grabbed too, but it’s just a lot of fun. You know, it’s, you know, this day and age with YouTube and doing the podcast and everything like that. It really kind of takes things to a different level in regards to, I guess you say involvement.
Because you look at it from a different angle than going to it. Like in years past, you know, I’d go to things and whatnot to talk to people, get car, you know, contact info stuff, you know, um, Hey, what do you have? Like, Hey, you know, if you ever want to do this, you know, that kind of stuff. But then, you know, you look at the cars and whatnot, but.
Well, now it is, you’ll come up to a car and you’ll start explaining it because you got a lot of people that might not know what it is, or they’re very minimal in regards to their knowledge of certain cars. Um, so it kind of really gets you more involved in it. And I guess you could say for me, I want not to say reignited the passion for it, cause that’s always been there, but just changed up how I approach going to things.
It’s like now, now it’s like. No, I have my mind. So I’ll look at, you know, say entry list or whatnot. What’s there’s like, okay, I want to go look at this car, this car, this car. And hopefully the owners stand there. Cause then again, you can interview them, everything like that. Um, it’s just, it’s a whole different way of approaching things and going at it.
And it’s a lot of fun. You know, it’s, you know, I got, you know, my big thing is we talked about up at M one, um, is I got, you know, I’m LinkedIn seems is my, I love LinkedIn. You know, I mean, I got the YouTube channel, we do the podcast, you know, Instagram, that kind of stuff, but you know, I found on LinkedIn, you know, That’s more business oriented.
I get a lot more, you know, responses, contact people reached out to me every night back from what I put up on LinkedIn, you know, YouTube and Instagram, whatnot. That’s just for, you know, Hey, look at this, check this out, blah, blah, blah. I mean, you know, you’re going to get some response, but hey, that’s a great car.
Oh, he looked like he had fun. You know, like I was just at, um, this past weekend, Oh, in Salem, Ohio, they had this really cool, um, the classic car club of America, you know, had this, uh, like multi day event, you know, do some birds, all old, like pre war stuff and, uh, stuff like that. You know, they do a driving tour and like that.
No, so I put some stuff on that and they go, you get a response. Oh, those are chords. Oh, I remember this, you know, that kind of stuff. But whereas LinkedIn, you put it up there. Someone’s going to. Oh, Hey, I saw that. And this, oh, I have this thing for sale. Hey, you know, I got someone I’ll put you in contact with because they’re thinking about selling this or thinking about buying, you know, open up the doors a lot more for business opportunities.
And, you know, as you know, got to make money, got to pay the bills. So, you know, tell us before you turn the microphone over in my direction here and ask me some questions, tell us, uh, about. Like the Ferrari marketplace, how people can find you and, you know, kind of like, are you doing stuff weekly? Is it daily?
Is it monthly kind of where they can find you on what you’re posting out there? I had these pages go the Ferrari marketplace. com is the, um, just go to the website, uh, as you go into, you delve into it, there’s a lot more layers to it. Uh, we have, we kind of building out, you know, we have is under the umbrella of the exotic car marketplace.
So we have not only the fire marketplace, the Porsche marketplace, but we have some other subsequent model, uh, brands. That will be coming down to line that we’ve got in there. That’ll be all under there. But, you know, I’m trying to try to get a buddy of mine. That’s a big Porsche person to take over the Porsche marketplace.
com aspect of it. So that can, cause I just, I mean, I love Porsches, but I mean, I just don’t have time wise to kind of start doing these other things, um, usually new content usually comes like every week, every two weeks at most, so either be, you know, new videos, new podcasts. Um, I try and do. I just started doing this a little while ago.
Um, started doing, I guess, background stuff on, you know, my specialty, I guess you could say is I do all the Enzo era stuff that’s where I, I kind of focus on, I’ll get into F forties, F fifties, you know, those kinds of things. Enzo’s. Uh, but like the new stuff and like F4, 5. 8, I just, that’s not me. That’s everyone else.
Let them deal with it. The, the Gen Z people and stuff like that. And everything along those lines. Um, but I’m doing like some historical stuff on just kind of like, okay, here’s this model kind of, this is where, Hey, uh, creation wise, what they did with it. If it had race history, dah, dah, dah, you know, kind of give a little insight into the cars, you know, what they did.
So people understand, because as you know, you know, um, you look at these, it was such a different era in regards to how cars were built, especially by them, uh, and what those cars were meant to do and be, you know, when you do low volume like that, and they’re all hand built, you know, one car to the next is not the same and they can pivot, you know, they can build four cars here, then also the fifth car is something completely different regard to competition or whatnot, like four steel bodies.
Hey, number five is going to be aluminum body. You know, car six going to be a competition on car, you know, it’s. It was, it was awesome when they were doing that. Cause obviously regulations were not existed, so to speak, in regards to what you had to have to put up on the road. Um, so it’s, it’s interesting to kind of put that out and it’s not anything in depth, like pages of pages.
I try and get a little more concise with it. Um, I’ll put links and everything in it. So people can kind of kick on, you know, click on it too. Delve into it more if they want. Um, you know, cause it’s such a, you know, it’s such an interesting, you know, everyone thinks, you know, Ferrari, a lot of people kind of have this, not to say stigma, but like image thinking, Ooh, Ferrari, you know, la di da, you know, but.
If you start digging into more and what it was, I mean, it’s really impressive what he was able to do with his limited resources in essence, you know, it’s not like this guy was, you know, Fiat or something like that, and that, and bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in revenue, you know? I mean, his main thing was racing.
He just built streetcars to support his racing. You know, and he was, you know, asked backwards in regards to finances and whatnot all the time, but somehow he did it and he built world conquering cars, I mean, the only way he got beat that small little place out of Maryland was, you know, Ford motor company with billions of dollars coming in and taking, taking many years to do it, you know, it wasn’t like they came out of the gate, you know, to beat him basically and do it.
Um, it’s just, I just think it’s a, you know, it’s a very storied brand. Um, and if you can see behind me, basically, those are all Ferrari stuff. All books, everything. I do a lot of reading and, you know, so it’s kind of one of the things that, and as you probably know, as you’ll, you’ll be talking to someone, you see something online, someone mentions a book.
And you’re like, oh, I haven’t heard, you know, you go, you buy, there’s so many places you can buy these books. Like, and then I had my one buddy, you know, Eric from up there. He got me this, you know, because obviously people know I’m the Ferri Ferri guy, you know, he bought me this bow tie Ferraris, you know, bought the, you know, Ferris from the fifties and sixties that, you know, people stuffed the Ford and Chevy engines in, pulled out the, you know, B twelves and stuff.
Those, I mean, that was a really cool book, you know, because. Again, now that people, you know, realize that that was very common over here in the United States, very common, you know, and, you know, and what always baffled me with that though, is cause like in this day and age, you read the story, the guy’s got the TR.
That, you know, someone stuffed the Ford or Chevy in, and then, you know, 30, 40 years later, all reunited with its original engine, you know, it always, it’s amazing to me that you can, you could find it for one, you know, and do it. But it just shows you the wherewithal of people. And that was before internet.
Yeah. Yeah. Think about that. You know, it’s, you have such a close knit. You know, group and community, like, Oh, it’ll call shows in this nap, but it’s just, uh, truly neat, you know? So, but anyway, sorry. No, no, it’s interesting. You talk about, you know, having the right book and such, and I’m doing some Bugatti research and, uh, I just had Philip Richter on and I think he mentioned it, but somewhere, somewhere I read, Oh, no, it was a Jay Leno video, he was reviewing one of his Bugatti’s Peter Mullen and the Mullen museum.
And you know, the book you have to get is the art of Bugatti. Uh, and so I actually found it, it’s the Mullen and they’re out of business now. You know, the museum, it’s out of business now, you know, they close down. Oh yeah. And, uh, thankfully I found it on used on Amazon, but it’s like brand new, but it’s key, there are certain books that are key.
You definitely have to have in order to, you know, be able to knowledgeably speak about certain marks, right? Well, the other thing too, especially those ones, like you said, are out of print. Yeah. Um, and they were done, you know, in the sixties or seventies or even eighties, you know, cause a lot of those guys, like, you know, a lot of those books I have up there were guys that were part of factory, part of the program, part of whatever, you know, insider knowledge and they’re writing about it.
You know, those people are long gone. You know, that was it, you know, you’re not going to be able to go and sit down and talk with these people, you know, and so it’s hunting them down. And thank God, you know, for Amazon, you know, the internet and everything like that and finding these and getting it, because to your point, it’s such great knowledge to know and learn, you know, and, and, you know, and some people might think it’s, Oh, well, you just, cause you’re trying to sell.
No, I mean, I, to me personally, and I’m sure with you is, It’s very interesting stuff in regards to how something became about the whole process in regards to starting, you know, starting product to finish product. It’s like, okay, idea to completion, you know, that whole process in between, you know, no, no computers, no nothing.
You know what I mean? You’re dealing with people who build stuff with hands, wooden bucks, you know, doing stuff by hand, you know, English wheel stuff. I mean, yeah, I love that stuff. I mean, you know, and, and I’m sure you saw it and that’s why one day I hope. I can go to Jay’s lentils garage because in, you can fill us in a little bit.
Cause I know he has an unbelievable workshop as well. You know, everyone sees his cars, but he’s got just like everything and anything you’re pretty much need or want. To restore a car, which is all interesting. Yeah. And, and feel free to ask me some questions here. I know you have a list of stuff as well, but, uh, from the Jay Leno perspective, it was really interesting.
I didn’t get to see as much of the restoration shop as I, I walked through there briefly. Um, when I was on my drive with Jay, him driving me, riding and My 66 GTO, uh, Pontiac GTO, not Ferrari GTO. My wife and the two daughters of the original owner of the Pontiac, they had like 45 minutes to an hour just to kind of wander around and they met all the mechanics and stuff.
Cause they just kind of had to fill their time. And I was slightly envious because I wanted to meet those guys and talk to those guys. So, um, yeah, but I’ll have your link to the Ferrari marketplace in the description of this podcast, obviously. Uh, what questions do you have for me? So for the Ferrari Marketplace listener side, now, as we mentioned before, as I said, you know, doing a podcast on, on my thing a while back when it was beginning, walk me through, cause you were integral in regards to the Ferrari 250 GTO that Sotheby’s auctioned off.
Uh, a while back, uh, in New York now, and that car is very interesting as well, because that was one of the things I kind of talked about in my episode was that was one of the few 330 chassis built, but it was rebodied as the series one 250 GTO. Um, so that was kind of the topic in regards to speaking with people like, okay, so is it a real two 50 GTO?
Cause it’s originally three 30 data, you know? So I’ll give you, I’ll give you the recap of it. So it was never re bodied per se. All right. So the nuts and bolts of it is, is you had 36 GTOs. This was original GTOs. Uh, two 50 GTOs. This was not one of those. There were three prototype cars built AF, uh, to compete in other classes of racing.
And so this was, this one was created with the two 50 GTO body, but with a three 30 running gear so that it would run at Lamar, so it was a larger. Displacement, um, engine four liter versus three liter four speed versus five speed. So. It was designed specifically to, uh, capitalize on a class of racing at Lamar, which is why it was called the three 30 LM LM for Lamar.
I mean, it’s really, it’s so confusing because nobody, I don’t care who it is. Not one single article got the car. Correct. No, they didn’t. Obviously in the most correct Steve Algram that writes for sports car marketplace, he was like, So almost there. Um, so anyways, fascinating car. If it was one of the 36, it would have brought more, um, difficult car to market because of that.
Like nobody knows what a three 30 LM is. It looks like a two 50 GTO, um, a year into. existence. It was taken back to the factory and, and the two 50 GTO, uh, drive train was put in there. Um, and so it became a two 50 GTO from the factory a year after it was built. So just a complex car, um, a great car. And you know, the question becomes, do you want to put it back to where it was originally where it would be a, basically a big block, a big engine, GTO, or do you want to have it as a last raced as a two 50?
And it’s, it’s somewhat hard to identify which is better. If you take it back to the four liter, when it was originally constructed, it actually had kind of an ugly, um, nose on it, had like a nail slot. It didn’t have the iconic. 3d scoops that we are all love about the GTO. Um, but it was the only one made from the factory that way.
And so like Ferrari would love to see it with his mail slot nose back on. Uh, but then. You know, I got the three D scoops when it was turned into a two 50 GTO later, which is just absolutely stunning. So it’s kind of, which one do you do? I, I said on one of my podcasts, I would just keep it the way it is as a two 50 GTO with the three D slots, enjoy the heck out of it for 10 years when it truly needs a restoration, then I would put it back to the four liter spec as a three 30 LM and, uh, enjoy it that way.
I was trying to dig around and I like, I talked to a few people like prior to that auction, you know, and I got on the phone and maybe you’ll know, uh, cause no one was a hundred percent sure could figure out some people said, Oh, they know where it is or Oh, no, it’s gone forever is where did that original motor is, was that original motor known?
Like right now, if you want to put it back, how it was born. With that, the bigger motor in it, do they know where that motor is? So we know where the motor was as of like 10 years ago. Okay. And so I can’t remember what’s on my head. No, the chassis that it’s related to or the chassis that it was put, it was put into, uh, by a very private owner.
I don’t know, eight or 10 years ago. It’s someone that. It has fallen off of the collector car Landscape, I guess is the best way to put it. Um, one of my fun things is I I like to dig and try to Figure this stuff out So I have it on my list of to dos to see if I can dig up who that person is and where they are They weren’t in the u.
s, which is one of the complicating factors. I believe they were in asia So I think uh, it was an asian collector that has a car that a ferrari that has that engine in it But like I said, I don’t know the situation there. I would love to You Make that connection and see if I could find that car and find that engine to where the current owner who I can’t say who it is, who bought the car, um, that they could reunite the original four liter with it, you know, cause it does have the original three liter that was put into the car year later, which we didn’t go into it too in depth, uh, for the auction.
Cause we didn’t want to make it confusing, but that actual three liter that’s in the car that was put in there by, uh, Ferrari actually came out of a wrecked race car that, uh, Phil Hill drove. So the actual engine has quite a bit of Providence attached to it and race history. I forgot the car it was in.
It was either. I can’t remember the car that it was in, but it was, um, it was the engine, the three liter had quite a bit of Providence and that’s the engine that’s in the car now. How did you come about, I guess you’d say. Cause I know you, how long have you been with Sotheby’s? So I’ve been, I’ve always been part time as a consultant until recently.
I’m doing it full time now. Um, about four years, right? As COVID hit, unfortunately, my first official, uh, auction was Amelia Island, right before the world shut down, uh, walking around Amelia Island, like two weeks before COVID shut down. Interesting times. So how, how do you. Okay. So four years in that span, I mean, one that’s, it’s impressive because, you know, how did you become involved with that 250 DTO sale?
I mean, did you know who the owner was? Was it just, Hey, Sotheby’s? Cause it, you know, luck of the draw. I mean, how did they all say, how’d you get tied in with this, you know, involved in the sale? So when you, when you become a car specialist, even as a consultant, you’re trying to network, obviously meet people.
Um, have it be known that if someone wants to sell a car through a big global auction house, like RMS Sotheby’s, Hey, I know a guy, you know, and so I would go to the, I would go to the Concord events. I go to car shows, I go to cruise ins, you know, shake hands, talk to people, do podcasts or whatever. Um, that car is local to Cincinnati.
So I was familiar with the car. Because it’s one of the few, like, I mean, Cincinnati, there’s two GTOs in Cincinnati at the time, which is unbelievable. The 39, if you count the three prototypes. Um, and so I did not know the family beyond saying hello to one of the, the son at a Concord event, you know, just like you would, if you talk to anyone at a concrete, Hey, love the car, whatever, you know?
And then when I came on board with RM, I just amped up, not just, you know, across the board, amped up my interaction with the Cincinnati Concord, you know, try to interact with all the folks that I could over that following couple of years, I became friends with the family. Um, you know, and it was funny cause the, the way it kind of transpired was I was leaving a, a volunteer thank you event for the Cincinnati Concord.
And someone mentioned, Oh, they’re going to sell that. GTO. I’m like, what? I didn’t think that was what, you know, I felt like I would have known. And the owner’s name is Jim Jagger. That’s all public knowledge. Um, uh, and I, I texted the son. I said, Hey, are you, you know, are you guys selling the GTO? And it was hilarious because his response back was, um, are you open for coffee tomorrow?
Oh, okay. Um, so I met him for coffee and. The answer was we are not selling the car. And this is like three years ago or so. And, um, and the key part to me was at this time, you know, and so fast forward, like a year and a half later or whatever, uh, he wants to meet to kind of say, Hey, we’re thinking about selling the car.
And. At that point, the reason I was involved was because they had a relationship with me through networking. Uh, the biggest reason why was because of the power of RM Sotheby’s is specifically the sale of the Ulan out coop for 142 million. You know, and so if you’re trying, you know, that car was very hard to come up with an estimate on, we put it at 60 million, it sold for 51.
7 million because of the reasons we talked about. Um, but if you’re a private individual and you’re trying to sell a 60 million car, let’s say that’s daunting, you know, like, Oh, yeah. You know, like you’re trying to get it out there and sell it half the time. People have to liquidate part of their collection to afford it.
Do you want to take on these cars that are maybe worth 10 you have to sell them? You know, like it’s a lot, which is where someone like Sotheby’s comes into play because they can handle all that they can, you know, if there are cars on trade in, you know, they can liquidate them at a future auction, you know, or whatever, you know, and, um, that’s how RM Sotheby’s got involved.
So. It’s, it’s really all about the power of RM Sotheby’s and the, uh, their network and everything else. I mean, you know, I, I definitely am honored to be the consigning car specialist, but if I wasn’t there, they probably would have found RM Sotheby’s anyways, because of the out sale. So, but, but it’s a, it’s the relationships, you know, and they knew me.
And so it all worked out great. So basically it’s such a big car to sell that, um, you know, we had some folks fly in ballpark and how are we going to sell it? You know, then, and you know, once. Once we had a contract to sell the car, my job was to keep the family informed and happy, right? That’s key, but, but it was the orange Sotheby’s machine that took over from there.
And by that, I mean, you know, the marketing department, the PR department, the logistics folks, you know, the Sotheby’s side. Cause we had it at the New York Sotheby’s headquarters where it’s a seven story art museum, basically, or eight story art museum that they do, you know, wine auctions and art auctions.
And it was a single car sale. Um, it was the only car sold, uh, that evening to kick off their art week. So yeah, it was a total company collaborative effort and I was just thankful to be a. Very small part of it. So is that how you got your GTO? A little, your commission check? Parsley that did pay for it. Um, that was the other thing that was funny.
And I mentioned it in Jay Leno’s video is while I’m dealing with the Ferrari GTO, I get asked to help sell a Pontiac GTO. And so I’m dealing with two GTOs at the same time. And I tried to recreate the, uh, car and driver GTO versus GTO back in 1964, recreate that. Cause I had access to do two GTOs, you know?
And so I actually reached out the car and driver and they were interested. It would have been the 60th anniversary of that article. But the problem was, is they insisted that their writer would drive the Ferrari GTO. And the, the seller Jim Jagger, he had a bad experience in the past letting And automotive journalist drive is at the time, uh, Daytona came back and it had a busted transmission.
He didn’t want to let a total stranger drive the car three weeks before it would sell just for a magazine article. Right. But the son was, is a former race car driver. He drives the snot out of that car. If you watch the videos, he’s driving it like crazy. And I said, well, You know, have the son drive the car, you’ll be in the passenger seat and you’ll get the same experience, right?
Or 90 percent of it, but they didn’t want to go for that. And it actually worked out well because my Pontiac GTO needed an engine rebuild because it only had 58, 000 miles on it. But the owner was a race car driver. So it was my, my car would have blown up if we had done it, you know, much less the Ferrari.
So it all worked out well that they didn’t want to do it. But I did get a picture of the two cars together, which. It’s really cool. Oh, nice. Yeah. It’s, it’s, well, I mean, it wouldn’t because you’re a car situation, but it’s unfortunate because I, you know, in speaking with you up at that one stuff, you know, and it seems to be, you know, we kind of have the same thought process in regards to how you present market something, get it out there.
Um, it’s unfortunate when you run into someone that’s, you know, like current drivers, well, no, the journalist has got to drive it. Like you’re missing an opportunity here. That’s like, when is this going to ever happen again? Yeah. And then you’re being stubborn about it in regards to, cause you just want this guy to drive.
And like, just, you would think there’d be like all over it. I mean, that’s like cover material, everything, you know, for the 60th anniversary. Yeah. Some of that stuff. I just. You know, I don’t know. It seemed like a lost opportunity, but yeah, I don’t know. So, uh, like I said, my car would have probably blown up anyway, so it’s probably good that we didn’t.
So, yeah, I gotcha. Yeah. So, you know, you emailed back the other day and said, you know, how often are you going out to go and hit and collection does stuff? Not me, obviously scenes with RM to keeping you busy, you know, as you, I mean, you go everywhere, you’re regional. I mean, where else you go travel? So, you know.
This is probably a better question for one of the full time RM folks. I I’ll give you my perspective, which is as a part time consultant. Um, well now, now doing it full time, but you basically, you know, it’s, like I said, it’s based on relationships. Um, if there’s enough leads in an area, then it’s viable for a trip out to meet folks.
And so, uh, I can tell RM, Hey, I I’m going, you know, I’m going, this happened the other day, I’m going to. Fort Wayne for a personal thing. I’m chasing a 67 Mustang, believe it or not. Um, can you send me some leads for that area? And these are folks that have registered either to buy or sell that maybe there’s not a strong relationship with anyone at RM.
And you basically just kind of cold call them and you might not know anything about them. You might just know their phone number and they had registered at one point with RN for one of the auctions and you just give them a call and leave them a message or shoot an email and say, Hey, I’ll be, I’ll be in your neck of the woods.
Are you up for a visit? And so one example is, is this was actually out, this was outside of arms. Sotheby’s, uh, have a good buddy of mine, Dave Snyder. He does a lot of the incredible artwork, a lot of muscle car stuff. Um, uh, great artists. I mean, he does Porsches, he does everything, but he’s known for putting.
A painting of the cars back in like the period picture. So he’ll do a painting of, you know, uh, Camaro’s at Yanko’s dealership. So it looks like it’s from the sixties. Like he does a really good job and we’ll have lunch and he’ll mention, Oh, do you know such and such, or do you know such and such, so he gave me a lead.
Uh, in the Fort Wayne area. And, uh, so I had that set up and then I asked for some leads from RM Sotheby’s and, uh, this was a situation where I didn’t have to jump on a plane, you know, so much easier to do. Yeah. So I went out there, yeah, I went out there to look at, um. One collection and one Mustang. And then I, they sent me some leads and set up another collection to look at.
And then when I was at one collection, I asked, Hey, is there someone else I should meet while I’m here? He’s like, what do you know? Such and such. I’m like, I have no idea who you’re talking about. Then I go to go to his place and it’s. You know, 34 Porsches and an F40 and some BWs and just unbelievable, you know?
So that’s how it is. It’s kind of organic. You know, you go there for, um, you know, you go there for hopefully one or two things and it might turn into three or four things that 67 is not a gold one. Is it? No. Oh, all right. Some of, um, it’s pink. Is it a Playboy car? It’s a playboy color, but they technically it’s Playboy pink, but it wasn’t a pink Playboy car.
’cause that was only 65 and 69. 69 and 65. Yeah. Three 90 big block, four speed. Oh, nice. Yeah, because they, uh. A mutual person we know up here is if he’s, if he can come across a six or seven Shelby in a debt gold. Oh yeah. No, I probably know, but yeah, George is looking, he’s like, I’ll buy that thing. A heartbeat.
You guys only think color. He doesn’t have it. Yeah, there’s only like 24 of those, I think. So the other thing I’m doing, which, um, you know, I, it seems to be a good idea. I did it last night is I’m doing some public speaking, not only around the Ferrari GTO sale, but also the J lono experience. So behind the scenes stuff, um, I’m talking about like how.
My career’s gone in the last four years. Cause it’s really gone really well. So I’m doing that at like private car storage places. I have a social event aspect, so I had two places in Dallas that wanted me to do it the other day. And that’s cool because it benefits me because I can network, meet new people.
You know, I actually got a call from the Dallas guys yesterday saying, Hey, we want, this guy wants to sell his Mercedes and Monterey. And I’m like, Oh, Monterey’s closed. How about Hershey? You know, like it probably won’t work out, but. You know, it’s all about networking, getting to meet folks and, uh, try to make it entertaining at the same time.
Yeah. So for people listening, this will be a plug for Greg is, and I’ll put it on mine, uh, website and everything is the sign up for his newsletter. It’s a great newsletter. He puts out, you know, sends it out. It’s got cool stuff, great stories. It’s, it’s fantastic. So I’ll put a link to it so you can sign up so you can get it and start receiving it in your inbox.
It’s really cool, uh, monthly, uh, weekly, isn’t it? Is it weekly? No, it’s, it’s whenever I can get to it. They’re a lot of work. I’m glad you like it. I try to make it entertaining. Yeah, no, I really like it. It’s really cool. Cause it’s got cool stories and whatnot. It’s just, it’s not just, you know, Here’s some stuff I’m looking for, you know, it’s got some cool content to it.
So it’s, you know, it’s, uh, it’s something that you want to open up and read. So I’ll put it on there. So everyone listening, definitely sign up for that. It’s really cool. I appreciate that. Hey, you ever gone up to, um, I’m trying to, I want to try and go, but up to Indianapolis for the, uh, art of Obelia. Stuff those guys do a few times a year that group.
Yeah, I went there one time for their show Actually, I think I judged their show one time Very cool show down in Carmel right downtown Carmel. Yeah. Yeah Yeah, and if you can I don’t know if they still do it Friday night. They had a dinner at the Lucas oil Family like mansion and Oh really just stunning location.
I mean, I don’t know how many acres it was, but just a stunning mansion with this boathouse and you know, it’s a fundraising event so I can’t remember, it was a hundred bucks a ticket or something. But, uh, really, really cool event. And they get some really nice cars there. I haven’t been in a couple years and I need to put it back on the calendar ’cause that’s a pretty cool show.
Yeah, I reached out to one of the guys, uh, one of the organizers that’s behind it all and, um, to him saying about coming out, cause I was going to go. Cause I was down in Tennessee and that for a Porsche event at tailed dragon. And I was going to, on my way back up, I was going to Scott, cause they were going to have something.
It was going to be just like, I don’t know what the hell I forget what they were calling it, but it got canceled and hindsight is like, I wish they wouldn’t have canceled it because. I’m a way through. I would have been going through Covington. I would have been going a different way and I’m a way to Covington.
I got clipped by a cop for doing 86 and a 55. Yeah. You know, I’m trying to get back, you know, so, but my lawyer did good. 175 fine. And I just got to take an online driver diversion course. No points, no nothing. So for, for reference, that is, uh, September the 7th. Yeah. I will not be there unfortunately, cause I’m flying up to green Bay.
I’m judging at the, uh, Ferrari. Annual meet at their big, uh, show up there and, uh, up, up, uh, up in Wisconsin. So, yeah, so you have to pick between automobile or the Ferrari show. Yeah, I was, you know, that was the thing. That’s why I was curious about if you’re headed to, cause I’m debating whether, you know, I want to go to one or the other.
And I was like, any apps I can drive to, but the other involves, you know, getting a plane, doing all that. And. Um, that time of year, starting to get those arranges gets a little hectic. Um, so trying to squeeze things in and, um, do things cause on a, on a side thing, I also helped run a nonprofit where we deal with children that have been injured in fires.
Um, so I kind of, um, You know, deal with that a few hours a week. Uh, but we have like our, our summer camp. We do, um, fall around that time of year and some other events, um, towards the end, because we try and get them for the kids, go back to school and doing all this stuff. So, um, so anyways, so I’m, I’m trying, you know, it’s one of those things.
It’s, and like you mentioned before, it’s this time of year, you know, especially in this part of the country. There’s so much stuff crammed in, you know, because of the weather, you know, you got that window of opportunity and you know, it’s, you got to do what you got to do, one of those things. Do you have any other crazy car specialist questions?
Well, they’re always all crazy, aren’t they? I mean, okay. Going in, you know, and this is what I always find fun is, you know, cause I’ve been, you know, at this a long time and I, and you’ve obviously been in the cars and whatnot, but in kind of getting into this aspect of it, you know, more recently, um, What’s, what was, what’s your, I say, I was request or weirdest situation in regards to selling either being part of the car, they want to sell it or buy it.
What if you come across something that’s like, Oh my God, this guy’s nuts. You know, I don’t know if it’s that extreme, but I have. Two, but I’ll, I’ll, uh, two, one of them is I have someone that wanted me, they, he wants to sell a group of cars with us, but he wants us to prove our value first with a another car.
And I can’t say what the car is. Well, it’s like a race car. The problem is, is it’s. Um, the hardest car to sell, I’d say so, which I get, you know, it’s like, Hey, if you could sell this, then I’ll give you the others, but it’s a car that’s like no provenance, no history, wrong engine, you know, um, like I’m like, can, is it a salvage title?
You know, like I get the, the, the reasoning behind it, but I’m like, Uh, you know, give us one of the other 40 cars. Let me prove it on one of the other ones. That’s a known commodity versus what is probably worth the parts and labor to build it, or, you know, like, it’s just difficult. That’s a, that’s been a different request recently.
Another one I had was to do, uh, some appraisals for a small collection of exotic cars. And this is when I had to walk away from, cause I wasn’t quite sure what was going on. He’s like, I’m I need a, I need them appraised, but you can’t see them. Cause I can’t let my lawyers know what state they’re in, you know, like something going on from a tax perspective, I believe.
He’s like, you know, it’s a convertible, but the title says it’s a coupe. So coupes are, you know, I think it was a divorce thing, you know, like, so coupes are cheaper. So can you appraise it as a coupe? Not as what it really is. You know, so I had to just walk away. I’m like, that’s a little too weird and shady for me, you know?
Yeah, I’ve had, I’ve had a few of those where it’s the divorce situation and, you know, and get it from both ends. The husband and wife in regards to, cause they, you know, knowing both of them for a long time, and then all of a sudden they go south in their relationship, you know, so it’s not like only one party knows who I am.
They both know, and they know that person is they’re contacting me. So it’s kind of like. I’m not getting in the middle of this, you know, again, to your point, once trying to say, Oh, it’s only worth this. And the other state, no, it’s worth two times that, you know, because they want their money, you know, and he doesn’t want it, you know, God forbid, you know, he doesn’t want to lose any of his cars, all this stuff.
And. You know, and sadly, unfortunately it ends up, Hey, he loses half his collection, you know, and it’s just gone. And for what he gets out of is not, he can’t replace them and all this stuff. And those are always interesting because you just like, you become a mediator. And then like your other point is you have ones that guys are just being real shady.
And it’s like, you know, you get someone that might be clueless or new at this, be like, Oh, we’ll figure it out. It’s like, you know, it’s like within the first five minutes of conversation, you’re like, no, I’m good. You know, I’m
kind of busy. And so you maybe call someone else. Right. Right. It’s never a dull moment. I will say that it’s always, there’s always something interesting and happening, fun happening or whatnot. So it’s always pretty, you know, it’s a great business to be in. Um, you know, it’s, it’s a lot of fun. Yeah. And the one thing you mentioned earlier, which I’ll, I can touch on just briefly is, um, how do you get into this business?
Cause you’re like, people think it’s a dream job and such. It’s really, really hard because, um, You know, there’s so many obstacles. So, you know, if you want to come on board with RM Sotheby’s or whoever, and you’re like, well, I know such and such, you know, this mega collector, I can get him as my client. Well, he probably has a relationship already with somebody at RM Sotheby’s and it’s probably the owner or it’s one of the partners or whatever, you know?
So it’s really, really difficult. Um, I tell people, you know, if you are looking to do this, do something like bring it, help people with bring a trailer first or Hemings, you know, because there’s a lot of folks that would like to list their cars on those online sites, but you know, maybe they’re older, they don’t have the, you know, they’re not.
savvy or whatever. And so you can set up a nice little consulting business, helping people sell and bring a trailer, you know, and, um, that really gives you insight. You know, if you feel, find that that’s easy, all right, then you maybe have what it takes to do it with one of the bigger places. But you’ll quickly find that’s pretty hard, you know, and like, yes, I was able to consign the, the big Ferrari GTO, but before that, you know, I had 22 cars from one client here, there, that kind of stuff.
I have four cars in our Monterey sale. It’s difficult. Even if you have someone that says, I want these three cars in Monterey. Well, are they the right cars? Are they at the right price? Are they, uh, you know, where we feel like they’re sellable? Are they have the right reserve? Do they agree to the right fees?
Are they willing to do the transport? And, um, I, I got cars in to Monterey and I couldn’t get in, uh, 1967, beautiful Lincoln continental convertible. That was Concord because that just doesn’t fit Monterey. And so, um, you know, but he didn’t want to take it to Hershey, you know? And so like, all right, well, there’s a car that’s no reserve, a hundred thousand dollar car.
and I can’t get it into an auction, you know, like it’s, it’s a lot harder. And, and even still like Hershey, um, we’re so far ahead on Hershey. They just put a note out saying, Hey, we’re only taking a handful more. That’s not until October. You know? And so if you’re trying to make a living by getting cars to consign and the next big auction is already full.
You know, you got to wait till Scott’s sale of January. And if you’re based in October and you’re trying to get cars over to, you know, like it’s really difficult, you know, there’s, there’s a handful of windows. I mean, you can private sell all day, but that’s, that’s difficult. You know, we have, we have Sotheby’s motorsport, which is online.
So, um, Yeah, I always tell people be a consultant for one of the other online where it’s not as difficult first and see how that goes. Yeah, I was fortunate because, you know, in my youth. And younger days I raced and, and just connection wise. And it’s kind of like, you know, uh, stumbling into it, so to speak, you know, it’s one of those things, cause you know, people and someone says, well, Hey, you know, I’m thinking about selling.
It’s like, well, you know, if you need some help, let me know. You know, and, and this was, you know, in my early twenties and late teens kind of doing that. And. It just grew from there. And, you know, but again, it was a long road. It wasn’t like, bam, it’s coming out of the gate doing it. You know, it takes a lot of time.
And the big thing is, is building, you know, clientele doing it. And that was one thing I kind of figured out, or I guess I, sat down and said, okay, if I’m going to do this, what do I want to do? What’s my passion? What can I do and do it? That’s kind of, you know, I’ve always been, you know, passionate about Ferraris.
It’s like, look, I’m going to just go down the path. You know, a lot of guys are, Hey, I’ll give you this and this and that. It’s like, you know, I just, I, I didn’t feel like I wanted to dilute myself and you know, it’s, so it’s, can I help someone? Hey, if you’re looking for a Porsche, so yeah, I know Porsche’s all right.
Um, Guinness of art things. So I’ll steer him to someone else. I’ll just like, okay, you know what? Tell you what, you know, here’s a person called this guy. You know, talk with him. That’s what he specializes in. He knows, you know, that brand, those things and doing it, you know, and you know, some, someone’s going to say, well, well, but what about, well, how are you going to get paid on it?
I was like, well, look, you know, I give that guy, yeah, he’ll throw me a couple of dollars, but you know, I’m always been the adage, you know, if you’re chasing it after this. because you, you know, for dollars thinking, Hey, I’m gonna make all this money, you’re in there for the wrong reason, you know? Right, right.
My always, always say, look, just do what you love. Figure out how you’re going to, you know, you can generate some money out of it, but don’t make that the focal point thinking, okay, it’s all about, I need to make, I wanna make half a million dollars selling cars. You know, you’re not gonna get there because you’re gonna be, ’cause like you made that comment saying about the right number.
Because then you’re going to be trying to sell stuff that there’s, no, one’s going to buy it because it’s priced too high, you know, and stuff like that. And, you know, I get, you know, people do LinkedIn, everything like that. And I always get asked by a lot of younger guys in their early mid twenties and, Hey, how do I get into this?
You know, it looks so fun. It’s like, and the one big thing is because the way these kids were brought up. So far their own is, you know, their internet phones, everything from day one, you know, we grew up, we’re relatively close in age, you know, we didn’t have any of that, you know, it was auto trader, you know, go into things, you know, getting the, you know, penny singer, that they’ll look and do newspapers and stuff like that.
Look in the back of magazines. Um, so you really had to work at it, but these guys, you know, it’s. Sending it, you know, a text message or email, whatnot. And I always tell them, say, look, I go, if you really want to do it, pick up the phone, but if you’re really serious about it, get in your car. If you got to drive an hour, you got to drive 10 hours, knock on the door.
I mean, you have to, you have to be proactive in regards to chasing this. And like I tell them, I say, look, you know, it’s going to take years to build up. A database, a client base, just networking stuff. No, you got to get out there and get in front of people and you need to talk to them. Yeah. You know, cause you know, is, yeah, you’re going to have your few that are in your age bracket, so to speak, that has some nice cars, but the majority of the people that have large collects and whatnot are of a much older demographic.
So it’s like, you know, you need to, you need to have to speak to him, talk to you know, everything like that, Debra, cause. You know, a lot of those people, they have kids. So, Hey, no, the kid whatnot, but it’s like, it’s a long road to home. I mean, it’s, uh, it takes time, but it’s, it’s, you know, it’s something you really want to do.
You just got to stick to it. Um, cause that’s the one thing too. And as I’m sure, you know, you’ve seen is, you know, where things are headed, especially like with your older cars, restoration side, stuff like that is, you know, the influx of younger generation coming into learning that trade. Right. Learning all the nuances and everything like that is falling by the wayside.
You know, um, you know, there’s a few colleges out there. Uh, the one in Kansas McPherson, you know, they’re doing a great job. Uh, there’s, you know, a couple of small ones, but it’s more of a trade school type scenario, but. You know, I tell people, I say, look, I go, you can make really good money working on these cars, right?
You know, learn it because it’s going to be more and more specialized as years go on. And when it comes more specialized, you can charge more, you know, don’t look at it saying, Hey, you want to be the guy where the, you know, The suit and stand in front of it and being all, Hey, look at me. You know, there’s a lot more avenues you can pursue in this industry to make a living.
Um, but you know, it’s, it’s going to be curious to see where things are in say 15, 20 years. Cause as you know, I’m sure and see it and you might, and be a question for you is the transition at the auctions in regards to what’s hot and what’s not, you know, 10, 15 years ago, you know, it just, it, the age That bracket of cars, the decade that’s popular and bringing the money, just keep creeping, creeping up away from your pre war that you’re 60 muscle cars.
And now it’s creeping up into your eighties cars that are like bringing like stupid money. That’s That’s a whole, uh, podcast episode by itself right there for sure. You know? Yeah. I mean, just, just, you see that, you know, like, you know, Fox body Mustang, you know, I had one by senior year in high school and guy, I don’t know how cheap we got it, my dad picked up.
It’s a, you know, GT five speed, great car. Loved it, you know, and I see what they’re bringing out. I’m like, Oh my God, really? Yeah. The first, the first V8 Mustang I ever drove was an 86 Fox body V8. Yeah, I love that car maroon charcoal interior. That thing was great, you know, and But it’s just, you know, you see those things just like, man, it’s like, where are we going to be?
As is it going to be the cars in the nineties? I mean, because you have that transition where cars cause of safety regulations, everything like that. I want to say became stale, but cookie cutter almost, you know, Having this, you know, all these, you know, every manufacturer having a, like a halo car or something that’s, you know, a sports car, two door sports car or anything like that, right.
Well, by the way, side, they all start building SUVs because obviously they got to make money and that’s the hot thing everyone wants. You know, I mean, look at Ford now. Ford’s, you know, the only one thing is the Mustang now, and it’s hell. They named it frickin EV after the damn brand name. I know. Come on!
You know, and everything else is trucks or SUVs. I mean, it’s You know, and unfortunately, and I kind of laugh at it, you know, I’ll never own an electric car. Um, the technology, but I just don’t see it. And I, these manufacturers, I think got way ahead of themselves with these things. Right. And again, to think about that, I mean, we’ll be long gone by the time, like that’s common, but what, I mean, the only collector thing you see is like a Rimac or something like that.
You know, you have these one thing that’s all electric. I mean, it just doesn’t, it’ll be, oh, It’ll be really interesting to see because I know we had a Tesla that really, uh, low mileage, 1, 900 miles, the original Roadster first year. And, uh, I think this is back at Elkhart a couple of years ago, Cope right after COVID.
And, you know, the estimate was 60 to 80 grand and it went for like 160, you know, because it was. The lowest in the world. And it was some auction fever going on and stuff, but that’s a very interesting conversation. And what I think the fact that their battery longevity is going to really, I think those will not be that collectible because of the technology.
I think a lot of cars, even the brand new Ferraris now that are, Going through the roof as instant collectibles. I don’t think longterm they will be because of maintenance and, uh, parts, availability and stuff like that, electronics and everything. So Jay Leno mentioned it recently. He’s like mechanical stuff you can fix, you know, when it goes bad, electronic, electrical stuff degrades over time.
So different, different thing, you know? And so I, I feel like there’s, to me, there’s a couple of like key. Um, and I should probably wrap this up here shortly, but, uh, I think the sixties cars are going to stay strong because they’re drivable. You can customize them. You can rest them on them. They can keep up with today’s traffic.
They’re fun. Um, I also think the analog supercars going up until like 2012, 2013, that’s a really, really good sweet spot. You’ve got manual, you’ve got, you know, Ferrari, you know, Five seven fives. You know, I think that’s a really good sweet spot right there too, where I think those will always be desirable.
Well, here’s a question for you. Um, in regards to, I mean, this is kind of doing it with some other vehicles, but like a lot of main thing is Ferraris because obviously, you know, you started with the three, five, five doing that terrible F1 transmission. That was basically just all solenoids and whatnot, and just making it change the gears going up.
But what you thought I’d say, you know, and I watch this closely because I get to ask this quite a bit because, you know, as you went up, you know, 355s and 360s production wise, you know, majority was manual, but then as you got into the 430, it was a big flip in regards to production numbers. F1 transmission to manual.
So now like F430s factory manuals are obscenely priced. I mean, you got one, you know, I think Ryan Friedman’s got one. He’s got a brain trail, but he had one. It was like 500 grand because they had 6, 000 miles. I’m like, Jesus, you know? And then, you know, like five fifties, that whole production was all manual, but then five, seven fives.
It was more heavy F1 transmission, but EAG is doing these, you know, conversions. How did, in your opinion, how do you think that’s affecting value? I mean, does someone go look at it and say, well, this car was, the transmission in it is a manual transmission. It’s just, they removed all the cell lines and whatnot and put the gator back in.
How do you think that really compared? Well, two things. I actually have to go in a second because I have another interview in three minutes. But but let me answer the question. Um, I think there’ll be a couple that will pop higher in price than you think they should. I think in general, though, there’ll be a premium for those because of the manual, but it won’t It won’t eclipse the cost to do it.
So say it costs a hundred grand to do it. And maybe it adds 60 grand to the value. So I don’t think, I don’t think you’ll get your money out of it. Long term if you’re making those transitions, it also highly depends on who is doing it. You know, it’s kind of like when people did the, uh, Daytona spider conversions, you know, the spiders are, there was about 121 of them or something.
You know, those are 3 million cars. The conversions. Are more than a coupe if it’s done by someone that was noted and did a good job at the time. Yeah. You know, kind of those things. So I really appreciate you being on my podcast and I appreciate you having me on your podcast. Yeah, no, that was great. No, I said, I hope you’ll, cause it’s a lot of fun.
And he said, I’m, I know you got another thing to go to, and I’m sure we can probably talk for another two, three hours, so. Um, but yeah, we’ll be in touch. I said, I’ll let you know about making up the Milwaukee. Like I said, I’m still kind of figuring out where I want to go. I’ll let you know, but I appreciate it.
I’ll let you know I’m back in Cleveland and we can go hit some car stuff together. Perfect. Awesome. Really appreciate it. Thanks man. Have a good one. You too. See ya.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
August 23, 2024Ferrari / PodcastWilliam acknowledges the recent dip in the market and the opportunities it presents for buying cars at lower prices. Ross extensively covers the Monterey Car Week 2024 and its auctions, sharing insights on specific Ferrari models, their auction outcomes, and market trends. He also discusses the impact of servicing and maintenance on car valuations and offers advice on buying Ferraris as investments versus for the love of driving. Additionally, the episode includes a shout-out to show supporters and upcoming events in the Ferrari community. Ross concludes by expressing his commitment to producing more content and engaging with listeners.
Episode 25
00:00 Introduction to Ferrari Fridays
00:47 Market Trends and Monterey Car Week Overview
02:10 Monterey Car Week Auctions and Insights
05:08 Challenges and Realities of Car Ownership
08:25 Monterey Car Week Experience
12:21 Auction Results and Analysis
16:37 Ferrari 550 Maranello Highlights
26:27 Ferrari 575 Maranello Insights
28:06 Exploring the Value of Factory Manual Cars
28:50 Converting to a Six-Speed Manual
30:01 Market Analysis of the 575 Maranello
32:28 Diving into the 599 Market
40:49 High-End Ferrari Auctions
42:17 The Iconic 275 and Other Classics
43:31 Record-Breaking Sales and Surprises
47:14 Final Thoughts and Market Insights
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
And hello everyone, welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace podcast. It’s been way too long, I apologize for that, but My summer has been absolutely crazy, insane, driving, traveling, just taking care of a lot of stuff, uh, making things happen. So. As you know, the market is going as everyone can possibly, probably see is, you know, we’re in a bit of a dip.
So I have a lot of people that are thinking they’re going to steal some cars, so to speak, in regards to getting great deals. And there’s some out there, no doubt. Because we’re going to talk today in this episode about Monterey car week and all the auctions that happened that whole week as there is several of them that happened throughout that week.
Uh, if I get a little muffled here and there, I apologize. I have three kittens I’m fostering right now, and one of them insists on sitting right by my face. So, but anyways, that’s what we’re going to get into. But first and foremost, I want to reach out and appreciate the support of the Motoring Podcast Network.
The FerrariPlace. com, GarageTile Magazine, and The Collector Car Guide. So, check those things out, say hello to them, hit up their websites, see what they’ve got going on, especially check out the Motoring Podcast Network, uh, we’ve got a lot of cool stuff on there, podcast wise, covering a lot of bases, so. A lot of cooler stuff coming along.
My man, Eric, uh, has a lot of cool stuff coming up as well on BrakeFix, but also with the ACO, uh, and stuff like that. So, a lot of cool things happening. So, check those out, give them some support, and let’s get going. So, as I stated, we’re going to be talking about Monterey Car Week 2024 and all the auctions that went on.
Now, this was going to be very closely scrutinized and watched amongst individuals and people that are in this world that either obviously operate and that’s how they make their income or be people that buy and collect vehicles, buy and sell them or what have you because, you know, it’s um, We’ve had these before and this always happens.
So anyone that watches the market closely knows that, you know, hey, everything goes up. Must come down. So it just depends on when things happen. So it was our last pretty big downturn. There was something like this was back in, you know, Oh, 809 during that big old recession deal, wherever you want to call it in regards to everything melting down.
And you know, that whole kit and caboodle, um, you know, everyone thought COVID was going to be, you know, uh, Take everything into the gutter, but actually it everything went the opposite way But anyways, so it’s been a while since we had kind of this sort of dip I guess you would say and going out there and possibly finding some good deals and get you know Getting cars back as I would kind of like to say back to some more realistic Pricing because I will say some of these prices on cars were getting absolutely obscene I mean, I just I couldn’t understand it And, you know, it’s unfortunate because what you have, what you get is, you know, someone out there, say, let’s just, you know, for argument’s sake, a 550 Maranello, um, you know, because hey, all of them are, those are all 6 speed manual cars, so that’s what’s hot, everyone wants the analog 6 speed, you know, manual cars, and as a side note, I still say that Ferrari should come out with, uh, reintroduce a model that has a six speed manual in it.
But anyways, uh, that’s neither here nor there, but as I was talking, as I kind of lost track a minute here a second, but anyways. As I take the 550, but you have an owner that sees a car sell or go at auction or something like that for some crazy number. Cause it probably, you know, it had special options, low miles, blah, blah, blah.
But then they have their car that, you know, needs a belt service, needs all this kind of stuff that they think their cars were at the same amount. So, you know, with what I do, a big portion of what I have to do is educate and Sometimes you’re going to get them to understand the situation and see, I want to say, not that point of view, so to speak, but just say, look, understanding the logic of why, Hey, your car wasn’t worth that, what that car was, you know, this is what your car is in the region of value wise.
Cause of this, you know, you just lay everything out, you know, you compare apples to oranges, so to speak, and just lay everything out in regards to why Your car is not worth what his car was. So, or all the way around. So it’s, you know, it’s one of those situations, like I said, you know, a good portion of majority of this stuff is actually just educating some of these owners.
And, you know, you would think that when you’re spending that kind of money on vehicles, that these people would do a lot of homework and really kind of dive deep and understand valuation, market trends, everything like that. But again, Here’s the thing. As I always tell people, if you’re going into this to buy a car as an investment, and that’s your sole driving factor is, Hey, I’m going to buy this car because in five, 10 years, it’s going to double or triple in value.
So let me get my money back. If that’s your mindset, you’re going to screw yourself. You’re going to be F’d because that is not the way that you approach this. You buy a car because you love the car, you buy the car because you love how it drives, how it looks, everything, you know, everything that comes along with it, you know, going to rallies, going to events, everything like that, just the camaraderie.
That’s why you buy that car. And you know, Hey, luckily for you, if you’re in that financial position that you can afford it, God bless you, get it, have some fun with it. But You know, don’t go with that mindset. Now, granted, there are going to be some that, Hey, you’re pretty much dumb. I, I’m not going to use the G word, but you know, um, you’re pretty close with, Hey, that.
You don’t only would get your money back, but, and then some, but now those are scenarios where you are either a, a very, very good customer of that manufacturer. So you have the opportunity to get dibs on first cars that come out of it like that. You know, they contact you, Hey, we have this car coming out, you know, do you want an allocation, blah, blah, blah.
And everyone’s going to say yes, because they know that they can get it, keep it for a year, whatever Whatever the restrictions may be, and then turn around and sell it and make a bunch of money. So, um, that does happen, but now and then there’s also ways around the restrictions that get put on some of these cars.
You know, Ferrari is very well known for being very, very strict. Putting up some crazy ass restrictions on new cars that come out just to try and protect it. They’re not going out. They’re just getting flipped. You know, granted, you’re going to have a lot of these guys. They keep the car because they want the car.
Let’s take example of the new F80 that’s coming out. If none of you have heard this yet, but that’s what it will be is the F80, uh, allocations and people build slots and whatnot have gone out. Uh, if you look up online, the one I, you know, fantastic guys, David Lee, just look up Ferrari collector, David Lee, and look up.
He’s got a thing on Instagram. He did his little, uh, you know, reveal on his thing that he got shown that he has an allocation for an F 80. Um, and because it’s been 80 years, a whole nine years, it all coincides with everything. So, uh, the car is going to be spectacular from my understanding. Uh, it’s going to have, you know, all the bells, whistles, but it still will have a natural aspirated V12, um, from my understanding.
Um, but they’re going to have, I believe, hybrid assist, something like that. I’m not 100 percent sure. I’ve gotten things here and there on it, but I hate, you know, to speculate because then when you’re wrong, you look like an idiot. So, I wait until the actual facts come out and see what it is. So, but I’m excited for that.
That’s going to be a great car. But anyways, we need to get back to what this original thing was supposed to be about. I apologize if I keep rambling on because like I said, you know, it’s been a while and I got a lot to get off my chest. But anyways, we’re going to go talk about Monterey this week or this past, you know, two weeks ago or whatever the heck it was.
Uh, I did not go out there. Um, these that week that Monterey happens is the week I take my daughter back to college. So this is her second year going back to school. She’s going to Kent state. Uh, so, I try and squeeze it in because she goes back right in the middle of the week and going out there. It’s just not worth it.
And in all honesty, it’s becoming such. A zoo out there that I mean, it’s kind of tough. I want, I mean, you’ll enjoy yourself. You’re going to see some awesome cars, you know, uh, there’s some great events to attend. There’s great parties. There’s stuff that, hey, you’re free. There’s stuff that you got paid for, you know, but the traffic.
Just everything, unless you can afford it, get a bunch of guys together and get yourself something that’s close to town, something like that. It’s a pain in the ass. Like I, you know, know some guys they went out to and they were staying almost an hour outside of town miles wise that should have taken them 45 minutes to hour, but it was taking them two to three hours to get in just because of traffic.
You know, and that’s not what I go out there for. I don’t want to go out there and sit in traffic like that. Just makes for a long, long day. Cause you drive in and then you’re there, you’re stuck there. You know, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me. I’m sure there’s other people that feel this way. But you know, I like to have knowing that I have an in and out that I can, you know, if I need to get away, I can either jump in my car real quick, drive for 10 15 minutes, get back to my hotel room, get back to my Airbnb, whatever, and just chill and relax.
Then come back a little bit later, re energize and do it. I hate knowing that I’m stuck somewhere. It drives me insane. But you know, it’s, it’s crazy from what it used to be to what it is now. You know, it’s always been very busy. It’s always been a great event to attend. And I always tell people, if you’ve never been, do what you can.
If you’re a car person, that’s definitely an event to go to. This is just absolutely spectacular. Definitely, definitely. You know take take in at least once in your life because it’s really cool But for warning you once you go once you’re gonna want to keep going back. But again, it is not cheap It is not cheap to attend these events.
It’s not cheap to go to you know, the concourse Pebble Beach thing itself on Sunday You know, I mean you got to allocate, you know If you want to do it, right for one person, you probably need to allocate 10 grand 7, 500 bucks to 10 grand because of you know, the You know, obviously you want to try and split everything, but you got your, you know, what you could drive out there, but you have a plane ride, car rental, you know, your room rental, whatever you want to have, but it’s, you know, where you’re going to put your head, you know, food, all that kind of stuff.
You know, there’s so many of those, uh, little intangibles, whatever, so to speak, that you’re going to have to foot the bill for. It can get quite expensive, but I said, you know, could you half ass it and try to do it on the cheap? Yeah, of course you could. You know, take the tent, maybe camp out, whatnot. Do it the rough way.
You could have some really good content with that. You know, why not? Do what you hate. You do you, but I definitely recommend going. Um, I might not get out there again. I’m going to try and possibly go next year, but it all depends. If my daughter, if she’s getting her own apartment, which more than likely will happen, then that’s a whole new ballgame in regards to moving around and doing all that kind of stuff.
So, who knows? But again, like I said, you know, a lot of stuff you can see online now, everything like that. Granted, it’s nice to meet people and network and do that kind of stuff, but You know, a lot of those people out there, you know, trying to get their ego stroked. So, um, getting things done and what not, I don’t know.
It just gets a little tiresome. You know, I’m 54. You know, it just gets old. You know, it’s like, hey, I’ll come to your house. What city do you live in? Let’s just meet up there. I’ll fly in, drive in, whatever. We’ll sit down, we’ll chat, we’ll figure some things out. We’ll find you a car, get your car sold, whatever.
But all right, enough of that. I’ve rambled on for almost 12 minutes about a whole bunch of nonsense and everything like that. So I apologize for that. But anyways, let’s get on to Monterey. So for those of you that were watching results and one thing, and you know, as a side note, I apologize. I’m going off on a tangent again is I would wish.
Some of these auction houses, they’re fantastic. I’m posting the results and everything like that. Um, the one thing that just drives me nuts that I hate because you’re going to find out the information anyways, it’s going to get posted. People are going to dig, it’s going to get found. Just do the right thing and do a sound just post a post what it went for after sale, post sale, whatever, you know, and Hey, what’s the high, what did it get bid up to?
I mean, Come on, you know, it’s that kind of stuff drives me nuts. Mecom is absolutely horrible in regards to auction results. You have no idea what I’ve been up to. You have no idea what it’s sold for or whatnot. They don’t post crap, you know, so I, it drives me absolutely insane with them trying to do research or what have you.
Luckily, there’s a couple, uh, sites and whatnot that I’m, I guess you say subscribed to that, you know, it shoots me every day. I get results, sales results, auction results, stuff like that. So, um, I get covered. So I, I have a thing, but it’s just for someone that’s out there, Hey, you know, wanting to do a little research, it can just be a real pain in the ass.
But anyways, getting back to some of these results. Now I know overall, Everything went well. A lot of these auction houses do. I think it was just a shade, uh, a shade under 361 million or think the total was, um, something like that in total for like all the auction house, which is good. I don’t want to say, I think it was an increase, slight increase, whatnot.
Um, maybe I should have done a little more research on this, but I was trying to look all this crap up and it was just big. My eyes go cross cause I was just getting annoyed, you know, cause you’re trying to find stuff out and you can’t find it out. And just because. Again, why just post the shit? All right, just post it.
Would you, you know, what’s it gonna hurt? But anyways, we’re going to talk specifically, obviously about the Ferrari’s that went across the block. Um, and some hate, some sold for a world record price. Some didn’t meet expectations. They didn’t even hit the low bid, uh, low estimate, you know, they were, and they were way under the low estimate.
So that’s kind of where some of these people were able to kind of, yeah, I guess they swoop in and get themselves a good deal. I guess you could say, um, you know, ’cause that’s the other thing too, not kinda knowing, obviously depending on year. So if you’re talking basically a 5 50, 5 75, uh, 360, 4 30, eh, you know, those cars, whatnot.
I mean, I’m sorry, not 14, but the 360, um, 5 75, 5 50, um, 5 9, 9, a little bit, but you know. Basically cars that when you got to get a service you’re talking, you know, 10, 15 grand, you know, because you have to do belts, everything like that. Some of those you got to pull the motor, all this crap is just, you know, it’s just a pain in the ass.
So, but, you know, that kind of stuff you don’t know anyways going in or whatnot. So, you know, there’s some of these things, well, hey, it’s sold for this, but well, you know what, you’re going to have another 20, 30 grand on top of that just for mechanicals and whatnot to get that thing up to snuff to re drive it.
Now, the one thing I’ve always kind of bantered about with this is. Who, is it actually getting purchased or bought by an individual to drive, put in their collection, whatever? Or is it getting bought by a dealer? I can’t tell, I mean, you see it all the time. I track this stuff and see it, and obviously it’s really easy because of VINs and that kind of stuff.
But, is Seeing a car go across the block, seeing what it sells for, you know, all in fees, the whole nine yards, like, okay, that’s not too bad. You know, someone, someone got a pretty decent deal on that, they’ll be happy. Three months later, you see it sitting, being advertised at a dealer. You know, I mean, hey, you know, people went in for money and whatnot, and they saw a deal, they got it, and hey, they can make a few dollars.
God bless him. You know, but it’s like, how long is that car going to sit there? You know, and you know, I, I’m sure once they get their hands out, if they try and get a hold of low bidders and whatnot, the person that was second, third, fourth in line, reach out to them and say, Hey, I got that car, you know, and try and do something.
But again, Hey. You’re in the business to make money. That’s what you gotta do. That’s what you have to do. But I’m going to talk about some, uh, let’s start with talking about some, uh, five fifties because there are some that sold for, I would guess you would say the right money. Um, but then you had some that, you know, like, wait, why did it sell for that much money?
You know, it kind of was a little bit baffling, um, in regards to price on it. And you know, why would it go for that? Um, Then we’ll jump up to the 575s, but then we’re going to talk about the 599s that went across. There were two 599s that went across that were actually factory six speeds from the factory manual cars that you know, everyone’s told Oh, those are million dollar cars.
Well, they didn’t sell anywhere near a million dollars And I know that there’s a dealer out there sitting on one of these. He’s had it for a bit That is not going to be happy with those results because he’s about 200 grand over, uh, on the high bid one, uh, high auction winning, uh, five, seven, uh, uh, 599 that went across.
So, um, cause that’s just going to be ammunition for someone to come and say, well, look, these two sold just recently a Monterey for this all in you’re 150 to 200, 000 over that. You know, God knows what the guy’s got into the car and what he picked it up for. I mean, cause the guy is not on consignment. And it’s no secret, just do a search, go into Auto Tempest.
You’ll find it. Um, hold on, let me take a sip of my Diet Mountain Dew. My vocal cords are getting a little dry. But now, Let’s look at this one. Now, this is a 99 550. Now it’s a very unique color, but it’s got interior color that I just despise. I hate tan interior. Um, but this was finished in the blue NARC.
This was done over at, um, RM Sotheby’s. Big fan. I love RM. RM’s great. Um, their good was about publishing numbers, everything like that. So, but, Obviously being a 550, it’s a six speed manual, but it only had just under 5, 000 miles. So everything was done the whole nine yards. Um, not sure about when the last service was done, everything like that.
Um, but you know, this thing sold, um, it was at 280, 000. So now if you look at some other recent stuff that’s going on, you know, I’ve seen five fifties, fifties. You know, obviously more miles, a lot more miles, you know, you’re talking, you know, maybe 20, miles, you know, going for 000. So, I mean, that’s a huge swing.
You’re talking basically half of what this is now. If you drive your Ferrari and you take care of it, you can put miles on it. And you know, these things, you know, 550, 575, 590, those are grand touring cars, man. Those cars are made to get on the road and just go, you know, could you have a little Canyon carving with it?
Of course you could, you know, because they’re front mid engine cars, you know? So, I mean, it’s got the handling that means not a mid engine cars, not a, you know, 360 or four thirds or anything like that. But, you can still have some fun with it, but those cars are made to get on the road and just go for a drive across country, which, in the next few years, we’re gonna set up, and my man Eric, you’re gonna be my co pilot, just FYI.
So, but anyways, um, this thing sold for 280, low miles, Very unique. I hate throwing out the word rare, but, um, you know, beautiful color. Now, the one thing about these, and this was very common with a lot of these sales that was going on is due to the fact that a lot of these cars, obviously getting shipped into California for the auction either had to be sold to a dealer or it had to someone out of state had to buy it just because of emission stuff.
Um, you know, so, Out there as you can see there’s always way works that you know you buy you just put it under your Montana LLC Um and bang, there you go. You have it. So anyways, so this thing went for 280, 000, you know unique color everything like that Now, like I said, you go online you look around you find stuff that’s for sale out there Like I said, you’re gonna be anywhere from The low hundreds on up.
So again, it depends on miles, colors, you know, just how well is this thing maintained and everything like that. So let’s find that other candidate that I had that was for it. Where’d you go? Oh, here we go. Now this one was interesting. And because here’s the thing, this thing, again, it had, where’s the mileage on this one?
Um, 21, 000 miles, but now it’s in the hot, the hot color that, you know, and I want to say David Lee, you’re the man that kind of kicked all this stuff off with the yellow, yellow. Uh, everyone all of a sudden got this big kick in regards to having yellow, yellow Ferraris. Um, I know David, you know, he’s got his yellow ones.
Now, some of them he had to get repainted because some of them they did not come from the factory in that color. Yeah. So he got them repainted, which, Hey, have at it. You know what, no big deal, but he’s, he’s got a 288 GTO that he did up in this color and it looks spectacular. And I don’t know, you know, if you look up some other, uh, 288s that were done at, there’s a black one running around.
There’s a white one. There’s this, uh, yellow one that David’s got. I mean, it looks great, you know, and why not have at it? He has some fun with it. You know, who cares? You know, it’s your car. Do what you want. But anyways, this went by from Gooding. Now this one had 21, 000 miles on it, it had, you know, obviously it’s yellow with black interior, uh, it had a major service that was just recently done.
What does that mean? I don’t know, because, um, it’s, you know, what’s recent to you? To me, recent’s within the past six months. Some people say, oh, it’s had a recent service, when was it? Oh, three years ago! Well, here’s the thing on your services. It’s either by mileage or by years. If you go minimal, basically is every five years, you know, if you haven’t achieved it through mileage, you need to get your belt service done and get the major service done.
Plain and simple. So I don’t know what they mean by racing, but anyways, this sold. for 212, 000, I’d just say under just under 213, 000. Now here’s the thing, this is what I like about Gooding. They had an estimate, it was because this went without reserve, of 250, 000 to 300, 000. So right there it shows you this thing went for basically 30, 000 under its low estimate, right?
Is my math right? Uh, thirty five thousand, basically. Yeah, roughly about, a little over thirty five, thirty six thousand dollars, thirty seven thousand dollars, under the low estimate. So, that kind of tells you, okay, but why? Why did that other one go for so much more than this one did? Well, I don’t know, color, but it’s got the yellow, because of, uh, I don’t know.
I mean, that’s one thing. So, and again, who’s in the room, who’s not in the room going around. This is, this was a good deal, in my opinion, because of what the color is, recent service, everything like that. And it had an original owner until 2024. So basically a one owner car. So, This thing was stunning.
Absolutely beautiful. I watched this thing go across and if I had the pockets I would have bought this thing because this thing looks stunning in the yellow. Um, it’s absolutely fantastic. So that kind of gives you an idea of going through between these where the one met its low, it didn’t go over its high reserve, but it met it and hit it.
Now this one, you know, obviously being way under like that was a little, you don’t know why. And again, you have all these variables involved when you go. And it happens. Now, look at this one. And this is why, because, here’s the thing, because this is a 2001
550 Maranello. Estimate? 300, 000 to 400, 000. This went out without reserve. Had just under 3, 000 miles on it. Had a recent service, everything done. It was a 2023 Ferrari Club of America Platinum award winner. So it’s got, but here’s a key thing. Cause not many were built in black on black. So, um, I love this car.
This thing is spectacular. I’m a big fan. Black on black. Um, you know, but absolutely stunning car. You know, everything got ticks all the box, everything like that. 368, 000. So, again, miles, color, that plays a role. So look at that big swing between, basically, you know, nothing was huge and different across the years in the 550s.
You know, they didn’t change anything, there was no evolution or anything like that. They’re pretty much, yeah, hey, from when they got the first ones to the last month line, bam, you know, it’s when they do any type of change on it, they just change the, uh, nameplate, they change the moniker on the car to something else, hence like this, they change it to 575 when they start doing some big changes, so, but look at that big swing, that was what, close to 150, 000 swing in regards to price between one, two, Miles, this thing had, you know, was it 18, 000 less miles?
Um, and it’s got the, you know, the yellow is a very desirable and hot color. So, I mean, that’s just a huge swing difference, but that kind of tells you what was going on out there in regards to pricing. So someone got, you know, I want to say a good deal on this, but the thing is, cause it was black on black.
Um, but again, that scenario, this person, are they going to drive it? Who knows? Because of, Hey, low miles. Black on black, more than likely, this thing will probably get driven maybe 200 miles a year at best, which is sad because this thing needs to get driven, so. But, we’re going to go and jump over to 575s.
Now here’s the one thing about 575s. Uh, as we know, if you watched any, uh, my one I did in regards to comparing 550 to 575s, you know that obviously 550s, the whole production run was all manuals. But then when you got into the 575s, they brought in the F1 transmission. So out of the, what is it, roughly 5, 000, just under 000, whatever that amount was, you know, production numbers, only 268 of them were actually factory manuals.
So, that’s where the desire comes in, is finding yourself a factory manual 575. Now, that’s where you’re going to get the, you know, kind of, I guess you would say, big price swing between them in regards to, alright, well, hey, a Regular 575 F1 training, you know, even with lower miles or anything like that, dollar wise, you’re going to be between 125 to 175.
Depending on miles, colors, you know, options, everything like that, that’s where you’re going to be on an F1 training. Now, if you jump into the factory 6 speed, basically what it is, is it should double in price, in essence, just because of the low production numbers. So that’s really good. But were you having that?
Not really so much, which was crazy because it’s, um, again, weird what the market was doing out there in regards to it now. So we had like this one here. Now it was of the, you know, 246 examples produced with the manual. So this thing has just under 10, 000 miles on it. Um, and, It’s got very limited service documentation, which it which is kind of odd for a Ferrari.
So I just kind of showing someone being lazy But here’s the thing with this now, it’s in your standard tan and what you’re like I’m sorry, you know your red tan interior or creamish color interior on this but this thing sold for 240 96, 500. So my guess is the estimate on this, uh, was between 250, 000 or 250, 000 to 350, 000.
They gave themselves a wide berth on that. But again, it was a factory manual car. So price wise, I mean, are you there? I mean, I don’t know. Because here’s the thing with these. Now, obviously, value wise, you get this You know, factory from, you know, from the factory six speed. Yeah, that’s a lot of value, but with those cars, with the 575 and a 599, um, and obviously with the 430, you can actually convert those over to a six speed manual.
Uh, all you gotta do is pull off the hydraulic actuators and everything that’s being, you know, that does all the shifting for you because the actual transmission itself is still. a manual transmission that was built because they just hooked up all these, and it’s very heavy to the whole system, the whole unit, you know, they just hooked up a whole hydraulic system to it.
That did all the work for you, blah blah blah, the computer did everything, so. You know, you go to EAG, uh, there’s a couple other entities out there that can do it. Um, but anyways, EAG is the best known for doing it. Is, the key thing is you’re getting your computer programming done correctly. That’s where you’re going to need all the help at.
So, because that’s what’s going to drive the system, so it knows to do the revving, everything like that, um, and getting it done. So hopefully, you know, like I said, you go to EAG, it’s about 40 grand, do it right. And the nice thing with EAG is any other service or whatnot you may need, they can handle it.
Let’s look at this 2003 again. That thing sold for just under 300, 000. And, you know, I would say a decent deal. Um, you know, not a steal or anything like that. But, again, you gotta try and find yourself. Where are you gonna find another 575, 000 Maranello? Um, In regards to, you know, manual one, doing it. So, like you can go out and bring a trailer against it, but that’s probably where they’re at dollar wise.
So, that was actually a good result. So that’s where, that’s a market correct result for that car. Now, obviously, like I said, you go to other ones that are F1 training and whatnot, you’re in the low to mid hundred range. So again, but what you could do is, and here’s my opinion, because if I’m gonna drive the car, if you’re gonna have to drop 300 grand on a factory six speed, Let’s see, I can pick up one for 125, 000, let’s just say, that’s got maybe, I don’t know, 15, miles on it.
I can drop 40, 000, so let’s just say 50, 000, because there are other things I need to get done. 50, 000 on it to get the tranny turned over to a manual. I’m under 200 grand into the car. I’m enjoying it. I got the manuscript and you know what? I’m just out there having fun with it. Will you get back what you got it?
Cause like right now, if you go online and you look around for some that, uh, you know, had the swap done, you’re probably, you know, I see it in there between 175 to 225. Depending on the car, mileage, everything like that, colors, everything like that. So, you know, and some of those are creep that are in the 200 range.
There’s one out there. I think it’s at 205 or something like that. I mean, you know, that’s pushing it. I don’t think you’ll get it. And that car has been sitting at that dealer for a while. Um, but if it’s your own car, I mean, get it done, you know, the, uh, color combination options, everything open up immensely when you’re not hindered by having to purchase Speed because one, there’s only the 246 that were built and two, how many are actually out there in the market that are for sale.
And so you got to get your choices, get limited and you can’t be good. You can’t get picky about it. And so I was like, well, I’m spending 200, 000. I’m gonna get what I want. Well, yeah, that’d be great. But your problem is, is you’re going to be waiting a long time or you’re gonna pay through the nose or you have to go to an auction, what have you, you know, where it’s a little more high profile.
So, it all depends, but my, I have my druthers, I’d just be buying myself an F1 tranny and just do the swap. Now here’s the interesting part, we’re going to jump into the 599s, because that’s where this thing got very, very interesting. Because again, with your F1 tranny and your 6, factory 6 speed manual, worldwide, they only produce 30.
Factory gated six speeds and 20 of those came to the United States. So that, that tells you, all right, your choices in that are very limited. Now I know people were throwing around the number on the five, nine, nine factor six speeds at a million dollars, 950, 000, blah, blah, blah. You know, so I said before, there’s a dealer that’s got one.
He’s had it for awhile and they’re close to that 900, 000 range. Now. At this auction, because one was part of a collection that went through, was two factory, made, factory gated manual 599s. So, um, low miles, very low miles, unique color combination. Low, like the one I want to say was 150, 000 under it.
Another one was like 200, 000 under low estimate. Because anyways, this one here that went through, um, RM Sotheby’s had just under 1, 700 miles. Uh, I know the service was done very recently. Everything, everything came with this car. I mean, everything. So, I mean, it’s a brilliant example. Beautiful. Stunning.
Again, I love the exterior. It was, it’s just a absolutely stunning, stunning car. So anyways, this thing’s old cost 786, 000. So look at that. Someone is kind of throwing around numbers that, Oh, that’s a million dollar car. It’s up there. Look at that. That was basically 200, 000 under, I think this one was 150, 000 under the low estimate.
Thanks. They had the highest mint in the million range, in the seven figure range, which is very, very ambitious. Now, these things are spectacular to drive with the manual. Absolutely spectacular. And now again, here’s the situation. You’re spending almost three, over three quarters of a million dollars on a car that you could go buy with an F1 tranny For 150, 000, 175, 000, depending on miles, everything like that.
Um, just to hold 9 yards. That, um, spend 40, 000 and get yourself a manual. I mean, why, why wouldn’t you? Right? I mean, if you want to drive it like that, I know a bunch of people. Look, Hoovey’s got one. He said the thing drives phenomenal. There’s quite a few guys out there that are doing it because it’s just, it’s a great swab to do.
It really, hey, you get that, you know, that feel to it, everything like that. I mean, Yeah, look, by the time they basically went to a different tranny, that F1 tranny towards the end of its life was actually pretty decent. It was changing gears quick, everything like that. They got it down the early stuff, like in the 3, 5, 5 stuff.
I mean, it was junk. I mean, it would take , it would take, you know, many seconds for it to change gear, to do all the stuff you to do. But anyway, by, by the end of its life cycle or end of its life, uh, it was actually a decent transmission. But there’s nothing like driving a front, front engine, V 12 ferri to six speed manual.
So my draw is I had someone to look if you’re going to drive it. Now again, this kind of goes back to that other thing I was saying about, you know, don’t go into this about, you know, make thing. These are investments. What have you? Because that’s what a lot of people started jumping in thinking, okay, that’s a five to nine is going to be a million dollar car.
Could it be in five to 10 years? Yeah, probably a factory six speed manual. It’s going to be probably in the seven figure range, but it’s going to take five to 10 years to get there market soft right now. But look at this one that went through at Gooding. They had a low estimate of 650, 000. Went through our reserve.
This thing had, let me see, where’s the miles on this one? Uh, but where’d you go? Come on, tell me the miles. Um, I don’t know. I know the miles weren’t all that high on this one. Um, but anyways. Sold. All in fees, everything 610, 000. So right there, 40, 000 under the low estimate. So, that’s a factory gated manual, red, tan interior, it’s a whole nine yards.
Beautiful car. Everything’s going, oh, here we go. Had less than ten and a half thousand miles on it. Uh, all the service documents, everything like that. Again, so it went through our service, so it was selling. So, um, whatever it got, it got. And there you go. Out the door. Someone got themselves a heck of a deal on that.
See, look at it, you saved there. You saved close to 200, 000. I mean a little bit less, what, 180, 000? By buying a car that’s got, what was it, 8, 000 more miles on it? Uh, than that blue one? Factory 6 speed manual and stuff? That was a great deal right there. That was a heck of a buy. Now, again, it goes back to that poor bastard dealer that’s got one sitting there.
He’s got some for, I think it’s close to 900, 000. You know what? Hey, let me, let me, uh, where’s the auto Tempest. Let’s, let’s look up on auto Tempest now folks. I haven’t looked this thing up in a long time to see. I said he might’ve pulled it just because of the fact that that went through and he’s like, Oh crap.
You know, uh, I can’t be selling it for that because no one’s going to come buy it. But let’s see here. Five, nine, nine. If you don’t use auto Tempest, use auto temp. I go on, bring a trailer. Um, I go to bring a trailer every day, multiple times a day. And I go on auto Tempest at least once a day, myself, just, Hey, what’s out there.
What’s available. What’s being sold. Is anything gotten posted new recently? So let’s see here. We’re going to sort this by highest price. Let’s see.
Let’s see here. All right, here we go. Yep. Look at this. We have one on here, 2011 by nine nine factory manual. Uh, Oh, I’m sorry. That’s a GTO. They got a little mislabeled wrong. So, um, here’s the, no, that’s another GTO as well. The GTO going for almost, you know, a million bucks. Uh, great car. But again, but all right.
Um, here we go. This one, 2007 got just under 6, 000 miles. Um, so it almost like a charcoal black interior, but this one’s a factory six speed 815, 000. So it’s not too far off. Of the one, but this one, he’s knocked down the price a smidge, uh, from when it first got posted. They said, I keep track of all these things and, you know, uh, in regards to what’s going on to get price alerts, that kind of jazz, blah, blah, blah.
But, but again, you know, um, some of these are a little ambitious with price, you know, cause you got a 2010, You know, just under 11, 000 miles on here, white, black interior, Jurassic in 270. I think that’s a little way too ambitious myself. And like this thing’s April 3rd, these things have been sitting at these deals for a while.
These guys are just like way, way too ambitious. You know, um, you just go down, get something that’s a little bit older and you know, you can get yourself a good deal. Like here’s a, yeah. 2008 at Marshall Goldman, uh, just under 18, 000 miles, 163 grand. There you go. Negotiate with them. You probably get it for 150.
Like I said, you drop in your 50 grand all in for your tranny work, whatever needs to be done. You got yourself a manual with 200 grand. Look at that. So all said and done. There you go. Wham, bam. Thank you, ma’am. So anyways, back to our next, uh, I’ve actually, I’ve been gabbing for a while. But as you can see, with the 599s, that was an interesting one where some people, uh, were way, way high in regards to what they thought these things were going to go for.
I honestly thought they were too, but, hey. The auction speaks when the number hits, the number hits. Now we’re going to get into the upper edge line of those are more, I guess you say the expensive Ferrari stuff. Um, a lot of stuff didn’t sell. Um, some stuff got moved after the fact, but a lot of stuff that was about two or 3 million and up did not sell.
Um, so it was kind of interesting. I don’t know if it was ambitious in regards to, Um, you know, owners just set too high of a reserve, what have you. I don’t know. But, um, a lot of stuff just didn’t. Didn’t go. Um, a lot of the older stuff, like from the 50s and 60s does not sell. Now I will say that there were some gorgeous, gorgeous 275s that went across a lot.
Uh, there was that 67 alloy, uh, 4 cam, that white one that went across. That thing was absolutely stunning. That went for all in, I think it was just under 5. 6. Um, that thing was just a spectacular car. Where’d it go? I had it here a minute ago. Um, I don’t know what I did with it. Um, anyways, you know, but you know, you also had, you know, this, uh, This 500 Mondial Spider by Pininfarina, that went for just over 2.
8, you know, it said. So, there was quite a few big numbers that went, but there’s also quite a few big numbers that didn’t sell. And that can really kind of throw your, uh, results, uh, askew in regards to, hey, your auction results and what have you. So, um, but the one that I kind of wanted to focus on, my kind of thing, like I said, was that 275.
There were two on there that didn’t sell. And where’d they go? Cause, um, There was, the alloy, there were two. And it was interesting, cause one was a 66, one was a 67, one was a 4 cam, One was not, the 66 was not, it was a six carb. Um, but that one sold for, you know, just under 3.5. But then the nat alloy body by SK went for just a smidge under 5.3 million.
So, I mean, that, that tells you the big swing in regards to four camera that now, ’cause when you get into the four cams, there are obviously a lot less built. Um, you know, that was in the some 66. Have them. But all 67s were the four cams. So, but that kind of tells you, but the body, the race, he gets your everything.
That way when he had a lot of Providence to it, but he said that thing went for some great money. Uh, test to roasters are starting to jump back up and start kind of getting that following. Now that has a lot to do with, Hey, the people that grew up Miami vice area, what have you. You know what, they got the money now, they want that Testarossa because they want to be sunny in Crockett.
So that’s going on, but now the one big one that went was that, uh, the Cal, the Cal Spider that just went over a little over 17 million. Now that car had a great provenance, um, fantastic car, everything about it. It was a covered headlight one, which you made it even more rare out of the whole production run.
That thing was spectacular. There’s some great videos online with that car. Uh, just some absolutely. Absolutely stunning stuff with that. Um, then there was the 59 that went for just a smidge over 5. 6. Now the one, one I was kind of surprised by was that F40, minty 40, um, that was painted that mint green color.
Um, that only went for just a hair under 1. 8. Now I know, hey, the color change, everything like that. Um, the whole nine yards and my thought, I think it’s got some, uh, what were the miles on that thing? Um, uh, what does it say? I can’t remember. I don’t know. But anyways, that was kind of a little surprise. I thought that might go for one.
I think the owners thought it would go for more too, just because, oh, hey, you know, again, unique color. It’s not all like, just like all the red ones you see, but you know what? It’s an F40. When you see a red F40, you see a red F, they’re gorgeous. So I mean, you know, I don’t think you really need to change color on that thing to say, Hey, look at me.
But anyways, that was a little bit surprising. I thought that was going to go for some more money. So someone got themselves a heck of a deal on that. Now here’s the one thing is, is going back to the original color. I think it’s pointless now because. You’d have to find the specialist that’s going to be able to do that because with the weave, everything on that, that’s going to, that takes that delicate deft touch that and to know how those things got painted, uh, out of the factory because when they got paint out of the factory, you know, they were very, very light coat and that’s, and a lot of people complained that got to Carter like, okay.
They thought it was a shit paint job. They sent them back out and got them painted again. They put too much paint on it. So trying to find one to see the weave, everything like that. But the one we’re going to end this whole conversation on is the, uh, the F 50 that’s sold for the world record price of just over 5.
5 million. Now those things are just going up, going up. Those in the Enzo’s are going up in value. But those F50’s, they only did the 349 of them. You know, there are only 55 original cars got delivered to the U. S. So that makes it even more rare. The thing only had, uh, just under, just a little bit over 8, 500 miles.
But, you know, naturally aspirated. Manual car. I mean, just absolutely stunning. That right there would be an investment grade car if that’s what you’re going in for. Again, you can keep your miles down, whatever, but that would be a car to get your hands on if you’re looking for something. And it ain’t cheap, but my guess.
in 10, 15 years, that should be a 10 million car easily, if not sooner. Um, so, but that, that was a great sale by the owner. The owner made out fantastic with that. And then again, the person that got it, got it. Because if you go, I say on the off market side, everything’s at five, one, five, two, everything’s above that.
So I was in that five, five, you got your fees and everything in that as well. So, Off market, everything like that, you know, in that five million range, that’s about where there’s a goal. So I think it was a market correct sale, actually. And it being a record, you know, record breaking price at auction. There you go.
Now, understandably, you know, it’s all that’s public numbers that are published that can give you, Oh, that’s a record price, blah, blah, blah. Well, You never know what goes on behind the scenes because a lot of people, you sign NDAs. Hey, you’re not going to kind of disclose what was, you know, your client, what they bought it for, what have you.
It just doesn’t happen. So, but anyways, I’m going to wrap this up because I’ve been talking over 45 minutes. Um, and I kind of just wanted to get all that off my chest regards to Monterey car week, all the stuff that happened. It was very, very interesting because what’s going on in the market. So some stuff sold way under some stuff sold market crack.
one or two here and there. Very few kind of surprise people. Um, but it just kind of shows you where everything’s at right now in the marketplace. Um, so if you got the means and the wherewithal, I think, you know, don’t get your hands on a five 50 by 75, something like that, a three 60, four 30, what have you, um, definitely step up.
I would do it now because you’re going to find some great pricing on these things now. And like I said, You know, you’re going to have that argument. Some people think it’s blasphemy, it’s sacrilegious to, uh, change out the transmission on a car that had the F1 training to a 6 speed, but you know what, it’s your car, do what you want with it.
If you’re going to drive it, have at it. You know, I just, I don’t see like an F40, I’m sorry, uh, F430, uh, 360, anything like that that’s got the F1 training. You know, it’s not going to, it’s not going to increase in all that much value, having that F1 training. Okay, now if you have the manual, yes. There you go, it’s a safe bet, but if you have a car that had the F1 tranny originally, and you get a six speed manual put in it, just have fun with it.
So anyways, I’m gonna wrap this up. I appreciate you guys listening. I know it’s been a long time. Now that we’re winding down summer, I should, you know, start to be able to get more of these out, uh, and get these things going, so. I’m going to send this over to my boy, Eric. He’s going to get everything all cleaned up, make it sound pretty, make me sound better, make me all nicey, nice.
And we’ll get this thing out there. And like I said, hopefully, you know, I’ll get off my ass and then can squeeze and start doing more of these. So again, thanks for listening guys. Check out the other, uh, episodes we got for the Ferrari marketplace, podcast network, uh, and check out what other. Desirable podcast.
We got show some love and support guys. We also got the YouTube channel out there as well. So that’s kind of growing cause I got some cool things coming. I’m hitting up to Wisconsin here in a couple of weeks. For the, uh, Ferrari Club of America’s annual get together. But I’m also going to hit up something new that I’ve never been to, but looks really cool in Indianapolis.
I’m on my way up, I’m kind of doing this weird route, but I’m hitting up Artimobilia, so that’s going to be cool. So, a lot of cool things coming on the channel, on the YouTube channel, but also, like I said, I’m going to get off my ass and get more of these put out there. So, again guys, I really appreciate it.
Any questions, thoughts, suggestions, whatnot, shoot me an email, it’s just William at TheFerrariMarketplace. com Thanks guys, have a good one. Till next time. Keep the right side up.
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May 22, 2024Alfa Romeo / Ferrari / ProvenanceFor the last 30 years Andreas Graf restored classic cars and was joining many events in these years. At the same time Andreas Graf was in his daily life in Sport and Lifestyle fashion business and managed a couple of companies in this sector, such as Helly Hansen, LEGO Kidswear, Steiff Kidswear and others. With the Tazio Nuvolari Originals collection, “a dream comes true” says Andreas Graf that combines both passion´s that he had in his life. Even further “ I am very proud to have the chance to continue Tazio`s legacy and develop the collection with his initials.
The Idea for the collection started 7 years ago when I discovered the history of Tazio and his branded clothing” says Andras Graf. “It inspired me to see how Tazio already in the 1930s promote himself and his own branded clothing beside his victories of course”.Tazio was more than a Race driver! Today you would call him an influencer, but in his times it was totally outstanding. His history and passion inspired me to develop the Tazio Nuvolari Collection in cooperation with the Nuvolari Museum and the Automobilclub Mantova and we are proud of bringing it now to the market” says Andreas Graf.
The collection combines Racing and Casual together and is made for the daily classic car drivers that has a passion for history and style. For now the collection is a menswear collection but woman´s styles will follow as well. You will find classic styles like Polo shirts, Jackets, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, and Knitwear with the Tazio´s Turtle Logo and a clear link to Italy, on top of that, the refreshed TN Logo that gives a new freshness into today’s times.
With small details we underlined the Iconic legacy of Tazio with the clear roots to Italy. Tazio Nuvolari was a iconic race driver and we will now continue and underline his legacy with this signature collection.
Discover the collection at: www.nuvolari-collection.com [...]
April 12, 2024Ferrari / PodcastWilliam focuses on the Ferrari 550 Maranello and 575M Maranello. William discusses the history, features, and differences of these iconic cars, highlighting the return to Ferrari’s roots under Luca di Montezemolo. The conversation covers engine specifications, design details, driving experience, and the collector market, emphasizing the value of 6-speed manual transmissions. William also touches on the market trends and the importance of service history in assessing the value of these cars. The episode provides insights into distinguishing features between the two models and offers advice for potential buyers.
Episode 24
00:00 Introduction to Ferrari Fridays
00:35 Host’s Personal Update
01:02 Exploring the Ferrari 550 Maranello
16:07 Ferrari 575M Maranello Overview
22:39 Comparing the 550 and 575
30:51 Racing Legacy and ProDrive
36:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As part of Ferrari Fridays, William Ross from the Exotic Car Marketplace will be discussing all things Ferrari and interviewing people that live and breathe the Ferrari brand. Topics range from road cars to racing, drivers to owners, as well as auctions, private sales, and trends in the collector market.
Hello everyone, welcome back to the Ferrari Marketplace. I’m your host, William Ross. I appreciate you guys listening. Sorry for, uh, the delay getting back to you guys. Um, had got sidetracked in the month of March with the, uh, death of the family for a very close family member passed away. So it was unfortunate.
I had a few things that was scheduled and set up, uh, especially in regards to the women’s history month. So I will still get those out and do those, but I’m going to jump into something else here today on this new episode and I appreciate you guys. Listen. Today. We are going to speak about two of my favorite, some of my favorite Ferraris.
I mean, I, I pretty much love them all. There’s maybe one or two that I don’t like, but anyways, but these things are fantastic because these are getting back to the roots of Ferrari. Uh, this is when Luca di Monticello took over after Enzo’s passing and wanted to get back to the roots of Ferrari. You know, getting back to what they were building back, you know, in the 50s, 60s, and kind of maybe in the early 70s.
Um, so, but today we are going to talk about the 550. Maranello and the 575M Maranello. Now we could also possibly include the 599 in this conversation because that kind of was the last iteration of this kind of car, but in my opinion, in my mind, the 599 was such a huge leap from the 575 to the 599, just aesthetic wise, technology wise, motor wise, everything, that I really don’t want to include this in the conversation because It’s just such a completely different car.
Uh, I just don’t think it kind of can do justice to this conversation because the 515 and the 575 are, they’re not identical, but they are just so closely related that, you know, this is a conversation that these two deserve on their own, just having these two talk about it. We’ll have one down the road in the 599.
That’s a fabulous car in itself. So let’s jump into it. Ferrari 550 Maranello that was produced from 1996 to 2002. Now, obviously with the 550 designation that we’re referring to them engine size, uh, so just a little under 5, 500 CCs on that car. So I think it was like 5, 478 CCs roughly on that. So it hence gives you the name of the 550.
So that was getting produced from the F 1 3 3 engine. Which was a normally aspirated dual overhead cam. So, 4 valves per cylinder. Producing roughly 470 something horsepower. 478, 475. Uh, and kind of putting out roughly, You know, not that much less than torque wise too. But, um, so this car pulled all through the rev range, which is fabulous.
Cause the one thing about the five 55 75 is Luca de Monticello wanted to get back to that front engine V12 grand touring Ferrari. Now at this time, the four or five six also came out, but that was a two plus two, so not really kind of fun or fun falling under the same parameters of but wanting to get back to building.
Front engine V12 Grand Touring car kind of back harkening back to the good old days when Enzo You know started the company was running it because if you started looking at production in regards to late 70s going into the 80s And in the 80s everything was rear rear engined, you know, you’re at 40s You’re 328s 308s your 512s 288’s all rear engine cars.
So it got them back to where it was another beautiful thing about this You know, it’s a transaxle car So kind of harkening back to the 275 and 365 having the torque tube and putting the transmission in the back of the car Gives you better weight distribution on this car because could you go do a little canning carving it?
Yeah a little bit, but you’re not gonna you know Really tear into it like say you’re driving 360 or 430 or something like that, you know Going through there in regards is because you know It can be a bit I would say nose heavy when you get on the brakes because you got all that weight sitting up front Now they did have you know a switch on the dash that you could go into sport mode They kind of stiffen up the suspension, you know That was high tech back in the day just but the way these were just changed up to damping on it you know wasn’t like what we have with the Magnet roll However you pronounce that word.
Dampers now, they’re basically magnetic and you know, do the flow in there and all that crap and particles yada yada. So anyways, you know, this car was made to drive long distance at a very rapid rate. So cruising this thing at a buck 20 on the highway feels like you’re doing 60. So just such a very solid car.
Like I said, you know, the design of this motor You know, you’re pulling all the way from the bottom to the top. So if you are like cruising on some back country roads, it’s got some twisties to them, you could just drop this thing into third or fourth gear and leave it there and just go and have some fun and driving this thing, just whipping through the, you know, whipping through the back country roads, watching the cornstalks go by on reference, cause that’s what I have here in the Midwest.
Um, so beautiful car, two seater. Uh, and the other thing that is, I guess. Very much in demand for this. Every 550 built was built with a 6 speed manual transmission. No floppy paddle gearbox. These were all six speed manual transmission. So getting into values on these They’re pretty damn expensive now five six five years ten years ago.
You could get these things, you know Maybe not five years ago, but definitely ten eight years ten eight to ten years ago You could get these things around a hundred hundred twenty grand all day long low mileage, you know great services or everything like that Now you’re easily 200 to 300 grand, you know, depending on mileage, everything like that.
You know, you got some, like I said, 301s, those are some cheeky dealers out there that are really chinking up. But you know, hey, they have a low mileage car. They’re, they’ll just sit on it till someone comes along because someone will buy it, you know, come in or offer them, you know, something close to what they’re asking and hey, they’ll walk out the door with it.
So, but normal realistic on these cars, you’re about two, 200 to 30 in my opinion is where you should be at now. Could you get something under 200? Yeah, you got to kind of shop around and look. Um, you know, but again, a lot of variables you have when you’re looking at a Ferrari and any, you know, high end car like that in itself.
You know, obviously service history, most recent service, everything like that, because you could find a deal on one. Like I was looking online this morning at five fifties and I found a cheap one on there for like 140 grand. I think it was out of some, you know, some used car dealer in California, but You know, it had almost 30, 000 miles on it.
Uh, but again, now you start getting into services, what’s going to have to be done, and you can drive that off the lot and then have to take it to your guy and drop, you know, 30, 40 grand on a service. And that gets you right back where it’s up at. So, you know, you got to look at everything on the car, you know, any car you go by, but the On these things, you know, you obviously want to find that book and have, hey, what’s the service history?
How much paperwork you got with this thing? You know, is it from day one, the whole nine yards, you know, where the caretakers, all the subsequent, you know, previous caretakers, you know, how diligent where they are in regards to documentation. So, that’s kind of one thing to look at, but again, these things are going up in value like crazy, because, just because of the six speed manual transmission.
Now, you know, 10, 15 years ago, you know, people probably dropped in, Oh, is this going to be a collector car? Oh, you know, people probably not thinking because again, you look at the production numbers, they built a little over 3000 of these cars. So you’re like, all right, how could this be a collector car with over 3000 of them built?
Well, the six speed manual transmission, it’s that edge. They’re not building them anymore. Of course, it’ll be interesting to see what’s happening because something’s telling me possibly you’re going to see a manual transmission come from the factory from Ferrari again, Now, will it be the small numbers?
Maybe the Icona series, I don’t know, but don’t be surprised if you see it happen in the next five years, they do something along those lines just to appease their million millionaire billionaire owners, you know, and do it. So it wouldn’t be surprising, but anyways, so again, a six speed manual transmission is the game changer in regards to this car, because it’s from the factory, you know, it, it, you know, You know, yeah, you have the conversions out there, and when we get into the 575, you know, when you start looking at production numbers, that compared to the F1 transmission, the 6 speed, you know, EAG does a phenomenal job, and the thing is with that F1 transmission, you know, it wasn’t built from ground up in regards to, okay, how it works, you know, in subsequent, in that transmission, You know, they basically took it where there’s a lot of pumps and whatnot that just basically operate the clutch and everything like that, that a clutch pedal would and doing everything and the gear change instead of you, you know, going through the gear selector.
It’s just doing everything for you. So with the computer and all that jazz, so doing it, doing it, it’s not too difficult. You know, it took EAG some time to perfect it, but they did perfect it and they do a phenomenal job. But I’m getting ahead of myself because that’s when we start talking about the 575.
But anyways, now the 550, Now there’s really only two, I’d say two iterations. Now on the standard 550, you could get the handling package, which, you know, kind of stiffened things up in regards to, you know, your suspension and that. Um, nothing really in regards to aesthetics, anything along those lines. So that was pretty much it.
The only other, uh, thing they came out with was a 550 Barchetta, which was 448, roughly something like that of the convertible. So, uh, with that card, there’s obviously. body related enhancements they had to do to make, obviously, stiffs to reduce cowl shake. Um, now those cars are actually through the roof, well, through the roof, but are very expensive.
You know, well, you don’t hardly ever see them come up for sale. Obviously, a lot of them are always at auction or they’re going to be off market sales, but you’re easily over half a million dollars on those. Uh, again, because, you know, Factory six speed manual convertible from the factory. So again, it’s all about, you know, desirability and hey, what was produced and hey, Rarity, so those aren’t cheap again.
You don’t see many of those pop up I believe there actually is one on ebay right now that popped up and they’re over a half a mil on it Um something like that, but so it brings you to see I, I, I, I’m still a bit baffled why anyone puts their cars on eBay anymore, especially dealers, but hey, it is what it is.
But anyways, so between the two, and obviously when I include the handling package, there’s only those two iterations of the 550. You know, again, at this time, they weren’t getting into, Oh, I’ll take that back. Now, they, again, when this car was built, obviously, they want, they have benchmarks that Luca told them they needed to hit.
So, there are, they did some world speed record stuff down in Columbus, or I said, East Liberty, Ohio, which is just east of Columbus. It was a Honda test track, whatever. So, they did some world record speed runs. Uh, they did like they say, like a distance of 100 miles covered average speed of 190. 2 miles an hour.
A distance of 100 kilometers average speed of 188. And driving for one hour at an average speed of 184 miles per hour. So, The one thing, you know, it’s, um, you know, they didn’t last long. So I think it was a few months later after that. Um, or maybe even a couple of years after that, I don’t know, Lamborghini being so they didn’t hold too long.
And again, you know, you’re talking to zero to 60 time of 4. 4 seconds. So, you know, this day and age, a Camry can do that. But again, you know, it’s, it’s not about that, you know, it’s not about your zero to 600, you know, it’s just about, you know, it’s the experience of sitting in that car, smelling the leather, going through the gear selector, you know, and driving and just, I mean, being in the car, I mean, that’s what it’s about.
You know, it’s just really. You know, it just envelops you. It’s such a great car. Like I said, I’ve had the opportunity to drive both of these cars, um, in the past, and they’re phenomenal cars. I mean, absolutely phenomenal cars. It’s a great, grand touring, I almost want to say daily driver. I mean, hell, look at the guys.
Well, I wouldn’t say they’re doing it, you know, uh, on a regular basis, but the guys at DDE at Daily Driven Exotics, um, you know, they picked up a couple of these and they had, they’re doing the manual, uh, five, seven fives and. What are the 599s? Oh, now I can’t remember. Anyways, I know they had a 550 at one point and they sold it and they did a bunch of stuff to it.
I think actually they’re doing 599s. But anyways, different story. Sidetracked on that. My apologies. You know, brain fart. Early onset dementia possibly. Who knows? But anyways, um, back to the 550. These things are just fabulous cars to drive, you know, and what’s beautiful about these things, too, is obviously you’re talking a mid 90s car, you know, these cars were only built from 1996 to 2002, so only about a six year production run, so do the math, about 500 cars a year, so, um, you know, they’re obviously plentiful, but they’re out there.
You know, and like I said, this time the 456 was also kind of out there as well, but I mean, there’s two totally different animals. Um, you know, interior wise on these cars, because this is going to get into more talking about the difference between a 550 and 575. Now, the beautiful thing about the 550 had the traditional layout, gauge layout.
Um, you had your, you know, your gear big, that gear stike with the chrome knob sticking out there between you and the center console. Um, but in that center console up on the thing on the dash, you had three, You know, large air vents, but above that you have a gauge cluster that had some of your like oil pressures and whatnot.
But then right in front of you, you had your big speed dial and you had your big RPM gauge. So everything was right there, right front and center for you to follow and do, you know, see what you’re doing and keep track of what you’re doing. And obviously mind your P’s and Q’s in regards to driving. Uh, you know, you say, as I said, is, you know, these cars, but, you know, they live.
Beautifully 80 to 120 miles an hour. And obviously that is breaking the law. I do not, I am not saying go out and do that. No, I’m not going to get in trouble for that, but I’m just saying this. That’s what they are, man. You pop that thing and it’s, you know, fifth, sixth gear and you just cruise. And that’s another nice thing too, is, you know, if you’re on the highway, To go past, man, you drop that thing down a gear or two, you know, go from 6th to 4th, that rev just, vrooom, that car, oh man, that thing just sounds beautiful.
You know, you get a nice exhaust on that as well. You know, that’s another thing too, is, you know, hey, to all their own, I’m a purist. I’m all for, you know, getting a newer exhaust on a car, on one of these, you know, just for sound, but also it breathes it better. You gain a little horsepower and what not, but, you know.
Getting anything more crazy than that, putting turbos and all this crap on it. No, that’s not me. I don’t, I’m going to be 54 this month. So maybe I’m just an old man, but to me, I like purity. Um, but like I said, that V12, that thing just sounds, uh, the snore, uh, the songs coming out of that. It’s just, it’s a symphony.
So, but anyways, let’s, let’s get into the 575 because obviously the 575. You get into it, it’s a larger displacement car, uh, hence 575. So what you get into with that is, you’re talking, you know, just a little under the, you know, 5700, you know, uh, CC’s on the sides. It’s 5, 748 if you want to be precise. So, round that thing up, you got 575.
So, it gets in there, but the big thing is, it also jumps up in horsepower. So, you had your roughly 480 was, you know, roughly in your 550, but this, you jump up to 515 horsepower. So, you gain a nice amount in the 515, you gain also in torque. Um, you know, getting up there, so, which is nice. So, it gets it up there.
Um, Is it top speed wise? You know, not worried about that, but the big thing about the 5 7 5 is that was only built from 2002 to 2006, so it’s only four years compared to the six years for the five 50. But the biggest thing on the 575 is the transmission. Now, they only built 2, 056 575Ms. Of those, only 246 worldwide, worldwide, were built with a 6 speed manual transmission.
Now, obviously, back in that day, everyone was talking, Oh, the F1 train, oh, it just paddles, blah, blah, blah. You know, everyone wanted the new cool thing. You know, and obviously, you know, If you could, you know, hindsight’s 2020, but you know, I obviously, you know, you go back, if you go back in time, you’d snack, snatch up all the manual ones you could, you know, cause you said, I mean, you talk about return on investment, but you know, everyone wanted to do a big thing, but that is the biggest change you’re going to have.
Our biggest difference on these two is the transmission option. So you go from low, you know, 2, 056 cars. I’m sorry, 3, 000, a little over 3, 000 cards of the 550, all 6B manuals, and then you jump into the 575, bigger motor, you know, just a lot of little tweaks here and there, and all of a sudden you only have 246 worldwide.
built of the manual transmission on a 575. So, value wise, you can probably guess, is the manual transmission cars are very, very expensive compared to F1 tranny cars. They’re double, if not triple, depending on mileage and everything, history, options, what have you. Um, they’re very, very expensive cars. Um, like you can pick up a 575M with F1 tranny pretty cheaply.
Cheaply, that’s, you know. Kind of take that with a grain of salt, you know, you could be in the low to low hundreds to mid, you know, 1 51 60 range on a 5 575 M with the F one transmission. So now getting to what I was kind of talking about before, though, is What’s happening with a lot of these cars, because hence such a low production with the factory manual, is a lot of people are doing a 6 speed conversion on these cars.
Um, you know, we’re not talking about the 599, but the 599, just for, you know, production’s sake, the guy to tell you is, out of all the 599s built, only 20 ever left the factory with the factory 6 speed manual. And those cars are worth close to a million bucks, 900, 000. If you go online, there’s a dealer got one listed right now.
I think it’s 800, almost 900, 900 grand. So rare, rare, rare bird indeed. But anyways, back to the 575. EAG is pretty much not the only game, but they are the game in regards to doing conversions on these. Uh, I want to say roughly, if you look at it, I think you’re probably about 30 to 40 grand on the conversion.
That’s if you have them do it, but you know, hey, you might as well have them do it. Um, I had heard somewhere though recently, there was some, Some financial things or something going on with the AG. I don’t know. But like I said, it’s all rumors here. Say, I don’t know. But anyways, you know, but you’re looking at, you know, 30 to 40 grand to do it.
So just, let’s say, you know, just do the numbers. If you can pick up a nice lowest, my lower mileage one. that’s got great service, you know, documentation, service history, everything on it, you know, recent service and that kind of stuff done. Um, not saying, you know, you’d have to have a resurface done cause AEG can do the service as well.
But if you can pick it up, such as say, 130 grand, or let’s just run it up to 140, 000. So you spend, go on the higher end, 40 grand on the conversion. So do the math. You’re at 170, 000. You’re still a lot less than the 300, 000 to 400, 000 you’re going to be in regards to getting a factory manual that these things are, uh, asking out there for these.
Um, you know, there’s, I think there’s one on BAT right now, um, that has one as well. So I’m kind of curious to see where that goes, but you know, they’re, cause they’re a So people sit on it and. If you go online, I mean, as sure all of you that are listening, you do too much. You go on BAT 10 times a day and you’re looking at all other things in between doing actual work.
Um, you know, you look at stuff. Dealers are getting very cheeky in regards to, you know, I’m rare cards and whatnot. You know, they’ll ask an astronomical number and you just kind of laugh. Oh, they’ll never get that. But you know what? Some point someone’s going to just say, well, I guess I got to step up because look, they’re not getting any cheaper.
That’s the thing on a lot of these cars, especially on something like this. They’re not going to get any cheaper. Is it an investment? I say, yes, it is. Um, they’re only going to go up in value and they’re going to get more and more rare in regards to availability because as, as the value goes up, the less and less you’re going to see out on the open market now, not to say you won’t be able to find one off market, but you know, and you got to probably figure a lot of these guys that have these, they get approached constantly if their car’s at a show or something like that.
You know, hey, give them a hand on their car. Hey, when you want to sell, give me a call. I’ll buy it. You’re probably the 20th 30th person has probably said that to him. So it’s great to have a relationship with some of those guys, but you know, it’s just becoming a rare bird and trying to find these things is getting rarer and rarer and just getting more and more expensive.
So, you know, sadly I had the opportunity on a five 50, you know, some years ago, I should have bought it. I don’t know why I didn’t. It was around a little over a hundred grand. You know, it had, you know, I think it was 16, 000 miles on it. Everything like that. Great service or that. And I just didn’t pull the trigger.
Why? I don’t know. I’m just an idiot and I should have got it because like I said, these things are great. Now, obviously let’s get into a couple aesthetics difference between the 550 and the 575. Cause that’s the one kind of thing is if someone’s walking by and really, you know, everyone’s not, it’s hard to just tell right off the bat.
And when you glance at it regards to if it’s a 550 or 575. Five. The biggest thing, I guess, kind of dead giveaway. I mean, hood scoop, same location. It’s a smidge, I mean, I don’t know, maybe a millimeter, centimeter bigger. I mean, it’s just a smidge bigger, but again, up close looking at it, you never gonna be able to tell, but the big kind of indicator that can give it away is the headlights.
The headlights actually are color matched to the car. If you look at a 550 with the headlights that are itself, is actually black. So, but if you look at a 575, they’re actually color matched to the car. So that’s a little aesthetic change. But then on the front nose, obviously they tweaked it a little bit more in regards to aerodynamics and everything like that to make it, you know, cut through the air a little bit better.
but big thing is in a 550 almost looks like little fangs but if you look at the grill in the lower corners of the grill whatnot you’ll see fog lamps the 575 does not have those that are in the grill so that’s a big kind of indicator right there in the front that kind of is the dead giveaway because you know from the side it’s kind of hard to tell now when you get to the back a dead giveaway if someone has the 575m badging on it now again the 550 never did Um, I could be wrong on that, but from what I understand it never did.
But the 575, some have them, some don’t. So my guess is if it’s an older thing, you could get on there, or maybe someone didn’t have it. But not many have it on there. But the biggest dead giveaway on the back, if you’re looking at the ass end of a 575 compared to a 550, is right where you reach to lift the trunk up, the 550 has a notch cut out, little indentation for your hand.
The 575, it’s straight across. That’s your dead giveaway right there in regards to between a 550 and 575 from the back. That can tell you if it doesn’t have the badging on it. Um, interior wise, the biggest thing is the gauge cluster and the center console. Now again, obviously we have the F1 tranny, it’s completely different in regards to the center console because there’s no gear selector, gear, gear shift.
But, is on the center console part, all you have are those three vents that are bigger. The gauge cluster above the vents on the 550 are gone, they’re no longer there, they’re just. The vents are just there now. Everything moves over to the gauge cluster that is right in front of the driver. And the layout is completely different.
Now your tach is basically dead center. That’s your big thing taking it up. Speedometer is off to the right. So are all your other ancillary gauges are kind of encircled around it. So that’s kind of the bigger thing. You know, I guess you’re trying to make it more, I don’t know, driver oriented in regards to more sportiness because you’re really driving by the revs, not so much by the speedometer.
Um, but, you know, it’s, it’s, you know, it still looks beautiful, there’s no doubt about that. Uh, it’s still a gorgeous interior, and obviously if you have that gated manual, it’s even as pretty as it gets. So, it’s just little things like that on the interior. And the one big thing is, On the 550, on the center console, the ashtray is just kind of black on there, but on the 575, it’s a leather.
They just went to town more with the leather, more alcantara on the interior. So they really kind of upped the game in regards to what they did on the interior wise and just obviously value wise and whatnot. Uh, so get into it. Now, the one cool thing is they had four different models in regards to the 575, um, when they came out with.
Now, I don’t know if, you know. If you want to say the GTC handling package, you know, it changed things up in it. It changed up the suspension. You got Converx, they got the ceramic brakes on there. Um, you know, obviously that really improves your braking, but you know, I know honestly I’m not a fan, especially in the earlier cars like that.
I wouldn’t want ceramic brakes because back then you had to get them heated up before they actually worked as good as they’re supposed to. And the problem is when they’re cold, they make a lot of noise, everything like that, so, but, you know, obviously you want to go rarity wise, you want to get that GTC handling package on there.
So, really didn’t change much else, those are kind of the biggest thing. Um, and it gave you, you know, the bigger 19 inch wheels compared to the 18 inches that are standard. Um, it’s kind of got that weird Almost they’re two piece on the car. I don’t know if they are two piece, but they look two piece. It’s got the bolt patterns on everything like that.
Um, but you know, it’s got a different look. Some like it, some don’t. But you know, it’s a different look to it, that’s for sure. Now, the big one is again going to the convertible and that would be the Super America. So again, obviously changing up to stiffen things up, everything like that. But what this thing had is they had that electrochromatic roof, glass panel roof on there.
That, you know, it, it can, you know, change color, whatnot, everything like that. But I tell you what, that thing breaks. You break and whatnot. Forget about it. I, I, I wanna say I’ve heard it’s like a hundred, $200,000 get, you know, get it repaired or get it replaced. Um, it’s, it’s just obscenely expensive. I mean, it’s, again, though, you’re getting into rarity of these things.
Uh, only 559 of ’em were built. Um, and 43 of those had a manual gearbox. So you wanna talk about. big money. I want to say those are probably about a million bucks of those 43s, the gated six speed manual coming out of the factory on the super america. Gorgeous looking car, top down. I mean again, you couldn’t go wrong, convertible front engine v12.
Speed manual transmission again, no promise. Now you get into rarity, you know, and you know, it’s, you know, getting to those few people that can afford to buy it, you know, um, you know, yeah. Who would love to have that? You know, again, you know, uh, I’d love to, I’d love to have a five, seven, five over a five 50, just because of all the, you know, you know, a little more horsepower upgrades on the staff, but.
There’s no way in heck I can afford buying a 575 manual. I mean, I could get a conversion done, you know, that’s kind of the argument. It’s like, what are you going to do with the car? I mean, you’re going to drive it, you’re going to, you know, um, you know, just sit and stare at it. Me, I want to drive it. So it wouldn’t be that big of a difference between the 550 and 575, you know, you’re not talking a huge horsepower difference, you know, and so it’s not really getting all that much.
Um, If I had my druthers, obviously I’m gonna buy five 50 because they’re more plentiful and I get a little better deal on it. And if I need to, if I, if I’m gonna do it, I need to do it here in the next year or two, um, and have some fun with it, you know, I would. Prefer possibly to buy a 430 manual. Again, probably go with one that’s a conversion done on a 430.
Just because of cost. And again, I’m going to drive my car. And getting into that F1 transmission. Is, you know, EAG does a phenomenal job. Again, how those things were designed. It’s not a big, huge deal to swap in the 6 speed and drop in the clutch pedal and do everything. The big thing is the computer, and just getting that computer to understand that, hey, it’s actually, you know, you’re rolling the gears yourself, it’s not the computer doing it.
So that’s the big thing, and that’s the thing that took EAG a long time to perfect, is getting that done. Now there is someone out there. I supposedly did it on four or five eight I think they only did one because it was such a nightmare, but that’s a whole different story. That’s a whole nother podcast So but the other one that you know, there was a custom 575 GTZ that was built by Zagato That was for a Japanese collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi So I want to say they only built the one.
Oh, I’m sorry. There were six built in total. My apologies. Um, so I was still discussing one off and got, the only way you’re going to buy one of those is off market and you got another person, you have a lot of money. So anyways, I seen them. I don’t know. I’m not a fan. I don’t like the way you look. You know?
Yeah, I know. Zagato is a big, huge name, but I’m not really a fan of what they used to do with their cars and how they did it. I just thought it was, you know, I wasn’t a fan. Just wasn’t me. Now, one thing I want to get into about both these cars for your motorsports racing people is, you know, 550, you know, kind of people, you know, some guys, some race teams out there, you know, started getting into it, uh, and using that car and build it.
But now the big one that did it, and these things are crazy money now is pro drive came in and started with the 550, but then they also did a five, seven, five version of it. Um, built these for the cars for FIA, uh, GT championship, mainly. Um, Now they built, I can’t remember how many they built. Uh, I was trying to find out, you know, there’s very numbers.
So I’m not going to quote a number, but these things are phenomenal race cars. And these things are big money. And a few of them got, you know, changed hands recently. Uh, there was widely just went through the auction thing. And I want to say it was a couple of million bucks. Don’t quote me on that. I could be wrong.
Um, you know, but, you know, these things are great. ProDrive is a phenomenal team. Everyone knows who ProDrive is. Um, they, you know, the 550, you know, I want to say teething and whatnot, get everything going, but man, they had a lot of luck with that 575, I won’t say luck, but they really knocked it out of the park with 575 and the racing program that they, uh, built with that.
So, but anyways, long story short, there’s your two differences between a 550 Now, like I said, you know, there’s not too many differences between the two. Big one obviously horsepower, but aesthetic wise, there’s not a lot. I hope this kind of can give you a little insight. So next time you’re at a show and you see one sitting there, you’ll be able to distinguish the two between each other.
So you know right off the bat. Oh, that’s a 550. Oh, that’s a 575. Like I said, the big, biggest thing when you look at the front is, just look at the headlights. A 575, they’re color matched to the body, whereas a 550, where the headlights are themselves, they’re black. So that’s going to be your biggest indicator and giveaway, but also the, you know, fog lamps on a 550 are there in that grille on a 575, they’re not.
And again, from the back, just look for that little indentation on the trunk. That’s your biggest indicators inside, you know, uh, there’s a lot of differences, obviously with the gauge cluster center console, but I said from outside, they’ll be able to tell the difference again, value wise. Uh, all five fifties were six speed manuals.
So you’re probably, you know, for a decent one, one that’s got history, everything like that, one that you’re going to want to buy because you know, that way you’re not into it. You’re going to be close to 200 grand on it. Now, can you find them cheaper? Yeah. Like I said, I know there’s one going on, you know, uh, I found it on, it was auto Tempest did a search, the dealer there had one for like 130, but you know, it had almost 30, 000 miles and God only knows history or anything like that.
There’s a reason it’s cheap. That’s one thing you got to remember. You know, it’s kind of that edge. If it’s too good to be true. Um, so just do your due diligence. You know, hey, maybe you’re handy with the wrench. Because with these cars, you’re still on that verge of where you can do a lot of the work yourself.
Um, you know, as long as you have a brain on your head and you’ve got patience, you can sort some things out. Same on the 575, same thing. You know, it’s still, I’d say, basically, it’s a basic car. But, you can still do a lot of stuff yourself. Now, then getting the 575, now we’re getting to F1 trannies. And obviously, compared to a 6 speed manual, hey, the, uh, with the F1 transmission, mid, mid 150 range, a little bit less, uh, on there, depending on mileage, but, you know, 6 speed manuals, you’re 300 plus easily, because as I said, they only did 246 worldwide, 6 speed manuals, so, again, do your thing, like I said, now, look into, hey, if you’re considering it, put some serious thought, what do you want to do with this car, I mean, the car’s going to hold its value, as long as you maintain everything like that, so, I mean, F1 transmission 575, You know, you maintain it, you drive and have some fun with it.
Hey, you do everything. You might lose a couple of bucks. Hey, you might keep your, you know, you might make your money back. Who knows? But. You’re still going to have fun with the car, or hey, if you want to drive a lot, you want a 6 speed manual? Get a EAG, get a conversion done. You’re still going to be ahead of the game compared to a factory manual, and it’s still going to basically have the same feel and stuff like that to how you drive it.
Some people do say when you drive a factory man, you’re compared to what each has, you know, again, this is if you have that field, that sense, you can do it. Some people say, oh, you could definitely feel the difference. Some people, you know, it’s all about the click, clack, click, clack, going through the gears.
Um, other people say, I can’t tell the difference, you know, but Hey. It’s so my new, what’s the, you know, Hey, have fun with the car. You’d be under the, in the car under 200 grand and then kind of, and I don’t know if I mentioned much to say any service or whatnot, e. g. They can fully service the car as well.
So while they’re doing it, they can go through the whole car. Well, so, um, just don’t be surprised when you send it down there, you walk out there with the 60, 70, 000 bill. If you’re doing the conversion. So again, it’s all about preference. It’s all about your drivers. Like I said, um, I think the five 50 is a great value.
Great purchase. Now it’s going to hold its value. It’s only going to go up in value. I mean, how fast, I don’t know, but I want to say is that five 50 is, you know, if you’re in the market for a front engine Ferrari, Obviously, definitely, I would put some serious thought, I’d buy a 550 just because of the gated manual.
Um, now going between say a 355 or 360 compared to a 550, 570, I mean it’s all about preference of what you’re going to do with the car. You know, again, these, these are front engine V12 Grand Touring cars. They’re made that you’ll go drive long distances and whatnot in comfort, um, and have at it. So it’s just about personal preference.
So go out there and look, but again, hey guys, I really appreciate you guys listening. I hope I gave you a little insight into these two. Transcribed Uh, like I said, I got some other ones got all lined up here in schedule. So we’ve got some more coming here and try and get some more of these out on a weekly basis.
Guys, again, appreciate you listening. Check out the modern podcasting network. Um, sorry, motoring podcast network, uh, NPN. Uh, we’re gaining some momentum here in regards to who’s on board and that stuff. So we’ve got a lot of cool things coming down the pike. Keep the right side up. Keep the rubber on the road.
Thanks guys. Until next time. Have a good one.
Copyright William Ross, Exotic Car Marketplace a division of Sixty5 Motorsports. This episode is part of Gran Touring Motorsports, Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission. [...]
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