Anyone have early Ferrari of Houston Photos? | FerrariChat

Anyone have early Ferrari of Houston Photos?

Discussion in 'Texas' started by Ryan S., Jun 24, 2015.

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  1. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 20, 2004
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    Or just old photos of Ferraris in Houston?
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    I do but they are film/prints..

    A 288GTO on the showroom floor, for like, $80K, next to Mr. Risi's black Boxer 512BBi, and a 328.

    It was on the south side of 59S, in those days.....
     
  3. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
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    I used to go in there all the time and drool as a young man. I'll never forget Sid Simpson, who used to work there in parts/service, allowed me to test drive a 308 QV one time. He had seen me in there very often and I had been buying books and key fobs and the like for years, so I guess he figured I was due a test ride. This was probably in the late '80s.

    He drove us out of the dealership, and allowed me to take over. I forget the exact course we took, but it was life-changing! I'v been a Ferrari 308/328 devotee ever since (and before, of course!)

    Can anybody tell me more about about Sid? I think his last name was Simpson. Pretty sure he has passed away, but wasn't he known for some important work in the Ferrari field? Not sure what, exactly.

    Best,
    Greg Giacona
     
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  4. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
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    Bugtussle
    Great story, Greg. Gotta love those folks who went out of their way to give us an opportunity to experience the cars we lusted over.
     
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  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    I know he has retired, not sure if still living.

    Mr. Sid Simpson had the Houston franchise, in my 1977 Service Location books there is an address not far from Valeria's house, on West 34th Street.

    Mr. Risi bought the franchise from Sid, and in exchange, he had a "job for life" as the Branch Manager. I'm sure there were other details.....but that was the lore, "as I heard it..."
     
  6. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
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    Thanks for filling in the blank spaces regarding early Ferrari of Houston ownership and management. Aid was always very friendly to me when he didn't have to be. Hope he is doing well.
    Greg

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
     
  7. william.m.craig

    Feb 20, 2016
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    Magnolia, Texas
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    William Mike Craig
    I had a lot of pictures of Sid and a 330 GTC he was going to shoot and found rust in the rockers. I was going to write a book about the Ferraris of the sixties and seventies and gave them to my ghost write "Margo". She ran off with all my pictures and an account of Sid and Jimmy Simpson. Sid had "David" working for him then and, I think, expected to get the "Dealership". It broke his heart when he didn't. He loaned me his "Bar Mandrill".
     
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  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Welcome!

    I guess your post is motivation for me to find my old photo...LOL!

    After MotoGP!

    Let's go find Margo.....

    Sid did get the franchise, as when he transfered it to Mr. Risi, he continued to work for FoH until his retirement.

    Does any one know is he still in Houston?
    Last time I saw him was at the Classy Chassis with JRV's Miura, I have a picture of the both of them before JRVs passing.

    It's actually posted on here, down in Lambo Section, that was 2004.
     
  9. MurcieMurcie

    MurcieMurcie F1 Rookie

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,100
    Speaking of nostalgia remember the first time I saw a countach at Spears Imports when I was 7, my first dealing with FoH was when Tony was the manager in the late 90's. Been a staple in the community for a loooong time now.
     
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  10. 512BLU

    512BLU Karting

    Nov 5, 2003
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    Spring Texas
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    G F O
    Yes Sid Simpson is still alive. I talk to him frequently. He retired to Lake Travis several years ago and sold his home here in Houston. He recently bought a condo back here in Houston and travels back and forth. Sid was the mechanic who worked on my fathers Ferrari's at Simpson Automobile (not correctly spelled) on Star Land before Ferrari of Houston opened in 1980. He is doing well.
     
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  11. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 22, 2007
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    Wish I had taken pictures at the original FoH in 1980 when I first applied.

    PS, Hey Grady I hope you are well.
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks, and good to hear!!!
     
  13. jgcferrari

    jgcferrari Formula Junior
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    Nov 21, 2004
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    Reviving this old thread, I used to go to FOH in the late 80's early 90's as a kid and it was heaven for me, I hope someone has pictures of the original dealership!
     
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  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Well, cleaning my apartment is high on the List, so I'm sure I will run across those old photos!
     
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  15. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Did we ever get a full name for Margo?
     
  16. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 ralfabco, Nov 29, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2019
    I was at the small F dealer before they moved into the old Scott Mercedes dealership. At the time the F dealership had the 308 GTBi for sale. Forty years ago it was uncommon to find any F car, on the streets of Houston. I asked and received a one page sales sheet on the 308 GTBi. The building is close to Hillcroft and S Hwy 59 / I-69. It is also close to the current Ford dealer.

    During high school I would go more often to the Chevy dealer and look at the Camaro and Corvettes.
     
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  17. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Do you know the address for the old dealership? I would love to see that building....
     
  18. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 ralfabco, Dec 2, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2019

    Ryan

    It is currently occupied by a Lexus specialist used car dealership. The building is located on the same side of the freeway, as Sterling McCall Ford. You can walk from the Ford dealer, to the Lexus specialist. You will not miss it.
     
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  19. vraa

    vraa F1 Rookie
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  20. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

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  21. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Great photos! Love that 250 lm as well.
     
  22. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    That is Franco Valobra's most recent find, a Show or Concept car, based upon a 328GTS by a German fabricator!

    One of one, there's a feature of Jay Leno's Garage that has Franco talking about the find.
    It's pretty bad ass having lost 1,000 pounds in the transformation!!
     
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  23. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Sorry meant to use Reply, but my answer is above.
    Google on "Conciso" I think is the proper name..Italian for "concise"

    My photos are in the Festival Thread but these look good here!
    You got there early!!
     
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  24. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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