Found a few Ferrari pics taken at Castle Combe in my youth... I seem to remember there were actually Ferrari races that day and for some reason I think Chris Rea was racing - no idea why I think that though, likely complete rubbish lol Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Photo of SPC 46L (c/no: 04590) outside Modena Engineering circa 1987. Sent to me by son of mid '70's owner, a Mr Bateman, who bought the car from Alan Brown Racing in 1974 (who were selling on behalf of first owner, the actor Richard Thorp). Mr Bateman then returned it to ABR in 1975 for them to sell on his behalf. They told him they sold it to Eric Clapton. (Sadly this can't be verified by a DVLA vehicle history check as they no longer provide this service due to latest data protection legislation). Does anyone know much about Alan Brown Racing's retail sales operation and if, by any slim chance, any sales records might still exist somewhere? They had supplied the car new to Richard Thorp, so presumably were a Maranello approved sub dealer? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dear Chris How interesting. Is that Mr Bateman of Bateman Opticians ? They were local to where I live. I am pretty certain that at one time he also had a yellow 246 GTS. Alan Brown Racing were latterly the local Peugeot dealer and occupied the site that became 'Bramleys' in the early 1980's. Alan Brown retired abroad and I have no knowledge of any records being in existence. They were not a Maranello sub dealer. In those days someone like Bateman or Thorp would have a long term relationship with their local dealer and simply ask them to get various cars for them. There are many instances in Tony Willis' old Maranello records where garages like ABR would have received terms for bringing the business. As for Clapton, I have no idea. Although interestingly those photographs of your car I previously posted, taken by me at the FOC (UK) Test Day at Goodwood in 1983, show the Dino parked next to Clapton's 250 TDF #0707 both with Modena Engineering tags on the rear view mirrors. Mark
Christmas Conundrum. BTW. I have no idea which car this is, or where the pictures were taken. And unknown Copyright. Found in the drawer full of old pictures whilst looking for something else. These sort of modifications is not really my thing, but I do think the seats are terrific ! Mark
I have a note on this car that says "First purchased new in 1984 by Prince Abdul A R H Althani. He had a Konig body conversion and the Gemballa interior fitted to the car and this conversion took until 1985 when he took delivery of the car". The pictures could be on the seafront at Bognor but more likely Qatar, I think.
My friend worked in the parts department at Alan Brown Racing and does recall them being told that EC was coming down one Saturday afternoon to buy a (yellow) Dino ,despite him having phenomenal memory-he can recall the birthdays of the kids he went to school with and he 61 -he doesn't know whether EC did buy the car or not. Geoff Sizzey was the sales manager and set up an independent Peugeot specialist in Wisborough Green. I'm not sure if Geoff is still about. ABR did have several Dino's new-most of which were yellow which they got favourable terms on as an unofficial outlet, MCL were probably just glade to sell them. Richard Thorp was most definitely a customer as was the local artist Tony Hart and Michael Aspel. Alan was a Gold Star BRDC member as is one Sir Stirling Moss.
Yes indeed Mark, it was Mr Bateman of Bateman Opticians and his son, Dominic Bateman, has very kindly sent me some correspondence between his father and ABR. His address in 1975 is given as 1 Bury Street, Guildford. (A quick google search shows that they grew into the largest family owned opticians in the country). A recent Auto Italia test of the car happened to catch his attention and he made contact. He says the car made a big, lasting impression on him at the time, although his father apparently got frustrated by the slow electric windows (they still are!).
It seems Geoff Sizzey ceased trading as a garage business in 2007 and it is not apparent from google searches if he is still with us. Strange that ABR had mostly yellow Dino's, as they only accounted for about 10% of production. Perhaps Alan Brown had a strong liking for the colour!
Chris. I have 06890, a yellow 246 GTS as going to Bateman new, also via Alan Brown. Can you confirm this with his son. Picture (not very good, sorry) below taken by me in St. James Square at the start of the Ferrari 60 UK Finale Rally to Silverstone in 2007. In 2001 I knew a chap called Richard who had worked for Alan Brown and he got Brown on the phone one evening where he was living in Spain. He was 80 years old even then ! But he remembered Bateman and various Dinos. Yes, that would have been about the time Geoffrey Sizzey stopped. My Father & I were customers there. Very nice people. The garage is still there. I wonder if Sizzey is the landlord. I'll see if I can find out. Mark
Btw, many thanks for taking the trouble to contact your friend and passing on his recollections. I much appreciate your doing so. Kind regards, Chris.
Hi Mark, I have asked Dominic Bateman the question but no response so far. I'll give him a nudge in a few days time.
Hi Mark, I have now had a response from Dominic Bateman and he says that SPC 46L was the only Dino his father had. As for the EC possible ownership, I think I will write to him and ask. He did own a 206GT, which may be the Dino he wrote off by overturning it - it was before 1972 so thankfully not mine!
Can anyone identify this Daytona? My photo taken at Bramley in May 1991. I never did find out which car this is.
It must have been sold to Aus. at some point, it seems to have been there a long time and might be back to green now.
Mark, I have this as ZFFJAO98000052203, offered by H&H Auction The Octagon Theatre as lot 77. It was a no sale at an estimate of £30000 - 32000. Unfortunate I lost the date of that auction... Regards, Berthold.
Testarossa #64541 was the only UK RHD single mirror car supplied in “Prugna” (colour). Does anyone have a photo of it or any idea of where or when it was last seen? Never seen or heard of it and it’d be pretty distinctive in this colour! (Mark-thanks re Daytona above)