Edwin K. Niles | FerrariChat

Edwin K. Niles

Discussion in 'Who's Who in Ferrari Universe' started by El Wayne, Jan 8, 2010.

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  1. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    Aug 1, 2002
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    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    #1 El Wayne, Jan 8, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Attorney at law by trade, but highly respected in this community for his vast knowledge on all things Ferrari, as well as his willingness to share the stories and photographs from his 50-odd years of experience with the marque. During that time, Ed has owned or traded over 100 Ferrari automobiles, including some very impressive and highly valuable examples. Here's a list of 123 ex-Niles Ferraris compiled by Jarrett Rothmeier:

    http://www.scuderia.cc/collections/niles/default.htm

    For years, Ed related his stories through articles published in the FCA Southwest Region's Sempre Ferrari magazine and had a regular column in FerrariChat's short-lived online webzine, Velostrada. Today, he continues to contribute occasional articles to the Ferrari Market Letter, but regularly shares his fascinating tales and images on F-Chat's Vintage forum.

    [Drawing by Chuck Queener]
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    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  2. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 7, 2003
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    I bumped into him in an ad from February 1968 R&T:

    Ferrari California Roadster. 1958 but you'd never guess it. Extra sharp with new paint and chrome. Outstanding mechanically: 55lbs pressure at an idle! $3995. Ed Niles.
     
  3. Bryanp

    Bryanp F1 Rookie

    Aug 13, 2002
    3,799
    Santa Fe, NM
    If you don't do anything else today, click this link, and spend about 5 minutes absorbing the enormity of it - having owned and driven all these great Ferraris. . . . mind-boggling. And he is a great guy! Thanks, Ed, for all you've done for the Ferrari world.
     
  4. Jeff Kennedy

    Jeff Kennedy F1 Veteran
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    The Chuck Queener illustration was for the cover of an FOC issue back around 1977.

    Rode with Ed one time to the Mark Dee's annual picnic run. Left from around Malibu then throught the various canyon roads. Ed had the 166MM with 250GT motor. Lots of go but during the drive Ed said that the brakes were so good that open the doors for speed brakes would probably be as effective. Later the car was with Bob Smith and he drove it from Texas to an FCA National at Elkhart Lake.

    Jeff
     
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  5. krasnavian

    krasnavian Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2003
    2,187
    Los Angeles/Paris
    I met Ed Niles in the days of the FOC in Los Angeles when he wrote for the newsletter as 'Fast Eddy' (I wrote as 'Mack E. Narossa'). Enjoyed his company and his anecdotes last week when he joined us at the Elysée in spite of the rain.
     
  6. scuderia328

    scuderia328 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2010
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    FRANCE
    #6 scuderia328, Aug 25, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. apexdc

    apexdc Karting

    Jan 6, 2008
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    Palm Springs, CA
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    David Christian
    Hi, the link to ex-Niles cars seems to be dead. Does anyone have another way to get to it? Thanks!
     
  8. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary

    Mar 2, 2005
    22,737
    SAD NEWS:
    Edwin Kurtz Niles passed away 3 August 2021.
    He was 96 years.
    Ed was born 27 November 1924 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For decades he worked as an attorney in Los Angeles, CA.
    On 15 October 1959 Ed purchased his first (used) Ferrari while on holiday in Italy. It was 0331 EU, a cherry red 250 Europa Coupé Pinin Farina. Over the next 50 years he purchased and sold about 145 Ferraris, mostly in Europe, and re-sold them in USA. Ed was instrumental in the Ferrari Owners Club USA (California) and had an immense knowledge about the cars we all love.
    I had the great pleasure of personally knowing Ed for more than 40 years and about 15 years ago he allowed me to acquire his entire archive and files. Ed was a true friend and a real Ferrari legend.

    Thank you so much Ed for all you did for the worldwide Ferrari community.
    RIP.

    Marcel Massini
     
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  9. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 2, 2005
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  10. HotShoe

    HotShoe F1 Veteran
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    Nov 3, 2008
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    Rest in Peace.

    Cheers to a long life lived well.

    Forza!!!
     
  11. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 30, 2007
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    very sad news.

    condolences to his family and friends
     
  12. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
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    Moot Pointe
    Amen.
     
  13. Restoman

    Restoman Rookie

    Aug 31, 2020
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    Randall Bush
    Enough cannot be said about this wonderful man and all he did for the Ferrari community. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Godspeed, Ed!
     
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  14. merstheman

    merstheman F1 Rookie

    Apr 13, 2007
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    Mario
    I'm going to miss his posts here. The definition of a legend in my book. Hopefully he had prepared enough of his memoirs for a release. Rest in Peace, Mr. Niles.
     
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  15. Cameron Niles

    Cameron Niles Rookie

    Aug 5, 2021
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    Cameron Niles
  16. Cameron Niles

    Cameron Niles Rookie

    Aug 5, 2021
    2
    Full Name:
    Cameron Niles
    Thank you all for your condolences. Just prior to passing he had sent his memoirs entitled " Adventures In Ferrari Land" to the publishers. Thank Steve Tillack for urging him on. It should be out before Christmas. October at the earliest.
     
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  17. Townshend

    Townshend F1 Veteran
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    Jul 20, 2005
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    On the Mount Rushmore of Ferraristas. RIP
     
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  18. bernardo66

    bernardo66 The Crazy Cat Man
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  19. Admiral Goodwrench

    Admiral Goodwrench Formula Junior

    Mar 2, 2005
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    Robert Phillips
    Cameron,

    Your dad and I have exchanged correspondence for over 45 years, and I shall truly miss him. Really a giant in the Ferrari world, knowledgeable and so willing to share. I say a long life well lived. May he RIP.

    Warm regards,

    Robert
     
  20. ArtS

    ArtS F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2003
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    He will be missed. Rest In Peace.
    Sincerely,
    Art S.
     
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  21. Christian.Fr

    Christian.Fr Two Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 9, 2005
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    Your words surprised me two weeks ago for R Merritt and you now.
    Thank you for sharing with us your photographs, your knowledge.
    Thank you Ed!

    All my condoléances for his family
     
  22. CalSpyder

    CalSpyder Rookie

    Oct 19, 2015
    3
    California
    Truly a legend. My deepest condolences to his family as well. Always there to help keep the records straight about the earlier Ferraris. Helped and encouraged me when I thought about writing my book.

    We'll all see ya later, my friend.

    George C.
     
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  23. Da Butcher

    Da Butcher Karting

    Jan 9, 2018
    211
    Full Name:
    Jose Marie Alandy
    I’m a member of Ferrari-SW Region, but only since January 2018 when I acquired my first Ferrari, although I’d been involved with the Ferrari Gestione Sportiva F1 team as a key supplier and an engineering consultant from 1997 to 2016 when I retired.

    Of course, who in the Ferrari community hasn't heard of Ed Niles or have read about his exploits, but regrettably, I never met him personally though I truly wish I could've shared a glass (or two) of vino (or his favorite libation) and be "Little Grasshopper" to learn much more Ferrari info, data and history from a knowledgeable expert like Ed. I sort of envy those who've had that valuable opportunity of having been in his circle of friends and contacts as noted in preceding posts herein.

    So given all the wonderful tributes and testimonies to Ed as a great Ferrari guru, may his family be filled with pride and consolation that Ed lived a long, fulfilling life and may he now rest in the peace of God's Kingdom.
     
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  24. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
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    Terry H Phillips
    Read about Ed Niles and saw his Ferrari ads in R&T starting 60 years ago, but never got to meet him. In all that time, I never heard or read anything but positives about him. Quite a tribute.
     
  25. ggjjr

    ggjjr Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
    870
    Detroit
    Full Name:
    George
    Just saw this. Ed was such a great piece of the Ferrari world, and this forum. Always enjoyed his posts, being either informative or helpful. He will be missed.
     
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