"But today, what chassis is in the car and has been classiched in 2005? This question is open" Thanks for letter but I was referring to the remaining RM car too. So the odor just gets more pungent for: One more Factory Baptized Anointed Replica and we shall see what the "OH BIG $ Dollar Happy Days For One And All" implications will be in just a few short days. In the over under contest I guess I'll take the over this time.
Quote RM sales catalogue: "REVIVAL OF CHASSIS NUMBER 5899 GT ... It was Stewart who finally committed to bringing the car back to life in its original configuration. In 1977, he commissioned a restoration by Victor Norman and Bob Houghtons Rosso Limited in Cirencester, England. To refit a proper 250 LM body, the original chassis was sent to Ferraris Assistenza Clienti in Modena and subsequently William Vaccari for restoration. The renewal was completed in May 1981 and Stewart got behind the wheel for the first time for a test drive at Goodwood shortly thereafter. ... " One thing is sure: no "original chassis" but a *brand new frame* was used 1977-81 for the car's rebuild. Ferrari officially states in the above letter (25.09.89), that c/n 5899 does not exist anymore and is eliminated in their files. And in 1977-81, no "original chassis was sent to Ferraris Assistenza Clienti in Modena and subsequently William Vaccari for restoration". Is this a serious description? And what should any prospective buyer think of the involved experts? And indeed: what chassis has been Red Book classiched and is offered now for an estimate of 9.5 million?
"Is this a serious description?" The Big Checkbooks Vote will reveal the answer. "And what should any prospective buyer think of the involved experts?" IMHO nothing complementary. "what chassis has been Red Book classiched and is offered now for an estimate of 9.5 million?" Something Funkapotomus for sure.
Thank you lgs for the letters! Sadly my skills in Italian are close to zero. So would someone kindly translate the important sequences for us non-italian-speaking people? Thanks!
WELL WELL the vote is in. Just over the wire on the under with the comish. Big Whoopsala. THE # 6045 car worth 1.575 more. Yeah right.
Must say, it sure looked good in Scottsdale. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
"Though perhaps they'd be warmer were it the Indy Museum LM on offer?" I would think so if weren't such a comical exercise try to compare the two. Were one to attempt to entertain the exercise, IMHO 15 to 25+ Mil more for #5893 might be appropriate against #5889 with it's complicated chassis originality with replica new body and parts background with good race history versus the first owner sold to the current owner, original bodied matching number #5893 LAST FERRARI TO WIN LE MANS 1ST OVERALL with a 7th and 9th at Daytona. In any case a definitive market confirmed determination will likely never materialize due to its present ownership.
5899 bought a fair price, after all all bidders would have known it had flawed provenance and so had the opportunity to research its actual makeup and history. The fact it bought what it did was a signal of a mature set of bidders that considered what you could do with it, what it is and what it could be worth in years to come. That result was what it sold for.
Sorry, I can't. And I can neither explain a Red Book certification of a non existing chassis (Post 51: "Infine precisiamo che questo numero di telaio verrà registrato in nostro archivi come distrutto")
The translation of what you have posted says that " this chasis number WILL be registered in our archives as having been destroyed." I am splitting hairs but it does not say that "it is registered as destroyed"". Is it possible that events after this letter may have resulted in the chasis number not being registered as destroyed.?
"Is it possible that events after this letter may have resulted in the chasis number not being registered as destroyed.?" Anything is possible. Semantics aside it seems oblivious that at the time of examination and when the letter was written the remaining chassis content was not significant enough for Ferrari to deem it to be repairable and it was to be archive noted as destroyed. Since that time period moving forward to the present day IMHO it has been demonstrated and become more than abundantly clear that if the original engine, a few bolts, chassis plate, or couple of tubes etc. (even if that those parts components, tubes etc. are heat, impact, or otherwise damaged or modified beyond their ability to be safely used) exist Cassiche has no issue/problem reconstructing the vehicle (or parts of it even if may those parts are reconstructed/re manufactured by outside contractors other than the original producer be it themselves or the no longer existing original company: example engine blocks heads etc) and then certifying the reconstructed/re manufactured results if the requesting party is willing to submit to Classiche's financial demands necessary to do so. Additionally it is apparent that the newly reconstructed, recreated object can realize a truly significant financial profit for the party undertaking such an exercise with Classiche when marketed whether it is factually warranted or not. That said the newly reconstructed object does not make that reconstructed remaining object to be anymore "The Period Produced Original Vehicle" etc. than George Washington's infamous axe.
What you say may be correct , but what needs to be determined is weather or not that chassis number was ever registered as destroyed. Beyond that it is all speculation.
"but what needs to be determined is weather or not that chassis number was ever registered as destroyed. Beyond that it is all speculation." It is highly unlikely to occur that the parties directly involved will ever disclose the actual factual definitive truth with the proof to back it up. The financial and legal implications are simply to large of a magnitude. Only time will tell if some independent entity not related to the vendor or Classiche comes forward with the definitive proof and publishes it here.
It really does not matter any more. Now that Ferrari have said it's #5899 it is, right or not. They make brand new engines and stamp them with old numbers and no issues ... Pete