Or just old photos of Ferraris in Houston?
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.....
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
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.
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..."
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
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".
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.
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.
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.
Wish I had taken pictures at the original FoH in 1980 when I first applied. PS, Hey Grady I hope you are well.
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!
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.
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.
Here are a few that I took yesterday at the Ferrari Festival of Houston Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app
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!!
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!!