Looking for a license plate frame from Sportiva Motorcars | FerrariChat

Looking for a license plate frame from Sportiva Motorcars

Discussion in 'North Central - USA (MI, IN, OH, KY, WV)' started by Robb, Jan 17, 2015.

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  1. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Looking for a license plate frame from Sportiva Motorcars

    Im also interested in picking up some history on the dealer. Did this become Cauley Ferrari?

    We got my brothers car a couple of months ago and it was originally delivered there. Thanks for any brief history lesson.

    Robb
     
  2. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    Sportiva was in Dearborn, owned by Robert Schneider. On Michigan Avenue.

    Prior to being called "Sportiva", it was called "The Sports Car Exchange", and it was under that name that it was an official Ferrari dealer, as well as Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

    It was a magical place.

    After Mr. Schneider and Ferrari parted ways...not sure why...it became "Sportiva"...I want to say late 80's or early 90's...not sure.

    No affiliation with Cauley at all, although Bob Parks and Joe Abernethy (at Cauley) started their careers at The Sports Car Exchange.
     
    jm2 and of2worlds like this.
  3. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
  4. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    Hmmm...now wondering if Robert Schneider left and THEN it became Sportiva...not sure about this. I'm going to Cauley on Monday and I'll ask Bob Parks.
     
  5. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Great history for me across the country. Thank you.

    Robb
     
  6. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    Okay...went to Cauley today and talked to Bob Parks. Bob Schneider was involved when The Sports Car Exchange became Sportiva. At that time, they were no longer selling Ferrari. He said he probably has license plate frames, so he's going to look and then I'll PM you when I get it.

    Interesting tidbit: Bob Parks left The Sports Car Exchange to work for Fiat, and his first job was to Federalize the incoming F40 for the US. Every one of the original 300 US F40s came in through Dearborn.
     
    of2worlds likes this.
  7. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Great update. Thanks for asking them for an old plate frame for me!

    Sportiva must have sold some new Ferrari's because our '97 f355 GTS was air freighted to sportiva for the original buyer. They are the dealer of record on the window sticker and the owners registration book.

    See what they know if you get a minute, but don't kill your time over it. :). Always cool facts on the history of each car!

    Robb




     
  8. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    That was discussed, and Bob mentioned several new cars that were sold. In fact, a few people knew that some new cars came through.
     
  9. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Checking in to see if you came across the sportiva license plate frame?

    Thanks for checking with Bob.

    Robb
     
  10. Dr_ferrari

    Dr_ferrari Formula 3
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,067
    Pocono Sportscar
    Full Name:
    Jim McGee
    I actually have a old sports car exchange licence plate frame...
     
  11. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
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    Robb
    Jim,

    Cool to discover.

    Our GTS came from Sportiva so that is the frame I am looking for.

    Thanks

    Robb
     
  12. xtrmesaleen

    xtrmesaleen Karting

    Apr 7, 2006
    179
    I'm interested in the Sports Car Exchange frame - my 308 came from there.
     
  13. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    Not yet, but I will get it. Just a question of having the time to get there. PM me anytime.
     
  14. Dr_ferrari

    Dr_ferrari Formula 3
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,067
    Pocono Sportscar
    Full Name:
    Jim McGee
    #15 Dr_ferrari, Feb 5, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. easywin

    easywin Rookie

    Jun 30, 2016
    9
    Windsor ON Canada
    Full Name:
    Leo Silvestri
    Hey Guys,
    I'm not sure who is still looking for the Sport Car Exchange plate, I do have one in excellent shape ( http://vereleo.net/ferraripictures.pdf ) and since I'm selling the car
    I'm sure the next owner wouldn't mind.

    I went there for a major service in 1990 and they put the plate on.

    Leo
     
  16. charbo19

    charbo19 Rookie

    Mar 15, 2011
    18
    I'm doing some research and looking for any information on Bob Schneider, the Ferrari dealer in the Detroit area in the 1980s-90s. He had The Sports Car Exchange and later named Sportiva Motorcars. I'd really like to contact him. I'm working with his friend Brian Burnett from Ferrari of Los Gatos and he said I should reach out to Bob. Any information about him or how to contact him would really be appreciated. Thanks. Jim
     
  17. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    I have a friend who knows him very well; I am messaging him now and will share what I hear via PM.
     
    charbo19 likes this.
  18. charbo19

    charbo19 Rookie

    Mar 15, 2011
    18
    Appreciated. Thanks very much Outcast.
     
  19. PaulK

    PaulK F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 24, 2004
    4,603
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Paul
    My understanding was that The Sports Car Exchange was owned by Jeff Eaton and Bob Schneider ran it? Perhaps I am wrong.
     
  20. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    17,895
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    Used to get my 328 serviced at The Sports Car Exchange.
     
  21. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    I was a student a Lawrence Tech during the early 80's...If I got out of class in time, I would always exit the Southfield at Michigan Ave just to sit in the parking lot to hear the cars being fired up and moved around. Sports Car Exchange was such a cool place!
     
    jm2 likes this.
  22. The Outcast

    The Outcast Formula 3

    Apr 19, 2011
    1,561
    Royal Oak Michigan
    Actually, "Ferrari of Michigan" was owned by Jeff Eaton; it was in business for only a year after that, before it closed. Mr. Eaton is no longer with us. Bob Schneider was the owner of record of The Sports Car Exchange, and Sportiva.
     
    jm2 likes this.
  23. PaulK

    PaulK F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 24, 2004
    4,603
    Michigan
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    Paul
    Hi Robb,

    Did you ever find a plate frame? I am asking around.
     
  24. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
    Full Name:
    Robb
    I did not find a plate frame from them but could still use one.

    Robb
     
    jm2 likes this.

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