Is it safe to assume that the people at the Galleria and at Classiche even communicate?
Sorry to say but your information is incorrect. But yes, the Mythos is owned by a major Japanese collector. Marcel Massini
Thank you Mr Massini! I didn't want to reveal false informations, all these types of sentences are to be taken with paire of tweezers! (It's a French expression, sorry) I saw this "California" two years ago, in June 2007, for the 60th birthday (regrettably my father didn't have the time for a travel until Maranello with 18881, our 308), and it didn't have the plate "TONY1", it was in front of a 550 Barchetta. It's a good job, but it's also pitiful....
In April I went, with my father, in a garage, to do the revision of the 308, a specialist. When he opened his door, there was a 250 GTO Replica (base 330, with 4L motor) and a California Replica (based on a GTE). He said that the body was made in Italy, but I don't remember the name!
I agree with the above statements, very sad news indeed. The credibility of such an organization like the Ferrari Museum is seriously damaged - in my opinion. They really need to get their act together. Questions start to arrive like: Why did they commission someone to do this? Did they commission this replica? - This was a serious crime as far as I remember in the 70s / 80s / 90s . If they did not commission this, who did and what connection does this person have with Ferrari? There were more than a couple of genuine 250 California Spider cars for sale in the last year or two. Why did they not buy one? I am also sure that there are individuals who would agree to have their original cars displayed in the museum. This is a common practice in many museums, everyone knows that. So why go through this embarrassing and stupid mistake? The Dino is another good one. I am sure that this would be small budget for them to get an undisputed and correct car. I would love to know who is responsible for making decisions like this and who checks the paperwork? I could understand if the museum showed a modified prototype race car that went through some necessary changes to compete over the last 40-50 years. Race rules and regulations changed the cars appearance, but all documented and honestly presented. Max. P.S. registration plate on the 250, nice touch! very classy.
Just sad. I was at classiche a few years ago and the senior guy that gave me the tour knew less about the cars than I did, and my knowledge about 50s cars is sketchy at best. He didn't even know that a 335S had a twin plug 4 cam motor, and one was actually there at the time. Now that is also sad. John
Thisc could have rather important implications for those who own cars that were denied certification and access to events. It sets a precedent of note.
.... soo true Marcel - i was that unlucky visitor. it was not the tour guide,(she did not know better and promised to ask classiche), but the lady that was responsible for the factory tours, that was really upset and she NEARLY kicked me out. great historic documents of 4309GT - thank you for that!
Sorry Michael, you may have experienced something rather similar or almost identical, but what I described in post #26 happened during a private visit with me and four friends only. You were not in that group that day. One of my friends really was kicked out and he was not of your nationality. It is clear that several people - including you - have tried to make the factory people aware of their mistake. Marcel Massini
When I was 18 I was thrown out of a Major Art Museum for explaining to the Guide that a painting that she was describing as a Hieronymus Bosch was clearly a fake. The scale was way to small and the subject was part of a much larger painting hanging in the Prado. Years later the New York Times reported that I was correct.
funny - or let´s say sad, we made an almost identical experience. so i was lucky being shown the yellow card only. i will try harder next time! best regards Michael
This is very sad, indeed. I will also put forth that it has much more significant undertones. If relationships with the factory, and hence the newer Ferrari's are seen to be not what Ferrari try to imagine themselves as, they will be seen as false. This will, in my opinion, lead to the demise of the "Ferrari dream" by those who can afford the new cars. To put it another way, new Ferrari's will cease to be seen as "cool". I have been seeing this trend developing, for a while, now. The proliferation of cheap, trinkets with the Prancing Horse as their only saleable quality was the beginning. Now, the machine must be fed and we see Ferrari World as a result. It is an unfortunate path. George
Way. "Barnes Reattributes Old Masters One hundred and twenty Old Master paintings in the Barnes Collection have been reattributed. "Some 22 works formerly attributed to Bosch, Giorgione, Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto, El Greco, Watteau and others have been reattributed by scholars taking part in the Collection Assessment Project, which has been examining the foundation’s roughly 9,000 objects and works of art over the past four years." The Art Newspaper 10/13/05
I wonder if Ferrari will take any notice? I have heard that Ferrari are aware of this "mess up", thanks to Marcel bringing it to everyone's attention.
Ferrari only notices if it affects revenue. My guess is that they couldn't care less. Again, they are being consistent.
GTE's are becoming an endanger species. How many are remaining? Many GTE's might be deconstructed if they can be certified by Classishe as a Cal Spyder. I should buy one to preserve the species or maybe I should construct a Cal Spyder and have it certified . How much would that cost? $500K
Manny, Buy a replica that has already been built for $250 - $350K then have it classished - cheaper, faster and much less effort. Alternately, buy two or three tired 2+2s (and maybe a PF coupe) and put them in an old barn on your property (even if you have to import the old barn ). Then you can show off your 'barn-finds' . On another note, I'm curious what your opinion is of the driving characteristics of a fresh 330 GT 2+2 series 2. I suspect that it will be similar but slightly improved to the 400 Superamerica but I don't have any Superamerica driving experience to verify. Regards, Art S.
I, for one, would thank you for saving a GTE, as I can't afford to do it, and by the time I can, they all may be gone...
To say the least, this is highly embarrassing for Ferrari. Taken in the worst light, it's outright fraud and clear misrepresentation. Ferrari ought to be ashamed of itself, get off its high horse and admit that has no idea what it's doing when it comes to anything that left its factory gates more than a week ago. Seriously. CW