Who is Kirk F. White?

Well not really...After 1971 the FIA changed the 5 liter rules and the new engines were 3 liters therefore the 512 could not raced again. The factory "moved on" to the 312P because of the rules.

 

Issue 84 had a write up on the Penske 512M (1040) by Marcel Massini.
Issue 85 had the interview with Kirk F White by 'yours truly' - might be why I remember it.
Nathan

 

Thank you brudda!

And a very nice article it was!

Glad we all gather here around the glowing VDT campfire, to help the younger lads!

It must have been in Donahue's book where he talked about the rivalry between the Factory and Penske team......

I gotta get my Cavallino's in order they are scattered everywhere around the room here......

 

I found an interesting note that he "sponsored" an informal time trial on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during it's early days in the late '40's.

Don't know if it's true or not, but sure seems likely.

I have both Cav's, and as I'm seeing Erik this Friday, I'll bring them along for him. I also have a copy of a restoration he supervised on a 250, (Can't recall which one at this moment)

Dave

 

Had a nice chat with KFW at an FCA track event at Sebring a couple of years ago- he was the speaker at dinner. When I reminded him of a 250 LM that my dad and I passed on at what I thought was the first KFW Auction, he corrected me- in fact it was sold at the second auction (maybe 1971?) . . . for $10,500 as I recall!

 

Kirk was never a West Coast dealer or distributor nor was he a factory dealer,so far as I know. (Correct me if I'm wrong). But he was certainly a dealer in many great cars. He used to send out a newsletter that was mouth-watering! They were so fascinating that I used to collect them the way people collect Cavallinos now. If you look in Hemmings, you'll see his ads for high-end hot-rods

 

Brock Yates' Cannonball book made him sound more like a used car type dealer, not a Factory store which would have been Chinetti in New York, I suppose.......obviously not your local corner lot as he was dealing race machines like the 250LM and the aforementioned 412P!!

The Daytona was a trade in or such and was gold metallic, as his team colors were the dark blue of the 512, a "quicky respray" was applied, some pinstriping, and they were off to the Cannonball event....

 

In Prancing Horse the First 150 Issues by Jeff Allison Dick Merritt makes mention of Kirk F. White and his first auction.
http://www.ferrariclubofamerica.org/ph150_first150issues.cfm

He advertized a Daytona or two a few years ago, I remember the ads. $115K as I recall. Wish I knew then what I now now!

Kirk was at the 2004 Winter Park Concours with a historically significant '55 Thunderbird. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the posted description of this car and I don't remember the details. I had hoped to talk with him but before I got over there I got flattened by a kindney stone. I hope he's there this year so I have the opportunity again. http://www.winterparkconcours.com

Al
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

What ever happend to Ron Spangler & Prancing horse farm ? He bought a few cars from me in the early 1980's and I lost rack of him after the crash of 1990

Kirk F. White still advertises in Hemmings just not Ferrari cars, last thing that I recall was a Sunbeam Tiger

 

http://www.kirkfwhite.com/

 

I saw that car at Le Mans in 71, one of the best prepared car I had ever seen. Rumours had it at the time that Penske and Donohue did all the conversion work (from S to M) themselves and that Ferrari refused to provide parts because Penske had sent the engine to be worked-on at Traco. A sacrilege for Ferrari.
The body with large rear wing was made in US, and Donohue overhauled the chassis with new wirring, suspension, quick refuelling system, etc...
Fantastic preparation at the time that set standards among other teams...

 

For interesting stories about the TRACO vs Ferrari rebuilds get a copy of Mark Donohue's biography and read it. Mark had little good to say about Ferrari and their support of people racing their cars. Bottom line he said it was a great car. Bullet proof and easy to drive but Ferrari couldn't rebuild a motor to save their souls. That book is a great trip down memory lane, good read or reread.

 

Ron Spangler and Prancing Horse Farm are alive and well. See the current (9/23/06) FML for the full page ad of 0022M, a 166M Touring Barchetta.

 

Just got an email from Kirk.

I'm hoping he'll post into this thread soon.

DM

 

Kirk has asked me to post this for him. He's running around but intends to get on with us here shortly after his return from Hershey. Here's his entire note:

So, stay tuned, I'm sure there are some interesting stories coming our way.

Dave M.

 

I found a couple of pics in a box at home from one of Kirk's auctions. The first one at Cabrini COllege, don't recall the year, early 70's I believe.

DM
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

It was, as I recall, a WWI French tank. Only ran in reverse...

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

The kids from Valley Forge Military Academy thought it was pretty cool.

DM
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Ron Spangler's unique Barchetta at the '06 Reading meet.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Man, that's AWESOME work there, Dave!

Under the 6 degrees of seperation there is another pic of the French tank here, in Mrs. BuggatiArt's thread on Napolis' P4/5 in Paris!

Her daughter is standing on it......

 

DM N Stuff:

Better than a French rifle that was dropped once & never used! I also
couldn't contain myself! Sorry!

Mark

 

I saw and spoke to Kirk today at Hershey. He has a nice set up there and looks great.

David