No love from KTR?

I've been trying to talk to KTR about my new 308. I've got it coming up on a truck from NC and it needs a bit of work before I can get it on the road. It's currently headed to Boston Sportscar, and I'll most likely have him to do the work for me. But I've heard good things about KTR from several people and so I figured they were worth talking to.

I stopped by there about a week ago since a buddy of mine was taking his Audi in for some tuning anyway. Well, I got the attitude that I'd committed a cardinal sin for showing up without having an appointment and was curtly told there was nobody to help me. Fine, whatever, I was there unannounced so no big deal. But I wasn't even allowed make an appointment to talk to anybody. I was told to wait until Tuesday when the GM got back and to call him. On Tuesday afternoon when I called I was told of course he wasn't back as if I was supposed to have known that. On Wednesday morning when I called he wasn't available but would call me back if I left my number, and who the hell was I again and what exactly did I want? Now it's Thursday morning and no call back.

So, anyway, I'm getting a pretty strong vibe that they're not really interested in me or my business. Anybody know these guys well? I know their focus is on race cars, so are they really not interested in my road car? Are they maybe just busy right now? Are they as good as everybody says they are? Should I bother to pursue them further?

 

I had spent some time with a gentleman who had a very-rare 195 Inter in New Hampshire. The engine was rebuilt by KTR Engineering ten years ago when J. Geils owned it - the owner, who eventually sold the car to Mr. Zac Duggar (who then took the car to Cavallino this year, still without paint) spoke highly of KTR and their work. I had a chance to inspect the engine (world's first Columbo V12 of this type), the work was beautiful. Even the ultra-rare black bolts with the Cavallino on the heads were refinished.

I, too, have attempted to contact them recently when I had heard they stored cars for a fee - I needed a place to put-up my 308 for the winter when I first moved here. KTR would not take my calls. I told them I had a 308, and they refused to assist me. J.Geils is no longer affiliated with KTR Engineering, and I think they have copped a new attitude that focuses on high-dollar Vintage autos and racing/track preparation. Everyone else (us) can go screw themselves. Fear not, Boston Sportscars and IFS will still take you in if you can fit into their schedule, so if KTR still wants to ignore you, well, good riddance to them.

 

I am going to refrain from saying what I really think of KTR. With their attitude, the end result will take place without me commenting. The GM is pretty impressed with himself. Go to BSC and IFS as well as the dealer in Foxboro. Mark Mina at Boch is a great guy and will "allow" you to stop in without an appt. Just don't waste anymore time with KTR and move on. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. Still no call back from KTR, so I guess I'll cross them off the list. Very weird that others have gotten the same attitude from KTR Motorsports that I seemed to get, since KTR Performance seems to be everybody's darling. <shrug> I'm happy at the moment with BSC, though I have been warned to watch their prices. I have been down to FoNE and seen their shop. Looks like a fine place, and I don't have to worry about their prices; I know they're high . I've also never heard a single bad word about IFC, but haven't been down to see him yet.

 

Jeremy, consider contacting David Castelhano. He is the former service manager at KTR and all around super Ferrari Tech. David enjoys working on the older Ferraris. This is a problem with dealers etc. They specialize in newer Ferrari models. Just another option. John

 

not my 195 but it is for sale by the current owner in the Ferrari Market Letter. I don't have any experience with KTR other than their name was on the receipt for the engine build and mechanical work on the 195 but that was in 1990 and the car still runs.

Zac Dugger

 

Yep, that's the car....sorry 'bout the confusion. Terrific machine!

 

KTR used to send all their machining to a local machinist in NH (Lenny Kingsly). I am not sure if this is who performed the work on the 195, but I expect it would be. He does fabulous work but does not come cheap (expected in this regard). From my understanding, they began doing all in house machining a couple years ago to make everything in house (nullify cost?). If anyone is interested in Lenny, please pm and I will give you his contact infromation.

 

+100

 

john qt ifs does great work and is very accommodating.

 

i second IFS john is great

 

John IS great, but race season is upon him - and he services and supports several Challenge cars this time of year. He's usually swamped now, so before you drop off your car, I would recommend you call him regarding his availability and get a realistic time-of-completion.

 

Since this thread seems to have become a recommendation thread, anybody heard of George Haginicolas in Haverhill? John Caron, the president of the Otto Club, recommended him to me as a good Ferrari mechanic but I haven't heard anybody else ever talk about him. Actually, on the same bent, what does anybody think of the Otto club? John was a super nice guy, but then I imagine he would be if he's trying to sell me a $$$ membership.

 

George is a good mechanic but tends to specialise on Porsches. He also owns a restaurant so the car thing is his hobby. As the former service manager at KTR I can testify that they changed their focus after J. Giels sold.
Aside from being a rock & roll star Jay is an automotive engineer and a card carrying member of the SAE. He did much of the work on the 195 that was owned by Dick Little at the time. Dick sold the car to Tom Shaunessy earlier this year. I have attached a photo of the car when it left the old KTR.
If I can be of any assistance to you or any other Fchatter please let me know. [email protected]

David
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Jeremy, hire Bertocchi to do the work. He is the best! I am one of his references.
Feel free to contact me.

 

Is that Dick behind the wheel? When I met him, I thought he was rather tall to fit in that 195....lol! Great photo.

 

Whatever happened to Giovanni's in Allston? He used to work on my merak ss in the late 90's. He had all kinds of Ferrari's at his shop all the time.

There is another guy in Medford named Don. He raced Jag xke's at Louden, but I cannot recall his shop name. He had quite a few regular exotics at his shop as well.

 

+1 I agree!

 

I called them abot my STI as their website suggests they have competetive rates for normal work and I need a 60,000. Their receptionist took my info, but no one has called me back. She did tell me that they only do race cars in the summer on the exotics side, but the STI/Audi tuning side sounded open.

I don't need to have my butt kissed, but I do not work with vendors who act like using them is a privilege I barely deserve!

I have been using BSC. Where is Bertocchi?

Thanks!

 

I've found KTR Performance (as opposed to KTR Motorsport) to be actually extremely friendly and honest. They've done a ton of great work on my buddy's A4. So if you're looking for upgrades on your STI, I'd still recommend them, even if they've been uppity about working on my 308. But even on the performance side of the business, I don't think they're really that interested in routine service work. Just the 'fun' stuff.

Still, the lack of a call backs is really unprofessional.

 

I appreciate the further thoughts. Not looking to do any tuning at the present. The STI comes pre-tuned enough to suit me. Maybe I will check them out if I change my mind.

 

No doubt. I drove a standard WRX a while back and that was a blast. I can only imagine the STi doesn't need a darn thing.

 

I am in Hollis, NH just over the border from Pepperell, MA.

 

David:

Do you have your own shop? I wouldn't mind dropping by sometime to check out your 'projects', if possible.

 

Ditto on that. Hollis is just up the street - I am in Lunenburg.