355 Challenge Car

#111840 was originally sold by Foreign Cars Italia. They had a team for 2 years then a couple of the cars went to Ferrari of Atlanta. What I don't know exactly is who's car it was. I'm afrair my records are poor at best. They had 4 cars, blue, red, barchetta red and white. I know that the red one now belongs to a chiropractor in NC.
The blue one was owned and raced by ---- Robertson. (can't think of his first name, son of Pat Robertson)
Red one was owned and driven by Leo Hindery
Barchetta one was owned and driven by Marvin Jones.
White one was owned and driven by Mat Drindel.

They were all, in one way or another, related to the cable business.

 

Hi Jim, How are ya? Yes I moved here in January, had to escape the winters I have been putting up with all my life. I didn't know it didn't snow 5 months out of the year in other parts of the world, hahaha. Vern

 

I have owned my car since 2002 and haven't found myself tired of the experiance yet. In the 20 years I've owned fcars this is the most fun I have had. Like you said to each their own, this car is diffenently not for everyone. But if you love machinery and ferraris this is a great way to experiance the more rawness of this marque, besides I can't afford a GTO, Testa Rossa etc. The 355CH is no worse to live with than one of those.. actually probably easier. regards, Vern

 

Hey ferrarioldman would it be too much trouble for you to tell me what you know about No. 108155. Car #88 at one time and #65 at another. Regards, Vern

 

Tom---Any VIN info you would like to share with the registry would be fantabulous!!!
WWW.FERRARI355REGISTRY.COM

 

The registry says that car is owned by Vern!!!

Vern you have more than 16K miles on it yet??? That was the last mileage entry I have for you..

 

Yep, it was there at Indy Rob, I saw it and Dr. Earle gave me his hat and a helmet pin.....

I may even have a pic of it in the Challenge Pits, I'll look........

 

Claudio,
What color was the 111840 challenge car you were looking to buy?

 

I know how ownes it, hahaha just wanting to see if there is any info about the car that I don't already know. regards, Vern

 

I wish I had kept better records. All of these were sold by FCI.
The other 3 challenge cars were
111869
111774
111787

If I find more info I will post it.

 

Sorry Vern. I don't have any info on your car. Hopefully I will come across some old pictures. Maybe your car will be in one.

Our best running car ran neck and neck to Dr. Earl's car in the last race of the '99 season for the championship at Leguna Seca until the engine blew on the next to the last lap. Hmmm... 285, here may be some more info I just found.
These Challenge cars ran out of Ferrari of Houston from a record I have dated 1996:
100385
100208
104516
104478

 

I am glad to see all of the interest in these cars-they are great track day and for rallying. My car won the last 348 series, raced at many great tracking including Mugello. I was talking to Bruce Miller, the great photographer for the series today, and after sending him some photos, he recalled how they drove the Millie Miglia route, with children waving, dogs barking, and people inviting them into their homes...Italians love Ferrari, Woman, and wine.

David Seibert, the Father of the Ferrari Challenge, has resigned just recently, and we are very pleased that he will be at our event on 9-21-23 in Greenville and Clemson SC. As far as I am concerned, he is irreplaceable. Our other guest include his good friend Luigi Chinetti, Jr. Buck Fulp, former N.A.R.T. driver, the great John Finger-team Mazda among others, CC Canada, and Bruce Miller. It will be a fun affair. I also hear that the French Quarter Classic may have a Challenge Reunion style race-something that I proposed for the FCA National meet, that no one seemed too interested in. Strange to me since it is really a big track event.

Anyway, come on down to our event, go to www.fca-sc.org for info. As a note, the home is the home of Coach I, who is hosting this event. A wonderful man who is enthusiastic about all things Ferrari.
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Thanks for looking Tom appreciate the time. I have a fairly good history just wondering if i was missing anything. Regards, Vern

 

Another comment on driving the CH cars on the street. I think these guys that have these bazillon cu. in. motors with blowers on them stuffed into an early 1900s something or other with bicycle tires on the front or the Shelby Cobras with side oiler 427s in them or the more recent bugatti with 1000 hp are crazier, to name only 3 of a fairly large group of somewhat over the top autos (altho I love those cars too) than me driving a slightly stiffly sprung 355CH on back country roads.

 

Congrats, and welcome to the world of TR ownership! You will likely enjoy the experience, and will NEVER tire of taking a glance of the car in garage, let alone driving it! There are many driver's events that are put on by the FCA, and other groups, with 'spirited' driving on the track or back country roads. I recommend joining FCA just for the track events. You will enjoy it. The TR is a hell of a lot faster than most people realize, and I would take one over a 355 (even CH) any day. Put a Tubi on it if you haven't got one, it is worth it. The sound will be your favorite experience of every drive, so invest a little extra and ENJOY! I am thinking of going to Roebling Road event in Savannah (Oct), if you are interested, email me and I will send you the entry forms.

I think you were wise to negotiate for a car with a major service included. That way you know what you are getting for your money. No worries about who did the work, etc. Do you get to pick your shop? If so, take advantage of the guys here for info on the best shop, or contact Daniel at Ricambi (a sponsor). They sell the parts, and he is very active in FCA and can tell you who is the TR guru in your area. Not that there is anything particularly difficult about doing the major, just you might get a little extra TLC by the guy doing the job, although I think all Ftechs love to work on the TR.

Be sure and drive your car regularly. They do best when driven weekly. Run the motor at least monthly in the winter months too. The FCA Tech Director believes that you can go 10 year intervals on the belts if you run your motor every month. Many people do it, although you will hear a lot of shops frown on it, and why wouldn't they? Lots of labor in a TR major, and money in their pocket. Some guys can't live with the risk, but my car went 10 years before its first major and no problems. In fact, the belts looked almost new when they were removed. Anyway, you know the history because it will be fresh when you get it.

Hope to see you at some FCA events. Very few TR's out these days. More likely to see a Boxer. Not sure why that is, but it is a definite trend. I think the TR is a better car all around, but Boxer guys are like old Muscle car owners...they just ignore the improvements in the newer models. Anyway, enjoy your new car.. it is a hell of a lot better than a 911. (I drove one for 13 years and like you, modded it for the track, but got bored with it.) You will never get bored with the TR.

 

Actually I think its an SD3 but whatever you would need one or the other.

 

I wanted to thank everyone on this thread. This week I bought the black 355 CH which was mentioned from the earlier post, the one from NE autoexhange. I was also thinking 360 or a 355 CH. It really came down to $ and street use. I am thinking that the 355 is cheaper to operate over the long haul and I wouldn't worry so much about it. I like the fact that I can just drive it to the mechanic. I would like to know where do you get $70 racing tires? Some other information which helped me make a decision, I was told the 360 is more difficult to drive at limit than a 355. I was told the 360 to get is the Grand Am cars with the front air dam and GT wing. They are a lot more stable. Thanks again!