"Fake" Ferrari ring busted

Here is a link to the Authentics Foundation’s website: http://www.myauthentics.com/aboutus.html

Quoting from their ‘Mission Statement’:

…. Which begs the question: To properly 'educate consumers', or in this particular instance, conveniently mislead perhaps ???

The Authentics Foundation’s chairman, Frederick W. Mostert, certainly seems to be in some state of confusion, as to the true origins of the 'Fake Ferrari' (allegedly cited as being "made in Thailand") which he is using as the centre-piece of his current 'FAKES CO$T MORE' anti-counterfeiting campaign. So, to quote, once again, from his own words in the Cigar Aficionado article:

I therefore hereby humbly offer my services as the Secretary and Registrar of the P4 Replica Register, with 9 years worth of experience in tracking and identifying these particular cars, to assist the Authentics Foundation in establishing the true origins of this fake Ferrari.

If they might consider that I have insufficient experience in this field, then given the opportunity to inspect this car in person, I would naturally bring a 'suitably-qualified' car engineer along with me, to assist in it’s examination. The names of Lee Noble; Tony Butler (who only lives 5 miles away from me), and Neil Foreman (whom I called this morning, and said he was ‘up for it&#8217 immediately spring to mind.

I await your response to my email, Sir ….

 

is this a private thread or can anyone jump in

 

Feel free, Rik .... go right ahead. You too, Chelle.

I've had my say now, and I'm just sat back waiting patiently for a response from the Authentics Foundation.

 

Well, one thing for sure, is the replicant market is and will be alive and well for ever or until executions are allowed, which is highly unlikely.

I wouldn't mind replicants if they came with a label on the exterior to note such. Example in my area is a Porsche that when I first saw it I got all excited until the owener showed me the engine: Yikes!!!!, horrible....then it took away from the entire event, it soured my visualization [PHEBE: "...My eye, my EYES...." ]

 

Paul,

thanks for posting this article and I have to say, the guy who wrote it is an absolute arrogant ******* and a total idiot. It doesn't take an expert to distinguish a fake P4 from a real one. Or all of a sudden I have become an expert (I haven't). At least not on the lousy level of the friggin replica he has a picture of. C'mon.

Apart from that it makes my toe nails cringe when some pompous ass calls himself the "king of all fake luxury items". Like this clown knew anything.

No wonder this idiot works for a cigar aficionado magazine. They're all total morons. Every one of them.

 

++1

 

LOL !! Thanks for the 'creative' input, Andreas.

You missed out a few choice words, that I could think of, such as beginning with 'c' 'l' and 's'. Oh and self-promoting.

I've still not received any reply to my emails to the Authentics Foundation (nor the 'open letter' in post #76). Quel surprise.

 

Somewhat belatedly, I've been doing a little background research into the Authentics Foundation, and it's members.

Been scrolling through their (admittedly impressive looking) website too. Found this:

http://www.myauthentics.com/events.html

Note the bottom line. How convenient.

Somehow, I get the feeling that their 'fake Ferrari' P4 replica won't be making any public appearances in the near future.

 

The system took care of some of the words I used or wanted to use. I have nothing but disrespect for lifestyle magazines. And a cigar buff who thinks he knows anything about knock off items and replicars really gets my blood going. Particularly when he shows his lack of knowledge by writing cliche laden articles full of mistakes. I want to take that cigar magazine and cram it down his throat. Hopefully he'll gag on it.

 

Anybody have the link to Fierochat ?

 

Whatever turns you on. Try: http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

 

That link I gave before for the ITN news video wasn't quite the correct one.

Try this instead: http://itn.co.uk/videos/529043a906650e80fad814b29f3e7fda.html

But I also found a different news video - from Reuters news agency.

See: http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=77842&videoChannel=78

It's got 'your favourite person', Frederick Mostert of the Authentics Foundation speaking in it, too, Andreas.

 

See: http://www.theworld.org/node/16584

You want a good laugh ? Have a listen to this: http://www.theworld.org/wma.php?id=0312084

Lisa Mullins interviewing Tim Trainer of the Authentics Foundation, speaking about the 'Ferrari P4 knock-off' on display.

Quote: 'Tim Trainer said the fake could easily have passed for the real thing'.

 

I was kidding

 

Yes, I know.

If, instead, this thread had been about knock-offs of 550 / 575's based on body-kitted Toyota Supras, I guess you might have taken the matter a little more seriously.

 

I found this fake Ferrari on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Ferrari-Supra-GT-Toyota-GTO-Lexus-Unikat-mit-ca-250-PS_W0QQitemZ200190955893QQihZ010QQcategoryZ18180QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have notified Ferrari and they have assured me that they are now taking action.

I feel very reliefed that I was able to spot the fake so quickly and hopefully nobody will be tricked into buying it.

I'm posting a few pictures so you can see in how great detail the car has been replicated:
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

.... And a very apt first post !!!

 

That things so ugly Toyota should sue!

 

Look for the section called "Colbert Platinum - Liechtenstein"
Fast forward to the 3.00 minute part if you just want to get to the part on how to spot a fake Ferrari

http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?episodeId=163537

 

On a slightly more serious note ....

I have an idea.

If there's anyone out there, reading this thread, who is expert enough at downloading videos; Div/X conversion, etc. ....
who'd like to help de-bunk this 'fake' P4 replica 'made in Thailand' story being put around by the 'Authentics Foundation' ....

Please drop me a PM. Thanks !

 

Somebody is one step ahead of me, but I need the English language version of both videos.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS33fpevpQY

 

That looks JUST LIKE a real Ferrari! It appears that Germany has surpassed even Thailand in creating counterfeit cars that would pass the scrutiny of all but the most keen-eyed experts!

Isn't it time for Interpol to start cracking down on such notorious and sophisticated counterfeiters? This has to be the most serious threat yet from highly-trained craftsmen!

 

Wassup, Kristian ??? .... Can't sleep ?

 

I still find that the counterfeiters from Thailand are the biggest threat.

What gave away the germans is the fact that Ferrari never did a Supra GT model. Eventhough the craftsmanship is outstanding the fact that they failed to remember that Ferrari never did a Supra makes them less dangerous.

The Thai on the other hand understood that in order to make a convincing Ferrari replica you have to replicate something that Ferrari has actually done at least once.

So they chose the P4. Rare enough so that ordinary people would never know it is a fake but still plausible since Ferrari actually did a P4 many years ago and so expensive that they would be sure to make a profit of several millions on each car would they be able to pass it on as a geniune P4.

That is some clever thinking. And that is why they must be stopped at all costs. Even if it means that we will have to crush all our own P4 replicas.

 

Just waiting for F1