Story of 250 GT Cabriolet s/n 0799

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137674618&postcount=15

I put the above ad copied from the last issue of Cavallino into a thread for an attempt to enlist some discussion on what someone might know about the car in question [see below].

Decided to start a different thread rather than hijack someone elses subject. I've done searches and cannot find it in Fchat.

SO: Here's the ad, and the question: Can anyone shed some light on this rather strange, real, ad? [PS, 'oldtimer car' ... hmmmm, guy should have selected a different attorney IMO ]

rik
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Stolen 15 years ago?

They apparently know where it is or recently was.

Statute of limitations?

 

I don't think there is one, on theft like this, there was a Corvette returned after 25 years or more, but it wasn't an international case....this will be interesting.

 

Maybe the guy last drove it in 1993, and just noticed it was missing....

Doh!

Mike in Kuwait

 

"Honey - have you seen the Ferrari? I could swear it was in the garage in the last decade or so..."



Jedi

 

Imagine being able to own so many cars that you wouldn't realize one was missing.

Or, maybe he was just released from the Federal Pen. LOL!

 

There was a nice 330 posted a while back that had all its main chassis removed, supposedly to construct another car onto, leaving a rather nice (but otherwise useless) 330 body behind. Someone wouldnt have to do quite so much constructing if they just happened to have a nice body laying around. Unless there were telltale stamps or marks in the body to tie it to its chassis, that car may never be found. Im not suggesting anyone did anything like that with that particular 330, just thats its possible to do something "like" that with those older cars.

 

Guess they found out only now where the car is at the moment ("reported to be in the custody of a Ferrari collector...") and decided to turn on the heat!

 

So you're saying this ad appeared in the latest issue of Cavallino...?

 

Yes. pg 67. I ripped off the bottom, scanned it and wanted to post it to get info. Seems almost fake, but Cavallino would have tons of egg on face to have printed it....HEY, hope this isn't an April fool's joke...IF SO, I'm cancelling my subscription.

 

I've just emailed the Mr. 'Weber' [perhaps he's missing a carb] requesting truthfulness or ?

guess I could have been had after all: April joke? IF I'm had, I'm changing my avitar accordingly


-- update : Called Cavallino and they believe it's a true ad....so, my avitar remains intact.

 

You know we'll hold you to that Rick...

And, we're waiting with bated breath for the response...

Mike in Kuwait

 

Dang,

I think we posted at the same time...so, no change....

Mike in Kuwait...

 

My wife thinks the car's original owner died, and the heirs are now settling the estate, and have realized the car isn't where it should be, and believe it to have been stolen from the estate....

Maybe....?!?!?!

Mike in Kuwait

 

I'd be suspicious that it's a scam based on an older car being legally sold to the U.S., but without all of the proper paperwork...and someone in Europe has figured out that they can make it painful for the current owner to keep the car.

Get a settlement via some bad publicity (this ad, anyone), and the rich collector pays to make the problem go away.

Anyway, Marbella (Puerto Banús) is quite the resort town. A Swiss citizen vacationing there in her silver Ferrari 250 would most certainly notice it missing...and promptly.

 

:grin: I had better watch my postings more carefully and watch how I pre-advertise my pennance

dunno. They must be worth a ton if someone somehow remembered that fifteen years later...g'pa had a car, didn't he?

SOMEONE should know this serial number....I mean there are some guys on here that can quote the font on serial numbers let alone know the history of all these 'oldtimer cars' [having a attorney say that might be a clue as to how they lost it..... they apparently don't know what it is, just that it's worth some $$$$ ] -- still think I'm being duped...MR. WEBER, toooo suspect if one asks me...

gawd, feel a new avitar....jack ass on a badge?

 

Is Phil Spector involved???

That's pretty tangental (the story of his "Lost" Shelby Cobra)....never mind.

 

Google is your friend!

Here is a picture:

http://www.barchetta.cc/All.Ferraris/images/1338/250-pf-cabri-1.jpg

Barchetta.cc has it at the Greenwich concours in 2005, owned by Barney Hallingby.

http://www.barchetta.cc/All.Ferraris/events-stories/events/2005/greenwich-concours-d-elegance-greenwich-connecticut/greenwich-concours-d-elegance-greenwich-ct-gallery-1/index.html

 

Is April/ May out yet?

 

i/m not going to specualte, but i find it hard to believe that it is "impossible" for a stolen car to considered legit in the us and stolen elsewhere.

today, computers are being used, but in the past, the door for fraud were wide open.

 

My wife thinks the car's original owner died, and the heirs are now settling the estate, and have realized the car isn't where it should be, and believe it to have been stolen from the estate....


This happens a lot. I do work as a classic car appraiser and get called in when the collector dies. The wife usually has no idea what the guy has and where it is or if it's worth anything. A lot of times the guys "friends" or body shop runs off with the car or in one case several cars. The worst are some of thes packrat type guys with warehouses. It is amazing what some one with money and space can collect in a lifetime.

No statute of limitations on theft if the guy did not take the insurance payment he can claim the car. Several AC Cobras have been repaitriated to thier owners this way, one was stolen in 1968 and put up for auction several years ago. Consigner was busted and found to have several other AC Corbras that were stolen.

If the car is in Japan the owner is SOL as Japan will not honor US law on this.

 

As per the website:
Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Greenwich, Connecticut on June 5, 2005
Compiled by Jarrett Rothmeier

S/N Model Year Exterior Color Interior Color Steering Plates F1 Owner

0355AL 375 America 1954 Green-dark red roof dark red LHD Jack E. Thomas

0799GT 250PF Cabriolet 1958 Silver bordeaux LHD Barney Hallingby

If they know where it is and who is the owner, why cant they claim the car? There was a recent story on TV about a 65 mustang which was stolen, original owner came and got it 40+ years later even though the current owner had owned it since 67.

James in Denver

 

I don't think US law is going to matter one hill of beans since the car was stolen in Spain from a Swiss citizen...

 

I think it will be VERY interesting to see how this one shakes out... I hope we find out.

Mike in Kuwait

 

LOL, nice Mike. Sadly, the chances of that car ever returning are slim. I hope the theif likes staring at it, because he/she could never take it anywhere unless it's overseas now.