250 GT s/n 0663GT - questions | FerrariChat

250 GT s/n 0663GT - questions

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by GTE, Nov 17, 2008.

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  1. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    I am trying to find some information and pictures on 1957 250 GT s/n 0663 GT. According to qv500.com the car was 're-manufactured' to a series 1 250 GT PF Cabriolet, s/n 0999GT. So 0663 GT doesn't exist anymore?

    Here is a picture of it when it was owned by Nicolas Cage: Is this 0663 or 0999?

    http://community.webshots.com/photo/fullsize/2001646750011353718WlLmly


    In the picture, the car has the windscreen over the full width of the car. Did the car at some time feature a 'driver only' wrap around windscreen? Where is the car today?

    Thank you in advance!
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  2. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    250 GT PF Cabriolet s/n 0663 GT was renumbered to s/n 0999 GT.

    250 Europa GT s/n 0381 GT was renumbered to s/n 0363 GT and then was renumbered again to 0663 GT.

    250 Europa GT s/n 0363 GT was renumbered to s/n 0381 GT.

    250 PF Coupe s/n 1001 GT was renumbered to s/n 0363 GT.

    To clarify:

    0663 >>> 0999 (250 GT PF Cabriolet)

    0381 >>> 0363 >>> 0663 (250 Europa GT)

    0363 >>> 0381 (250 Europa GT)

    1001 >>> 0363 (250 GT PF Coupe)

    The ex-Cage car is (obviously) the PF Cabriolet (was 0663, now 0999). Hope that was helpful!
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2008
    El Wayne, Nov 17, 2008
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  3. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    I am beginning to understand...

    any ideas on where the car is today?
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  4. Aardy

    Aardy F1 Veteran Consultant

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    Are you sure the car pictured above is not 0783GT ???
     
    Aardy, Nov 17, 2008
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  5. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Cyril, to be honest, I didn't follow the link to look at the image. Just trying to clear up all of the s/n swaps.

    I know that s/n 0783 GT was restored to look like the 0663/0999 car and, now that you mention it, I believe that it was also the car once owned by Nicholas Cage and not 0663/0999.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2008
    El Wayne, Nov 17, 2008
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  6. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    I didn't know that. Is it correct that 0783 and 0663/0999 were both once owned by Rubirosa?
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  7. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    I'm not aware of Rubirosa having ever owned 0663/0999.
     
    El Wayne, Nov 17, 2008
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  8. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ Honorary

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    0663 GT (today 0999 GT) was NEVER owned by Rubirosa.
    0663 GT (today 0999 GT) belongs since 1995 to a collector in the Far East.
    Marcel Massini
     
    Marcel Massini, Nov 17, 2008
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  9. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ Honorary

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    The car pictured (post #1) is 0783 GT and was briefly owned by actor Nick Cage in 2001/2002. In February 2003 it was restored by Joe Kovanda's Chicago Restorations in Northlake/IL. Now has correct windshield and no fender vents, head rest fairing has been eliminated. Today with a collector in Chicago/IL. Was shown in the Special Display of the 250 GT Cabriolets at The Quail-A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel Valley/CA, on 17th August 2007.
    Marcel Massini
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2008
    Marcel Massini, Nov 17, 2008
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  10. Tom Roland

    Tom Roland Formula Junior

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    Yes it is 0783/GT, new to Rubirosa, a plain standard "Series 1". A later owner who bought it as a wreck elected to redo it as 0663/GT.
     
    Tom Roland, Nov 17, 2008
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  11. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    Thanks Marcel, a question though:



    was 0783 commissioned by Rubirosa to have this particular layout with the remarkable headrest? Since earlier in this thread Wayne pointed out 0783 was restored to look like 0663/0999. So, did Rubirosa come up with the idea by himself, or did he refer to 0663? In your article on Rubirosa in Cavallino #102 you briefly refer to 0738 as being a special 'one off'. No mention of 0663 which would have had more or less the same treatment, but I suspect that 0783 is a two seater where as 0663 began life as a single seater or was at least layed out as a single seater. Where is 0663/0999 these days?
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  12. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    That is not what I understand from Marcel's article in Cavallino # 102, but perhaps I confuse myself.
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  13. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ Honorary

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    See post #8.
    Marcel Massini
     
    Marcel Massini, Nov 17, 2008
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  14. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    From what I understand, 0783 underwent this conversion (to resemble 0663/0999) during the 1980s while in the ownership of George Frochen, long after Rubirosa's ownership and death.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2008
    El Wayne, Nov 17, 2008
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  15. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    woops. sorry, confused that one with 0783
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  16. Peloton25

    Peloton25 F1 Veteran

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    It's rare that I can actually contribute anything of substance in this forum, but that doesn't stop me from reading along.

    Anyway, I recognized the Brunei special 456-based Venice cabriolet in the original photo and knew that shot came from the Beverly Hills Concours on Rodeo in 2002. I happened to take these two shots of 0783/GT that day which I figured I would share. I didn't take any other images specifically of this car, but it does appear in the background of a few of my other shots and if there's interest, I can share them as well.

    If anyone has a desire for the high-res versions of these, I have them at 2560x1920 and can email them on request. :)

    >8^)
    ER
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    Peloton25, Nov 17, 2008
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  17. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    From the Cavallino article I understand that Rubirose ordered the car in the layout we are discussing. But it brings up a questionmark to label it as a special 'one off' when 0663 would have been built just a little earlier in time. But perhaps I am misreading the article. It has been known to happen.

    Are there any pictures of 0663 in the single seater layout?
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  18. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    woohoo, yes sir!

    You can mail them to [email protected]

    many, many thanks!
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  19. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Let me first state that I am FAR from an expert and am WAY too young to have been around when this car (0783) was new. That said, it is possible that new information has come to light since this article was written. As always, I expect that Marcel knows better than I. Marcel?
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2008
    El Wayne, Nov 17, 2008
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  20. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ Honorary

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    0663 GT/0999 GT was a TWO-seater and still is today. Old photos can be found in many books, including pages 48/49 of Angelo Tito Anselmi's "Le Ferrari di Pininfarina", silver dust jacket, published November 1988 by Grafiche Mazzuchelli SpA in Milan.

    Marcel Massini
     
    Marcel Massini, Nov 17, 2008
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  21. Peloton25

    Peloton25 F1 Veteran

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    Sent them on to you. :)

    Also included this shot of the rear, which I cropped out of an image I took of a Porsche 356 on the other side of the street.

    >8^)
    ER
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    Peloton25, Nov 17, 2008
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  22. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ Honorary

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Marcel Massini, Nov 17, 2008
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  23. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Much better! The 'boy racer' look does not suit the Series 1, in my opinion.

    Regards,

    Art S.
     
    ArtS, Nov 17, 2008
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  24. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    Excellent pictures Marcel, but if I may be permitted here is a quote from your article in Cavallino #102:

    Frim this quote I understand Rubirosa ordered the car in 1957 and specced it as the 'cafe racer' with the headrest etc. but now I understand that Rubirosa ordered the car as seen in your pictures, so without the 'cafe racer'-details and that is was George Frochen who commissioned the car to be made into a look-a-like of 0663/0999.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2008
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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  25. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

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    thank you!
     
    GTE, Nov 17, 2008
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