Michael Sheehan's Ferraris On-line

I don't think 25-30 years ago was his prime. I think he'll be in his prme when he's 80, which is next year (just kidding, mike!).

About 27 or 28 is Mike's recollection. There was no digital age back then. But his shop was responsible for a lot of the cuts that came from rolled ot otherwise damaged cars - including one that rolled over. Mike said only one time was there a customer who went out and found a pristine new, perfect example of a Daytona, and commission Mike to cut ut.

 

Folks --

This might be Mike's theme song --

Anybody who has been slinging Ferraris for as long as Sheehan has got some scars on his cheeks. There are stories, and then there are stories. Dems talking, dont know. Dems who know, aint talking.

Whatever anyone says about Mike (and there are one or two who will), he always lands on his feet. As a survivor, you gotta give him credit. Go ahead, buy a few drinks for anyone who sells Ferraris for a living, and you'll find it is not all fun and games. In fact, it can be royal PIA dealing with a bunch of anal rich guys.

So Carbon, a tip of the hat to ya. You have a knack for landing on your feet. I have always thought you needed to get out of gloomy New York and head for sunny California where the girls are warm.

Bottom line, would I buy a car from Sheehan? You betcha. If if was the car I wanted and the price was right. We all need to remember Gerald Roush's mantra that the only three things that matter when buying a used Ferrari are (1) condition, (2) condition, and (3) condition. What happened yesterday doesn't matter. All that matters is what condition the car is in right now.

Dale
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Thanks to all for the feedback.

 

My $0.02 is that if you hang around long enough around any industry, you're going to have detractors. You'll never please everybody. No sense even trying. Some don't like you because they feel they were wronged (when often they made the mistakes and it's easier to blame a dealer or someone like Mike than accept responsibilities for a dumb decision, etc) Other times, it can be professional jealousy or a thousand other things.

I first met/communicated with Mike in the mid-'80s when he was running European Auto Restoration. He was already well established in Ferrari circles and Ferrari circles -- it should be stated - was FULL of colorful characters in the go-go '80s and the collector car boom.

I was warned before dealing with him that he had an enormous ego. The old joke was that Mike couldn't fit through a doorway because of his swelled head. Sure, a few of our early interactions (I was briefly, in a sense, in the collector car business) were a little odd. He insisted on taking calls on speaker phone during a time when having someone on speaker was a bit of an arrogant power play move. Sure, it was a little off-putting, but nothing out of the ordinary when dealing with someone who was very busy, very successful, and pressed for time. Now, my days are filled dealing with investment bankers and venture capitalists and other huge egos, so I am used to that kind of thing. In any event, when it came to the important stuff, Mike was knowledgeable, professional and no-BS. Even recently, he followed up with a long email at 2am with a host of additional bits on a car that was long sold because I asked about it. He could have blown me off. He didn't. He valued the relationship beyond whether he could just sell me a car at that moment. That kind of thing leaves an impression.

The bottom line is that Mike has lasted; so few of the colorful Ferrari people who ran the roost 20+ years ago have. [I won't name names, but you could guess.] You can only last this long and have this many people singing your praises and continuing to do business with you year after year if you are one of the good guys. Not perfect, maybe, but one of the good guys nonetheless.

ketel

 

I agree wholeheartedly. I hope no one took any thing I said as a negative swipe against Mike or Carbon because this was not my intent. Ketel said it much better than me. Mike is one of the good guys, and now Carbon is also one of the good guys.

Dale

 

You mean Carbon wasn't always one of the good guys?

 

I dont know much about this, however my Dad sold his F50 through Michael Sheehan see here .

http://www.ferraris-online.com/pages/cardetail.php?reqcardir=FE-F50-103497

Although this was sometime ago but I rememeber my dad was pleased with the deal I think Sheehan brokered the deal, and the the guy who purchased the car had it collected from Spain ( not sure if he came to inspect it at the time as I live in the uk), but I do know the same guy arranged for my dad to have a go in a Mclaren F1 around a track in the uk so they both met up here.

Would love to know if this car is still in California or if it is hidden at the back of somebodys garage now.

 

I listed one of my cars with Michael. He performed exactly as agreed. He was pleasent to deal with as well.

Dave

 

Always nice to hear if a Daytona has been saved rathr than just being parted out. Better to be back on the road in some form rather than a memory. Thanks for the info Carbon!
CH

 

What ever happened to European Auto Restoration?

 

Agree with that statement 100%

 

European Auto Restoration was run by Straman, correct me if I am wrong, not Sheehan? Straman was the prime chopper of Daytona coupes and other Ferraris, Bitters, etc in the 70s/80s timeframe.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

i have dealt with Mike Sheehan for many years and never had any problems. On the contrary, he is the ultimate straight shooter. He also has returned all my emails and calls at any time withing 24 hours.

He knows the market. He will advise you well.

I bought my 575M through him and got a very favorable market-priced deal. He worked the deal until it was fair and balanced for both buyer and seller.

I would deal with him again to both buy and sell a car. His rates are fair and reasonable and I have found him flexible as needed.

He may be blunt for some folks, and will not waste his time with tire kickers, bull****ters or posers. If you are for real, he is there for you.

Highly recommended in my view. But do not waste his time unless you are ready to buy or sell. i can not blame him for that.

 

European Auto Restoration was owned by Sheehan, from what I recall. Pretty sure that's correct.

 

You are probably right. It all runs together after a spell.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Back in the late '70s, Mike owned two buildings. He owned European Auto Sales, a showroom from which he sold Ferraris. He also owned European Auto Restoration, a shop where his crew repaired crashed Ferraris. During the height of the Daytona Spyder craze, Mike cut 27 or 28 cars. Straman was approximately 500 feet down the street from Mike at that time, and he cut about 30-35 cars.

 

I remember he owned European Auto Restoration/Sales well into the 90s.

What happened? They seem to have just disappeared.

 

A building and a high level of inventory and smog equipment and a crew of 20 people amounts to a LOT of overhead. So he downsized his overhead so that he could increase profit. I cost Mike a ton in food, but I'm worth it.

 

Hey Carby!!! Congrats on your new gig!!!! Didn't know you were at Sheehans' place.

 

I bought my 575M through him also. I agree with what you have said. He did everything I wanted to make me feel comfortable with the car. I never had a dealer that accomodating.
I would and and probably will work with him again. I do however disagree with his opinion of the valeo. Like Hank I've had one for a long time. With only 24 or so in existance I think most opinions are speculation. BTW I have not "put my mechanic's kids through college" as he has predicted Have you done that yet Hank? I do think I've done that for my Mercedes dealer! I sure as hell won't ask Mike to sell my valeo.

 

Never met before nor had any business deals with Mike before. I was interested to find out about this gentleman, thus last March when I was in LA, we met one on one for about an hour. I had a pleasant talk with Mike and had a wonderful morning meeting him in person. I can see why he can stay in this business for over 30 years. I left with only good impressions of Mike. w/ smiles Jimmy

 

Thanks, everyone, for all of the great compliments. Mike, too, is very appreciative - and believe it or not, yesterday he was wearing his FerrariChat.com t-shirt that he got at the FerrariChat meet in 2004.


So now that this discussion has seemingly concluded, who among you is willing to buy me an early Christmas present a la the 456 Cabriolet that's coming up for sale? I know that as soon as it's launched, it's going bye-bye, and I would personally rather be the one driving it to work everyday than someone else.

 

Instead, how about an autographed picture of Ewa Sonnet or Bea Flora?

 

No interest in an autograph from either one. But dinner would certainly be wonderful.

 

SWB