S/N 43 @ RM Auction in January

I have never been in one of these Early Ferraris. I thought it may be interesting to own
one of these ---but I think it will be a challenge to drive
this car--to say the least.

Maybe it is better off to own & just look at??
RM states matching numbers and recently fully restored.

Anyone know any history on this car


Any opinions of past & present owners of these early cars??

Thanks.

Ken Goldman

 

The car was owned back in the mid '80's by a Mr. Ronald P. of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

A photo of the car appeared in the F.O.C. 1984-85 Directory and it had bumpers back then...

 

Here's a little bit of history I have (see attached file). I've driven s/n 0105 (195 Inter Ghia coupe) in comparison with a 166 Inter Touring coupe, a 212 Inter Vignale berlinetta and a 166 Inter Stabilimenti Farina coupe. Exchanging driving experiences the 166 Inter Touring seemed to be the easiest to drive. What I noticed most from driving the Ghia was the non-centering steering. Other peculiarities were the windscreen wipers (each wiper had its own button to push) and the non existing brakes (compared to modern cars ofcourse). Other than that it was great fun to drive!
View attachment 043 S.doc

 

Here are two pictures of 043 S.

One from a wet Ferrari Owners Club National Meet in 2008 and one by Boudewijn Berkhoff from 1987 when in Dutch ownership.
From this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204248

Paul
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At the car show of Torino 1950.
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Why people want they to give him an air of racing car?...it's more beautiful with the naturalness

 

Thanks for the info

How reliable are these cars down the road.

Can these be driven once or twice a month---or should one only use these
once or twice a year?

The problem of brakes was mentioned earlier---just how bad are they??

Ken Goldman

 

Well, someone has to try to respond to Ken's queries. Those old crocks were actually pretty reliable, with certain shortcomings. The head gaskets on the inside plug car were notorious for leaking (although the gaskets now in use may have solved that problem), and the valve guides were made from soft material, making early smoke a given. Brakes, well, what can one say except that getting them set up properly by someone who knows what the hell he is doing does make a big difference? A strong right leg is a definite asset. Personally, I love some, but not all, of the early body shapes. For instance, 0170ET remains one of my favorites, and it was a joy to drive.
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Was this picture taken at an auction at the Safari Hotel in Scottsdale?

 

can't help noticing the comfy chair in torino pic...
for enzo ??

 

ha !
360 driver hits 360 posts...alert the media !

 

Ed,

Would this example still have the mousetrap valve springs design??

IIRC Napols is converting those in his #002 as they are now NLA and manufacturing costs are prohibitive...

And "prohibitive" for Napolis means pretty well out of reach for mere mortals....

If you buy it Ken, I'd think regular use would be far better for all aspects of the machine than 'twice yearly"....as Mr. Niles photo shows, lots of the other early cars were more flowing designs....like the Carrera Panamerica cars.

 

Enzo actually rarely left the Factory or confines of Maranello, the odd Italian F1 race excepted.....

 

To answer both questions, yes, that photo was taken in Az, and it was a great drive, although we (three of us in 3 of my cars) got caught in a real storm on the way home. These cars are at their best out on the road, something we rarely see in L.A. traffic. IMHO, they should be driven regularly and at every opportunity. Bubba, I think the change to regular valve springs was contemporaneous with the change to outside plugs, around 1959 or '60.

 

i don't have a lot of experience with these cars but i did drive 020I [ 166 touring berlinetta] at about the time the owner and i were racing type 37 bugattis at monterey [and mine on the road a bit] and can say the bug was a much better driver tho you are out in the wind all the time....the ferrari seemed a bit floaty and light with dodgy brakes and a less than perfect gear box....the gp cars seem so much more grounded and handy in the turns...again i was not an owner or caretaker of the 166 [it was a lovely car] but as a driver i prefer the 20 or so year older car!

 

These older cars can be fixed with a spanner and screw driver. There is no computer to go wrong, no list a mile long of acronymous words. This car is closer to what Enzo saw as a Ferrari than a 599.
At least thats my opinion.

 

Hi, Ed
I was lucky to drive that little coupe(0170ET) for you that weekend- was that the first Barrett-Jackson auction?
My memory is that the ride was very harsh around town but once on the highway and over 75 or 80 it smoothed out and the motor started to sing. It's a great road car!

 

I put 800 miles on 002 in 4 days on the Historic Targa Florio and loved every one.
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Will you modify your existing heads to redo the valve springs or recast them completely with different perches?

That's all quite interesting, IMO.....

 

There is no modification to the heads needed. Many cars have been converted.

 

I know you did.
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Hi Ed,
just curious as you are a real veteran and my car was forever in the US, did you drove 0128E?
I love the discusion about these old bangers and must admit that driving it is very hard to put in words. BTW, the discussion about the brakes is indeed a matter of technology, as they brake pretty well (compared to, lets say a train or container ship)...

If you are considering one Ken, try one, buy one.

ciao
Oscar
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No, I never got to meet 0128, but certainly another VERY pretty early car. There was a time, in the 60's, that those paint jobs seemed passe (I actually repainted a white with black top Boano gold!) but now I see the beauty in them. Ken, I think you are ready!

 

I thought I would post my first experience in riding in one of these very early Ferraris. I flew to Bologna Itay to "test drive" and finalize the purchase of 0045 S from long term owner Sandro Blosi (75 young). Sandro and his beautiful daughter/interpreter Simona picked me up at my hotel and drove me to their very nice home in downtown Bologna. As we pulled into the unassuming garage, the site of 0045 S (as well as an Alfa 6C and Porsche RS) was very exciting.

With Simona doing her best to keep up with her translating duties, Sandro mostly telling me how great the car was (with a tear in his eye), Sandro warmed up the Ferrari for our tour around Bologna. As his insurance did not cover me driving the car, we were off and running with me in the passanger seat for a drive up to his summer home in the nearby mountains to experience the thrill of this old Ferrari.

Well, Sandro proceeded to provide me with literally the most terrifying experience of my life. Flat out from the start, at best barely acknowledging the traffic signs, it was horn first, full throttle to max revs and double clutching quick shifts as he passed every car ahead of us at dangerous speeds. With no seat belts in this little right hand drive aluminum Ferrari and traffic coming straight at me while driving at reckless speeds, the genuine fear of this "test drive" was absolutely crazy!

As we swept up the tiny mountain roads, me scared sh*tless holding on for dear life, he would occasionally look over to me and say "Ferrari Magnificento". After at least three close calls with oncoming traffic, we were finally back at his house. He acted as if he had been driving normal! I regained my composure and we went in his home to meet his wife and finalize the deal.

It has been a pleasure to drive the car over the last couple of years though you have to plan ahead a little on the braking front. But if you drive the car like Sandro, no worries, you don't need that pedal, just the one all the way to the right! True story.
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Cool story Tom!!