David Piper restores the Talacrest P4

While I enjoy reading the articles I know that there's no coincidence when a car is being featured in a glossy mag just before coming to auction.

 

I will say... that at first I didn't mind this build... but now having learned that the engine is not correct... as well as some other technical aspects (don't need to be 100% original, but at least of correct replacement) is hugely dissapointing. If you are going to turn it back into a P4... do it 100% Again, doesn't have to have the ORIGINAL parts (would be fantastic if it did) but you must get it right. How do you expect to fetch 25 million without it being a "correct" car (and I personally could care less about the italian body vs english body. As long as the shape is correct thats what would mean more to ME) how do you offer an incomplete car.

I am really rather dissapointed after reading this stuff. I would have almost no issue with the car if it were correct. But if what I am reading is true... its a bit of a Frankenstein that was never offered and a hodgepodge of a built

 

Correct. I'd call this an advertorial.

Too bad that the 'reporting' is factually incorrect and, maybe more important, strategic omissions are in place.

Nothing un-expected though.

Best,

Jack.

 

Here's the thing about making the body with incorrect techniques. Rolled alloy has a different surface texture than hammered alloy and when you paint them correctly as Ferrari did in the day with lacquer the difference in the surface can be seen especially in Prototypes which were very thinly painted and had VERY thin primer and no bondo at all. The hammered surface is very easy to see on original cars and cars who's replica bodies have been made properly.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-si6u1rVqD8]1967 Ferrari 330 P4 Can Am Tribute - YouTube[/ame]

 

Not unexpected and read with a skeptical eye by those who know but tend to become "history" for many.

 

Harley cluxton did some work on 0858 but I would not discribe it as a restoration

 

I understand there were two?CanAm Ferraris My comments and discussion is only about one which is 0858 330 P4 1967. This is the only chassis that I make reference to so please don't confuse the issue.The main topic is about the approach David Piper is taking to the restoration of 0858.Gear boxes and details of other CanAm Ferraris I leave up to you and other experts. tongascrew

 

George you are the one who is confused.

The 603C Typo specifications I listed ARE FOR 350 CAN AM CHASSIS NUMBER 0858.

TYPO 603 P4 0858 HAS NOT EXISTED FOR 47 YEARS AND FITTING 350 CAN AM 0858 WITH AN INCORRECTLY MADE REPLICA "P4" BODY WILL NOT MAGICALLY TURN 350 CAN AM 0858 BACK INTO A P4.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142355877-post894.html
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Everything you say is absolutely correct.The only problem is there doesn't seem to be an engine available that is in any way correct. It may be that for now we must leave it up to D P and Talacrest to install an alternative or consider not installing any engine. Anyone coming up with the money to buy this car could certainly afford to have Classiche create a reproduction engine which with the Classiche tag on it would go a long way to solving what is a problem with no perfect solution. I don't know where the owners of the other P series Ferraris come down on all of this. For some reason they seem to have kept vey quiet. tongascrew

 

@Jim re post 959. So what is the size of those tyres but much more importantly the correct size, including the width, of the type 603C wheels/rims for 0858 350 Can Am?

 

I have no info on the width of the wheels.Maybe S F changed as part of the CanAm mods or Hawkins who made many changes setting the car up for Spingbok.All I can add is that Hawkins had the car ad for sale in March 1969 Autoweek at Lynton Garage in London as a "Ferrrari P4 CAN-AM'' for USD 26,500 with engine or USD 18,000 car only.He considered it to be a P4.RM the same when stated"heart of the car,however,remained pure P4. David Piper et al may be able to shed some light on the issue.tongascrew

 

The perfect solution is to leave it intact with as much original period Ferrari components as is possible.

In other words. Leave it as a Can Am instead of half a can am with a fake P4 body.

 

I wish DP would make a few comments.
That would be really fun.

 

Agreed it would be....

 

I posted in the U K thread about D P and the 0858 rebuild. Will see. tongascrew

 

True, True.

 

The contrast between this "restoration" and the one you have undertaken on 0854 couldnt be more stark. Regarding 0858 I think its vitally important that the motoring press doesnt "sugar coat" this restoration too much, though based on past reading that seems unlikely.

I do think this thread would be livened up considerably by the participation of those "restoring" 0858....

Mind you their greatest supporter miuriasv is here.....

 

0858 never won anything as a Can Am car.In fact it was a dismal failurene 8th place, and two DNFs. Its only real successes were as an original P4 in major events against major competition in 1967.Don't be fooled by the results in South Africa.Hardly major competition. tongascew

 

With David Piper and Talacrest involved at least double.Much will depend on the engine installed or not and the original and reproduction spares.The plan is to include the CanAm body. tongascrew

 

Check with the experts but there are quite a few 250 GTOs without their original bodywork.It's probably true all these cars have a nonorginal piece of bodywork somewhere. tongascrew

 

Was 0854 in the hands of DP not major competition? Look at the facts more closely please.

 

For another point of view go to the U K FChat and the 0858 resto thread. Have a look at the two part video with David Piper on this resto. It will give you an idea of the extent of his fifty years involvement with the P cars and a background of what is going into this resto.It may or may not change your point of view. but it certainly deserves better that as described by some. There are some great P 3-4 videos. tongascrew

 

Nobody is saying DP lacks the knowledge, what I am saying is whats being done has lead to there being NO 350 Can Ams left and yes DP has expertise but this car will always be more 350 Can Am than P4 from a mechanical point of view.

One needs to ask, if you knew this was the last 350 Can Am left would you convert it back to a P4? To me thats the over riding them to this thread, the poll thread was enlightening on this point but as has been said the market will speak.

 

We are discussing 0858 not 0854.....please. tongascrew