David Piper restores the Talacrest P4

0900a and 0900b are something else, and on purpose I didn't want to got there, for obvious reasons. I don't know enough about these two cars to make a determination, but they would probably fall into the realm of perhaps "unauthorized continuation", depending on the content and what they have in them. If they really were made up primarily from spares and the chassis is to the Ferrari prints, they aren't that different than 0900, it's just that Enzo didn't authorize their construction.

I don't like the word "replica" for these three cars. Cars like a Norwood are, to my mind a replica and they don't have anything in common with the real thing. Cars like these are very much like some of the GT40's that are built from real GT40 tooling and, if properly done, are pretty much identical to the real thing.

I don't want to go into how one values such cars, they are what they are and if someone wants one and knows what they are getting I'm fine with that. Remember that Jim bought a car from Piper that he thought was one of these continuation cars and was happy with his purchase, only later did he find out that the frame was actually that of 0846...

 

Smartest post yet on the subject.

 

Who was Cavaliere Gioberti (spelling)? Was he of Vaccari & Bosi? The reason I ask, is that according to DP, Enzo Ferrari personally asked him if they had the correct tubing to make the P4 chassis for him.

When was 0900 completed? Mike Parkes, who DP said oversaw the production of the chassis when he was working at the factory, actually left Ferrari in 1969. However, DP said that when the car was completed he asked Enzo Ferrari if he could borrow Didier Pironi to drive the car at an event at Mallory Park. Didier Pironi didn't drive for Ferrari until 1981 so it took a long time to make????? I did read somewhere that Pironi did drive 0900 in 1982, but not at Mallory, but Monthlery as pictured.

Hmm. Just found a picture of 0900 at Donnigton in 1979 (bottom pic).
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Okay you are picking up on very small details.

Clarifying: Ferrari did not commission the building of this chassis.

BTW: Anybody know why Barchetta.cc stops at #0898 and starts again with #1002. I was trying to confirm the myth(?) that another car already has #0900.

And yes Muirasv, it would be impossible for DP's #0900 to be have built when these cars were current as the engine and other mechanical components were in Australia AFTER #0858 had been converted to CanAm form, so already a passed it racing car. The car was sold to South Africa, to Paul Walker, I believe and I imagine that is where Piper found the spares since he raced there a lot.
Pete

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vintage-thru-365-gtc4-sponsored-vintage-driving-machines/344504-312pb.html

Thread about the other car claiming 0900

 

There is a 312PB that also has the 0900 chassis number.

DP bought 0858 from the estate of Paul Hawkins and sold it to Alistair Walker. He got it back from Alistair Walker and sold it, minus the spares I'd guess, to Walter Medlin.

 

Oops I've jumbled their names ...
Pete

 

So I'm curious, where did the story originate that Enzo gave DP the #0900 chassis number?

As for the drawings, DP had enough P4's around him that that itself is not clear proof, plus I used to be a draughtsman and it is very easy to copy a blue print.

Anyway just wondering, not accusing ... the existence of another #0900 is very interesting. All very interesting that helps the work day finish quicker
Pete

 

I don't know where the story originated from but David Piper can be seen telling the story on video how he came to be given the chassis number 0900 by Enzo Ferrari. Do a search on youtube.com and look for part 2 of how David Piper approached the re-body of 0858. The original links in post 1 of this thread no longer work.

It would be good to see or read other sources too as I, and am sure there are many others here, like reading as much as possible on the P4s and the other Ferrari prototypes.

 

Well put. My guess is that David Piper.would probably agree with most of this. My impression of him is that he is very secure in his approach over the many years to the subject of the P series Ferrari and has yet to find criticism worthy of his comment. If this has truth to it I would suggest that many who have contributed to this thread learn from his example. tongascrew

 

Maybe Mr. Ferrari was assigning the number to DP, as the 312Pb happened down the line...

Simple mistake in the book keeping of the day..

The Race Car shop had no idea of the front office discussion, and like a lot of things "in period" did not much care. The new car was certainly never to be confused with the old one (or two or three)..

 

As 'maybes' go this is a pretty good one. My own, 'maybe' is that the deal between these two took place behind closed doors and was not made public until???? Very possible this resulted in the duplicate s/n. The whole discussion of 0858, now close to 3000 posts, is so full of very questionable 'maybes' it's nice to read one that actually makes some sense. Thanks tongascrew

 

There is factory paperwork with 0900 and the Chenitti 312 PB.

 

Please could you share with us what the 0900 P4 paperwork says or the gist of it? Thank you.

 

I never seen any. Not sure any exists.

 

Sorry, I seem to have misunderstood your post 2963. You meant that 0900 factory paperwork exists for the 312P(B), not referring to 0900 P4?

 

Correct. I have never seen any Factory paperwork for David's P4 replica "0900" nor have I ever heard of the existence of any.

 

My faute, Vincent; after all, Sire Bruno est francophone; moi, pas.

I continue in American ;-)

 

I'm mostly saying that in jest. but it is easier to keep on in English.

 

Ver le bas avec Google translate. Aux remparts!
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Not sure if this has already been posted in this thread but 0858 will soon be fitted with an 'original' P4 body which has been found in Modena by one of the cars' co-owners.

Paul

 

Very interesting, who knew that there were unaccounted for P4 bodies....

 

... apparently you can always find anything in Italy. Hmmm unless stamped with a chassis number, other than looking more correct, this won't enhance #0858's authenticity as a P4.

All in all none of this helps clear up the fact that whoever was commissioned to make the current replica body did not do the job justice IMO ... and they, I imagine, are grateful that their name is not reproduced everywhere. This in itself is strange as if my company (hypothetical) had been involved I'd want everybody to know.
Pete

 

hahaha

 

*They found a body* while quietly making one now and then saying it miraculously appeared which then leads people to think that a genuine body has now been fitted onto the car so stop mocking it.

Sure, I really doubt that a body was found in Maranello or anywhere on the planet.