Classiche Annual Inspection

I apologise if this has been mentioned before, but I see that Ferrari now requires, to maintain Classiche status for a car, an annual service check (performed by an authorized Classiche workshop) and authenticity check (performed by Ferrari SpA).

 

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....and I am sure an actual and substantial check check is required. Classiche, the gift that keeps on giving.....

 

BWAHAHAHAHA !!!

*If true*, what a shameless bunch of grifters.
Classiche has historically come under well-deserved criticism for their earlier operations.
If they're in fact requiring an 'annual', how can this be seen as anything more than a (further) money grab?
If so, Emperor's new clothes indeed.

 

Some dox and information.

Marcel Massini
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Definitely a money grab. The profit margin on selling new cars and licensed products must be falling fast. Sell your stock.

 

Although personally I don't think much of the entire program, but due to persistent rumors of cars attempting to or getting "certified" with borrowed/loaned/rented components or being modified after receiving it, I could see the point in "annual inspection/verification" if it doesn't involve large sums money extracted just for the sake of inspection.

Kind of like government mandated annual safety inspection for all road cars to maintain licensing & registration in many parts of the world, including some States in U.S. or MOT in UK.

Seems like a private business just following the suit to maintain "their" standards.

 

Head of SAT (Servizio Assistenza Technica) and Ferrari Classiche, Mr. Luigino Barp, explained exactly that to me, personally, a few weeks ago. He said that many owners, once they have received the red book, started to modify/alter the cars, and the factory is now trying to prevent this and that's why they have now changed the system.
A number of Officine (officially authorized Classiche Centers) will be opened in various countries. I understand approximately 40 such shops.

Marcel Massini

 

Thank you Sir.
Just as I thought and it makes sense.

 

Provided the cost isn't too excessive it's a good idea. We've even seen FChat members asking here to borrow parts just for the inspection to get the certification which is a total deception. Although it won't necessarily stop the devious from borrowing parts for a brand new Classiche certification, a car with a history of annual Classiche inspections will give confidence in the authentic original specification of the car as well as building value.

 

Fixed it for you! [emoji6]
T

 

I actually see it as a valid requirement. If I owned a classic car, I would want it to be certified and I would choose to maintain that status. From Ferrari's perspective, Classiche distinction isn't for perpetuity, and I would agree. Many things could alter and change that status, so I think it makes sense. After all, nobody is requiring anyone to gain certification in the first place.

 

How much does it cost to have a Dino 'certified'? Or is the cost equal for any car?

Plus, the yearly inspection? Hmmm....

Regards, Alberto

 

Buyer beware. If you buy a car because it was restored, was classiche certified or anything else beginning with a was then you need to assess the accuracy of that claim and whether anything has happened since to invalidate that claim. Otherwise, you aint got no-one to blame but yourself. I totally understand why Ferrari Classiche would be establishing this process and I believe it is fair.

 

The description on the ex(?) Chris Evans Daytona Spyder at the Bonhams Revival sale in 2015 shows why annual inspections are required as it has had lots of changes post inspection.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22725/lot/321/

Not that any of this encourages me to spend the money on Classiche for my own car.

 

A search of F-chat files will reveal why many experts are suspicious about the benefits of Classiche.

At the outset fees were not unreasonable and several cars saw a welcome return to original spec, but susequently the idea of a 'profit centre' started to dominate. Errors were found which while trivial in nature, cost a lot to rectify; 50 year old repairs were queried by reference to incomplete records, rather than people who were there or had relevant experience and expensive restoration work was demanded of some.

There were also rumours circulating that some special clients got specoal treatment.

Nowadays people are getting very recent supercars Classiched when they have hardly turned a wheel in two years. Why not? If they can afford it, Ferrari will willingly take their money.

This sort of attitude is adopted by the dealers, many of whom seem to imply that a car is worthless without Classiche.

Personally. I would much prefer an idependent opinion from Marcel Massini, who has no iron in the rennovation fire, and access to extensive and checkable records kept by a fastidious owner.

I can see the merits of retests but query the benefit of the whole process in most instances.

 

What a shame that someone would tear apart an original, low mileage car and "customize" it to their own taste. Find a higher mileage car that has already been modified or is in bad condition to do this to. I know not everyone will agree with my comments, but to me, you are losing something that you can never get back.

 

The Certification was never more than the factory's OPINION of the originality of the car at a single point in time. All the Annual Inspection process creates is another profit center that the factory can use to get into willing owner's wallets. Nobody should ever consider certification paperwork as their only review of a car when purchasing. There are very knowledgeable people out there, Marcel for one, who may well have far better credentials and data than the current factory staff.

 

Pigs get fat. Hogs get slaughtered.

CW

 

Even one of the semi affiliated agents such as DK Engineering will arguably have more experience and certainly the expertise to tell you where your car differs from those they have already worked on. When Classiche certified the Violati 330P #0818 against all rational thoughts as to what could possibly be original about the car it made a joke of the process, especially when they must have known where the real #0818 was and the car they had wasn't it. At least with #6045 and others there is only one claimant but it proved that money talked and authenticity walked. Nothing beats your own research.

 

1965-1967 Dino 206 S $ 13,125 + $3,125 Research Fee + Metallurgical test ( which is required )

1966-1974 Dino 206 GT/GTS $6,250 + whatever inspection fee charged for photos and such

1973-1980 Dino 308 GT4 $ 3,125..

So, yes, each car has it's own price...

I think the 250GTO is the highest.

S

 

I just spoke to a very helpful lady at Joe Macari Classiche Department in London who told me that the Annual Inspection requirement has not yet been confirmed.

 

Why not just get the original cert, then tell Ferrari to "foxtrot oscar"...until you decide to perhaps sell, then get a new 'annual' cert then. This is one cash grab too far....

 

Bought a 360 from Joe M in 2001....drove from London to Monaco in one day. Great guy, great dealer....best road trip ever !