1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti at RM Sotheby's

I find that remarkably unsurprising for many reasons actually. For one thing I suspect they have accurate records for every single car they ever built so they have no need to lie about it.

 

FYI, Ferrari dealers are now being pressured to do at least one certification per month.

 

bad handling from ferrari I only can say
but that is why so many cars are certified even a lot of not original

 

There is also considerable pressure to refer cars to Classiche in Maranello. Very surprised it is only one a month. Considering how slow Classiche is in processing applications how long do you suppose the backlog is?

 

The dealers just turn over pictures and descriptions. Maranello decides if it is correct or not.

 

Dyke

Sorry to disagree. That might be the case in USA but certainly not in Europe.
I just checked with official dealers here.

Marcel Massini

 

Marcel: My source is a Midwest dealer.

 

I’ve been told the same thing by US dealers.

 

The amusing part of referring cars to Classiche is that they don’t always do the restorations themselves anyhow. Depending on the car they’ll sub it out at a nice 100% markup for the facilitation.

 

No question. And some subcontractors are in the US. The same US that according to them does not know how to do it correctly. Its a service for those easily duped, easily pleased or who have other motivations entirely. A number of years ago a 330 GTS I know was restored by them at an eye watering price and the quality of the job was pretty embarrassing. They did not even try to replicate the sun visors. But the owner was happy because it earned him a higher spot to get future special cars. Or at least thats what he was told. Everybody's needs were met.

 

Everyone values it differently. We have one for the TR because a dealer wanted it for a presentation of the process and it only cost me the Ferrari Spa portion of the fee. Or about half. I just cannot understand for the life of me why the program causes so much angst. Its a product. Like any other. Ferrari is in a position to use their information to collect a fee. Its the duty of every corporate officer to utilize every company asset to best benefit the share holders. Don't like it, don't buy it.

 

its a widely misinterpreted product.

 

I wouldn't.

 

By who? And how so? Most of the misrepresentations I hear are from people who dislike it and know little about it. I am not defending the product, in most cases I think it has very little point but I have heard very little misrepresentation by Ferrari themselves. Many people who sell it and have something to gain misrepresent it but that is not Ferraris doing. Thats like blaming Ferrari because a dealer lied to you about a used car. You want to see misrepresentations, watch TV commercials and that very often hurts those that can least afford it so why dont you show the same outrage towards that?

Its like any other product, don't like it, don't buy it.

 

I don't like diamonds. To me they look like a handful of broken glass. They have very valid industrial uses but beyond that for the life of me I cannot understand why people buy them. Its a terrible investment because it is such a manipulated market. There are so many in storage the market could be crushed tomorrow except for the producers willingly going along with that market manipulation. Talk about a misrepresented product. So, why no widespread angst about this worthless product? Because people want it and who am I to say its stupid?

 

Brian: Classiche's misrepresentation is in claiming a Red Book certifies the car is like it was when it was built. For many early Ferraris, this is just not true because they lack the knowledge and records as to how the cars were actually built. Yes, I have direct personal experience with this situation on multiple cars. Ferrari would have been far better and more truthful had they taken the approach other manufacturers have done in that they just provide what information they have about the origin of the car and make no judgments as to how the car exists today.

 

I have never once had that misrepresentation. I know I have seen many of their restorations that have been quite a ways off the mark. Only Stevie Wonder could miss that. But I have never seen or heard of them making such a blanket statement of the certification process. Only that equipment, components and specifications were correct. They have always gone out of their way to state it is in no way a concours like in depth declaration the car was in all ways as original. That is not from local representatives.

I am aware of a number of cars, a specific 206 SP comes to mind of a car without all correct componentry being certified with notes in the book covering and stating what was incorrect. I think they are far too flexible on that, but that also has varied a great deal over time depending on who was on the acceptance panel at the time.

Again, most of us know their records are far less accurate than they claim but the fact remains its a product most, at least for the Enzo era cars are purchasing willingly, knowing that.

 

The problem is when they require it for entering an event, etc. Then it isn't a product, it is blackmail.

 

Of course it isn't "blackmail".
If Ferrari (or anyone else) is hosting an event, they can set whatever entry, i.e. invitation, requirements they want.

 

I had understood that Red Book certification needs to be renewed every so often at additional cost (maybe every two years?). If certifications lapse for too long, the certification is no longer valid and needs to be started from scratch.

This 275's Red Book was issued in 2012 and there is no mention of subsequent certification renewals. Potentially it is worthless.

 

Rory: MOST new buyers in this market are not aware of this nuance to the certification process. They think the "Red Book" will guarantee them a "perfect" car. Personally, I am not aware of anybody re-certifying their car, though I am sure there are some suckers out there.

 

Rory: MOST new buyers in this market are not aware of this nuance to the certification process. They think the "Red Book" will guarantee them a "perfect" car. Personally, I am not aware of anybody re-certifying their car, though I am sure there are some suckers out there.

 

This has been discussed a number of times over the years about the Classiche Certification needing to be renewed. Certification is only good until it leaves the authorising Classiche Centre as people even borrow parts just to get the car certified. We've even had FChatters asking to borrow parts on here for the purposes of a Certification. Of course there are genuine people who get their cars Classiche Certified too, so it's a case of always buy the seller.