A Child's Memory of "The Breadvan" | FerrariChat
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A Child's Memory of "The Breadvan"

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Bugcake, May 8, 2007.

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  1. Bugcake

    Bugcake Rookie

    May 8, 2007
    5
    Brawley, CA
    Full Name:
    Mason Ettinger
    #1 Bugcake, May 8, 2007
    I don't quite remember the first time I was put in the back of my father's Ferrari, but I do remember it was quite a horrible experience. My father, Matthew Ettinger, was the 3rd owner (I believe) after Asa Clark and Gary Wales of the Famous La Camionette, s/n 2819, The Breadvan.

    I remember being in the back of the car with my brother when we were 4 or 5 years old (my dad sold the car in '72 when I was 6). I must preface that my dad drove the car like he was a crazy man. The back area had no cushions. It was just metal frame and body. My brother and I rolled from side to side with each corner turned, smashed our skulls on the aluminum roof at every dip and bump. On occasion, we would bring our brown poodle, Coco, along for the ride. Oh what fun that was :) My brother and I would get so excited when our dad told us that we were going on a "ferrari run" with the Ferrari Owners Club (FOC) and friends Stephen Mitchell and Ed Niles.

    To this day my dad still amazes me with all his Ferrari tales. One that left an indelible mark on my brain was that he drove from the front door of the Princess Louise restaraunt in San Pedro to the front door of our house in
    La Habra Hts. in 14 mins. For those familiar with the Los Angeles county area, you'd know that is utterly impossible today.

    I still have some 1960's photos of my dad next to the Breadvan wearing his Davey Crockett racoon hat. I have a chuckle at that. Those were good days filled with fond memories. And when my dad starts lecturing me on opportunities missed, I kindly remind him of the 1962 Ferrari Breadvan that he sold for $9,800 in 1972.

    Mason Ettinger, D.C.
     
  2. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
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    #2 open roads, May 8, 2007
    Thanks for sharing that great childhood memory. What a riot.
     
  3. krasnavian

    krasnavian Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2003
    2,187
    Los Angeles/Paris
    #3 krasnavian, May 8, 2007
    Hello, Mason, and welcome to F-chat! I have very fond memories of you riding with me in the GTO while your brother Marcus rode with your dad in the Breadvan. I had all but forgotten about Coco, I must confess.

    I knew the Princess Louise very well and your dad even better. 14 minutes sounds about right for him! BTW, he and I had a great phone conversation the other day regarding someone we both know.
     
  4. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
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    Apr 20, 2004
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    #4 tfazio, May 8, 2007
    That is the perfect first post. Thank you for sharing that great story and welcome to Ferrarichat!!!
     
  5. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    Apr 23, 2002
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    #5 Glassman, May 8, 2007
    Fabulous story. Please post some pictures if you can.
     
  6. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 19, 2001
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    #6 ernie, May 8, 2007
    Well what are you waiting for man, post those pics!
     
  7. Bugcake

    Bugcake Rookie

    May 8, 2007
    5
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    Mason Ettinger
    #7 Bugcake, May 8, 2007
    I will have to get the pictures digitized. I will post them as soon as I can. You won't be disappointed.
     
  8. Inafewyears

    Inafewyears Rookie

    May 1, 2007
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    #8 Inafewyears, May 8, 2007
    I've lurked these boards for a few years easily and reading this made me register. Great stories and please, do post pictures soon.
     
  9. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 134282, May 8, 2007
    The Breadvan is one of my favorite Ferraris. I had the wonderful opportunity of riding in it around No Problem Raceway back in 2003. It was an experience I'll never forget. I look forward to your pictures. Thank you for the story.
     
  10. Bugcake

    Bugcake Rookie

    May 8, 2007
    5
    Brawley, CA
    Full Name:
    Mason Ettinger
    #10 Bugcake, May 8, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=514017&stc=1&d=1178683819

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=514018&stc=1&d=1178683819

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=514019&stc=1&d=1178683819

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=514020&stc=1&d=1178683995


    Funny story #2: The trailered Ferrari Breadvan arrived at our house in 1968 via a rented trailer and a decrepit truck (my dad is not shown in those pictures). The Breadvan arrived with a blown engine. In '67, my father had both his legs broken after being run over by a car with 4 flat tires (true story). After 4 months in the hospital, he came home to this car. Still in a wheelchair with both legs casted, he (with the help of Tony Mistretta -pictured here in cool banana-yellow pants) rebuilt the entire engine. My dad told me his orthopedic surgeons came unglued everytime he went in for cast replacements because the old ones had too much motor oil on them.

    Enjoy!

    The other photo of my dad with an authentic sombrero is of his SWB Berlinetta SEFAC racecar. I am not certain, but I believe it is a '63.

    I was wrong about the racoon hat. It was a furry russian number. My apologies.
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  11. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
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    #11 Miltonian, May 8, 2007
    Your first picture (photo credit to Marc Madow) appears on the front page of Autoweek, March 3rd, 1973, along with an article about your dad and the Breadvan.

    Thanks for sharing the story!

    Edit: Hey, it's my 3000th post. Congratulations to me!
     
  12. Inafewyears

    Inafewyears Rookie

    May 1, 2007
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    #12 Inafewyears, May 8, 2007
  13. mateo37

    mateo37 Rookie

    May 8, 2007
    5
    #13 mateo37, May 9, 2007
    The Christie's auction photo shows the Breadvan with a bogus front end. Monte Shalett the then owner and seller of the car changed the front end from original to suit his taste. I understand the new owner has put the Breadvan back to it's original look as when raced.
     
  14. Bugcake

    Bugcake Rookie

    May 8, 2007
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    Brawley, CA
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    Mason Ettinger
    #14 Bugcake, May 9, 2007
    Mateo37 is correct in the fact that the front end was altered. The Ferrari emblem between the air intakes is missing on the Christies photo. What Ferrari owner would not want that on an original car? It was removed upon the remodeling. Also, the open mouth below the air intakes was sealed over to a smooth finish. In my opinion, the remodeled version looks like crap. It take away from the original vision. I am happy it was restored to the original look.
     
  15. mateo37

    mateo37 Rookie

    May 8, 2007
    5
    #15 mateo37, May 9, 2007
    If you look real close you can see (barely) a steel bodied short wheelbase next to the Breadvan on the trailer. That is one of two swb's that was also owned at the that time. Back then $4,500 would buy you one hell of a short wheelbase. Today you have to be breathing Trump air to buy one. Oh for the opportunity to changed Ferraris like some people change contact lens. But at those prices it was possible. Lets see, which one would I have chosen? Corvette, Ferrari, Corvette, Ferrari.
     
  16. menoy

    menoy F1 Rookie

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    #16 menoy, May 9, 2007
    Thats a great story, unique experience! So I guess we should call you, your brother and Coco... the Bread? :D
     
  17. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 Fan512bbi, May 9, 2007
    Excellent story, and welcome to a great forum.
     
  18. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #18 furmano, May 9, 2007
    Though I don't care for the "Breadvan" that story is priceless. Thank you for sharing your unique memories and following up with the Kodak moments.

    -F
     
  19. Bugcake

    Bugcake Rookie

    May 8, 2007
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    Brawley, CA
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    Mason Ettinger
    #19 Bugcake, May 9, 2007
    My wife will get a laugh (or a sneer) when I demand she address me as "THE BREAD"!

    I'll also introduce myself to my patients as "Dr. Bread". Hmm, does that mean I must change the lettering on my front door?
     
  20. bushwhacker

    bushwhacker In Memoriam

    May 25, 2006
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    #20 bushwhacker, May 9, 2007
    Wonderful pictures, wonderful memories, Ferrari truly runs in your blood.
    Thanks for the piece of time you've shared with us from your past.
     
  21. GTSguy

    GTSguy Formula Junior

    Oct 25, 2004
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    Northern California
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    Jon
    #21 GTSguy, May 11, 2007
    Mateo - what a small world.... I spoke to Asa about a year ago. He sold my 275 (#7907) to make room for the Breadvan. Asa only owned the breadvan for a short while. I understand that he sold my car around 1970 or 71.. Asa sent me a couple slides showing my car at Riverside. He says that he and a noted driver raced it there. Unfortunately, he couldn't recall the other driver. Anybody know anything about this?

    Jon
     
  22. Lloyd

    Lloyd F1 Rookie

    Aug 25, 2001
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    #22 Lloyd, May 11, 2007
    It is great stories like this that make this site so addictive. Thanks, Mason.
     
  23. Gimme Fuel

    Gimme Fuel F1 Veteran

    Mar 15, 2003
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    #23 Gimme Fuel, May 11, 2007
    Cool thread guys. :)

    I dont know so much about this breadvan, so if anyone could gimme a couple of hints it would be great. (I'm too lazy to google about it) :D:D
    How many were made?
    Are all of them still around today?
    Whats the marked value on such a car today??
    Produced between 19?? - 19??
    Cheers!
     
  24. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 134282, May 12, 2007
    Count Volpi was refused a 250 GTO by Enzo Ferrari. Volpi had Bizzarini and Drogo put together a "GTO beater". At the 1962 Le Mans, la Camionette (as the French press referred to it) stayed ahead of all the GTOs until it broke down with gearbox trouble.

    It's rumored that, afterwards, Volpi drove it around on the street until he traded it in on a Dodge station wagon $2,500 credit.

    Just one, S/N 2819 GT.

    The only one that exists stills exists.

    Priceless. But monetarily, somewhere between two and four million, I suppose.

    Serial number 2819 GT started life as a competition 250 GT SWB, built in September, 1961. It was converted when Volpi got ahold of it and put the two aforementioned gentlemen to work on it.
     
  25. Martin D

    Martin D F1 Rookie

    Nov 7, 2004
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    #25 Martin D, May 12, 2007
    Hi Paul,
    the car is now in Germany and I hope it will be at this years Ferrari Racing Days at the Hockenheimring :)

    Martin
     
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