Thanks again Terry for the reply. If you have any photos of 0124A when you had her, it would be interesting to compare to my old photos. Thanks George
Although a bit off topic, since the photos of 0169 were posted, I thought I'd add a bit about that car - also obtained by me from Bob Gangemi. It had a 250 GT engine in it at the time. I located the original engine, rebuilt, about a mile from the home we had moved out of a year earlier. The man with the engine intended to install it in a GTO replica based on at 240Z. I paid him cash, reinstalled the engine, and later sold the 2250GT engine - which went into a pseudo GTO/240Z! 0169 has been with Steven Swig for many years. It is a single carburetor engine, five speed. Although most Ghia bodies seem to be 2 + 2, this one has no provision for back seat. Really a nice little car!
Yes, and I can remember when you owned it, and taking that picture. Can't remember what happened 2 days ago, however!
Now that M.M. has returned, it would be wonderful to have his comments on our lengthy thread. Thanking him in advance........George
YES! This is a great thread. It reads like a Classical Mystery. What will happen next? Carry on Men. Ciao...Paolo
George: Lack of time has prevented me from replying earlier (I receive 150+ emails every single day....). Today I finally found a few hours to go through this interesting thread. I fully agree with the conclusion that your car was 0124 A. In the second half of the 1950s Italian Michele Vernola also brokered/sold cars that were physically already in California. Among the cars he sold was also 0354 MM, a 250 MM Berlinetta Pinin Farina. I have about 30 letters from Vernola in my files. Vernola used to live at Via Zuretti 33 in Milan, but later moved to Valenzano, Bari, in Southern Italy. Some people have asked about the whereabouts of 0118 A. It belongs since 11 years to an Asian collector. I recently inspected the car. It is unrestored and still wears the old yellow Violati/Maranello Rosso collection stickers on the fenders. It also is still fitted with the 365 GT 2+2 engine #11787 GT (internal engine #A 496). However, the original engine 0118 A is also WITH the owner but not installed in the car. The internal engine number of 0118 A is "2 A". The gearbox of 0118 A is stamped "104" and "12 D" and "9/33". The data plate (chassis badge) on the firewall is a poor reproduction and not authentic. All gauges are incorrect and Borranis are wrong. Windscreen pedestal is missing. Carrozzeria Touring body badge is missing (should be "35XX"). Below are photos. Marcel Massini Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
These photos show 0124 A in 1991 in Switzerland. Taken from French magazine "Auto Passion" of June 1991. Marcel Massini Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
For some reason I only found this thread now but this has been the Agatha Christie of the year! Thanks so much to all who contributed, particularly past owners. Onno
Mr. Massini; It seems difficult to verify stamped parts, when the fonts, for lack of a better term, are so different on each stamping in terms of size and style. I would have expected that even if stamped at different times, that the personnel would have the same stamping tools in what seems an important process. Looking at the two shots of '0118 / A' they look similar, ubt much different, albeit the first "8" is upside down. Do such differences make verification almost impossible? thanks rik Image Unavailable, Please Login
I cannot speak for the Ferrari Classic Department and am not connected in any way with the factory. Apart from the ciphers, fonts and layout that must be correct it is also extremely important to be able to prove a continuous history with NO gaps and stories. Besides that an analysis of the material (steel frame) is also highly recommended. Plux x-rays if possible. In the early 1950s stampings (punching) were not that important as they are today. Today, where values are so high (again, after 1989) all this matters much more. After all, you wouldn't want to spend 10 or 15 Million $ for an old and superrare painting that has a brand new frame. Marcel Massini
This being my first post and having the response we had has shown me how this Ferrari group of owners, supporters and true believers represent a wonderful community of outstanding automotive very special people. Marcel has put the frosting on the cake with his final input. This problem is now solved...........My thanks to all who contributed. 1oldf aka George who many years ago owned #0124A, 340 America.....
So I have found! Today was the first time I drove a pre-1970 V12 Ferrari (1966 330GT 2+2). I am not the same! What a day to remember. Onno
If someone will post them for me, I can provide photos of Jim Kimberley in 0124A in the tech line at Elkhart Lake, 1952, and of my brother and me crossing the Awards Platform at Pebble Beach, 1980. At Pebble the car was awarded the Hans Tanner Trophy and Second in European Chassis with Custom Coachwork. As I recall, that was the only class we could find into which a Ferrari was eligible at the time; with the body by Touring and the chassis by Ferrari, it sort of made sense.