1958 Ferrari 250 GT -Chassis Number 0831

Gents, where does this car fit into? It appears that Coys approves.
Does that approval make it ok, or is it....?
Only wondering, as a change of clothes seems to be a verrrry controversial topic.
Regards, Alberto
http://www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=95&id=57345

 

I suppose it depends on how much it costs to buy.

The TDF is one of my favorites but a little out of my price range.

 

I think the question is regarding this statement by Coys:

You know, I did wonder why the estimate was around £400k... now I know!

Personally, I don't think it will gain entry to prestigious events, although the definition of prestigious is variable, of course.


Onno

 

Very funny!!!
Coys will do and say anything to make a quick buck if they think they can get away with it. It's also not so long since they went bankrupt owing money on cars they had sold at auction, and then had the front to start up again.

 

Yes, but I do have fond memories of staring into their showroom every Friday night as our local pub when I was studying in London in the mid-90ies was right next door.


Onno

 

Bottom line, it is not a TDF, I know, yet is it acceptable as a re-clothed Ferrari or not? More or less, is analogous to having your Savile Row tailor re-shape your father's suit into some thing else...and he was the original
tailor.
This, notwithstanding who is auctioning/selling.
Regards, Alberto

 

Hi Alberto
Are you looking for a poll? Does it matter what a majority of FChat members think?
Personally I think it's fine but needs the drum brakes refitting.
Best wishes
Will

 

One thing this car is not is a TDF.The Ellena coupes were lovely cars and that is what this car should be, again. This might be a good time to get a favorable price for this car. $500/600k. Then consult Classiche. There is a new certificate from Classiche for cars wth a correctly done original type body which if done should have the original color etc.etc. The TDF body could be sold for a good price which would probably offset much if not all of the new Ellena body. The owner would then have a legitimate car and a good investment. just one man's opinion tongascrew

 

I was looking for a few comments, which now I have. I was mostly curious
as I will see the car in person. Thank you all.
Regards, Alberto

 

I think this car falls somewhat into the 'eyes of the beholder' category. It did not leave the factory with the TDF body but it does look rather nice as it is right now. However... it is not an original TDF....

I will be interested to see what price this car achieves at the auction and if it does sell. The Sports Car Market - Price Guide has the 250GT Ellena valued at $350,000 - $475,000. Does this body help the car to command a premium?

I do not think it would make sense to purchase this car and then have it rebuilt as an Ellena... the numbers probably won't add up. To me, buying this car might be an economical way to purchase a 'TDF' as TDF's range in price from $1.5 to $3mil and up to $5mil for a Zagato bodied car.

 

Coys says "250GT with only a body change" : what a sense of humour !!

For me, this is not only a "body change" but rather a car which is definitively ruined.

BTW : this horrour had previously a 1956 wrong nose with a 1958 body !!
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I get what you're all saying, I really do, but...

At this point, whether you consider it ruined or not, it has already been rebodied.

How is another rebody going to make it right again?

It will always be a rebodied (or storied) Ferrari; can we agree that it is still a Ferrari?

Only if the original body exists and could be reused would it be the sum of its original parts, and it would still have a story. Restoration costs be damned, but I see this scenario as the only logical recourse.

And how would selling the TdF body make anyone here happy? If it was put on another Ferrari, well here we go again! Would you rather see it on a Corvette (or Surburban) chassis, or have the craftman's work scrapped altogether? Too many double-standards for me to keep up with...

As long as the car is never intended to be sold as a genuine Tour de France, I say leave it alone (it's been through enough already) and just use it like it is. Take it to the stores and get it out in public as frequently as possible. I doubt anyone with an eye to purchase a genuine example would be in the marketplace without doing proper research, and if they don't, well too bad for them

I'm not looking to start a row with anyone, and I don't want to muck up this thread by either doing or getting bashed, but why can't the car just be enjoyed for what it is now?

Just another man's opinion

 

YES!!!! I agree.........for what thats really worth .........but wow.....if it looks like the pic in post 12 AND full discloser is made...well i for one would drive the wheels off it!!!looks like it would be a blast to wheel around........ "im just sayn"......


doug hunt

 

I would give it one of those neat Peter Helm orange and black tiger paint jobs. LOL.

At the end of the day, it is the loss of an Ellena.

I think if someone wants to buy it and tell themselves they're getting an Ellena rebodied as something else, they're looking at it realistically. If they want to buy it thinking that they're getting into the TDF world or racing Ferrari world through the back door, I have a bridge here in town I'd like to sell them.

Best,
Dave

 

This is it...they "approve" of anything they can sell....LOL!

 

It is what it is. Some here demand originality. Some others desire eligibility to prestige events. Others still simply want a really fun toy to wake the neighbors on Sunday mornings.

Seems clear where this falls. I can't find fault with that.