Is this 1/2 scale Baby Ferrari a "vehicle"? | FerrariChat

Is this 1/2 scale Baby Ferrari a "vehicle"?

Discussion in 'Collectables, Literature, & Models' started by xojc, Feb 27, 2004.

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  1. xojc

    xojc Rookie

    Feb 27, 2004
    4
    In order to go after the bonding company of a dealer who took my collectible car on consignment...to be sold for not less than $50,000, and then sold it for almost 1/2 of that price (and without my knowledge or permission!)...I have to prove it to be a vehicle! It has a 90cc (to 250cc ?) highly tuned, German motorcycle engine (Sachs), key ignition, working suspension, etc. The car was owned by Frank Catania, from Las Vegas, who got it from Louis Chinetti from N.Y., I believe, and used to be driven around the parking lot of one of the casino/hotels down there. I'm in Washington State. The car doesn't have to be licensed or registered..it just has to be a "vehicle". I have to prove to the judge that it's a "vehicle" and not just a toy! I'm told the car was produced in 1953 and then purchased, by Frank, in 1956, for $13,000! It weighs about 300 lbs. I can send more info and photos to anyone who might be able to help. Thank you very much.
     
  2. xojc

    xojc Rookie

    Feb 27, 2004
    4
    #2 xojc, Feb 27, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. xojc

    xojc Rookie

    Feb 27, 2004
    4
    #3 xojc, Feb 27, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    I'm not sure, but I think we had this on FChat before and it was a toy vehicle for a kid, but functioning.

    Stanguellini (and others) made similar vehicles for kids (including Dino Ferrari) and these cars are 1/3 or 1/2 size. They have functioning engines, normally from motor cycles and all the rest to run pretty good.
     
  5. xojc

    xojc Rookie

    Feb 27, 2004
    4
    I'm trying to get the judge to consider it a "vehicle", so the bonding company will cover it. When I put it on consignment, it was described as a "vehicle" by the dealer...but, now, he's calling it a toy...and trying to make sure that the bonding company doesn't pay! He (the dealer), of course, has no assets in his name...and a thick file of complaints about similar illegal actions! (Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, I got the info.) There's no doubt that I can prove that he sold it, without telling me, and tried, even in writing, to get me to sell it for less, AFTER it was already sold!

    I did post about this before...trying to find out exactly what it was, trying to get a handle on the value. It is 1/2 scale, and it was built by Scaglietti. And it can be driven by a small person. Just trying to get the judge to understand that it's a vehicle is the challenge. The Washington State DMV supervisor told me that he was sure the judge would find it to be a vehicle... but, he didn't...yet! Thanks!
     
  6. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    48,581
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    Maybe this is a bit bizarre, but how about arguing that this would probably make for a fine vehicle for a midget? I'm not trying to be funny/sarcastic here, I'm serious. I don't know what such a person drives, but this looks like it would fit them and make it a vehicle.

    Good luck anyway.
     

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