I was very young (17) when in 1955 I bought a rather over-used Berlinetta, different from any I remember seeing. It was my first Ferrari. Had no engine ventilator and a problem in trafic around São Paulo. Every saturday I took it to Interlagos track and had lots of fun. There it didn't boil... It was a Ferrari Berlinetta 12 cylinders, 4 speed no syncro transmission, very hot interior and a kind of air tunnel in the middle of the top. Because of my father, had it for a very few months and sold it to Eduardo Matarazzo, a rich car collector. Today I tried to reach him in Brazil to find out what Ferrari Berlinetta was it. Had the sad news that he died years ago. Sorry, have no photos... Spoke about it to the great Ferrari specialist Arnaud Blanfuney but we couldn't come to a conclusion. Best wishes to you too, Fritz
Will try to look into it. First possible car that comes to mind is 212 Motto 0074E. It is a Berlinetta, and as only two were ever built, it really would be something most people have never seen. It dissappears after Mille Miglia of 1955 and I have a note it might have been exported to Brazil...? Does it look even close to your car? http://www.finecars.cc/typo3temp/GB/64782ee6c5.jpg
Fritz, it's fantastic to see you still enjoying Ferraris after all these years; such an inspiration. In keeping with tradition, can you tell us the serial number of your FF?
It really rings a bell! I remember clearly that it had a split windshield... The difference is the air oppening in the top. Maybe it was done by one the ex-owners in the hot weather of the tropics Image Unavailable, Please Login
Fresh air vent in roof sounds like a later modification. Can you confirm that else than that this could have been your car? There were very very few Ferraris in Brazil in the early days and all others that I can think of at the moment were spiders... If it was I truly hope it survives stored somewhere. The other Motto was rebodied as a Scaglieeti Spider in 1956 already and this one has been lost since 1955. Best wishes, Kare
I am almost certain that was the Ferrari! Its difficult, almost 60 years ago... As I live in Cascais, Portugal can't say more than that. If a brazilian reads this maybe he can help.
It's hard to find out about the old cars that came to Brazil, but I'll try and look into this 1952 and see what I can find.
Hi friend, Try news from the Eduardo Matarazzo collection. I sold the Ferrari Berlinetta to him in 1955... Abraço Fritz
The Matarazzo Museum has a beautiful Maserati 3500, but no Ferrari: Acervo | Museu Eduardo André Matarazzo That's where his old collection went. Still looking into it.
Maybe you could speak to Eduardo's collection administrator because the last time i saw Eduardo (30 years ago) he told me he had done a good job with the Ferrari and that it looked like new. I didn't go see it because he told me it was in his farm far from São Paulo.
Do you remember where you found it and how you bought it? Any memories regarding this car would be extremely interesting, so ramble on! Best wishes, Kare
I bought the 195? Ferrari Berlinetta in São Paulo from a very rich collector called Paulo Pereira Ignácio. He was about 10 years older than me. His grand-father was the founder and owner of the very large group Votorantim and Nitro-quimica. Haven't heard from him since the seventies. Hope he is still alive. He was a very nice person...
Hi Fritz // I am considering ordering a white FF. What color is your interior? Some of the photos seem to show Cuoio but I can't be sure. From what I can see it looks great.
Was at Ferrari dealer Lake Forest Sportscars today and saw a FF in White/Couio. It was the first FF I've seen in person that actually didn't look bad. I know that's a backhanded compliment, but the previous two I've seen in person (Nero & Silverstone) just didn't do it for me. IMHO Joe
Cuoio is the most beautiful and combines with all exterior collors of all Ferrari models... My humble opinion! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I love it too and will probably get it when I order. I can even go darker brown to the "testa di moro" in semi aniline.
Yes... I backed away because it was very close to black. Finally settled on cioccolato which is darker than cuio but not that much darker.
Please do not be so humble, Fritz, because you are correct! Cuoio leather is the interior of my 575 Maranello, F355 berlinetta and Maserati Spyder! All blue paint in slightly different shades.
This thread is in the all time top 10! Not only sharing memories of fangio and the pampas bull, but great impressions of a current car....330kph and 75 years of age! Fritz you are a legend! First hand impressions are worth so much! Truly was the golden age of racing, you all come across as such gentlemen! Thanks for sharing your memories!
Too kind of you!! Thank you. If by any chance you come to my paradise Cascais in Portugal please let me know. My best regards Fritz
