Hey Guys, I usually just lurk around the 308/328 and Northeast sections of the forum but I had to create this thread for you Florida guys. Today I was going through some old photos of mine of the former Shelton Sportscars in Ft Lauderdale and I thought you might appreciate seeing them too. I grew up during the 80's and 90's and I was obsessed with Ferraris. I was also fortunate enough to have grandparents with a condo in Boca, so I spent a lot of time in South Florida as a kid. I can't tell you how many times I convinced one of the adults in my family to take me for a ride to Shelton so that I could ogle the cars. For college I went to the UM so from '96-'00 I was down there full time and drove there myself. I was such a regular visitor that the crew at Shelton would just let me have the run of the place. Guys like John Marlatt, Bud Root, and others would give me a very warm welcome and tell me to just go and explore. I would stroll through the service and detail depts and pay a visit to Mario in the Challenge Prep room. Everybody was always extremely friendly to my family and I, even though I was just a kid with no prospect of getting one of the cars any time soon. Anyway, here are some of my photos from the heyday of Shelton Sportscars. The Ferraris of this period were so striking and unique in their styling and this made it truly exciting to visit the place. I don't really visit Ferrari dealers much anymore, partly because the fact that the cars don't excite me much anymore. They all kind of look the same. This is my tribute to those earlier times. If anybody has photos of their own from Shelton back then, I would love to see them. Also, let me know if you like these. I have tons more! 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 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
Bud Root is now at Ferrari of Palm Beach. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you and will enjoy your pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Bud is a great guy. I hope he's well. Another reason why I'm interested in Shelton Sportscars during this time period is that my current 328 was sold and delivered there new in December 1988. I wish I had pictures of it when it was new!
Do you have any of them that show a two-tone red/black BB512? A friend of mine had his car there quite often in the 80s for service...
Unfortunately, I didn't see any with your friend's Boxer. I do have a bunch more though and here is a taste. 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 Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Awesome pics! Neat to see. Having worked there I can say it was one of the best places with the greatest people. Bud is a legend and the nicest, most sincere person you'll ever meet.
Yup, before it was Shelton, it was Cressman. My 246 came from Cressman and my 78 308 came from Sheltons. Good honest people!
I love hearing about this kind of stuff. Thanks for sharing. Here's a few more for you guys. 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
I think I see both brothers (Steve/Tom) in the background of the picture with the black/red 348. I don't recognize the other two people?? Thanks for sharing these pictures. Definitely brings back lots of memories.
I'm very glad to hear that you guys like the pics. Here are a few more. Merry Christmas! 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 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
I don't think so. The one that just broke the record was apparently a one owner car from North Carolina. Although, maybe it was on display?
I remember the #62 348 GTU at the 24 Hours of Daytona, must have been the early 90's maybe, would have to go back in to my archives to be sure. The car survived the night as I recall but soon after sunrise on Sunday morning, it was leaking oil so heavily that i could clearly see the oil falling out of the car through my lens in the infield section. With such an obvious oil leak, it was creating a dangerous situation and I brought it to the attention of corner marshals. The car was soon after black flagged. Sorry Tom and Steve. BHW
Fantastic pics - thank you for posting. OP, I'm your contemporary and had a similar experience at Shelton. My father serviced (328 c/n 80360) and 348 (c/n not on-hand) there in the 80's/90's. Steve Shelton and Bud Root were the greatest of guys, and it was a place to mentor young Ferraristi. I miss it. I agree Bud would love these pics. Does anyone keep in touch with the Sheltons?
When I was a kid I used to make my dad stop there so I could look in the window whenever we were down here. Now that I'm older and actually have one I still find myself slowing down to look whenever I drive by.
It really was a special time and place. There weren't many locations that we're more perfect for a young exotic car enthusiast to be then South Florida during that time! I'm glad that you guys like the pics. I'll try to dig up a few more when I get home in a couple days.
Here are a few more for you guys. 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 Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login