c/n#07770 back to original

Hi Ken,
I have moved to Tokyo 7 months ago from four wonderful years in Rome, with my former 360 Spider (i miss it's looks and sound every day :-( ) .....The Dino will be staying in the UK in professional storage , as i know there are issues with temporary import, and anyway, i only have 1 covered parking space here, which is already occupied!
On the question of the UK licence plate of this era, the first letters and number(s) have little significance , the final letter 'N' in my case denotes the Year of registration (1974) ...... M = 1973, L 1972, K 1971 etc etc with the exception of i ,Q ,O and Z which are skipped.
i haven't seen the colour 'live' as yet, only photos, so the first time i will see it will be when i go back to the UK for a weeks holiday in April ...... when i hope to drive the car again, also!
Regs,
Jez

 

Hi Luigi,
It certainly worked for me and the original owner ..... i am also in contact with the Lady that specified the car, and have her letter to Mike Salmon of Maranello Concessionaires, where they discuss the colour, specification and delivery (before she cancelled the order once the car was on its way over from Italy!) ...... lesson, always take a deposit!
The eventual first owner, a Titled Gentleman is full of entertaining stories about the car, which he bought as a 21st Birthday present to himself (!). I guess it cant work for everybody, but if it is possible for others to do, then it certainly adds to the overall fun of the temporary custodianship, of these beautiful cars.

 

Dear Jez

Did you track down David Brook yet ? He bought your car in 1988 or 89.

It was him that trimmed it in Magnolia. And I am pretty certain he repainted it but in the original colour that it was still then.

Mark

 

Hi Mark,
when the car was renovated by its last owner in 1999/2000 , it was indeed blue, with a blue targa roof, and a cream interior. it was subsequently painted red and trimmed in tan leather. This chap sold the car to me.
Do you have any contact details for David Brook? if so, could you pm me pls? Just him and a certain J.Porter ,left in the chain!

 

07770 on her way back to KHPC for refit.
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Pic 2
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Lovely, well done. Out of interest my old Dino was #07772 and was delivered to Hong Kong. The last RHD Dino was #07778 (I think)

 

Jez, thanx for the PM.

By the way, in my Dino, I have a suction cup mirror to suffice on the passenger side, which I find sufficient.

w/ smiles
Jimmy

 

Hi Greg,
You are correct, there were a couple of RHD Dino's made after mine, but due to the order cancellation, it was in fact the very last Dino 246 sold in the UK .... Will try to post the letter I have from Mark Konig from Maranello Concessionaires confirming this at the time.

 

Hi Jimmy,
That's an interesting idea! could you let me know where you obtain that from, pls?
Regs,
Jez

 

Yes indeed yours was. My Dino (07772) was originally destined for the UK, but the order was cancelled. Tony Willis who has the MC archives sent me a stock order sheet showing 07772 crossed out. I gave all that paperwork to the next owner but I'll dig around to see if i made a copy

 

I am guessing Jimmy is talking about the type that goes inside (well, you can try outside the door also, but may not be there after a few miles...), which you should be able to source at places like Autobacs, and there is one close to Nakameguro Stn.

BR,
Ken

 

Hi Ken,
I must admit, the thought of putting a suction cup mirror on the outside, sounded a brave thing to do!
Will take a walk Down to Nakameguro station area and take a look.
All the best,
Jez

 

Hi Greg,
I got my docs and history from Tony Willis , also.
Did 07772 stay in Australia when you sold her?
Have you got any pictures?
Regs,
Jez

 

Jez, you can purchase from any parts shop on net, probably and they cost only like 2000JPyen +/-.

I bought one of mine from this car goods & souvenirs shop located in Roppongi, located within the complex where the AXIS is. Apologize that I forgot the name.

w/ smiles
Jimmy

 

Hi Jez

I sold her in 2009 and still in Oz. Was set up as road rally race car at one stage and then restored after that. Great little car!

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Jimmy, do you keep your Dino in Tokio or Yokohama? Love to chat about Dino's in Japan.

BR,
Ken

 

Ken, I live in Yokohama (Yamate area) and work in Tokyo (Roppongi). All of my cars are in Yokohama, but I do drive to work with them. If you are in Tokyo, would be fun to get together for coffee or lunch or just chat. Sent PM.

w/ smiles
Jimmy

 

Thanks, Jimmy!

 

Wow, it looks like you had some great times with your Dino ..... the way a car should be driven..... with all 4 wheels off the ground!
Here is the letter i mentioned earlier from Mark Konig at MC regarding being the last example sold .... if you can find your letter from Tony willis, and post it here, that would be great!
all the best,
jez
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Jez,

Out of interest do you have the first registration date of your car? I'm curious as I own #07610 which was registered 6 months or so after production and it evidently sat for sale at HR Owen for all of this time. From the research I've done on a few cars this was quite normal at the time and not really surprising due to the prevailing economic and political climate in the UK. Your letter reads to me that the car is the last "new" car available in that colour in RHD as opposed to being the last RHD Dino available for sale.

 

Hi Ian,
07770 was eventually registered on the same plate it still carries (XPC4N), late August 1974. The cancellation was allegedly linked to the most famous scandal ,of the second half of that Year ..... nothing to do in this case, with the fuel crisis etc.
In addition to Classiche info provided, it is also confirmed in the Dino Register, as the last new Dino sold in the UK.

 

It all gets quite complicated when you are talking about the last car as there are several different definitions. There is the last numerically (i.e. highest chassis number), the last off the production line, the last to be sold, the last to be registered etc. All of these may or may not be different cars. Certainly in the UK it is not that unusual for new Ferraris not be registered immediately they are sold.

Jonathan

 

Wish I could take credit for it but that was previous owner driving it like it was stolen

Here is a copy of an order sheet I have
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