Memories - Where are they now?

Back in the 70s & 80s, I spent a lot of time with the FCA, helping run track events and car shows, as well as spending lots of driving time on the track.

During that time, I met many really enthusiastic and interesting people who also participated: Names like Joe Rosen, Carle Conway, Art Wiener, Jack Bloemendahl, Carl Cantera, Peter Mackenzie-Sanders, Ernie Hennessy, Norm Natress, Jerry Reckless, Sid Silverman, Warren Walker, Ron Spangler and Joe Williams. Many others that I can’t recall at the moment. I remember a really great group of guys from Long Island and NYC.

While going through some of my old photos, I can’t help wondering, where are they now? Actually, I know where some of them are – but I really am curious as to what they’re up to nowadays.

Still driving? Still in Ferraris?

Bob Z.

PS – my first track event was at Watkins in 1976. One fellow drove from Minnesota in a 250 GTO!!

 

I was quite active in the FCA from the mid-70s to the late-80s.
I bought my GTC in November, 1975. It was the first twelve cylinder car sold by FAF in Tucker Georgia.
My first meet was at Watkins Glen, NY in 1976 and I was amazed at the turnout.
FOUR 250 GTOs on the track and really going at it – Carle Conway, Paul Pappalardo, a Mr Gelles and Bob Bodin. Someone told me that Mr Bodin drove his GTO from Minnesota!

And I went to quite a few other track events – Lime Rock, Mosport, Mid-Ohio, Bridgehampton, etc. I actually met and had a beer with Paul Newman at the Interlaken Inn near Lime Rock.
Met a lot of really fine and interesting people and I wonder what became of them?

Here’s a short list and their cars (from memory so it may not be accurate – please forgive any mistakes and/or misspellings!)

Joe Rosen – 308 GTB, Daytona Spider, 275 LM, California Spider and maybe something else.
Peter Sachs – 250 GTO rebodied to 1964 body, 250 Testa Rossa which I think won LeMans.
Lowell (can’t remember his last name) – 275 LM.
Paul Pappalardo – 250 GTO (#5111 as I recall), 330 P and alloy bodied California Spider Competition.
John Giordano – 275 GTB, 365 GTC and I believe a “P” car of some sort.
Manfred Lampe – 250 TDF, 512 M (or S – can’t be sure)
John Giels – 250 TDF and California Spider.
Carle Conway – 250 GTO (#5575), 412 MI (#0744), 250 GTO (#4713), Prototype Dino (206 engine, longitudinally mounted), Testarossa, 365 GT/4 2+2, 308 GT4 and maybe something else.
Bob and Caryn Coates - Daytona Coupe and Boxer.
Dominick Incantalupo – 308 GT4 and some neat little 206 (maybe a Tasman series car)
Sid Silverman – 250 Lusso and Allard.
Bob Bodin – 250 GTO (#3223).
Chuck Queener – California Spider
Jack Bloemendahl – 365 GT 2+2
Ron Spangler – lots of cars including an early Daytona Spider conversion!
Jerry Reckless (Canada) – Daytona Coupe
Peter McKenzie-Sanders (Canada) – Daytona Coupe
Vito Scavone (Canada) - Boxer

These are a few names that I recall – I’m sure there’s more. The track events of the 70s and 80s were very well attended. People really drove their cars.
I was fortunate to both ride in and drive many of these wonderful cars.

So, here’s the question: Where are these people now? Are they still into Ferraris?
Do any of you know any of these these gentlemen?
Bob Z.

 

Back in the 70s & 80s, I spent a lot of time at Watkins, Lime Rock and Mosport.

I got to know a great bunch of guys from the Toronto/Mississauga area.

Some names that come to mind (please excuse spelling): Peter Mckenzie-Sanders, Jerry Reckless, Ernie Hennesy, Norm Natress, Wayne ????? (drove a 308 and a 427 Cobra), Vito Scavone.

Any of these fellows still active?

If so, I'd like to hear from them.

Bob Z.

 

We had some really good times at Lime Rock, Watkins and Mosport.
The Canadian guys would really drive hard and pushed their Daytonas to the limits.
When at the Watkins event, many stayed at the Corning Hilton but we "diehards" camped at the Seneca Lodge, a very popular gathering place dating back to the original Watkins races, through the streets.
Back in the Grand Prix days, one could find the likes of Phil Hill, Jackie Stuart, Sterling Moss, Graham Hill and other legends just hanging out at the Lodge.
The Brubaker family ran and as far as I know, still run the Lodge.
If any of you happen to be in Watkins, take a drive up to the Lodge and have dinner and then go to the bar for a beer - probably still less than a dollar!

Anyone remember those days?

Bob Z.

 

Yes, we had some great times at Watkins.
Lots of vintage cars and all of them spent fast times on the track.
The car in the first photo is indeed GTO 4713, owned by Mr Conway at the time.
It may be with Mr Wong now.
The second photo is the black Boxer, owned at the time by one of our Canadian friends.
That's my black 308 GT/4, S/N 13996 in the background.
The arrow points to me.
I was in charge of tech inspection at the time and I can relate some interesting and funny stories if anyone is interested!

Bob Z.

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