great Sheehan Classiche article | FerrariChat

great Sheehan Classiche article

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by rob lay, Aug 1, 2017.

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  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Dec 1, 2000
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    best indépendant detailed description I've seen. not posted on site yet, but Michael's site is Michael Sheehan?s Articles - Page 1.

     
  2. merstheman

    merstheman F1 Rookie

    Apr 13, 2007
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    I find this a bit disturbing, to be honest. Needless to say, I disagree completely. I am, however, still some way away from being an owner, so who cares what I think...

    Thanks for the article, Rob.
     
  3. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    I don't agree with his statement. The 308/TR guys are who I hang out with the most and there is zero demand for Classiche. Heck more than half the guys don't keep up with majors since they cost $8-10k now. I had Classiche done because Boardwalk offered me great deal being their test mule.
     
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  4. Jeff Kennedy

    Jeff Kennedy F1 Veteran
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    I found the discussion of the holdbacks interesting. Disturbing to me is that the dealers in the Classiche program are pushed to send restoration work to the factory when we have some of the finest shops in the US. There are some instances where the US shops are more accurate in their restorations than the factory.
     
  5. tifoso2728

    tifoso2728 F1 Veteran
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    Yeah, I just got through reading this. I'm on Sheehan's email list.
     
  6. of2worlds

    of2worlds F1 World Champ
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    Like Jeff noted the 'holdbacks' section makes for interesting reading. Especially regarding selling 35k in options at a minimum on each car sold. Also making the sales quota when there is a waiting list?
    There was a lot of back and forth some time ago about buyers being forced to spend extra on options to get an early new car. Others denied this was a criteria; with no pressure to increase the list price.

    I wonder how long this article will stay here...
     
  7. lgs

    lgs Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2006
    503
    Interesting for sure, but am I with you. To be honest, I disagree completely as well. "Ferrari Classiche marks up any work under its direction ..." and is billing after a spectacular margin not only for the outsourced work but for the certification ... No added value will be produced. This is plain business driven marketing with dealers and naïve victimes ... I don't care and of course who cares about me ...
     
  8. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    I was told by Ferrari in the UK that it can take between 6 and even longer than 12 months after the inspection by the authorised Classiche agent and then submission of the information to Classiche at Maranello for the attestation to be made and to receive the certification.
     
  9. Jeff Kennedy

    Jeff Kennedy F1 Veteran
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    Did they describe this duration as a function of the type of car? I would expect that many regular production cars sail through as there is virtually no research required to know the as built. On the other hand those very early cars or ones that were raced in period (especially the factory cars) could have far more research effort and with the race cars how it started life may not legitimately equal its final race build.
     
  10. MS250

    MS250 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Agreed .... Hence why I beleive holding onto your invoices if you are a service checkbook owner, or a DIY to keep the parts receipts and a log with mileage, and lots of pictures.

    Somehow this red book is being taunted as a maintence book, a lot of good this book does any owner if the car burns a quart of oil every 200 miles.
     
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  11. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Guess there is no such thing as a "base" car.
     
  12. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    He didn't specify the cars. I enquired about getting a Dino 246 GT and a Boxer certified. Interestingly it costs quite a bit more for a Dino than Boxer.

    I have noticed that Hexagon Classics in London sell quite a few cars that have been Classiche certified during the time it takes them to prepare the cars and present them for sale, so it's not always the case that it takes that long.
     
  13. George Vosburgh

    George Vosburgh F1 Rookie
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    I've always felt that the Enzo Era cars are worth certifying, the Fiat cars and forward are a waste of money particularly now with the changes to the program.
     
  14. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
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    Mar 4, 2005
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    It becomes even more strange as now LaFerrari etc. that are for sale come with the certification....
     
  15. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    well that settles it for good....i had not really planned on getting classiche certification on any of my cars, and i am really not going to do it now !

    these extortionate edicts are really insulting.

    how to suck the fun out of the hobby in a hurry.

    i guess thats what happens when its all about the money.

    may be time to focus on other marques....
     
  16. davemqv

    davemqv F1 Rookie

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    #16 davemqv, Aug 2, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2017
    Classiche certification has always seemed like a unnecessarily manufactured "stamp of approval" to me. People seemed to do a pretty good job of restoring cars or determining originality before the program started. Is a car that has been perfectly restored by say - Perfect Reflections and Patrick Ottis, with a full history report by Marcel Massini, any less valuable or "right" than a Classiche car? I doubt it. All things being equal if I was choosing between a classiche certified car and a car redone by those guys (or others with similar reps), I'd choose the car done by the independents.

    Car people are suckers for wanting "all the stuff", especially as it pertains to the idea of originality. Ferrari guys are the most afflicted by this disease. Porsche has an inexpensive certificate for their guys. Ferrari (not surprisingly) figured out a way to make a boatload of money off the same instinct offering full service restoration at the "company store"...with company store pricing.
     
  17. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    you said it: suckers.

    its insulting.
     
  18. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Funny how we are all free market capitalists until it comes to Ferrari. ;)
     
  19. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    In a free market as a customer I can vote with my wallet. As long as Ferrari doesn't hold a gun to your head you can tell them to pound sand with their Classiche stuff. :)
     
  20. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

    Nov 24, 2004
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    Well, really, is it a free market? I mean, SpA struts in (late to the game, I might add, and seemingly without giving nary a care in the past decades) and makes declarations about what's what. Oh, and pay me. A LOT. Especially if you want our seal of approval.

    Okay, while this is still technically voluntary, the tactics employed to pressure dealers trickle down to the customer, too. If dealers don't generate so much work, they're harmed. Who, ultimately, pays the price for that? It's the customers. So, as Ross says, it's not exactly "fun" or a good "experience" when you feel that your arm is being twisted.

    What SpA has done, of course, is to unilaterally declare itself the be-all, end-all. And, if you don't play along, well, maybe you won't get that coveted slot in the next allocation. Further, arguably, there's been collusion between auction houses (at least one, openly), because they now refuse to auction a car without certification. So, that's not really a free market, is it? That's SpA using its' power and leverage to exclude as a way of driving revenues and profits. One can argue that an Owner doesn't have to sell through that auction, but what's being done is the creation of a two-tier value. Either you have certification or you don't. Does this generate a premium v. discount situation? Is this some sort of misuse of authority that profits those who bow down but penalizes those who don't?

    In anti trust law, you can't use monopoly power to extract above-normal profits. Arguably, this is exactly what SpA is trying to do.

    Smart buyers will always do their due diligence. And, if you're paying hundreds of thousands or more for a car, I expect you will have a good understanding of what you're getting. But, it's always a caveat emptor arrangement. Even with some silly piece of paper that SpA, itself, completely undermined by certifying un-certifiable cars.

    CW
     
  21. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    from a business perspective, i can understand their actions.
    but from my enthusiast perspective it really pisses me off.

    as cornerswell points out, they are now imposing their edicts through other ways, and the aspect i am most disappointed about is the tribute rallies - specifically the mille ferrari tribute that i participated in a few years ago with my 360cs, and was fully intending to participate in with my f40 (BEFORE having resto work done on it since it is quite damaging). now apparently they will not allow me to do so without classiche certification, which is not what i want to do because i have the usual after market additions on the f40 like newer turbos, bigger brakes, tubi, fire extinguishers, etc.
    so they have effectively spoiled my chance at a desired experience unless i pay their extortionate fees and put my car back to factory settings - that dont work as well.

    ok, screw them.

    but they really dont care. they will sell every car they make, and oblige everybody to go through the classiche ringer whether i like it or not. its like working with the government !
     
  22. Rossocorsa1

    Rossocorsa1 F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2017
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    I'll never understand why everyone gets so upset about Classiche, or any other revenue stream that Ferrari has. They aren't a civic institution, they're a business, and they always have been. Enzo himself was a shrewd customer. You're not required to take advantage of the service. I happen to think that Classiche is pretty cool. Like it or not, an official factory stamp of authenticity will only continue to grow in value, and they are wise to continue to prop up this business unit. I happen to own a new car (2017 488 GTB), but if I do acquire an older car someday, I will likely have it Classiche certified.
     
  23. ASK328

    ASK328 Formula 3
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    #23 ASK328, Aug 3, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2017
    They are going to start making SUV's, Corp wants to "double profits", next recession they will not sell every car they have. The FF's, cal's, and SUV's will languish on dealer lots. It's a greedy Corp mistake, and as many said Ferrari changed drastically the day of the spin off and the IPO.

    As for me a find myself looking @ 911TT's and McLaren's more -

    I agree with everything u wrote, the new rules are crazy.
     
  24. energy88

    energy88 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    There is a lesson to be learned here that Ferrari Corporate is ignoring- they may not be on top forever. Everything has a product life cycle. Once upon a time, Lotus 1-2-3 was the gold standard in spreadsheets and has now gone the way of the dodo bird.
     
  25. GBTR6

    GBTR6 Formula Junior

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    While being far from an owner, I understand the dynamic of the enthusiast. They are truly engaged and enthusiastic with the brand and what it represents, and see this as an intrusion, and damaging to that perception. It seems that this system is subject to being abused by paid favors, and the confusing car that is totally non-stock being certified as so. Like I said, I am far from an owner, but if I was, I would not like being dictated to. As someone else said, there are new players, McLaren for one, and the old standards, Porsche, Maserati, Lamborghini, to consider. This is just my opinion, and as an outsider, may be all wet.
     

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