Edwin K. Niles

I bumped into him in an ad from February 1968 R&T:

Ferrari California Roadster. 1958 but you'd never guess it. Extra sharp with new paint and chrome. Outstanding mechanically: 55lbs pressure at an idle! $3995. Ed Niles.

 

If you don't do anything else today, click this link, and spend about 5 minutes absorbing the enormity of it - having owned and driven all these great Ferraris. . . . mind-boggling. And he is a great guy! Thanks, Ed, for all you've done for the Ferrari world.

 

The Chuck Queener illustration was for the cover of an FOC issue back around 1977.

Rode with Ed one time to the Mark Dee's annual picnic run. Left from around Malibu then throught the various canyon roads. Ed had the 166MM with 250GT motor. Lots of go but during the drive Ed said that the brakes were so good that open the doors for speed brakes would probably be as effective. Later the car was with Bob Smith and he drove it from Texas to an FCA National at Elkhart Lake.

Jeff

 

I met Ed Niles in the days of the FOC in Los Angeles when he wrote for the newsletter as 'Fast Eddy' (I wrote as 'Mack E. Narossa'). Enjoyed his company and his anecdotes last week when he joined us at the Elysée in spite of the rain.

 

I'm lucky for me French, have some memories of him in my collection !
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Hi, the link to ex-Niles cars seems to be dead. Does anyone have another way to get to it? Thanks!

 

SAD NEWS:
Edwin Kurtz Niles passed away 3 August 2021.
He was 96 years.
Ed was born 27 November 1924 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. For decades he worked as an attorney in Los Angeles, CA.
On 15 October 1959 Ed purchased his first (used) Ferrari while on holiday in Italy. It was 0331 EU, a cherry red 250 Europa Coupé Pinin Farina. Over the next 50 years he purchased and sold about 145 Ferraris, mostly in Europe, and re-sold them in USA. Ed was instrumental in the Ferrari Owners Club USA (California) and had an immense knowledge about the cars we all love.
I had the great pleasure of personally knowing Ed for more than 40 years and about 15 years ago he allowed me to acquire his entire archive and files. Ed was a true friend and a real Ferrari legend.

Thank you so much Ed for all you did for the worldwide Ferrari community.
RIP.

Marcel Massini

 

Received this 1975 from Ed Niles.

Marcel Massini

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Rest in Peace.

Cheers to a long life lived well.

Forza!!!

 

very sad news.

condolences to his family and friends

 

Amen.

 

Enough cannot be said about this wonderful man and all he did for the Ferrari community. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Godspeed, Ed!

 

I'm going to miss his posts here. The definition of a legend in my book. Hopefully he had prepared enough of his memoirs for a release. Rest in Peace, Mr. Niles.

 

I have the matching F.a.r.t. jacket!

 

Thank you all for your condolences. Just prior to passing he had sent his memoirs entitled " Adventures In Ferrari Land" to the publishers. Thank Steve Tillack for urging him on. It should be out before Christmas. October at the earliest.

 

On the Mount Rushmore of Ferraristas. RIP

 

His final post: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/147990151/

And he (supposedly) last logged in on Tuesday August 3rd at 2:30PM

Godspeed Ed.

 

Cameron,

Your dad and I have exchanged correspondence for over 45 years, and I shall truly miss him. Really a giant in the Ferrari world, knowledgeable and so willing to share. I say a long life well lived. May he RIP.

Warm regards,

Robert

 

He will be missed. Rest In Peace.
Sincerely,
Art S.

 

Your words surprised me two weeks ago for R Merritt and you now.
Thank you for sharing with us your photographs, your knowledge.
Thank you Ed!

All my condoléances for his family

 

Truly a legend. My deepest condolences to his family as well. Always there to help keep the records straight about the earlier Ferraris. Helped and encouraged me when I thought about writing my book.

We'll all see ya later, my friend.

George C.

 

I’m a member of Ferrari-SW Region, but only since January 2018 when I acquired my first Ferrari, although I’d been involved with the Ferrari Gestione Sportiva F1 team as a key supplier and an engineering consultant from 1997 to 2016 when I retired.

Of course, who in the Ferrari community hasn't heard of Ed Niles or have read about his exploits, but regrettably, I never met him personally though I truly wish I could've shared a glass (or two) of vino (or his favorite libation) and be "Little Grasshopper" to learn much more Ferrari info, data and history from a knowledgeable expert like Ed. I sort of envy those who've had that valuable opportunity of having been in his circle of friends and contacts as noted in preceding posts herein.

So given all the wonderful tributes and testimonies to Ed as a great Ferrari guru, may his family be filled with pride and consolation that Ed lived a long, fulfilling life and may he now rest in the peace of God's Kingdom.

 

Read about Ed Niles and saw his Ferrari ads in R&T starting 60 years ago, but never got to meet him. In all that time, I never heard or read anything but positives about him. Quite a tribute.

 

Just saw this. Ed was such a great piece of the Ferrari world, and this forum. Always enjoyed his posts, being either informative or helpful. He will be missed.