365BB #18265 - Off to See the Wizard

After more time than I care to think about, my 365BB (#18265) is finally ready to be reunited with its engine, transmission and suspension. When I bough the car, it was 100% complete, and very tired. I bought it through two brokers (Thank you Peter Sweeney and Nick Soprano!) from the original owner, who imported it when new under the "once in a lifetime exemption". It came with both tool kits, all the books and records, you name it - but the engine and tranny were out of the car and disassembled and it has had at least two poor repaints (the last in red).

When I got it, I dissassembled the entire car and then started contracting out the work I could not do. Tommy P and his Autosport Designs on Long Island did the bare metal respray and all the body work to an very high standard - including lots of new metal. Johan at Coachtrim in CT did the leather work and Bill Pollard has completely rebuilt the engine and transmission and handled all of the plating and painting of the suspension, exhaust etc. We have literally replaced every bushing, and refinished every suspension component, plus 6 new Koni's, etc. I have done all the disassembly and all of the reassembly to date (although Bill will install the suspension and motor, etc.), as well as wiring and electrical sorting myself - I have touched every part of this car.

At this point the car is completely re-assembled and on its way to Bill's to be reunited with its engine, transmission and suspension (although I shipped it without the valence's for reasons that are obvious when you look at the pictures). Bill is truly a wizard and he will no doubt deliver me back a strong and totally sorted BB. Frank, his shipper, who I highly recommend, delivered my TR (fluid change and sorting by Bill) and picked up the BB body/chassis this weekend so Bill can finish the assembly. Below are pictures of the state of the car when purchased, a couple along the way, and then its state when picked up this weekend. Comments are welcome.

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Onno:

No, no way I am going to reset the odometer. I want to know the real mileage on the car and I think that high mileage is something of a badge of honor. I look forward to turning 100k miles on my Dino (#10704), which should happen this year or next.

Thanks for the kind words on the car,

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David:

Thanks so much for the kind words. It seems that as rare as these cars are, there are 3 (yours, mine and MRP E) within a couple of hours drive of my country house in Chatham, NY. Perhaps we should plan a 365BB reunion? I have a pretty deep wine cellar - could be fun.....

 

Obviously all the leather, carpet and paint was replaced. Beyond that, all the rubber trim and gaskets were replaced, mainly sourced from Lyle Tanner. Mechanical hard parts came from the usual suspects via Bill Pollard. Really rare bits (hot water valve, engine compartment lights, bonnet release lever, etc.) were provided by a group of true masters including Tom Shaugnessy (King of the Toasted Ponies), Geoff Ohland (Partsource), Dennis McCann (All Ferrari Parts) and Daniel (Ricambi). Lots of little bits were broken (none missing, so at least I knew what I was looking for) and these guys were able to produce everything between them. These parts were not necessarily cheap, but I got them all. Like everything else in this project, it could not have been done if I was not working with a)friends and b)friends who happen to be the very best in the business.

Thanks to everyone!!!!!

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Since you are also local, maybe the 365BB reunion needs to be a flat 12 reunion!

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I am going to leave it all blue as I believe it was supplied that way originally. I know there is an ongoing debate as to whether any 365BB was ever supplied without the black "boxer" trim. On my car what I do know is:

a)When I bought the car it had been repainted red with black "boxer" trim. When we stripped the car we found (in layers starting on the outside) first black boxer trim, then a dark blue respray under that, then the original dino blue color, then the factory yellow primer. The rest of the car (the part without boxer trim) went red, dark blue, original blue dino, then primer. So, based on "forensics" it appears the car was originally blu dino without trim, then repainted dark blue without trim, then finally repainted red with black boxer trim.

b)I have corresponded extensively with Ferrari on the subject. There data is not conclusive, but is intersting. They have "no record of the car having had boxer trim". Which is not to say that it did not. What they tell me is that while for my car they don't know if it had it or not, there is generally a notation in their file stating color name / color code with black trim / black trim code. On my car, there is/was no notation of black trim (and my heritage certificate does not indicate black trim) but this does NOT mean that it did or did not have black trim exactly, just that they have no record of it either way, and that their lack of a record MAY (and only may) indicate that it did not have it. Interestingly, they have no record of the original carpet color either, and I was only able to determine that it had blue carpets originally when I found some scraps stuck in the firewall.

In the end, I think it did not have it, and that it looks lovely without it. To add it would be trivial if I ever wanted to (valences get painted off the car, painting lower body black no big deal), while to remove it would be compartively harder (as you would have to match the color), so that definetely played into my decision as well. Anyway, I continue to be surprised how often even Ferrari does not know how a specific car was built.

Any thoughts on this issue are very welcome.

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Let's shoot for early fall. We can do a half day rally and then swim, cocktails and dinner at our country house. We can firm up details as it gets closer. All 365BB welcome!

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