'95 Ferrari 355 Challenge - s/n 104504 (ex Earle)...

I have the Challenge back in Dallas! It is still available for sale or trade offline, but I no longer have it listed. I'm going to start a 2 year plan to do the following before auctioning. 2023 will be my 20th year of ownership and since I retired from racing, it will be time for another racer, tracker, and care taker.

• Updated service for tracking by Norwoods Auto Italia in Dallas.
• Ferrari Classiche Certification currently under process by Boardwalk Ferrari in Dallas.
  
• Title and registration for the street in Texas now that it is 25 years old.
• Compile a complete race history with service records.

I'll document everything here along the process, reach out if any questions or interest. Great to have it local again in great hands!

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yes, this thread is to document the history plus working through the plan the next 2 years.

I don't know if Ferrari has done too many Challenge cars, so some teething right now. They should take the lead of the IACPFA that basically says Challenge cars should stay intact and original to the car with allowances for safety modernization and meeting rules for current racing. I don't think anyone including Ferrari should want to restrict the cars to 1999 completely which would make them unusable for current racing series including vintage. It would be like racing with a M95 racing helmet. The original bolt in cages are illegal for almost any racing organization from early as 2000 on (started with SCCA). Also seats, seat belts, and fire systems have to be updated. We'll see though, Ferrari is Ferrari.

 

yay, Steve Earle liked this thread himself, a legend! have there been more models made of any other Ferrari s/n?

s/n 104504 in its Steve Earle racing livery 1996-1999.

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s/n 104504 after Steve moved up to the 360, Ferrari of Houston went all silver, and Ed Martinez started racing it.

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Very cool #104504 is being shown at the Miami GP restored back to its Dr. Steve Earle period.

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yes, still races hard and on FerrariChat.

 

brings up an interesting conversation that should probably get more traction on FerrariChat than it will, like originality of old cars stamped metal chassis vs. modern carbon tubs without stampings (R&R like other race parts)? what then becomes the standard of originality unusable compromised carbon tub vs. new fitted tub with original driveline, accessories, and match VIN plates?

Dr. Steve Earle on this thread can confirm, but I believe he had a nickname for #104054 of "Spaghetti" or "Noodle" by the time he had driven it to several hard fought championships. After Ed Martinez wrecked it then this became one of the freshest in 2002-2003. Especially for the race cars, the carbon tubs are wearable items that need to be completely replaced and not just patched for the best performance. Certainly a different mindset than the old metal chassis.

 

here's to a healthy recovery!

 

awesome to hear that passed around story by the man himself, thanks!

 

this showed up on Facebook today.

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congrats doctor! amazing how much technology has come along quickly.