A dream day in the desert with GTO 64 #5575GT | FerrariChat

A dream day in the desert with GTO 64 #5575GT

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Nembo1777, Nov 17, 2022.

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  1. Nembo1777

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    #1 Nembo1777, Nov 17, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2022
    Ferrari 250GTO 5575GT: after a two year and nine month delay due to the Covid US travel ban for Europeans a major project has finally become reality: three major articles for Octane magazine in the Arizona desert.

    I always preferred the design of the 64 version so to be entrusted with 5575GT, the very last GTO for an afternoon of testing and photography was completely surreal. It was a *****cat to drive and as all its drivers in period and collectors ever since have said it flatters you by being so easy to exploit: an unforgettable afternoon!
    The two other articles are mentioned in the Maserati section: 450S #4504 and one off 450S Costin Zagato: let's keep them separate in their respective sections.

    Many thanks to the kind owner who wishes to remain anonymous. It was a huge honor to be allowed to test these three absolute icons!:) My gratitude to Nick Lish and his assistant Tony for excellent photography, the ace team managing and handling the cars and all the very efficient and friendly staff at the top notch Apex Motor Club race track starting with track manager Matt and car to car pilot Jeremiah. Two career and passion topping days! Photos copyright Nick Lish for Octane Magazine UK.


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  2. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    Fantastic, Marc! When will the Octane article be published?
     
  3. Nembo1777

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    Thank you Steven, it will be in several months, this is not a series of articles to be botched, I want to do them right, in depth:) FYI I never begin writing researching until AFTER the photoshoot and test drive are in the bag because if it gets cancelled then you have worked for nothing as there will be no article.

    Tomorrow I leave the Arizona sun, palm trees and endless blue skies for foggy rainy old Europe (argh!) and next week I start:)

    There is another one I would like to thank without whom these articles would not have happened: he will let me know if I can mention him:)
     
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  4. Texas Forever

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    You da man. I wish I fit in these old bangers, but I don't.
     
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  5. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    Makes sense, Marc. I'm sure you will enjoy researching the car thoroughly and the article will be all the better that you experienced and drove it.

    Looking forward to it.
     
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  6. Nembo1777

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    Every time I got out of the GTO I shamelessly asked someone to pull me out, needed the help as it was tight to get out of:)
     
  7. Jeff Kennedy

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    I remember this one attending the FCA Annual Meet in 1983 at Kohler/Road America. Carle Conway then. I gather it went through the hands of Chris Cord well before that too.
     
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  8. Nembo1777

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    The person I mentioned earlier who was instrumental in making these three test drives happen is Dyke Ridgley thanks to his continuous help. His technical expertise is mind boggling and very eye opening so grazie Signore:)!
     
  9. Ira Schwartz

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    Marc-
    You are now officially my hero!
    The '64 version is indeed special, and has always been my favorite.
     
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  10. Nembo1777

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    Thanks IRA, I am just another humble enthusiast and yes the GTO 64 is the epitome of classic GT's I think. Pierre Bardinon once told me just that, of course he owned 5573GT.
     
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  12. 3500 GT

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    #12 3500 GT, Nov 18, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2022
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  13. Nembo1777

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    Actually two days and I learned from prior experience to drive the -relatively- slower car on day one. The other way round would create an anticlimax.
     
  14. Nembo1777

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    Fantastic period photo at Monthlery, thanks for posting.
    She will be a focus of the article actually as I have three driver interviews coming up about her.
     
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  15. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    With Dyke Ridgley helping you, the technical side of your articles really couldn't be better!
     
  16. Sergio Tavares

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    Spettacolo!
     
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  17. Nembo1777

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    Hello all,

    FYI my article on 250GTO series 2 5575GT is now out today in the UK on the cover of Octane magazine issue #241 "July 2023".

    It is also the 20th Anniversary commemorative issue which is a nice hallmark:).

    The article is eleven pages which I am very happy with even though I delivered a much longer text (and future book chapter) but there is only so much a magazine can print.
    Nick Lish did a fantastic job for the photography.

    I did this trip and the three test drive articles at a loss just because you only live once since the magazine could not have paid for my travel expenses. I sold a Ghibli Spyder a month before the November Arizona trip so that helped make an unforgettable trip and three test drives happen:).

    I found out several things about 5575GT in the course of research which had not been discovered before, even in Doug Nye's masterpiece book which was most interesting, will mention in a later post.

    The driver interviews including Jean Guichet, 95, oldest Le mans winner still with us, were fabulous and the tale of intense, talented lady racer la Marquise Annie Soisbault de Montaigu is as colorful as it gets!:) The author of her biography, Frederic Reydellet was most helpful.

    Please keep the comments here about the article NOT about the magazine's delivery problems, that belongs in the magazine thread elsewhere, not here, thank you.

    Below the two covers, subscriber and newsstand: enjoy it!:)




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  18. haroonok

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    Looking forward to reading my copy.
     
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  20. DWR46

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    Marc: You always do a wonderful job. I was a pleasure working with you. We all appreciate your respect for the cars and how you tell their stories.
     
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  21. Nembo1777

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    Thank you very much Dyke, your engineering expertise was a huge help.
     
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  22. Jack-the-lad

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    Looking forward to being totally shocked to receive my copy.:rolleyes:
     
  23. cptndon

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    I'd like to have that issue also, but Octane has ceased deliveries in the US.
    It's not as if my subscription expired.
    Have heard nothing from the Brits.
     
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  24. miurasv

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    Been looking forward very much to reading your Octane article on Ferrari 250 GTO #5575 GT, @Nembo1777 and it did not disappoint.

    It's a great write up of the technical and bodily differences between the '62 S1 and '64 S2 250 GTOs and the particular history of the last ever 250 GTO, chassis #5575 GT. Very nice interview with Jean Guichet, one of its pilots and oldest living Le Mans winner and interesting details of the ownership by Annie Soisbault. To round the article off there are Marc Sonnery's driving impressions.

    A very enjoyable and informative read. Thank you, Marc.
     
  25. Nembo1777

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    #25 Nembo1777, May 29, 2023
    Last edited: May 29, 2023
    Thank you Steve, much appreciated.

    I always preferred the design of the 64 and they have received far too little coverage compared to the 62-63 cars in books and articles apart of Doug Nye's fabulous book in which Dyke Ridgley had a major role.

    One thing that did not make it in the short version of my text used in the magazine is something that emerged during my research.

    It was always believed that Nicole Roure (Annie Soisbault's usual co driver during those years) did the Chamrousse hillclimb August 30 1964 in 5575GT and people have long looked for photos but they proved as elusive as Yeti sightings.

    I had several conversations with Maurice Louche the photographer who has a treasure trove of Tour de France, general racing and hillclimb photos. He looked and looked and looked in his archives but there were no shots of a GTO 64 in Chamrousse that weekend. Eventually he worked out that Roure had been driving a 250SWB. I have a low res version but can't post it. The car is plain seems red or dark colored with Italian plates apparently. So that is one tiny little thing corrected in 5575GT's history.
     

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