F50, Where to Find: Date of Production, Assembly Number, Series Number Plaque, etc.

A friend of mine is going to see an F50 this weekend, and he asked me to put together a selection of images that visually demonstrate where he can find all of the relevant plaques and plates that I try to document on the very rare occasions that I see an F50 in person.

To go along with the other threads I've started that detail the informational bits of each model, it only seems logical to post those images here as well, so that whenever someone sees an F50 in the future, and is so inclined, they can document the relevant parts of that F50, so that its identity can be recorded for posterity.

1. In the first image is the data plate, which, for US cars, can be found on the driver's side door jamb. The data plate reveals not only the VIN, but the month and year in which the car was built.

2. The second image shows the assembly number, riveted to a chassis cross member, under the front clam shell.

3. The third image, also under the front clam shell, shows the Glasurit paint color sticker. Ferrari started painting its cars, excluding the F50, with PPG paints, 23 October 1996, and between 23 October 1996 and 10 June 1997, Ferraris were liveried in both Glasurit and PPG paint. After 10 June 1997, Ferraris have only been painted with PPGs products (except for special circumstances).

4. The fourth picture, also under the front clam shell, shows a red label/sticker that usually has a hand-written date on it, along with some kind of part number. I have seen more than one of these red labels on a single F50.

5. The fifth picture, also under the front clam shell, shows the F50 series plaque number plate. Each F50 has one of these plaques. And so, even if you can't see the VIN for some reason, you can at least consult this series plaque, and you'll have some idea of which F50 you're viewing. In the case of this sample image, the series plaque is from the 69th F50 (069/349).

6. The sixth image, again, under the front clam shell, shows where the VIN is stamped into the chassis. In addition to being stamped into a plaque that it affixed to the steering column behind the steering wheel, the VIN can be found in a few other places. After the steering column plaque, this large and shiny stamping is the most familiar.

7. The last image, and perhaps the most familiar - certainly the most common in all of my "Where to Find" threads, is the VIN plaque on the steering column behind the steering wheel. The VIN on this plaque should match the VIN on the data plate as well as the VIN stamped into the chassis under the front clam shell. Multiple VIN locations make it more difficult for counterfeiters to dupe potential buyers with a fraudulent car.
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LOL, I highly doubt it. One of the 99999s is now here on the west coast; another one is in Italy. If there are more than two (some rumors claim up to six), then I think there might be a second one here in the states; but beyond the first two 99999s, everything else is mere conjecture.

But be careful when you talk about 99999 - there are some people on this forum who get very offended when you say there's more than one F50 that wears s/n 99999. It's actually amusing to read their uptight, matter of fact posts.

 

To wit, none; and I'd be surprised if any were accepted for certification.

 

If I come across anything, I'll definitely let you know. Reciprocally, if you know of any available sub-$3.4MM LaFerraris, or 458 SpecialeAs, and you can't seem to find a buyer, please let me know. Additionally, any Stradales at reasonable prices, from sellers who aren't certifiable; lastly, any 348 Serie Speciales, though I'm not exactly holding my breath for an available example any time soon.

My friend's gonna go see the F50 tomorrow. If it's available, I will definitely let you know. But I'm nearly certain it's the Algar-stolen FBI-Kentuckied tub-damaged F50 - and I'm pretty sure you don't have any interest in showing that car to your clients.

 

Tenny, this is news to be, and will be duly noted in my database. So you have any proof of this car's
Certification - i.e., a Classiche book or binder, certification slip, anything? Thank you.

No surprise at all, but the F50 my friend saw yesterday was 103494, the infamous Algar Jet Blue Kentucky FBI tub-cracked forever-tainted F50.

If I was financially inclined, there are so many Ferraris I would consider purchasing on which many others would immediately pass. But this car is NOT one of those cars. As much as I loathe aspersion-cast(e) Ferraris, this one deserves the blemish it has received.

More than thief himself, I blame the federal agent who imagined he had a "watch this" story to later relay to his friends.

I don't care who buys it, and I'm relatively unconcerned with whatever is paid for the acquisition. My main concern is that the tub is replaced, or, if replacing the tub is not a possibility, then please fix it, IF possible, and to a degree that far exceeds industry acceptability.


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If the Swaters car has Classiche certifications, I would think it stands to reason that others wouldn't be accepted for or have Classiche certification, because then that would be admission, on S.p.A's part, that there exists more than one 99999.

I think the 103494 stands to reason that it's gonna have tags that differ from other US and Euro-converted-to-US F50s because of two reasons: the fact that it was stolen and then the thief attempted to pass it off as a completely different F50 is one reason why it would have plaques that aren't factory original. Also, after the car was recovered, who knows who got ahold of it (FBI, independent and factory dealers, etc.) and affixed new plaques to it confirming the car's adherence to US specifications.

My friend saw it this morning - 103494 - and saw the VIN plaque decal, and it was just that, a decal. All other factory VIN plaques are plaques into the car's VIN is engraved, but this plaque had a partially peeling chrome and black label affixed to it. My heart weeps for the hell this car has endured.

 

K B, pleas forgive my haste. I saw the serial number on the picture you posted, and immediately thought it was 103494 - which is a mere three digits off from the serial number plaque you posted. Since 103494 is a US F50, and 103497 is a Euro F, it makes sense that the latter has the chassis type on the data plate and no date of production, whereas a door jamb data plate on a US car has the VIN and the date of production, as opposed to the VIN and the chassis type.

 

This is very interesting, Tenney, thank you for sharing! I'm interested in learning exactly which 99999 F50 was Classiched.