Ferrari Classiche - How Respected Is It?

I got to drive in 0754TR when David owned it. Not drive it, but got a ride. But I did get some seat time in it that day because I was helping him bleed the brakes. Does pumping the brake pedal in the driver's seat while the engine is off count as seat time?

David was the best. He would constantly tinker with that car like he was running a current F1 operation. Tweaking one thing or another and then going out and racing it on the weekends, gentlemen's racing as he would call it but racing nonetheless. He even crashed it. I believe the current custodian does race it as well. The hobby needs more David Love's! (RIP David)

 

If it's about certifying originality then they shouldn't bless cars with replacement motors, even if they approve them. They shouldn't certify cars with color changes, but they do.

The Corvette guys, the NCRS, has an excellent program that looks for originality and penalizes non-originality. Do they get gamed? Of course. But a known replacement motor will always cause a loss of points, even if it is the correct replacement motor.

 

I agree with you. I actually would prefer Classiche to be much more rigid in their certification criteria. I would reserve certain exceptions to vintage cars, particularly racing vintage cars, given the many nuances those cars underwent throughout their lives. But, yes, as an owner of a Classiche certified car, I went to great lengths to preserve its originality so that it is absolutely as it was when it left the factory.

 

I'm restoring a 95 355 Berlinetta. I'm doing all I possible can to make the car as close to original as possible. As say "as close" because it's simply impossible to make it 100% original. Some materials just cannot be found or economically reproduced. That said, I don't intend to use OEM exhaust components. The reason is, I will drive the car more than show the car and the original exhaust components are junk. I'm not going to install junk just so it's original.

 

As you should. I’m a big believer hat everyone should enjoy their car precisely as they choose. My issue is when some complain and pout that Classiche certification should be issued when cars aren’t correct to standard. In my case, I have a passion for preservation and originality. I know there are some minor exceptions that must be made because certain things just don’t exist anymore, but those are exceptions. I also appreciate that some OEM components are inferior to aftermarket options, but in my view, Classiche should be limited to the very few cars that maintain that degree of originality.

 

If you drive your Ferrari, you can compile a list of "junk" for every model Ferrari has made. The reality is Ferrari doesn't do any product testing. They build just enough prototypes to get started and then let their customers be their quality control. What's worse is they don't even fix known problems. It is what it is.

 

And Classiche penalizes what the customers have had to correct.

 

Hmmm....I wonder how our services will be viewed in the eyes of Classiche? We don't use a failing soft touch - are they going to take points away from owners / cars in which we have restored the interior trim to a level better than new from the standpoint of using better materials?

 

Spot on.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

I'll add - in many cases, new OEM parts are from different suppliers than the original and the coatings are not consistent. This is not limited to only what we do, it's also platings on metals too.

 

That’s a good point, Dave. Though, the work you do is restoring original components. I would draw a similar analogy to repainting a bumper or refinishing a damaged wheel, for example. Obviously the paint isn’t original. On the other hand, if someone decided to put a different component in their car (such as aftermarket carbon fiber ventilation panels), I think that’s a different story. Then, in the case of vintage cars (which I know little ablout) there seems to be plenty of leeway for interpretation.

 

I'm guessing the lion's share of Dave's work is on newer Ferraris. I've never heard of an Enzo era Ferrari having sticky buttons. Then again, most Enzo era Ferraris didn't have radio, or they were never turned on.

 

Dale - the issue started with the 348 and 512 TR and continues to the newest models.

 

Telling isn't it? When I tell people new Ferraris are kit cars, they look at me funny. Ferrari typically does a great job on things like motors and transmissions; but the rest, not so much. Ferrari always got away with it because most new Ferrari buyers didn't drive em. They just sit in their garage. The new owners didn't want to hurt their value because it is an investment. You can bad mouth Porsche owners all you want, but at least most of them drive their cars.

That said, I'm really glad to see California buyers driving their cars. Having 50,000 miles is no longer unusual. We'll see if that trend continues.

 

My Mondial came with a Classiche certification. The previous owner did it when it wasn't so expensive (I think he paid around $1500).

However, it had no bearing in which car I chose to purchase. Condition and history of use and maintenance history were more important to me.

Still, it's a cool red book/folder.

Sid

 

the window stickers come from FNA and I agree FNA could make a killing just making reproduction window stickers...

 

Had the pleasure of seeing this exceptional Classiche restored car at both Pebble Beach and the Cavallino Classic.

https://www.cavallino.com/single-post/2017/04/11/1951-Ferrari-212-Export-Restored-Rewarded?_amp_

 

Chris Cox’s incredible 1958 250 TR at Pebble Beach. Fresh off a Classiche restoration. It really was a spectacular sight.

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Lol, in other news...

Officially two years now, still no Classiche book!!! Starting to think they run the Classiche program about as well as their F1 team.

 

My offer still stands to help you. You’re welcome to PM me if you like. Your situation is highly unusual. I got my book in five months.

 

PM sent. Thank you!

 

Please be informed that following the restoration in Italy the CA-based owner chose to have the car (0104 E) re-restored again by Bob Smith Coachworks in Gainesville, TX.
This car was also shown at Amelia Island March 2018.

Marcel Massini

 

Marcel - thanks for this information. I Must have missed that fact at the Cavallino Classic seminar in January. Great to know. Was it a total re restoration or just some modifications from the Classiche restoration?

 

I know a 275GTB owner in the UK who spent several years on a Classiche restoration and received his car last year. He is now doing another round of work with an Italian specialist to bring the car to its original specification after discovering several issues when presenting at a concourse event.

I see a pattern here ....LOL!