History of the Cizeta V16T

I understand Brian, just thought I would offer some other suggestions. I hope this book gets published, especially since you gave us a taste of what it would look like awhile back.

 

In response to the false suggestions posted on ferrrariChat.com by Brian Wiklem as “JET X”:

- Our agreement was for a “simple Coffee Table Book” . That was all that Brian had authorization to write about. Anything beyond the car is speculation and a breach of our contract.

- Brian and I have been friends for 5-7 years. In this last year, he abused our relationship by going behind my back to get information. In doing this, he insulted several contacts and jeopardized key relationships I had. It is a shame to see a friendship end, but I can no longer trust him. I now question his motivation for continuing to write this book.

- Lawsuits: I am not involved in any lawsuits involving Cizeta, nor have I ever been involved in any litigation pertaining to Cizeta.

- Undelivered cars: None of my clients have complained about undelivered cars. I’m not sure whom he is talking to. There is an imposter who takes order inquiries for Cizetas on his website. He has purchased website names with “Cizeta” in it and uses my logo. He even had the audacity to steal the homepage my daughter created for my site. He did all this in the hopes of extorting $75,000 from me. I didn’t fall for his scheme. PLEASE NOTE: The only true official website is WWW.CIZETAV16T.COM. I am currently working on updating the site. Stay Tuned.

- Brian cites reasons for the company failure. Define failure. I have succeeded in accomplishing what I set out to do. Cizeta was always meant to be hand- crafted like a piece of art. I never wanted it to be mass- produced.

- I never threatened to sue the publisher. They are concerned because they know that they don’t have the proper authorization to print the photos or use them in any way. This includes being distributed via a DVD.
- Brian did spend a lot of time on this book project, as did I. It is unfortunate for all that the project had to be cancelled in this way.

By Claudio Zampolli

 

Wow, welcome to Fchat Claudio! I've always loved the V16. Is there any update as to the status of your show car being seized?

 

Claudio, Welcome to FerrariChat.com. I hope you find it, "A Place Where Good Friends Meet!". Where good gentlemen have truth and honor, and the scoundrels, are thrown out, after their lies are exposed.

Continued good fortune with your CIZETA V16T, which is a work of art, that one can drive.

Ciao...Paolo

 

Hey Claudio, i dont know if you remember me, but i just wanted to thank you again for letting me view and photograph your car back in August 2007. (I am the English guy that arranged for the Evo journalist to do the write up on the Cizeta)

My pics from that day, http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165172

Any how thanks again, lovely memories from that day and thanks again for the ride! Regards Alan W

 

In the early 90's, I saw several Cizeta cars on the "assembly line" in that small factory in Modena, but was NOT allowed to take any photos. Very frustrating! So, no thank you. But it's stiil a great and fantastic car.

 

¿¿No thank you?? That's what you have to say to one of the most important italian engineers of all times???? Learn this. There's NO car factory where taking photos is allowed.

Wellcome, Mr. Zampolli.

 

That's funny. I visited some factories and many car shops in or around Modena and was allowed to take photos everywhere, but not in the small Cizeta factory. I took also many photos inside a factory called Lamborghini. So, I say thank you to Ingeniere Zampolli for all his cars but just no thank you for the photos. But I think there was a good reason and it's not really important.

 

Ciao Claudio!

Good to see you heeding the notion to speak up for yourself.

All will be well in the end.

 

Francis: I completely understand your frustration at that time. However, Claudio will be the first to state that his forte is that of being a skilled engineer. Someone who is a skilled engineer or artisan is not necessarily a diplomat, a businessman etc. as we should all know by now. There are still a couple of original Cizeta chassis remaining in his shop in California, and if you are ever by this way, I will personally introduce you and arrange for you to take as many pictures as you like.

 

I'm still looking forward to it Brian.

Slander/libel can be an expensive injury, but I trust you will have done all your homework.

Getting that signature from Claudio is seeming less likely by the minute though.

= = = = =

I hate to make it seem like I am playing both sides of the coin here, but I too have a quick note to Claudio:

I had the wonderful pleasure once of meeting you and seeing the amazing Cizeta at Crystal Cove. It was an honor for me, you were quite cordial and it is an experience that I won't soon forget as I had always had a sweet spot for the V16T since I was a teenager.

You might not remember me from that day, but I was the one you kept telling Brian shared an uncanny resemblance with a younger "Michael Schumacher". I still get a kick out of that coming from someone who would really know.

Brian's book - regardless of whatever content he chooses to include - won't change any of those feelings.

>8^)
ER

 

Thank you Joe... I understand all that. I was in the Los-Angeles area in August/September 2009. So, I missed the chance to meet you and to take some nice shots. Maybe the next time!?

 

Claudio,
I had a picture of a white Cizeta on my bedroom wall (next to some Italian house, I think it was a centerfold in some auto magazine) and it was my dream car for a very, very long time. A few years back I had the pleasure of meeting you and you showed me around one of your cars for quite some time and I almost did buy it, but another project beckoned. I think it was the red one that was seized, but I am not sure. Regardless, it was a fantastic car, and you were a gentleman. This was at Concorso in Monterey. Thank you, I think you are great.

That said, I don't think you should try to prevent Brian from exercising his freedom of speech. It's a free country, let him speak, and you are certainly free to speak and present your side of the story or stories, should you choose to do so.

Most people can also read between the lines.

 

And Jet-X,
I am looking forward to seeing your work! Hoping for lots of pictures of the car in motion.

 

Certainly.

 

It's got to be this photo - I love it too.

>8^)
ER
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Brian:

Both Claudio & yourself obviously love the Cizeta. There has to be some way to reach some agreement. Even if it is an agreement to disagree on certain things. I will lend my hand to foster any such understanding that you wish to pursue between the 2 of you. You know where to find me.

 

Peloton,
wow, that's it!!! Many thanks. Where is it from? Car and Driver?

 

That copy is from the 'Cizeta' folder on my HD.

No clue who the original source was, sorry.

I believe there are two guys here that might know though.

>8^)
ER

 

Interestingly enough, the first picture on 16cylinder.com shows a black car by the same place. At least, I think it's the same house. Can you take a look and confirm? I guess it was near the place where they were made.

On one of my trips to Parma (near Sant Agata/Maranello), I took a picture of a very similar house and had it printed and framed and hung over the staircase, in a very visible place. No one could understand what I saw in that picture, but it reminded me of the Cizeta picture and evoked the charm of Italy--the feeling that you never know what kind of super-exotic car or automotive genius lurks behind these decrepit old places.

 

It's a very good new that Mr. Zampolli is working on updating the site....