Remember the stolen F50 from Algar?

pamparius · Feb 28, 2013

BLUROAD said: ↑

Its like trying to be shown a car from a Jr version of Robert Deniros character in that movie where he tries to sell that couple the Audi.... I forgot his line something about are you going to buy It? No your not a customer now get out..
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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbQWO22pprk]Italian Mafia Car Salesman - YouTube[/ame]

MS250 · Feb 28, 2013

^

You want to speak to the manager ?

HA !

Terra · Jun 11, 2013

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2060886402698&set=a.1604886962997.2040356.1260810871&type=1&permPage=1

Agent Smith · Jun 11, 2013

That didn't take long. Link doesn't work for me though.

Peloton25 · Jun 12, 2013

Was a link to a page with this image from Instagram:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/5763_2060886402698_212731983_n.jpg

>8^)
ER

amenasce · Jun 12, 2013

How much do they want?

GreenLantern · Jun 12, 2013

amenasce said: ↑

How much do they want?
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+1

Curious, myself, as well. Thanks!

(Still don't see it in their inventory online.)

NürScud · Jun 13, 2013

Big red said: ↑

^

You want to speak to the manager ?

HA !
Click to expand...

Hahaha +1000

Terra · Jun 14, 2013

1995 Ferrari F50 - Symbolic International Photo Gallery

4re Nut · Jun 14, 2013

Terra said: ↑

1995 Ferrari F50 - Symbolic International Photo Gallery
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Thanks; quoting for documentation's sake...

Details
Background:
With the possible exception of the McLaren F1, the Ferrari F50 came closer to being a true Formula One racer than did any of its production car contemporaries. The Ferrari F50 was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ferrari, and it followed a similar recipe to the brand's 40th anniversary special, the F40. Both cars were precision tools designed to forge a road-going link to the Ferrari competition legend. The F40 was powered by a potent twin-turbo V8, but for the F50 Ferrari opted for a more familiar power plant: the naturally aspirated V12.

Reinforcing the F50's ties to F1 racing, the car's engine was derived not from another Ferrari road car but from the company's 3.5-liter F1 mill from 1990. An oversquare design with an 85mm bore and 69mm stroke, the 65-degree V12 displaced 4.7 liters. It used a cast iron block with aluminum, 5-valve cylinder heads. Dry sump lubrication was employed, and the engine had an 11.3:1 compression ratio. The motor was mounted longitudinally behind the cockpit, and was mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that, also mounted longitudinally, sat behind the engine.

An impressive output of 520bhp was produced at the F50's 8,500rpm redline, and 347ft-lbs of torque was realized at 6,500rpm. That power enabled a 0-60 time of about 3.6 seconds, a quarter mile time of 12.1 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 200mph.

The F50 chassis was a carbon fiber tub that incorporated the engine as a stressed member. The body panels, also carbon fiber, were unstressed. Extensive use of carbon fiber kept the curb weight below 3,000lbs, despite the car's large, powerful engine and great structural rigidity. Ferrari initially planned to offer both closed (Berlinetta) and open (Barchetta) versions of the F50, but instead only one model was offered that combined the virtues of both through the use of a removable hardtop.

The suspension and braking systems of the F50 were just as impressive as the advanced engine and body construction. Double wishbones were used at all four corners, with springs and dampers mounted inboard and actuated by pushrods to reduce unsprung weight. The dampers were electronic, and they constantly adjusted damping levels to provide driving characteristics appropriate to a multitude of different settings. Further, no rubber connections were used in the suspension, ensuring ultimate handling precision at the cost of ride comfort. Fat tires, mounted on center-lock Speedline wheels constructed of magnesium alloy, ensured that grip was tenacious enough to take advantage of the excellent suspension design.

Braking was accomplished by vented discs squeezed by four-piston calipers constructed of aluminum. To aid communication between car and driver, no anti-lock braking system was offered. Even power assist for the brakes was omitted to ensure that the F50 responded to driver input with perfect accuracy.

Clearly, the F50 did not make many concessions to driver comfort. One of the only traces of luxury came from seats and pedals that could be adjusted to place the driver in his or her optimal driving position, but even this was done to allow more thorough exploitation of the car's abilities and not to cosset the owner. The Pininfarina-styled F50 looked exotic and exciting, but not because of superfluous curves or gimmicky design flourishes. Instead, it featured a tightly wrapped skin that covered up the advanced mechanicals with a purposeful shape perfected by the wind. At top speed, the F50 could generate over 400kg of downforce, yet it maintained a reasonably low coefficient of drag of 0.372. In short, there was not a single stray line on the F50.

Despite its obvious ties to Ferrari motorsports heritage, the F50 was never raced by the factory. An F50 GT was developed with the intent of building a dedicated GT1 endurance racing car based off of the F50, but, when the BPR Global GT Series became the FIA GT Championship in 1997, Ferrari decided to abandon the project and focus its resources elsewhere. Nevertheless, three F50 GTs were produced: one prototype, and two for special customers.

The Ferrari F50 was produced from 1995 to 1997, with 349 examples built. Only offered in five colors (two of which were red), the F50 could be painted Rosso Corsa (bright red), Rosso Barchetta (dark red), Giallo Fly (yellow), Nero (black), or Argento (silver).

With its race-derived technology, purposeful appearance, and telepathic connection to the driver, the F50 was one of the most advanced and capable cars of its time. Would Enzo have warmed up to the idea of a road-going Ferrari with the heart of a Formula One racer? We'll never know what Enzo would have thought of the F50, but surely this prancing horse would have looked right at home in his stable.

There are few more famous, or infamous Ferraris if you will than this particular F50. Almost anyone with an interest in such vehicles knows at least some part of the tale of the stolen F50. In today's age of instant information, you need not dig deep to learn the details and a simple on-line search will reveal some very entertaining facts.

Chassis No. ZFFTG46AXS0103494:
There are few more famous, or infamous, Ferraris than this particular F50. Almost anyone with an interest in such vehicles knows at least some part of the tale of the "Stolen F50." In today's age of instant information, you need not dig deep to learn the details and a simple on-line search will reveal some very entertaining facts and more than a few myths and rumors as well...

This was the 29th of only 349 F50s completed in a short two-year production run that ended in 1997 and one of only fifty F50s imported new to the States. Number 29 of the limited production run was a normal USA version and it was finished like 302 similar F50s in Rosso Corsa (Racing Red) with standard black with red insert seats. The initial delivery was to collector and enthusiast Ted Conrad, who enjoyed his new Ferrari for several years before consigning it for sale to Algar Ferrari in Rosemont, Pennsylvania. On September 16th, 2003 a salesman of Algar (now former salesman) allowed Thomas H. Baker to take the Ferrari for a test drive. As most of you now know... this test drive was one of the longest in history, not ending until the car was finally seized five years later by the FBI in 2008.

While Baker may have stolen the Ferrari by all accounts he cared and loved this very special vehicle, as would any legitimate owner. It was not so once the Ferrari was in the hands of the FBI. For unknown reasons, on May 27, 2009, FBI Special Agent Frederick Kingston was apparently instructed to move the car from the FBI garage and decided to invite Assistant US Attorney, J. Hamilton Thompson, the man charged with prosecuting Baker, along for the ride. Less than 100 feet from the parking lot, Kingston lost control and drove the car up and over a curb into a hedge and against a small sapling. In an email to the insurance company after the accident he stated; “Just a few seconds after we left the parking lot, we went around a curve and the rear of the car began sliding.” Kingston said he tried to regain control but “the car fishtailed and slid sideways up onto the curb. The vehicle came to rest against a row of bushes and a small tree.”

Fortunately for enthusiasts and the curious around the world, a few hundred photos were taken by a variety of individuals of the Ferrari shortly after the accident. The car was inspected and assessed by the insurance company as a total loss and not long thereafter the legal battles unfolded. The crash was a low speed impact estimated at not more than 40 miles per hour but extensive body damage occurred to both sides, the lower right front and the bottom of the Ferrari’s removable under trays. The insurance company wanted the car "totaled" and they sued the FBI for full actual cash value of $750,000. The FBI initially claimed that the damage was purely superficial. They maintained that the carbon fiber tub was undamaged and the car would still be fully drivable after minimal repairs to the body work. Their story and defense quickly changed after receiving guidance from justice department lawyers and the new defense claim was immunity from prosecution under the auspices that the damage occurred during official duty and as such they were not accountable.

After several years of court battles, U.S. Federal Judge Avern Cohn dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that while the wreck of the F50 with an FBI agent at the wheel was "certainly unfortunate," federal law grants immunity to the government for damages to property in law enforcement custody. In order to recoup their losses, the car was serviced and partially repaired into a drivable state. With a new "theft recovered" title having been issued, the Ferrari was publicly auctioned off and purchased by a West Coast dealer who recently completed the final repairs and services that were needed.

Today this F50 is being sold with all the repairs and services completed. All warning lights and sensors are clear and no known mechanical defects were noted after a thorough test drive and comprehensive inspection. A current California title has been issued will accompany the vehicle, along with a full CarFax that documents the vehicle’s 7,101 original miles and the fact that (despite lots of drama) the vehicle has had just one legitimate retail owner from new. The hard top box and kit along with the large luggage bag and all of the vehicle’s original books and manuals are included with the sale.

Ownership of an F50 is never an easy pursuit. The few that do come up for sale are increasingly expensive and out of reach for most collectors. This F50 represents a singular opportunity to have ownership rights to one of the most unique examples that exists. It is also one with a story that will unlikely ever be equalled and a constant conversation piece for her next fortunate caretaker.
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Bill S · Jun 14, 2013

4re Nut said: ↑

Thanks; quoting for documentation's sake...
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Very well written, honest and transparent. Thanks for posting!

joe sackey · Jun 15, 2013

Bill S said: ↑

Very well written, honest and transparent.
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Yes, tell it like it is, and it doesn't seem so bad. In time, the 'story' might become quite a conversation piece for the owner to enjoy.

Flo400 · Jun 15, 2013

So: Was the cf tub damaged or not?

Bill S · Jun 15, 2013

Flo400 said: ↑

So: Was the cf tub damaged or not?
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Not sure is anyone knows. The serial numbers were also removed on the car and replaced with a state plate (Kentucky I believe). I guess that adds to its colorful history!

I believe the car can be Classique Certified, but it needs to go back to Ferrari in Modena to restore the plates and probably check the rest of the car's integrity (at a small fortune I'm sure). Probably best to leave it as is with the interesting story behind it.

JeremyJon · Jun 15, 2013

so the car just started fishtailing on it's own eh? no connection to the foot buried in the firewall? typical of those types I suppose

love to see this thread being kept updated, though I'm not a potential customer, anyone that is should have this resource for continued tracking of the car and record of it's 'lack' of proper rebuild

IMO the tub definitely sustained damage, looking at the post incident - notice I didn't say accident - the intrusion behind the drivers door is really evident

134282 · Jun 15, 2013

Bill S said: ↑

Not sure is anyone knows. The serial numbers were also removed on the car and replaced with a state plate (Kentucky I believe).
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What?!?

It's Ross · Aug 5, 2013

Interesting results, did this car have another story(Date of loss: 2003-09-16) before all this?

Results for VIN: ZFFTG46AXS0103494

VINCheckSM Theft Record

ZFFTG46AXS0103494 has not been identified as a vehicle listed in the VINCheckSM Theft Records.

VINCheckSM is updated regularly as additional information is reported.

VINCheckSM Total Loss Record
Carfax
Further information is available through Carfax .

VIN: ZFFTG46AXS0103494 has been identified as a vehicle listed in the VINCheckSM Salvage Records.

Date of loss: 2003-09-16
Cause of loss: Other

You are advised to consult with a certified automotive technician before further considering this vehicle, to include verifying the airbag remains intact.

VINCheckSM is updated regularly as additional information is reported.

Peloton25 · Aug 5, 2013

Did you read the whole thread? That's when it was originally stolen from Algar Ferrari and their insurance company paid the claim when the car could not be located.

And yes, be sure to check for an airbag in the F50. If it has one, you're in trouble.

>8^)
ER

Schatten · Feb 17, 2014

Hard to tell from the pictures, but looks like the weave is gone.

Agent Smith · Feb 17, 2014

This poor car is turning into a bad penny - it just keeps turning up.

Anyone ever figure out what it sold for last time around?

575 Maranello · Feb 20, 2014

Looks like she's for sale again:

Ferrari F50 F50 | eBay

483hp · Feb 20, 2014

You can see the new Kentucky state plate in the Ebay ad. The original vin plate is gone.

ClassicFerrari · Feb 20, 2014

Well, there's a bid and it's a no reserve auction. So looks like it's selling

Sorry but can't resist looking at the Porsches in the background! Nice selection including a couple of 89 speedsters!

134282 · Feb 20, 2014

483hp said: ↑

You can see the new Kentucky state plate in the Ebay ad. The original vin plate is gone.
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What the ****?!?

amenasce · Feb 20, 2014

I wonder if this car history will ever play in its favor (provided it is correctly fixed). I thought it had sold last autumn to a collector who already owned another F50. I wonder why he sold again within 6 mo.

Wanted to buy something else?
Car not properly fixed?

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