Mystery 250 GTE owned originally by Mr Heathcote, England. | FerrariChat
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Mystery 250 GTE owned originally by Mr Heathcote, England.

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by 275GTB, Mar 5, 2010.

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  1. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

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    #1 275GTB, Mar 5, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi, A friend sent me this picture of his fathers 250 GTE, this is a real shot in the dark! I thought if we could to identify it and perhaps see if it still exists, then I could surprise him.

    His name is Mr Heathcote, the car is right hand drive, he later traded it for a 330 GTC.

    Distinctive colour - blue with a silver roof and right hand drive - that surely must narrow the search down.

    Any help appreciated, as it would make a great surprise.

    I will try to find out more tomorrow when I see him.

    thanks
    mark
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  2. Cornbread

    Cornbread Formula Junior

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    #2 Cornbread, Mar 5, 2010
    Lovely car.


    I hope it still looks as good.
     
  3. drew365

    drew365 Formula Junior

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    #3 drew365, Mar 5, 2010
    Is that a stripe going down the hood or just a play on lighting.
     
  4. Mrpbody44

    Mrpbody44 F1 Veteran

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    #4 Mrpbody44, Mar 5, 2010
    I love the color combo
     
  5. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    #5 technom3, Mar 5, 2010
    great looking car!! im sure marcel will chime in soon!
     
  6. 4redude

    4redude Formula Junior

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    #6 4redude, Mar 5, 2010
    That is actually the sunlight reflecting off the chrome moulding. It stands about 1/2" high (13mm) and runs down the center of the bonnet.
     
  7. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

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    #7 275GTB, Mar 6, 2010
    Mr Heathcote had the 250GTE for 5-6 years in the early sixties, he then traded it in against a brand new silver 330 GTC (which was later sold to an Australian and the son of Mr Heathcote believes the 330GTC was actually exported to Australia at some point?)

    During the ownership of the 250 GTE Mr Heathcote was very friendly with Ralph Broad of Broadspeed fame: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadspeed

    Mr broad apparently used to tune and tinker the 250, even talk of straight through exhausts!

    Mr Heathcote used the 250 GTE to commute to Birmingham most days, about a 25 mile run, as there were no speed limits in the UK at the time, this was apparently always done a record pace!

    On one occasion the 250 spun off the road and went backwards through a bus stop! the car was quickly repaired and returned to the road.

    That is really all we have to go on.

    The reason I now all this: I just bought the original magnesium wheels that were on the 330GTC when new, soon after the car was delivered the wheels were replaced for Borrani wires. The mags have been stored in the dark, in a basement room for at least the last 40 years - they need restored but are a great base!

    Speaking to Mr Heathcote's son Adam today - he would be thrilled if we could establish if either the 250GTE or 330GTC still existed.

    thanks
    Mark
     
  8. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Marcel Massini, Mar 6, 2010
    Are we talking about Trevor Heathcote-Drury of Torquay?
    If yes, the 250 GTE 2+2 is POSSIBLY chassis #3081 GT.
    In 2003 used as donor car for yet another California Spider Replica.

    Trevor Heathcote-Drury bought a brand new 330 GT 2+2 (not a GTC) chassis #8693 which was Grigio Argento 25090 with Black VM 8500 and he took delivery on the 23rd September 1966. UK Plates KGJ 5D. Maranello Concessionaires Order #269.

    Marcel Massini
     
  9. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ
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    #9 ArtS, Mar 6, 2010
  10. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

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    #10 275GTB, Mar 6, 2010
    hi Marcel, thanks as always for your information and knowledge. i have just spoke to Adam Heathcote the son:

    His fathers name is Robert Heathcote and he was living in Tiddington near Stratford on Avon at the time, he doesn't know where he bought the 250GTE, but he is pretty certain the 330 came from Maranello Concessionaire as new.
    He may may have bought it through his company which was called Phillip Cornes and was based in Birmingham.
    thanks
    Mark
     
  11. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 Marcel Massini, Mar 6, 2010
    Alright then, obviously not the same Heathcote.

    Marcel Massini
     
  12. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

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    #12 275GTB, Mar 6, 2010
    Marcel - I think you were right the first time, I am sure these are Heathcotes old Ferraris you refer to.

    Have a look at the link to the 330 site, it clearly states Robert Heathcote as the first owner after Maranello Concessionaires.
    It has to be the same Heathcote, with the first names mixed up somewhere in History.

    See also the 330GT went to Australia just as Adam remembered - that would be too much of a coincidence?

    Mark
     
  13. Marcel Massini

    Marcel Massini Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 Marcel Massini, Mar 6, 2010
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2010
    Well, to me Trevor C. Heathcote-Drury and Robert Heathcote really doesn't sound identical. Shouldn't the son know the proper name?
    And for the name Robert on the 330 GT website I can tell you that I have the Maranello Concessionaires files which clearly say Trevor C. Heathcote-Drury and NOT Robert Heathcote. Besides that T. C. Heathcote was a longtime member of the FOC UK and also owned several other Ferraris, including a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta. That's why I doubt that we are really talking about the same person here. May be a brother? Son? Father?

    Marcel Massini
     
  14. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

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    #14 275GTB, Mar 6, 2010
    Hi Marcel, ok I take your point on board.
    Adam the son does not know anyone in the family with the name Trevor. I guess therefore it is a crazy coincidence!
    I have asked him to try and find old pictures that show the registration of the car or any other reference.

    Once again thank you for you time and help.
    Mark
     
  15. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
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    #15 kare, Mar 6, 2010
    Almost any other picture (angle) might help to determine at which serial number range this car belongs. Best wishes, Kare
     
  16. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
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    #16 kare, Sep 21, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Browsing through my picture files I accidentally stumbled on this car: the 2-tone owned by Mr. Heathcote was 3933. Ex-John Dalton car appearing in Autosport 8/63; clearly a two-tone with a roof mounted antenna. Destroyed years ago for yet another fake GTO. Case closed.
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  17. michael platzer

    michael platzer F1 Veteran

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    #17 michael platzer, Sep 21, 2012
    what a shame to destroy such a beautiful Ferrari!
     
  18. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

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    #18 275GTB, Sep 21, 2012
    Thanks Kare, I will let Adam the son know, so he no longer loos or hopes for it to turn up one day.
    regards
    Mark
     
  19. 4re Nut

    4re Nut F1 World Champ

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    #19 4re Nut, Sep 21, 2012
    +1! :(
     
  20. DAYTONASME

    DAYTONASME Formula Junior

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    #20 DAYTONASME, Sep 21, 2012
    The item in front of the "prancing horse" is very definitely a BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) members badge..

    Such a shame another GTE "chopped up" to make a fakey doo!

    Ed
     
  21. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    #21 miurasv, Sep 21, 2012
    When did John Dalton own 3933, which is a 1962 car supplied by Maranello Concessionaires according to Barchetta? If Mr Heathcote had the car from new in 1962 and traded it for a 330 GTC, that couldn't have been until 1966?
     
  22. Mark Shannon

    Mark Shannon Formula 3
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    #22 Mark Shannon, Sep 21, 2012
    John Dalton was the first owner of the car and according to Maranello records it was first registered on 28 January 1963 on plate JFD40.

    Mark Shannon
     
  23. miurasv

    miurasv F1 World Champ

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    #23 miurasv, Sep 21, 2012
    Thanks, Mark. I see now that Mark didn't say Mr Heathcote bought the car new from Maranello.

    ".....he doesn't know where he bought the 250GTE, but he is pretty certain the 330 came from Maranello Concessionaire as new."

    So was the car being advertised for sale in Autosport 8/63?
     
  24. PAUL BABER

    PAUL BABER Formula 3

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    #24 PAUL BABER, Sep 21, 2012
    If its the same chap, my Maranello records....same as Mark's, show that Heathcote purchased a 330 GT...NOT GTC....... from Maranello on 23rd September 1966. Chassis number 8693GT.....Painted in Grigio with Black hide and UK reg' KGJ 5 D. It sort of makes sense if he had a 250 GTE that he might buy another 2+2...........The picture in Autosport was from an article not an add.
     

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