[deekay]

In 1972, having bought my first Ferrari, a much underrated 365GTC, I wanted an older car to go with it.
Colin Crabbe had the Mecom car at Antique Automobiles in the UK, and I was also told that Anthony Bamford wanted to sell one of his 2 GTOs.

The ex Mecom car was seen and tried first. It was in a sad state, and whilst it drove reasonably well, it appeared to be "twisted", and didn't look straight at all.

So I went to see 3527. What a difference, both, mechanically and visually.
It was around $2000 more, and served me well for many years.
Don

[krasnavian]

Originally Posted by deekay

In 1972, having bought my first Ferrari, a much underrated 365GTC, I wanted an older car to go with it.
Colin Crabbe had the Mecom car at Antique Automobiles in the UK, and I was also told that Anthony Bamford wanted to sell one of his 2 GTOs.

The ex Mecom car was seen and tried first. It was in a sad state, and whilst it drove reasonably well, it appeared to be "twisted", and didn't look straight at all.

So I went to see 3527. What a difference, both, mechanically and visually.
It was around $2000 more, and served me well for many years.
Don

When you refer to the ex-Mecom car, do you mean 3987 that I owned and which was previously raced by John Mecom for Penske and Pabst? In 1972, it was owned by Stuart Baumgard and wasn't offered for sale until years later and never fell into Colin's hands, whether in the UK or USA, to the best of my knowledge.

[tazandjan]

Don- Believe you are the principle of DK Engineering and must have some very interesting stories to tell.

Welcome to Ferrari Life and hope you stick around. You and Stephen have led very interesting lives and have probably run into one another over the years.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[védouze]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

That is Superfast 1. A very special car with a competition motor. I believe that the first owner was Doheny in Beveryly Hills. Was told how Chris Cord (step son of Doheny) and Steve Earle would sneak it out of the garage and terrorize Mulholland with it when they were teenagers.

While the car was owned by Don Dethlefsen he published a booklet on the car. Still have a copy.

As originally built/shown by Pf there were not A pillars. By the time the car was sold it had gotten them; obviously the cantilevered roof was sound enough.

Jeff

yes jeff if I may, this engine was very special, I remember replacing the spark plugs! 24 of them it was a dual ignition engine,
serge dermanian

[deekay]

Originally Posted by krasnavian

When you refer to the ex-Mecom car, do you mean 3987 that I owned and which was previously raced by John Mecom for Penske and Pabst? In 1972, it was owned by Stuart Baumgard and wasn't offered for sale until years later and never fell into Colin's hands, whether in the UK or USA, to the best of my knowledge.

I have no idea of the chassis number, it didn't matter then !
All I know is that I was told it was ex Mecom, it was the right Mecom color and had just been imported from the USA. It was said to have been raced by one of the Rodriguez brothers, and was not in the best of health !

[deekay]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Don- Believe you are the principle of DK Engineering and must have some very interesting stories to tell.

Welcome to Ferrari Life and hope you stick around. You and Stephen have led very interesting lives and have probably run into one another over the years.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Hi Terry, I'm nothing to do with DK, but I have had a number of interesting Ferraris over the years, and they seem to generate stories to tell !
Don

[JazzyO]

3527! Here's a pic at Goodwood Revival 2007.

Welcome Don,

We are all ears regarding any stories!

I notice in the Bluemel/Pourret book that 3527 was modified by Graber in 1965. When you bought her did she still have the VW transporter rear lights and the silly "bumperettes" at the front?



Onno

[tazandjan]

Don- Bad guess on my part. You are correct on the serial number, which is not in an obvious location on the GTO. In the early years they sometimes used the engine number, which was usually the same as the chassis number. I have an old Sports Cars of the World by Petersen from 1971 with an extensive article on the GTO by Chuck Queener with really beautiful photos by John Lamm. That was the first historical look at the GTO I had seen at the time. One of the GTOs was then identified only as 0796, the number of the Testa Rossa engine that had been substituted for the original GTO engine.

That softbound book ($3.95) really had magazine rack appeal. The cover shows a GTO nose with a beautiful red early US Daytona with the silver panel across the nose. Oh, what the heck, here is the cover, somewhat worn after six or so trips across the pond and 20 or so moves. This was the kind of book with interviews and cameos on cars that would be a $100, hardbound coffee table book now.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[MotionProducts]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

Remember 3223 well from when Bodin had it.

Wayne we met at the last FCA National at Elkhart. You were with Jack Thomas during the awards in the afternoon.

Jeff

Hi Jeff, actually my name is Brad and I have been hired by Motion Products but I have passed your message on to Wayne. I will let you know what his response is. Thanks!

[deekay]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

3527! Here's a pic at Goodwood Revival 2007.

Welcome Don,

We are all ears regarding any stories!

I notice in the Bluemel/Pourret book that 3527 was modified by Graber in 1965. When you bought her did she still have the VW transporter rear lights and the silly "bumperettes" at the front?



Onno

I left the bumpers and VW rear lights on the car while I owned it, as I felt it was a part of the car's history. It was then not just another "cookie cutter" GTO with no visible provenance. Filipinetti decided to use the car as a daily driver, and this is when it when it went to Graber for wind-up windows, door handles and locks, bumpers, tail lights, interior trim, speedometer etc. I am sorry that the car no longer has the blue wheels or many other items that showed it's Filipinetti history.

[krasnavian]

Originally Posted by deekay

I have no idea of the chassis number, it didn't matter then !
All I know is that I was told it was ex Mecom, it was the right Mecom color and had just been imported from the USA. It was said to have been raced by one of the Rodriguez brothers, and was not in the best of health !

I suspect the car was misrepresented to you--mistakenly or intentionally--as being the Rodriguez/Mecom car since 3987 never went to the UK for sale after I owned it and the Mecom colors had been removed while Otto Zipper still owned the car in favor of red. In 1972, 3987 was still red and in the hands of Stuart Baumgard and in fine shape. It still sported the two orange lights on the roof.He owned 3987 for several years.

Colin Crabbe did cross paths with 3987 on a trip to Los Angeles. I gave him a ride in it while he and I were spending the day with our mutual friend Gary Wales. Colin's comment was that 3987 was the only GTO he'd ever seen that didn't smoke.

I am curious as to what car was shown to you.

[krasnavian]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

One of the GTOs was then identified only as 0796, the number of the Testa Rossa engine that had been substituted for the original GTO engine.

I believe this was the car owned by Mario Tosi that appeared in my video Ferrari GTOs at Willow Springs.

[Boxer]

To celebrate 50 years of the 250 GTO, Ferrari UK is trying to get all 7 of the UK cars together next fall.

[krasnavian]

Originally Posted by Boxer

To celebrate 50 years of the 250 GTO, Ferrari UK is trying to get all 7 of the UK cars together next fall.

Hope they manage to assemble them.

[jtremlett]

Originally Posted by Boxer

To celebrate 50 years of the 250 GTO, Ferrari UK is trying to get all 7 of the UK cars together next fall.

7?

Jonathan

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by jtremlett

7?

Jonathan

Apparently there are currently 7 in the UK. Got this from a person who would know .

Not sure though if all are UK registered though.

[jtremlett]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Apparently there are currently 7 in the UK. Got this from a person who would know .

Not sure though if all are UK registered though.

Well I reckon 8:

3527, 3757, 3767, 4115, 4219, 4399, 4675, 5095.

Jonathan

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by jtremlett

Well I reckon 8:

3527, 3757, 3767, 4115, 4219, 4399, 4675, 5095.

Jonathan

I will check with Yoda again next time I see him.