[Jeff Kennedy]

I am trying to assemble some information for an FCA Annual Meet and want to know who were official Ferrari dealers in 1962-1963.

Figured out these but there must have been more.

Chinetti
Otto Zipper
Hollywood Sports Cars

Jeff

[tazandjan]

Jeff- I believe Bill Harrah's Modern Classic Motorcars in Reno was a Ferrari dealership back then, but not 100% sure.

[Neopolitano]

I thought Algar might have been a dealer at that time. But when I checked their website it says 45 years which would be 1966. I believe that Al Garthwaitte and Luigi Chinetti partnered as the Eastern distributor for Ferrari for a couple of decades before Ferrari bought it from them. And wasn't Harrah the Western distributor?

In the early 60s Ferrari really did not produce many cars. Chinetti might have been "the" guy that far back. At least on the right side of this country.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Best I can find Modern Classic Motors (Bill Harrah) did not come along until closer to 1965 or 66.

There might have been a San Francisco dealer, Bev Spencer Buick, but not sure of being a dealer but was definately a racer of Ferraris.

By 1962/1963 Ferrair was transitioning into much larger production, by their standards. The 250 GTE and transitioning into the 330 America, 250 Lusso, 250 Pf Cabriolet, 250 California, 250 SWB and 400 SuperAmericas were all in production.

Jeff

[champagne612]

This may help

http://www.fca-sw.org/article.aspx?article_id=408

[Jeff Kennedy]

Originally Posted by champagne612

What about Brentwood Volvo - weird but always cool to see a Ferrari next to the Volvo's

Doug,

I have strong feelings that there were a series of folks that were sanctioned Ferrari dealerships around the country although they may have only sold a couple of cars. Some I suspect got a dealership so they could have their own Ferrari at a better price or as an adjunct to their racing.

Would Brentwood Volvo of been a Ferrari dealer in 62-63? I know that St. Louis has had several different folks over the years.

Jeff

[Jeff Kennedy]

Luigi Chinetti; Pleasure Cars, Ft. Lauderdale; Foreign Cars of Rocky River, Ohio; RRR Motors, IL; Stallings Imported Cars, AZ; Modern Classic Motors, Reno, NV; Otto Zipper, Los Angeles; Rezzaghi Motors, San Francisco.

This list was posted on the "other place". Sound right to those here?

Jeff

[bryanp]

Jeff; my dad, "Admiral Goodwrench" on this site, visited Charlie Rezzaghi's shop in SF several times between 1960 and 1961; I'm sure he can provide some insight; he also visited the dealer in LA as well, but I thought it was Hollywood Motorcars.

[barcheta]

Where does Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo stand in all this? They call themselves America's oldest Ferrari dealership.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

Doug,

I have strong feelings that there were a series of folks that were sanctioned Ferrari dealerships around the country although they may have only sold a couple of cars. Some I suspect got a dealership so they could have their own Ferrari at a better price or as an adjunct to their racing.

Would Brentwood Volvo of been a Ferrari dealer in 62-63? I know that St. Louis has had several different folks over the years.

Jeff

You are correct - the owner left his car in the showroom to create traffic.

I will do some digging and let you know the exact year.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Originally Posted by barcheta

Where does Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo stand in all this? They call themselves America's oldest Ferrari dealership.

Apparently Ron Tonkin got the Ferrari franchise more like 1966.

He is the oldest Ferrari dealership in the US that is still the same ownership.

Jeff

[Boxer]

Have you asked the guys at FML? They might have a list.

[Admiral Goodwrench]

Originally Posted by bryanp

Jeff; my dad, "Admiral Goodwrench" on this site, visited Charlie Rezzaghi's shop in SF several times between 1960 and 1961; I'm sure he can provide some insight; he also visited the dealer in LA as well, but I thought it was Hollywood Motorcars.

Although I went sight seeing at Charlie Rezzaghis's many times I have no idea as to his actual relationship with the factory. Over the center of his garage door there was a large Ferrari sign which was always quite dilapidated, and I never recall seeing any new Ferraris there.

For the Southern California story the attached is an extract from a factory letter to me of 17 November 1960, hope this helps.

Best regards,

PS found this shot of Charlie's but have no idea as to copyright.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Admiral Goodwrench

Although I went sight seeing at Charlie Rezzaghis's many times I have no idea as to his actual relationship with the factory. Over the center of his garage door there was a large Ferrari sign which was always quite dilapidated, and I never recall seeing any new Ferraris there.

For the Southern California story the attached is an extract from a factory letter to me of 17 November 1960, hope this helps.

Best regards,

PS found this shot of Charlie's but have no idea as to copyright.

Admiral,

I believe the "skilled mechanic" they are referring to is some no-name that went by Richie Ginther.

Jeff

[Admiral Goodwrench]

Dear Jeff,

It certainly could be but the guy I spoke to in person was not Ritchie. The bad news about that conversation was that the estimate to rebuild my motor and repair the seized transaxle was twice the huge amount I had gone into debt for to buy the car in the first place. That is what drove the decision to learn auto mechanics on my own and on that car. After all isn't a car just a bunch of pieces, and all you have to do is to figure out where they go?

Interesting lesson.

Best regards,

[barcheta]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

Apparently Ron Tonkin got the Ferrari franchise more like 1966.

He is the oldest Ferrari dealership in the US that is still the same ownership.

Jeff

I was wondering about that. As usual "truth in advertising" is a subjective term.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Was a Canadian dealer in '62/'63?

I must consider how all of Canada is part of the Ferrari Club of America.

Jefff

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Neopolitano

I believe that Al Garthwaitte and Luigi Chinetti partnered as the Eastern distributor for Ferrari for a couple of decades before Ferrari bought it from them. And wasn't Harrah the Western distributor?

Bought it from them?

Yea, with a gun to their heads.


Luigi fought tooth and nail in the courts and every way possible to keep it and it ruined him. Bill Harrah was smart enough to see it coming and just walked away. Of course Bill had other irons in the fire and wasn't going to miss any meals.



Funny, a tiger never does change its spots does it?

[Jeff Kennedy]

What is the story on Harrah getting the Western US? Did he get it directly from Enzo, Otto or was it an appointment from Luigi? How did Zipper come to give it up?

Jeff

Originally Posted by Brian

Bought it from them?

Yea, with a gun to their heads.


Luigi fought tooth and nail in the courts and every way possible to keep it and it ruined him. Bill Harrah was smart enough to see it coming and just walked away. Of course Bill had other irons in the fire and wasn't going to miss any meals.



Funny, a tiger never does change its spots does it?

[Brian]

I would not be surprised if Tom Shaughnessy has a dealer network list from the time.


949-378-8405


Also try Parker Hall at Kiliminjaro Designs.