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500 Mondial Series 2

125K views 808 replies 47 participants last post by  Admiral Goodwrench 
#1 ·
I will take the opportunity to post the first thread in the Vintage section with a photo of my car at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded the 1st in Class M-2 (Competition Ferraris) and earned the Enzo Ferrari Trophy for the Best Ferrari in the field. After eight years of work on the major conservation/restoration project with significant help from David Carte we finished just in time to have the car trucked to Monterey for the big show. As Jay Leno said it is becoming a competition between billionaires so I am not certain what I was doing there, but the end result was mind blowing for me. When I bought the car over 48 years ago I had no idea that this would come to pass.

In any event here is the way 0556(0446)/MD looked at the 1st Gran Prix of Venezuela in November 1955 as a works car driven by Harry Schell and Eugenio Castelotti to fifth overall and a 1st in Class win. Photo is copyright by Richard Owens.

Best regards,

Robert
 

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#2 ·
Dear Robert

Many thanks for a picture of your stunning and wonderful car. A rare beauty indeed. I'm sure that you and your car have something to tell about 48 years of unbroken partnership !?
Also your car has a very interesting ownership history, after the mentioned Schell / Castelotti drive, owned and driven by well known playboy race driver Porfirio Rubirosa (the ex husband of Zsa Zsa Gabor) who tragically ended his life stuck in a 275 GTS by hitting a tree in Paris.

Would you mind to share some more pictures of your light blue french / italian beauty and tell us a little more about your experiences of owning and driving this phanatstic Mondial ?! Many thanks in advance !
 
#5 ·
Dear Robert

I've just reread your 2 wonderful articles on the 500 Mondial Series II in my old Cavallino's No. 61+62. I did not know it was you who wrote them. In addition, the article you linked to our forum states that you by yourself have been an active racer "some" time ago. Its an honour for us to have such an experienced enthusiast "on our side" !

One of my dream car has been a 750 Monza. While driving one a couple of years ago in frog like position (I'm a little to tall I assume) I remember well Swiss journalist "Tanner's" description of the "squicking boiler room" gearbox.
Fantastic.

Robert, your Mondial and you would be a perfect visitor to our epic trip for enthusiasts over the passes here in Switzerland somewhere in May this year !!
If you would like to consider it ?!
 
#6 ·
Dear 212Export,

Thank you for the kind comments on the articles I wrote over 18 years ago based on my research from 18 to 28 years ago. Unfortunately I have not taken the time to publish some corrections to errors which have come to light over the intervening years, perhaps some day...

The car left on a trailer today for the sunny south.

Regarding your experience in the 750 Monza, all of the 1955 750 Monzas and 500 Mondial Series 2 cars are identical except for the motor displacement. I am 6 feet 1 inch tall and the cockpit is not exactly roomy for me. However as you may have read, as well as the races, I did drive the car nearly 3000 miles from California to New York back in the sixties.

As to your invitation to drive the beautiful Swiss Alps this spring, I regret that it will not be possible as it is so expensive to move a car to Europe and back.

For more web reading this is a bit more complicated. First go to :
http://www.tomyang.net/cars/ferrari.html
then on the lower left section under Monthly Ferrari Restorations select the month of August 2008, then go to the upper left section entitled The Restoration Diary and select the entry for 8/17/08.

You may repeat this for the month of May 2008 and the date of 5/2/08.

Since Pebble Beach there are now over two dozen hits if you google "500 Mondial" and "Robert Phillips". Looks like my fifteen minutes of fame.

Best regards,
 
#7 ·
Regarding your Cavallino articles back then, its just natural that after all those years often many more knowledge comes into light regarding history. I enjoyed rereading your very interesting articles. I remember well a couple of years ago to use your 2 pictures of the tubular steel frame comparison (Series 1 straight in the back and Series 2 beautifully rounded) to find a way how the drivers seat could possibly be backadjusted for taller drivers..no way.

Have you ever written a report about you cross country drive with the Mondial ? That would be something to read!!

Again best wishes and good luck.
 
#8 ·
Dear 212Export,

The car is on its way, I am packed and will fly to Palm Beach in the morning.

As I was cleaning out the e-mail basket and catching up on the forums I noticed a minor error earlier. Rubirosa in fact did mary many women (five to be exact) with Doris Duke and Barbara Hutton (two of the richest women in the world) among them. However Zsa Zsa and Rubi never married each other.

Intend to compete at Cavallino on Saturday and at the Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago (the Merriweather Post and later the Donald Trump mansion in Palm Beach). Will let you know the outcomes when I get back.

It will be a while before I get around to the cross country drive.

Best regards,

Robert
 
#13 ·
Dear 212Export,

The car is on its way, I am packed and will fly to Palm Beach in the morning.

As I was cleaning out the e-mail basket and catching up on the forums I noticed a minor error earlier. Rubirosa in fact did mary many women (five to be exact) with Doris Duke and Barbara Hutton (two of the richest women in the world) among them. However Zsa Zsa and Rubi never married each other.

Intend to compete at Cavallino on Saturday and at the Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago (the Merriweather Post and later the Donald Trump mansion in Palm Beach). Will let you know the outcomes when I get back.

It will be a while before I get around to the cross country drive.

Best regards,

Robert

He was something else. I believe his marriage to Duke for, IIRC about two weeks, resulted in something like $56,000/hour as a divorce settlement.

rik
 
#9 ·
Dear 212Export,

I am still pinching myself. At the Saturday Cavallino Classic Concorso d'Eleganza we were awarded a silver bowl for First in Class - Platinum given the finest Ferraris in the class, La Coppa per Quattro Cilindri crystal vase for the outstanding four cylinder car (actually it was the only four cylinder car), and the huge Scuderia Ferrari Cup for the Outstanding Competition Ferrari. Then on Sunday at the elegant Mar-a-Lago Club we were awarded a silver plate for Excellence in Class, and a large silver tray for the Finest Competition Car.

We were awarded half the number of trophies that the superb Delahaye did in the background of the attached photo. Even so, we now need more room to place all these trophies along with the ones from Pebble Beach.

Best regards,

Robert
 

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#10 ·
Dear Robert

My sincere congratulations to the win of all those trophys :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:!!!
(if you do not find enough space for them...send'em over here!)

The value of getting so many prices from the Cavallino classic is outstanding as I understand the level of competition there is almost if not AT the level of Pebble beach !? Its a wonderful "proof" for your outstanding work on your wonderful car.
Even more important the fact is that your car must be the almost only car with such splendid price pedigree who: 1. has been owned by the same owner for such a long time 2. Has been actually driven so often and so long and 3. be prepared and restored at least partially or even fully by its owner !

Congratulations again and with it my deep respect !
 
#14 ·
1. Thanks for the congratulations. Although I would very much like to attend, I will not be able to come to the Villa d'Este.

2. I did not take many photos but attached is one with a couple of my competitors in the background. I am wearing the funny sun hat. The man next to me is David Carte who was a major helper in the restoration/conservation project.

3. The next photo is of the prizes for the car from the Saturday Cavallino Concorso d'Eleganza.

4. Regarding marriages of Rubirosa, he was married to Doris Duke from Sept 1947 to October 1948. His marriage to Betty Hutton was 53 days December 1953 to Jan 1954. By most accounts his alimony from Duke was a lot of money and a French Riviera villa.

Best regards,

Robert
 

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#16 ·
Dear Robert

I've received today the latest Cavallino with the extensive report on the Cavallino classics. Many picture of you and your car ! Phantastic ! Congratulations again. Very, very well done.:thumbsup:
 
#17 ·
Hi guys,

Have just returned from the Ferrari Club of America National Meet in Elkhart Lake, WI. While there I had a very good time with two particular highlights.

Tom Schultz, author of the two definitive books on Road America, introduced me to Dick Wuestoff and Augie Pabst. They had raced 0714 MDTR with the 625 motor in the September 1959 Road America 500 running against my car 0556(0446)/MD driven by Robert Ready Davis and Jack Hergenroether. They finished 9th and my car DNF with seized differential. That misfortune enabled me to acquire the disabled car nine months later.

The second highlight for me was the opportunity to run a few laps at the track which for the car was a 50 year gap. I went out right after a big downpour had passed. The combination of a wet track, healthy motor, skinny tires, and old cold brakes made for a very fun drive. A little bit of fishtailing coming out of some of the turns tested the old reflexes but nothing dramatic ensued.

Our son Bryan has posted some of the video extract on youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnbAYXd1ic4

As they say keep the shiny side up, I did.

Best regards,

Robert
 

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#22 ·
Hi guys,

Have just returned from the Ferrari Club of America National Meet in Elkhart Lake, WI. While there I had a very good time with two particular highlights.

Tom Schultz, author of the two definitive books on Road America, introduced me to Dick Wuestoff and Augie Pabst. They had raced 0714 MDTR with the 625 motor in the September 1959 Road America 500 running against my car 0556(0446)/MD driven by Robert Ready Davis and Jack Hergenroether. They finished 9th and my car DNF with seized differential. That misfortune enabled me to acquire the disabled car nine months later.

The second highlight for me was the opportunity to run a few laps at the track which for the car was a 50 year gap. I went out right after a big downpour had passed. The combination of a wet track, healthy motor, skinny tires, and old cold brakes made for a very fun drive. A little bit of fishtailing coming out of some of the turns tested the old reflexes but nothing dramatic ensued.

Our son Bryan has posted some of the video extract on youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnbAYXd1ic4

As they say keep the shiny side up, I did.

Best regards,

Robert

Dear Admr. Phillip;

I truly enjoyed your article in the latest Cavallino. As I related to your son, Bryan [we have been exchanging emails lately], the thoughts that your Mondial was sitting in a Rambler dealership only yards from my father's work site [Mustang, Navy CDR], brought chills and memories all at the same time: What a find. I can only imagine you feelings seeing the car sitting in the back room.

I truly like your description of stewardship. Reminds me also of another view of Jim G's stewardship of the oldest Ferrari, which he has custody. Once, when someone asked him how he detailed his car [not saying you didn't or shouldn't have for the P-Beach] his reply was " I never detail any of my Ferraris, just wash and wax". Many, I'm certain, couldn't believe such.

You sir, are an inspiration, and why I'll always, God allowing, have a Ferrari in the garage, and, like today, drive it daily [wife drives the 456 to work] as we want to enjoy them as much as possible.

Regards,
Rik Granucci
 
#18 ·
I've been following your son Bryan's stories and pics of the meet on the other forum. Wonderful, Robert, just fantastic so see this old lady in action.

Thanks for sharing - it is the stories that makes the car special.


Onno



 
#290 ·
Dear Gcalo,

The car is 54, I have had it for 49 years.

Thought you might like this shot for a size comparison with a 360.

Best regards,

Robert
......first time a Mondial ever looked like a 750cc OSCA!
 
#23 ·
Williamsburg, Virginia

Dear Dinosaur followers,

Well, the fun continues into 2010. On the first and second of May, HelenAnn, Bryan and I went to the Williamsburg Winery for the "Ferraris on the Vine" event. David Carte did the hauling duty for our car and the Marriott 288 GTO. It was unusually hot and humid but a breeze helped make it a bit more comfortable. They had a huge tent with room for all the entrants cars and dining tables. As most of you know, during the major conservation project on the little blue car David discovered that the seat surrounds were in fact made of grape vine canes. So we literally took "vines in the Ferrari" to "Ferraris on the Vine."

Saturday evening found us at the head table with Dan and Evi Gurney who were delightful dinner partners, even if there was a lot of Porsche talk. David E. Davis and Dan Gurney and Wangers (of Pontiac GTO fame) were informally interviewed on the stage about the old Car and Driver "GTO vs GTO" story. Sunday morning we all drove downtown to the Merchants Square in old Historic Williamsburg where they removed the vehicle barriers and parked us in that walkway. For a couple of hours all the tourists and other interested folks had the chance to see the cars up close and as usual I was answering questions the whole time about the little blue car. Most of the way back to the winery the escort police car was pretty pokey but for a couple of stretches he did move out a bit. I still get a thrill when the sound of the motor makes that distinct change in timbre when it comes on the cam at about 3700. Then when I get in the throttle it acts anxious to really get up and go. Of course with under 1600 pounds and 172 BHP the p/w ratio isn't all that bad.

Later in the afternoon we added to the trophy collection with the prize for "the car that Dan Gurney would most like to drive home". That is probably a unique award, and I am delighted to have it.

Best regards,

Robert

PS - photos by Chris Schlumpf
 

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#25 ·
Dear L.C.,

In the hope that it will not rain I have asked Matt Brown of White Horse Auto Concierge to save a spot for me on his special trailer to and from Rockville for the 2010 show. Now is the time to get started on the weatherman so he doesn't repeat the double washout of last year. As you know I have removed the windshield wiper that I installed in 1963 for the drive across country.

Best regards,

Robert
 
#26 ·
Fantastic stories, Admiral. I'm guessing part of the fun of owning this fantastic machine is the privileged interaction you get with so many fantastic motoring heroes. That trophy surely is one to cherish!

Having seen 4 or so 750 Monza's and many other delectable Ferraris on the road a couple of weeks ago in Italy, I just can't get over how fantastic the cars from that era are. To see that they're still on the road is just brilliant. A completely useless comment to end this post with: keep enjoying her! :)


Onno



 
#27 · (Edited)
Admiral,

It was great to see you at the Ferraris on the Vine event.
Here are some of the pictures I took that weekend.

#1 = my tdf blue 550 parked near your 500 Mondial on the streets of Williamsburg.
#2 = some young Ferrari fans putting their little sticky hands on the car!
#3 = a low angle shot of Bryan and the front of the car.
#4 = happiness is being behind the wheel.

- Ron
.
 

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#28 ·
It is so beautiful ! The owner looks so happy and the car looks so happy with such a caring owner too. I can simply stare at the car all day long and enjoy the lines and curvatures, similar to staring at a glamorous lady with a drop dead curvatious body. This car looks so wonderful in the lawn and green setting rather than on a tarmac. I cannot even imagine what the experience is like sitting behind that wheel. Nothing but compliments, Admiral. w/ smiles Jimmy
 
#29 ·
Dear Jimmy, Onno and Ron, and the rest of you dinosaur followers,

From time to time I do go out to my little shop and just sit and look at the car. Clearly I am biased but I do not find a bad line on it. Today Michael Bayer and Bryan and I started taking the brakes apart as the brake shoe linings are original from 1955 and are simply no longer effective. As a result do not expect to see me driving around the streets of Arlington for the next few months.

Ron, the 550 looked sharp and it was good to see you at Williamsburg, and happiness behind the wheel is spot on. The photo of the dirty sticky fingers did not surprise me for you can just see my elbow to the right of the picture. Sticky fingers are not bad as the residues can be cleaned up. What was scary was the youngsters walking up to the car with their digital cameras swinging from straps on their wrists!

As two significant side notes indicative of how rapidly the years are flying past, I first met my testa rossa 49 years ago today, and next month will mark fifty years of custodianship of the Mondial. In a reflective mode on the passing of Gerald, I am the sole surviving driver of the thirteen who have raced this car. Just another reminder to enjoy every day to the fullest now for later may not come.

Best regards,

Robert
 
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