Simeone Foundation visit

'All work and no play...' We enjoyed a holiday dinner with members of the Penn-Jersey chapter of the Ferrari Club of America at the brand (as of this summer) new Simeone Foundation museum in Philadelphia. Here is Wil next to an array of le Mans cars (1970 PORSCHE 917LH, 1958 FERRARI TESTA ROSSA, 1956 MASERATI 300S and 1954 FERRARI 375MM). Don't just go to the website to see more photos of this amazing collection. Go visit the museum.

(posted by Sandy)

the finest Maserati 425 on Earth

There probably isn't a better example of a 1985 Maserati 425. We're delighted to be sending this Mazzer on its way home after a 3-year restoration to bring the abandoned vehicle back to life.

The Maserati 425 is an iconic sports coupe of the '80s. Fast and fun to drive, the ideal retro city driver (or so I've been told - I just take photos).

The 'before' pictures follow:


- posted by Sandy

Ferrari 355 meltdown!

We saved a customer a bundle by installing aftermarket headers and catalytic converters following a catastrophic exhaust meltdown. The stock Ferrari pipes are too thin, similar to the Achilles heel of Lamborghini Diablos. We replaced the headers with better grade stainless steel aftermarket parts and upgraded the catalytic converters. We had to test afterwards with our SD2 setup to ensure the engine was running correctly with the new hardware and add more insulation to help prevent a similar future occurrence as a
safeguard. The sports racing catalytic converters and header upgrades are also available for 328, 348, 360 and 430.


Here we're taking a peek deep inside of a catalytic converter on a Lamborghini Diablo using a "Visual Inspection Device" which displays live color video from an imaging sensor and lighting source connected to a flexible cable. It doesn't look like it was damaged by a short episode of running hot due to an engine management malfunction. It could have been much worse. Never drive with the Check-Engine-Light activated. It could be warning you of something benign but the light could also be trying to tell you a catastrophe is about to happen and please stop and shut off the engine!

- Post by Sandy

1958 TESTA ROSSA REPLICA

We would have loved receiving the assignment to build this aluminum bodied car but we didn't. It's too bad because we would have done a better job. Instead we received the car for service because the engine was making a metallic noise and it ran on no more than 6 of its 12 cylinders. We fixed all that but found problems with the suspension, the steering, the cooling system, the ignition system, the throttle linkages, the electrical system, body to chassis alignment, the paint, the wheels and tires, etc, etc. This car needed major sorting and re-engineering but it now runs and drives beautifully.

When first built she apparently had a vintage Ferrari V12 engine but that was replaced with a Jaguar V12 equipped with Electromotive computer controlled fuel injection and distributorless ignition and TWM throttle bodies, before we received the car, in an attempt to make the car more user friendly. Unfortunately none of this equipment had been set up properly, which is why it wasn't running right (I imagine the carburetors and distributors on the original Ferrari engine weren't set up correctly either). The metallic noise had made us wonder if the engine had a loose valve seat, or something like that, but after removing a cylinder head the cause turned out to be a piece of copper wire lying on top of a piston and making contact with the head. Not having air filters, the engine apparently just sucked the copper wire in. Luckily it didn't do any serious damage.

Murcielago wheels, dash

We powder coated the wheels black. We like the new look.

Powder coating is a great process yielding stunning results for wheels and all kinds of parts.

Leather dashes shrink, unfortunately. Here the black leather on the dash had shrunk along the forward edge at the base of the windshield, leaving sections of the yellow structure underneath showing. It obviously did not look very nice that way. We removed the dash (not a simple task) and it was clear that not enough leather was left folded over the edge and glued down when the car was built. We sewed large leather patches onto the skimpy tabs left by the factory, both to have something to pull on and to have more leather surface area to glue down to the back of the dash. We soaked the outer dash leather, stretched it, pulled it back over the edge, glued it all down and re-installed the dash. The result was a few stretch marks in the leather on top of the dash but it looks 99% better than it did. We could have installed new leather but the car's owner didn't want to go that far and was very happy with the result.

THREE VINTAGE FERRARI ON A FALL AFTERNOON

This photo was taken as the center car, a 1965 Ferrari 330 GTS, was about to be loaded into the trailer for the trip back to it's owner. This is a really nice car for cruising around on a sunny fall day. It's not too big and not too small - a nicely sized traditional sports car with plenty of power from it's 4 liter V-12 and nice handling. It's a real pleasure to drive and to behold. I guess it's market value reflects that.

The 330 GTS was in for an annual service. On the road test we noticed a slight hesitation in the brakes. The car was raised on a lift and one of our technicians applied pedal pressure while another tech checked the brakes over and found a big bulge in the right front brake hose. New brake hoses were installed and off she goes.

The Ferrari on the right is a 1963 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (luxury coupe). It is basially a road going version of the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB (short wheel base) competition car and is one of the prettiest Ferraris ever made. It's a nice little car with a 3 liter V12 and early disk brakes. Unfortunately it's a bit cramped for my 6' - 2" frame but that's not the car's fault.

The Lusso is in our shop for some work on the fuel system, cooling system, steering and electricals and is about ready to go home also.

The silver Ferrari on the left is a 1975 365 GT4 BB (Berlinetta Boxer) It has a horizontally opposed 12 cylinder engine which is the reason for the Boxer name since the two banks of pistons move back and forth, towards and away from each other like boxing gloves in a fight. This is considered the first mid-engine Ferrari. The 246 Dino came before it but at the time the Dino was considered a separate brand by Ferrari management. This was a fast car in it's day and is still no slouch. I'm told this car was actually displayed on the Ferrari stand at the International Auto Show in the old Coloseum. I think the CNN building stands there now but I remember many exciting trips to the Coloseum to see the latest offerings.

This car is here for a partial restoration and is very close to completion.

Waiting

This 1959 Jaguar XK 150S roadster was found in a barn in Texas, with a bullet hole in the windshield. Now spot free from rust and protected in primer, it waits. Has been waiting in our barn in NJ for 8 years for restoration work to resume.










How much longer before it looks like this?


I heard that Clint Eastwood had one of these too in the early '60s (probably without the bullet hole).


- posted by Sandy

Happy ending for burned Lamborghini Diablo

We are in the final stages of a 3-year reconstruction of a Lamborghini Diablo roadster which suffered an engine fire. Originally a silver car, the engine was toast and all rear body panels, hoses, wiring, etc melted. Now with new metal flake yellow paint, rebuilt engine, restored frame, we are just performing a final service. We can't wait to send this car home.

Garden State Ferrari Festival

Before September turns into October, here are photos from this year's Garden State Ferrari Festival, held September 14 in Florham Park. We were there (2nd to last photo, lower right; note my new Ferragamo handbag!) with our black 1978 supercharged Euro Ferrari 308GTB (last photo).

There were about 200 Ferraris, from Enzo, to late model and vintage models. The facilities for a show like this are great - 4 tiers of blacktop and good landscaping - all the cars looked their best. The weather was hot for mid September - but better sun than rain.

Despite the allure of marvelously restored older Ferraris (a 1961 250PF Cabriolet took Best in Show and numerous other awards), my personal favorite was a 430 Spyder painted an unusual tropical orange/red. (5th photo) Tamale red? What do I know, I just know what I like!

Note: these photos were posted at the exoticsrally.com forum and reposted here with the photographer's (Brent Mathews) permission. More photos can be found on this thread at Exotics Rally: We didn't bring our cameras, just strolled around enjoying the day. Fun.

Many thanks to Dave North of the Penn-Jersey branch of the Ferrari Club of America for painstakingly organizing once again a hugely successful occasion for Ferrarista.

- posted by Sandy