One have to admit that it needs special dates like FF60, the Garage Francorchamps anniversary parade during 2012’s Spa Classic to gather a stronger lot of historic cars. Probably related to the strong rise in value of every Ferrari type up to the 328 Series it becomes obviously harder to spot classic cars outside of special classic events and concours.
Spa Classic
16 cars out of 77 being present in total could be ranked as being -more or less- classic. We don’t count in the participants in the historic races – another 16 historic Ferraris. The racers and the additional three Bonhams lots are pictured already in Slide Shows on page 10.
The most disturbing moment may sure have been Monteverde’s #6023 collision said to be caused by Vincent Gaye and his 275 GTB #09057 at La Source. However what we have learned far in the past from a TV-docu about Historic Racing is that the drivers expect that to happen and that certain kinds of damages are “included” in their schedule. Funny was the behaviour of the owner of #0679, proudly putting the S/N on the B-pillars of his car but getting slightly unkind when we tried to identify the engine number. Honi soit qui mal y pens… Here’s our short report from the Historic Races:
27.05.2014 - 21:20 - Days at the Racing
The Spa Classic report Vol. 3
The main thing about the Spa Classic event is historic racing. Sure there are tons of interesting cars around be it classic or modern ones, but Spa Classic is three days of racing of all classes. Ferrari entries are few and to be honest, the number is not really growing. Jean de Béziers aka Mr. John of B is just offering his Daytona Comp. Conversion #16717 via Fiskens and the BBLMs being present in previous years have been absent this time.
275 GTBs are dominating the Ferrari entries together with some SWBs. #0679, 250 GT Boano Ellena Coupé High Roof, a 250 TdF and the already described 250 LM #6023 of Carlos Monteverde are rare additions to the field.
The CER (Classic Endurance Racing) class was filled up with two Daytonas, #13219 and #13715. Only Latham/Baud's 13715 made it to the race and finished 27th with a 4 laps gap.
No better result for Dumolin and van Riet with their SWB #3401GT in the 60's Endurance. 12 laps behind the winner gave them a 46th place in their race.
Trofeo Nostro Rossa is rated to be the replacement for the Ferrari Historic Challenge. 14 entries of the 25 starters have been represented by cars from Maranello.
and the Report of the Monteverde/Gaye incident:
Painful experience in the Ardennes
24.05.2014 - 21:47
The Spa Classic 2014 report Vol. 2
The car should have been the pearl of the event but it ended in a sad leaving.
#6023 is one of the few 250 LM produced. It was delivered new to Ecurie Francorchamps in the commeon livery of Rosso Cina with Pelle Blu interior and subsequently repainted in the Belgian national colours. After going through many hands it finally ended up with Brazilian Carlos Monteverde who entered it into the Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge very frequently. After the series was abandoned, Monteverde joined the Trofeo Nastro Rosso.
In the first round on Saturday, #6023 managed to race for one lap and it was displayed on the infield. Sunday was a bitter day for the car. In a very early stage of the second race, the car collided with Vincent Gaye's 2575 #9057. 9057 was unharmed, but 6023 obviously spinned and hit some track boundaries and was taken off the Circuit immediately.
The Bonhams Spa Classic Sale
Bonhams uses Spa Classic as one of their auction venues. This time three Ferraris have been on offer. Here are the results:
99227 94 456 GT Verde Inglese FER 606 Glasurit/Sabbia LHD EU ZFFSD44B000099227 eng. # 36381 ass. # 16023
18.5.14 - Bonhams’ The Spa Classic Sale Francorchamps, Le Circuit de Spa Francorchamps Lot 45 est. €35,000 - 45,000, sold @ €35.650, 40,800 km, one owner
17607 12/73 365 GTB/4 Daytona Nero/Rosso LHD EU ass. # 1232 body # 1390
18.5.14 - Bonhams’ The Spa Classic Sale Francorchamps, Le Circuit de Spa Francorchamps Lot 56 est. €300,000 - 400,000, sold @ €471.500, 84,299 km. One owner
18869 76 308 GTB Group B Michelotto Conversion Bianco Saba livery/Rosso cloth Racing seats LHD eng. # 00385
18.5.14 - Bonhams’ The Spa Classic Sale Francorchamps, Le Circuit de Spa Francorchamps Lot 57 est. €550,000 - 750,000, sold @ €609.500, French Carte Grise and Ferrari Classiche Certification
The “Gathering”
Many owners use events like Spa Classic to bring their cars to the track, many of them are going for free laps that are offered during the events, others are “only” showing their cars. GipiMotors tries to attract their clients to join them on the parking lot in front of the circuit’s hotel and usually that’s the place, where the “Classics” meet. Worth mentioning are the three 275 GTB #06897, #07101 and #08677, each car exceeding a value of 1 Mio. €. Sunday saw Daytona #13511 joining and two very special livered 330 GTC, an unidentified example in plain dark Grey (#9215, obviously painted Rosso Dino in the past) and #9329 in Azzurro met.
Sneaking around provided another Daytona #14693 and another GTC, Dutch registered #9555. Dinos have been present by showing RHD example 05070, Marrone met./Beige “dream livery” #05166 and a late GTS with #07310.
The “Best Shot” 2014 obviously goes to a replica of a SWB (#3717GT) that was livered in a stlye of Giallo Fly and parking in the concrete parking lot under the new pit lane giving a wonderful contrast with no disturbing presence of other cars around. This one was joined in the opposite by 599 GTB #166663 in rare Venaccia 50/60 livery with even rare Manual transmission.
Modern wise GipiMotors hosted two 599 GTO (176941 and 173805). The most recent car was an Italia Speciale (200055) in Rosso Corsa with Grigio Corsa stripes.
Notable has been the presence of four 328 plus another one caught driving through Spa. 328s are looking to be the “next thing” when it comes to rise in value.
The parking lots in Spa near the track are always something to have a look at as well as one might expect to spot other Ferraris when in the town of Spa. You will see all cars present being displayed in the various Slide Shows covering that event.
It was the last time we could stay with our favourite B&B with Rob and Erika. We started to miss your excellent hospitality from the moment we have left Entre Deux Pays on Sunday. We are faithful to meet again!