SCM’s Michael Sheehan, along with his worldwide gang of Ferrari spotters, have constructed a timeline for the 1958 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet, s/n 0799 GT, which now resides at the heart of a “Who’s Car Is It?” controversy that spans the Atlantic. Though reported stolen 15 years ago, collectors in the Ferrari world have known the whereabouts of the car, as the timeline illustrates: S/N 0799 GT. 250 Series I Cabriolet. 16th of 40 built. Covered headlights and no fender vents. Entered Pininfarina plant on 11/05/57. Pininfarina job #19463. Gearbox #45 C. Rear axle #70 GTC. Built for Dino Fabbri of […]
SCM’s Michael Sheehan, along with his worldwide gang of Ferrari spotters, have constructed a timeline for the 1958 Ferrari 250 PF Cabriolet, s/n 0799 GT, which now resides at the heart of a “Who’s Car Is It?” controversy that spans the Atlantic. Though reported stolen 15 years ago, collectors in the Ferrari world have known the whereabouts of the car, as the timeline illustrates:
S/N 0799 GT. 250 Series I Cabriolet. 16th of 40 built. Covered headlights and no fender vents. Entered Pininfarina plant on 11/05/57. Pininfarina job #19463. Gearbox #45 C. Rear axle #70 GTC. Built for Dino Fabbri of Italy. Painted MM 11911 black with Connolly VM 3218 natural leather. European Auto Sales Stock #1471.
1957, 31 Oct. – Entered Pininfarina plant.
1958, 1 Feb. – Gearbox assembly completed.
1958, 4 Feb. – Engine tested.
1958, Feb. – First owner Dino Fabbri, Italy.
1962, Mar. – Converted at the factory to disc brakes.
1967 – Sold to Tom Meade.
1967 – Sold by Tom Meade, Modena, Italy, by L. Kitt Tucker,
Jacksonville, FL. Car had just been rebuilt by the factory and had 52,000 km on it at that time.
1970 – Sold by Tucker “to a man who lives in Houston, TX.”
1970, 11 Sept. – Registered by Peter Bowers, Houston, TX. Registered on Texas plates NTF 852, later 365 VQV. Title no 56560922.
1971-1975 – Listed in the FOCUSA Rosters by Peter A. Bowers, Houston, TX.
1980 – Still owned by Bowers through the 1980s per conversations with Sid Simpson, Ferrari mechanic in Houston.
1989, 03 Apr. – Sold by Bowers for US $680,000 to Michael Sheehan’s European Auto Sales and Restoration. Purchase agreement states warranty was as inspected by European Auto staff. $50,000 deposit sent to Bowers with balance due in 15-20 days or sooner.
1989, 6 Apr. – Incoming wire information for European Auto for $120,000 for Andre Zenari, c/o Birkhart Transport AG, Leonhardsstrasse 53, CH 4003, Basel, Switzerland. Deposit on s/n 0799, with full price being $780,000.
1989, 17 Apr. – Notarized handwritten letter to European Auto from Peter Bowers from Texas, stating “I, Peter Bowers, hereby sell Ferrari no. 0799 to European Auto sales Inc. in accordance with the attached contract.”
1989, 17 Apr. – $7,000 (1st payment sent by Michael Sheehan’s European Auto Sales on finders fee) to Lawrence Diaz.
1989, 17 Apr. – $3,000 (2nd payment sent by Michael Sheehan’s European Auto Sales on finders fee) to Lawrence Diaz.
1989, 21 Apr. – Sold by Michael Sheehan’s European Auto Sales to Andre Zenari, C/O Birkhart Transport AG, Leonhardsstrasse 53, CH 4003, Basel, Switzerland, for US $780,000. The broker was Werner Schoch.
1989, 15 May – As per European Auto Disbursement request and check for $35,560 payable to W. Schoch Porsche Sales commission on 1958 Ferrari 0799 from Garry Roberts.
1989, May – Sold by Andre Zenari to Dr. Andreas Gerber, Pieterlen, Switzerland. Registered on plates BE 79395.
Owned by Dr. Andreas Gerber of Switzerland until allegedly stolen from his warehouse in Marbella, Spain in 1993.
1993, 07 July – Report of theft regarding Ferrari 250 Pininfarina Cabriolet s/n 0799 GT was filed, Interpol case #216543.
1994, June – For sale by a Mr. Mennino, Bologna, Italy. Allegedly Mennino lost 0799 to the bank.
1994 – The car was sold back to the United States, having been on consignment (along with two other classic Ferraris) at a dealer in Marbella, Spain, and offered via an Italian broker named Gianni Mennino.
1995 – Advertised by Classic Coach, Ltd. of New York and sold to Scott Rosen of Medford, New Jersey.
1995 – Owned 1995 by Scott Rosen, Medford, NJ.
1995, 11 Jan. – As per phone call from Scott Rosen, this car has undergone a complete restoration at Frank Triarsi’s shop. Car now has Series II taillights placed horizontally at top of rear fenders.
1997, 12 May – Rosen traded the car to Jeff Schwartz for another 250 GT Cabriolet Series 1, s/n ‘0779 GT’, plus US $225,000 in cash.
2000 – Rosen bought back ‘0799 GT’ for US $525,000 and it was advertised in June 2000 at US $595,000.
2001, January – Sold to Paul “Barney” Hallingby of Sharon, Connecticut, in January 2001.
2001, January – Shown at Cavallino Classic, Florida. The front sheet metal had a “275 GTB” type look. When shown it was missing all its tools and the spare. License plate was Conn. 34234.
2004, 20 June – Shown at the Hartford Concours in Connecticut, silver with dark red leather trim.
2005, 5-6 June – Shown at the Greenwich Concours, Connecticut.
2007 – December issue, Forza magazine, seven page feature on this car and other cars in the Hallingby collection.
2008 – An advertisement was placed in Cavallino magazine calling for information on the whereabouts of the car and its theft on the 7 July, 1993. It’s location was hardly a secret.