When Japan ruled the World
It doesn’t take a Harvard MBA to see that the Ferrari market is booming again. But I suggest this time is different from earlier booms and busts. A little history: In Italy in the early 1970s, a cottage industry developed that consisted of crooks who kidnapped, and held for ransom, wealthy Italians who flaunted their […]
What’s in that Shed
Those of us Ferrari enthusiasts approaching vintage status ourselves like to reminisce about the “good old days” of the 1960s and early 1970s. Neglected 250 SWBs, 250 TDFs, and 250 California Spyders could be found for under $5,000. A seemingly endless supply of 250 GTEs and 250 PF coupes lurked, unloved and derelict, for $2,000 […]
“Barn Find” Ferraris can Die in Their Sleep
I get frequent calls from potential Daytona buyers looking for an ultra-low mileage example with the mistaken belief that they will be getting a “new” time-capsule Ferrari. Unfortunately, what usually happens in such cases is not the raising of Lazarus—it’s more like the curse of the mummy. A hypothetical 5,000-mile 1969–74 Daytona attracts a group […]
Restoration to the Highest Level
Everyone understands the difference between a driver and a show car. In general terms, one looks good from twenty feet away, and the other looks great up close. But if you want to play in the real world, that of Pebble Beach or a Ferrari Club of America (FCA) concours, the road to a trophy […]
Fake Ferraris for Fun and Profit
Purists dismiss replica Ferraris as fakes that should never have been built, while aficionados who missed the first round of hiring at Microsoft appreciate their timeless beauty and affordable performance. However, in any situation that involves replication, recreation, or just downright fakery, some of these cars were built with the best of intentions—and some with […]
The Golden Age in America
Today’s fuss over “instant collectibles” like the $1.2 million Bugatti Veyron and $400,000 Maybach turns a bright light onto what they don’t have—pedigree and provenance. It’s a bit like the latest canine fashion, the labrador/poodle mix with the cartoon name—Labradoodle. It’s a nice dog, but expensive at about $1,200, and when was the first time […]
The Punch of Deferred C/4 Maintenance… And How I Leaned Into It
In May of 1985 I purchased an unusually nice 365 GTC/4 S/N 14965, finished in black lacquer with black leather, and resold it immediately to a client in San Francisco. In October of 1985 I re-purchased 365 GTC/4 S/N 14965, then resold it in November to a client in Hawaii. Between these two sales, my […]
Restoration Escalation
Over the years, the term “restoration” has had evolving meaning in the Ferrari world. Back in the 1970s, it meant new paint, clean leather, maybe a valve job or an engine rebuild, some non-original chrome work and a great detail. Today, however, it implies much more. The assumption now is that a restored Ferrari is […]
Five Best Ferraris over $1,000,000
Before attempting to delineate the best seven-figure Ferraris, I called multiple collectors, dealers and historians for their feedback, and I must admit to being surprised at how varied the opinions were. Of course, I had my own ideas on the subject, but it was made clear from my conversations that when you’ve got deep, deep […]
Favorite Ferraris under 100K
I get dozens of phone calls and e-mails from would-be first-time Ferrari buyers, and I always ask them the same questions: What’s your “real” budget? Do you have any idea how much to expect for maintenance costs? Have you considered the pros and cons of old versus new? Are you prepared to pony up for […]