GTO Engineering News

New Bodies

Vern — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:22:50 +0000

We like a challenge here at GTO, and the bigger the better. We regularly undertake full retorations of cars, including 250 SWBs, and are able to supply virtually any original specification part for the cars. After much hard work, we have now completed the final piece of the jigsaw by producing complete, original 250 SWB bodyshells, which are now available for sale. Please talk to us to discuss options.

Palm Beach To Paris

Vern — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:59:48 +0000

January 2012 began with a flurry of travel and activity, starting with a whistle-stop tour of America to visit clients, including two days at Cavallino, and finishing in Paris for Retromobile. Palm Beach was a most enjoyable event; it was good to see everyone who attended, the wonderful cars and our good friends Graff Diamonds’ impressive marquee.

A small GTO contingent hit Retromobile to meet friends and scour the stalls for parts. We were pleased to see a car there I have a particular affinity for: three years ago, when scouting in Italy, I went to look at a 250 PF Coupe at a beautiful farmhouse set in the Italian countryside.Once done with the PF, I was beckoned into an adjacent outbuilding. Inside, amongst other treasures, was something I was starting to think I’d seen the last of in the 90’s – a genuine ‘barn find’!

The Ferrari 250 Monza (Chassis #0466) had been with this owner since the late-80’s, and had fortunately been reunited with its original engine from Brazil in 2000. The car was ripe for restoration and the owner indicated they would consider a discreet private sale. Unfortunately this did not materialise, not helped by the car’s contested chassis number. Still, I am pleased to now see the car out on public display, it has certainly created a buzz, and no doubt it will find a new home soon.

Back at base, racing, restoration, reconstruction and parts projects continue apace, promising an extremely active year for us all! Look out for more news from us soon.

Regards,

Mark

250 SWB 2221 GT Full Resoration

Vern — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:42:05 +0000

An exciting new Ferrari restoration has commenced at GTO Engineering on 250 SWB 2221 GT. This was one of only 14 RHD SWB’s produced and was a competition spec car with a steel body, using many rare Ferrari parts. Originally Colonel Ronnie Howres car this was then widely campaigned by Ron Fry before he owned a 250 GTO and 250 LM. Later it was owned by Burnley Richmond of Downton tuning fame, before going to a private collection in Sicily where it was re-bodied in aluminium, and the original steel body was retained.

GTO Engineering have now removed the aluminium body and refitted the original steel body to the frame. Meanwhile a full mechanical restoration including Ferrari engine rebuild is taking place.

New Parts from the Classic Ferrari Specialist

Vern — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:20:08 +0000

At GTO we are constantly manufacturing and sourcing hard-to-find parts to service customer demand and add to our inventory, and when we talk to people they are always surprised to hear of the range and diversity of the Ferrari parts we do produce. In addition to this, over many years we have accumulated thousands more new, new-old and used parts. So we’re going to tryand keep the Ferrari community more up to date, with this being the first of some more regular parts newsletters.

In addition, we are investing in a new parts management system and integrated e-commerce web site, which will be going live over the next 12 months. This will allow everyone to browse our real-time classic Ferrari parts stock, and help us maintain our commitment to supplying quality, dependable, accurately-described parts with great customer service.

Ferrari 275 GTB/4

Vern — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:31:27 +0000

A fully restored classic Ferrari 275 GTB/4, with factory option outside fuel filler cap and headrests.

SWB Project

Vern — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:20:48 +0000

New SWB Berlinetta bodywork being produced and a major mecanical rebuild progressing including many new classic Ferrari parts . (click to enlarge)

Ferrari 275 GTB/4

Vern — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:26:36 +0000

Ferrari 275 GTB4 1968 exhibited at Villa D’Este 2011

This Ferrari 275 GTB/4 recently underwent a complete concourse classic Ferrari restoration at GTO Engineering’s workshops.

Ferrari 275 in Courtyard – click to enlarge

This particular car has been shown at the prestigious Villa D’Este Concours. It also won “Best Car in Show” at the 2011 National Ferrari Owners Club concourse show.

The Process of restoring the Ferrari 275:

The car was completely dismantled and the body shell and chassis taken to be soda blasted back to its original state. After this the last bits of corrosion and dirt were manually removed, the car was taken to our body shop for sympathetic panel restoration to bring everything back to its correct condition.

Whilst this was being carried out all the mechanical parts were stripped, all the suspension components were fastidiously restored, replacement classic Ferrari parts obtained as necessary and all parts refinished with their original coating or electroplating.

Ferrari 275 Engine – click to enlarge

The engine was dismantled and all parts examined and taken to our machine shop for machining and re-commissioning; all parts scrupulously were cleaned and prepared for re-assembly.

Meanwhile the panel skins were taken off and new perimeter metal put on and re-fitted to the frames at the body shop. The outriggers were restored and all surplus inner panel holes filled and cleaned back.

Ferrari 275 Door Interior – click to enlarge

The panel gaps were all set precisely and the body shell re-assembled to be ready to move across into the paint shop where the body was minimally filled where necessary and painstakingly hand flatted to produce a flat and perfect platform before painting, re-flatting and polishing. By now all the chrome and brightwork had been trial fitted to the car and carefully restored and re-chromed, new bumpers were made and chromed, instruments restored in preparation for the paint being finished.

At last the car was ready for re-assembly and the mechanical units were ready for re-fitting.

With immense care and appropriate pride the re-assembly began, glass was fitted, chrome was carefully assembled, the suspension built, transaxle re-fitted and the engine gently placed in its home.

After most of the mechanicals were fitted work in the trim began, the seats were carefully re-upholstered, carpets and leather trim meticulously re-made and the car gradually came together, the engine was started and tuned and all the details were finished.

Even the original etching on the windscreen and door glasses was re-produced, the car was road tested and delivered to its patient and anxious owner.

Andrew Pisker’s 250 California wins Pebble Beach and MSN Autos’ 2010 People’s Choice Award

Vern — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:34:51 +0000

A Ferrari 250 California has won the prestigious People’s Choice Award at Pebble Beach in California. The beautiful SWB version spent three years undergoing a meticulous restoration at GTO Engineering in Twyford, Reading before receiving almost 100,000 votes from the readers of the MSN Autos site, which was the event’s partner. They chose the 250 California as the most beautiful of all the cars entered in this year’s edition of the classic American concours d’Elegance.

Built in 1961, this particular 250 California was discovered in Canada by collector Andrew Pisker and then restored to its original condition as well as being given a classic Azzurro Metalizzato livery. The car’s stunning beauty captured the public imagination at the concours d’elegance, much to the delight of its very proud owner who summed its character up very succinctly, by declaring: “It’s a car that means open motoring in the sunshine”. This is, of course, a theme dear to the Prancing Horse’s heart as Maranello recently revisited its drop-top tradition with the Ferrari California, a model that combines extraordinary performance and driving emotions with superb comfort and versatility.

Above: Pebble Beach Trophy

GTO London At RM Battersea Park 2011

Vern — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:08:51 +0000

RM Auctions held its 5^th annual London sale last week in the remarkable Battersea Park in Central London and GTO London were there once again with our ever extending range of gentlemen’s accessories.

Spread over two days, the auction attracted hundreds of people from all over the world, it was great to see all of you there and we hope you got a chance to have a look at some of our products.

RM Auctions, once again put on an immense show with a tallied value of the sold cars achieving over £13 million. It was great to be there and we’re already looking forward to next year.