14.7.06



The first weekend in July most of the country was sweltering under a heat wave, which boded well for a good turnout in the summer sun. Attendees were not disappointed, neither by the eclectic array of models in attendance, or by the choice of venue. The annual FOC Concours is rarely held at the same venue in successive years, and this year was no exception, with club secretary Peter Everingham once again finding a “new” historic country residence to form an elegant backdrop to the proceedings. This year it was Walton Hall, a stately home hotel and country club deep in the countryside near Stratford-Upon-Avon. There has been a manor house and chapel on the site since the 16th century, although the current building and adjacent chapel date mainly from the 18th century.

Initial estimates indicate that the turnout was well in excess of two hundred Ferraris, with a few classic gems within the assembled ranks forming a red carpet on the lawns surrounding the main building. The oldest example in attendance was a 195 Inter Ghia coupe, chassis # 093S, from 1950, sold new to Venezuela, and of which's subsequent history little is known. The last known public appearance is believed to have been at the Techno Classica show in Essen, Germany, in 2004.

It was also nice to see the the Worth's 166 MM/53 Vignale Spider, chassis # 0308M, which they have owned since 1960, and drive regularly to and from events in the old tradition. There was also a 250 Testa Rossa, chassis # 0738TR, which was raced by owner Carlos Monteverde in the Historic Challenge at Spa the previous weekend. Terry Hoyle once again came up with something a bit special, a marvellous 330 P, chassis # 0822, which has recently been reunited with its original engine, and historically finished 3rd at both Sebring and Le Mans in 1964 in the hands of Bandini/Surtees.

GT car fans had the rare sight of a pair of 250 GT LWB Tour de France 14 louvre berlinettas. The first was chassis # 0647GT, in partially restored form, understood to be built up on the original chassis obtained from Ed Niles in the USA, although the stamping is in the wrong place and in the wrong style of ciphers on the left side of the front cross member. The second was chassis # 0707GT, resplendent in its Ecurie Francorchamps livery of red with yellow and black stripes.

There was also a pair of the succeeding 250 GT SWB berlinettas, chassis # 1995GT, of Richard Colton, and the ex-Rob Walker dark blue and white liveried chassis # 2735GT, of Clive Beecham. Other 250 GT models in attendance included a 250 GT PF Coupé, a trio of 250 GTEs, plus Hugh James’ 250 GT Lusso, which looked supremely elegant with its pale metallic green coachwork. Also from the sixties was an extensive line-up of 275 GTBs in both two and four camshaft forms, including a French registered example, chassis # 10537, which looked very elegant in a dark gunmetal finish, plus there was a trio of rarely seen 275 GTS models. There was a healthy Dino 246GT and GTS presence, and the H.R. Owen Car of the Day Trophy, went to the Dino 246 GT, chassis # 03980, of Stewart Ross.

Nigel & Shirley Chiltern-Hunt brought their 512 BB/LM, chassis # 26685, resplendent in its original “clouds and doves” Le Mans livery from 1979, whilst Sally & Dudley Mason-Styrron made a welcome reappearance at a Club concours with their Tasman Dino, chassis # 0010. A more modern single seater was shown by Paul Osborn’s Cars International, this being the ex-Jean Alesi F93A F1 car, chassis # 143, which Paul had run spectacularly at the Spa Ferrari Days meeting the previous weekend. For enthusiasts of modern exotica there were examples of all the “supercar” series, GTO, F40 F50, Enzo and even the latest limited offering from the factory, an FXX, looking very mean in its dark metallic blue and white livery.

© Keith Bluemel 14/07/2006