Hang on, what have we got here?
These pictures were posted via-via on a Facebook page recently.
Could it really be this car?
That would be awesome. I'm not convinced though. Perhaps it's just a bit too red and too shiny.
Who knows more?
UPDATE 21 February 2014: The photographer, Virginio Bolla, calls in: "Hi Jeroen. I have seen this Mini at Automotoretro in Torino and I spoke to the owner. He says that this Mini was a present of Enzo to his father. Originally from Issigoniss or Cooper, it came in red but Ferrari wanted to respray it in metallic silver because he supposedly said that the only red car in the world is a Ferrari. This new owner some year ago resprayed it in Tartan red but the paint job is poorly executed and there are too much bubbles. Some guys here in Italy say it is not the real Mini of Enzo because there are some details that don't coincide. Tomorrow I will send you some more photos. Ciao, Virginio."
These Italian guys may well be right. I've had several messages from people who spot differences. The cleverest of them looked really good at the front valance: "This Mini has the later type valance, where the real car in the famous picture of Alec and Enzo standing by the Mini, the front valance is of the pre-'64 type, smooth round, and no cut out ventilation for the brakes." Well spotted.
UPDATE 25 February 2014: Detail pictures from inside and outside are now published, as well as all the information from the paperwork displayed on the car. Click here
These pictures were posted via-via on a Facebook page recently.
Could it really be this car?
That would be awesome. I'm not convinced though. Perhaps it's just a bit too red and too shiny.
Who knows more?
UPDATE 21 February 2014: The photographer, Virginio Bolla, calls in: "Hi Jeroen. I have seen this Mini at Automotoretro in Torino and I spoke to the owner. He says that this Mini was a present of Enzo to his father. Originally from Issigoniss or Cooper, it came in red but Ferrari wanted to respray it in metallic silver because he supposedly said that the only red car in the world is a Ferrari. This new owner some year ago resprayed it in Tartan red but the paint job is poorly executed and there are too much bubbles. Some guys here in Italy say it is not the real Mini of Enzo because there are some details that don't coincide. Tomorrow I will send you some more photos. Ciao, Virginio."
These Italian guys may well be right. I've had several messages from people who spot differences. The cleverest of them looked really good at the front valance: "This Mini has the later type valance, where the real car in the famous picture of Alec and Enzo standing by the Mini, the front valance is of the pre-'64 type, smooth round, and no cut out ventilation for the brakes." Well spotted.
UPDATE 25 February 2014: Detail pictures from inside and outside are now published, as well as all the information from the paperwork displayed on the car. Click here
Coachbuilt / converted front looks similar to the Austin Cooper S which Enzo Ferrari drove
Picture courtesy Virginio Bolla
Colour seems too obvious and wipers are directed wrong way. But where were these shots taken?
Picture courtesy Virginio Bolla
I got these pictures from Virginnio Bolla on facebook. if that could be of any help.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much indeed!
DeleteThis mini has the later type valance, where the real car in the famous picture of Alec and enzo standing by the mini, the Front valance is of the pre 64 type, smooth round, and no cut out ventilation for the brakes,
ReplyDeleteMost restored early cars done in the last thirty years have probably had a later front panel fitted, hardly a smoking gun to disprove it's authenticity.
ReplyDeleteEnzo had 3 - yes TREE Mini Coopers, and the ones in the 2 old pictures are 2 different cars, with 2 different valances, one clearly has the factory seam showing, where wing & front meets, you can also see the difference in the shape of the wing, from the headlight rim & down towards the park light,
ReplyDelete