Ferrari Craft » The Shop

Friends At The Shop

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:55:13 +0000

Bill (Lockwood) stopped by with some of his friends from the automotive community: professional driver Matthew Johnson, who’s competed in rally and ESPN X Games for many years; Chrissie Beavis, a co-driver, driver, X Games host, and architect from San Diego; and Warwick Patterson, a videographer and classic car event promoter from British Colombia. They’d met up with Bill for a few days before heading to Maine for the New England Forest Rally (gallery here) and Warwick captured some of their adventures in Vermont – including a trip to RPM.

Video Postcard – Vermont – July 2010 from Warwick Patterson on Vimeo.

Open House

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:13:30 +0000

We hosted an open house last weekend and with all the kids, the Bugatti type 52 was put through the paces, performing impeccably lap after lap around the shop. Later that weekend Ruby drove the car in the Vergennes, VT. Memorial day parade with her friends screaming with delight seeing her in that little car.

These type of events typically stress me out because we have to stop all projects no matter how pressing they may be so we can wash windows, mop floors and visit our shop deferred maintenance list, I checked off making a new paper towel holder in the bathroom and organizing the stainless steel trim screw drawer among other things. After dinner I realized that everyone was having a great time and took a few notes on what people were doing to enjoy the settings and copied them. I ended up having a great time and cannot wait until next year. Was Memorial day weekend the right time? It’s certainly better than when we had the party in February!

Open house closed porsche

Speeding Bugatti

Cool Roll off Truck

admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 18:24:25 +0000

Here is a cool idea for a car hauler, a roll off container that goes flat on the ground and pulls right up on the truck. I saw this at Lime Rock Park a few weeks ago, cannot remember what was in the back of the truck…

Car Hauler

GPS Classic

admin — Sun, 23 May 2010 11:49:27 +0000

GPS Classic had a lot going on when we arrived in Soragna to uncrate the 212. They operate a shop very much like RPM, but in Italy. Within the shop are a large number of Ferraris, Alfas, Oscas, and about 5 vintage Formula 3 cars. During Mille Miglia, GPS Classic takes care of a number of cars. We followed the 212 0086E in our service vehicle, while the first of the GPS Classic vans followed a couple of the other cars.

Other GPS Classic posts are here: http://www.ferraricraft.com/2010/05/mille-miglia-day-0/

and

here: http://www.ferraricraft.com/2010/05/ferrari-250-mille-miglia/

The plate that RPM made for the 212 in Vermont. Looks just like the original.

These are 175/550-13 tires on Campagnolo wheels... these where some of the narrower ones. The big ones got into the 15" wide territory.

Formula 3 - I think this was a Manta. There were Loti as well, and lots of Cosworth bits everywhere.

There are a few of these racks.

[Video] Bugatti Type 52 Driving

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:07:58 +0000

Racing it is not, especially with Ruby who is such a cautious driver but she will get some more seat time later this summer. We are thinking of trading this original 1927 car for a couple of the reproduction “Pur Sang” cars so the kids can race around without worrying about destroying something valuable.

The Bugatti type 52 performed beautifully and the hand operated brakes stopped the car with confidence, “my cars are made to go, not to stop”.

Read more about the Bugatti Type 52 here: http://www.ferraricraft.com/2010/03/baby-bugatti/

Old Times at RPM

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:02:22 +0000

Sometimes the shop can be a pretty nostalgic place, a pack of 60’s cars downstairs, tractors outside, and a Deusy upstairs – upon arrival, a visitor could feel like the result of a successful time-machine test.

This picture is more timeless than most and embodies the outside of the shop on a cold winter day. The wreaths have been put away now and the icicles have been replaced with rains’ drizzle. The tractor is, of course, an Oliver. A 1954 Super 55 diesel receiving a full overhaul, from the mains on up. At the time, the Super 55 was Oliver’s first compact tractor with enough muscle to do a good bit of work.

[Updated] Part Identification – Ferrari Measuring Tool

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:50:38 +0000

Perhaps with a little bit of embarrassment, we revisit this post. Read below for the original post from Feb. 25th and further down for the update.

A woman recently contacted us with a Ferrari tool that she couldn’t identify. I asked around and we had some ideas, but had never seen one of these before. So, we open it up to our readers – a few thousand minds are better than our Safety-Kleen soaked brains.

Note the tool has the Ferrari name embossed on it and a gauge to provide measurement, most likely of angle or distance. Is this some sort a measuring device to check for wear or stretch in an assembly?

THE UPDATE:
There’s good reason that we couldn’t identify this tool. The woman who sent us the picture didn’t mention that it was spring loaded and not very long. And despite years and years of experience, touching virtually every single model of pre-1990 Ferrari road car, we haven’t ever seen this part.

Another reader, Pete Gagnon, came through… this part is actually a lever, held under spring tension, used not to open a boot lid or a bonnet, but cabinetry. How anti-climatic is that? A part stamped Ferrari is sold as IKEA cabinet hinge hardware – however, if needed we these could install a set on your car regardless of make.

Internally sprung Ferrari hinge hardware with a lock-open catch - from IKEA.

The Shop – March 2010

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:41:57 +0000

Bill took a few pictures from around the shop today that show both the range and the beauty of some of the cars that we are working on. Sometimes I fear that there is too much “range” and not enough beauty! Bill takes outstanding photos that look super pro. Have I written a post on Bill yet? Bill, can you write a post on yourself, introduce yourself?

Upstairs: the Osca, Whitehead Special, and a silver Ferrari

Downstairs: The rare green 330 GTC and a deep inventory of stored classics, projects, and restorations.

Ferrari 750 Monza at Restoration and Performance Motorcars in Vermont

Baby Bugatti

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:19:57 +0000

Here is a lovely child’s toy Bugatti that we have had kicking around the shop. It took some time to locate the odd sized tires and we need to tune up the potentiometer (gas pedal) but when the weather warms up the kids will be able to do some hot laps in this spectacular go kart. Since I am a sucker for details, this little car freaks me out – with beautiful cast wheels, a hollow forged front axle, and Ducellier electrical components – it isn’t really the toy that it appears.

These original Bugatti toys are very valuable, so this car would best be sold to a collector and replaced with a replica – so I can feel more comfortable letting the kids drive it around.

Baby Bugatti

Crocodile, Alligator?

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:14:14 +0000

I brought this up from Florida for a friend of a friend. Cool.

Alligator