RESTORATION AND CERTIFICATION
Ferrari Classiche was established specifically to provide restoration and maintenance services, technical assistance and Certificates of Authenticity to owners of classic Ferraris.
Housed in the former Ferrari foundry, the Classiche offices and workshop, which cover 950 square metres within the Maranello factory, were officially opened by Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, in July 2006.
CLASSICHE RESTORATION
Ferrari’s very first GT cars roared out of the factory in Maranello in 1948 and some 60 years on, the majority of these cars still survive.
Their owners are naturally anxious that they remain in perfect working order, safe and as thrilling to drive today as they were when they were first built.
Maintaining and servicing such sophisticated cars is an extremely specialised and delicate process, one which most garages are unable to undertake. This is why Ferrari offers its clients a first-class restoration service aimed at protecting the heritage of these classic vehicles.
Every individual component of a Ferrari is designed and constructed with an uncompromising focus on outstanding performance.
Detailed information on each of these components, from every Ferrari ever built, is stored in the company’s extensive archive.
All assembly sheets, plus all the original designs, dating back to 1947 are also stored. And because Ferrari Classiche has access to the in-house foundry and the very same tooling machines used to make the original parts, the department’s team of experts is able to restore any Ferrari to its pristine, original condition.
If any non-original mechanical parts are found, the car may still be restored to its authentic condition as Ferrari can produce or supply spares conforming to the original specifications and manufactured using original designs and specialist machinery.
The manufacture and supply of original components is clearly an essential part of the restoration and maintenance service provided by Ferrari Classiche to help owners fully restore historic Ferrari models to their original splendour.
CERTIFICATION & AUTHENTIFICATION
For more than 60 years, Ferrari cars have been eagerly sought after by classic car collectors the world over. One of the main functions of the Ferrari Classiche department is to issue Certificates of Authenticity to road-going Ferraris over 20 years old and all Ferrari competition cars, including Formula 1 single-seaters of any age.
The Certificates officially attest to the cars’ authenticity and also provide important documentation for buyers should the certified vehicles ever be sold on.
Another advantage is that all certified cars are permitted to take part in official Ferrari events including, for instance, the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, which takes place in Europe and North America.
During the certification process, the cars undergo a thorough inspection at the Classiche HQ in Maranello.
Using Ferrari’s extensive historical archives, a committee of experts known as COCER (Certification Committee), chaired by Ferrari Vice President Piero Ferrari, evaluates the technical characteristics of each car put forward for certification.
This technical examination of the car is the most important step in the process. It reveals whether the car is fully functioning, and if its chassis, engine, gearbox, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels, bodywork and interior are original or at least comply with the original specifications.
Authenticating Your Ferrari Through the Classiche Program
Skeets Dunn has owned more than 125 Ferraris and had about 40 restored, and his daily driver is a 550 Maranello, so you could say he knows an authentic collectible Ferrari when he sees one. Since 2007, however, Dunn and many other Ferrari owners and collectors have turned to the factory’s Classiche Program, which is available through authorized Ferrari dealers, to authenticate and certify their treasured machines.
Dunn described the ongoing problem of individuals trying to replicate rare and highly valued Ferraris using parts from more widely produced models, and pointed out that Classiche certification can help identify and filter out the fakes. Dunn owns an original 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider and said that some sellers continue to try passing off Spiders converted from coupes as originals.
“Classiche certification is like an additional insurance policy,” Dunn said. “If someone comes up with a car with the same serial number, it’s not going to have the correct engine number, transmission number or the right internal number in the motor,” he said. “Classiche is a good process. It adds to the authenticity of what you own, and to the car’s value, I feel.” Dunn has encouraged friends to put their Ferraris through the program, as well.
Ferrari collector Mike Alessandro also believes the Classiche Program can help support a collectible Ferrari’s value. “It settles issues that might otherwise have people arguing about forever,” he said, explaining that some very rare Ferrari models, including a few he has owned, can stir debate. As an example, his 275 GTB/4, which was Ferrari’s Paris Auto Show Car in 1967, has an external fuel filler, like the very rare competition model, but it is purely a road model. Alessandro said the original build sheets showed this to be a correct feature for this particular car, and the car was certified through Classiche. The special 275 GTB/4 also has the original green-tinted headlights installed to conform to French regulations.
Likewise, Alessandro’s 250 GT California SWB, which he’s since sold, was the first one built and had several differences from those that followed, including a metal dashboard. Here again, the Ferrari Classiche Program authenticated and certified the car, settling any debate. “Every serious collector knew I owned that car,” said Alessandro. “But when I sold it, it was important to the buyer that it had Classiche certification.” Alessandro has also had a Daytona Spider and a 246 Dino “Chairs and Flares” model certified, among others.
Classiche Program