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Topic starter
28/12/2022 11:54 am
Built in 1967 at Modena on a Ferrari 250 chassis with the 3.0 liter Colombo V12 engine, SoCal native/expatriot Tom Meade reimagined one of my all time favorite designs, the 330 P4, into street car with a few SoCal design cues. The back story on Meade is fascinating. He was born in Hollywood, grew up in Hawaii and Australia and later after a stint in the US Navy, returned to his home base with a strong desire to own a Ferrari. Unable to afford what was available and hearing that there were numerous retired racing Ferraris in Modena that could be had on the cheap, with $50 in his pocket, he hitchhiked to New Orleans, signed on to a freighter bound for Norway and from there, managed to reach Modena Italy. He hung around and even collaborated with all the Italian coachbuilders and mechanics there and even managed to ingratiate himself with both Maserati and with Enzo Ferrari himself. His first car was built on a Maserati 350 S as well as an Arkus-Duntov designed racing Corvette V8 from the Comoradi race team. From that, his shop centered on restoring and customizing Maseratis and Ferraris, repurposing them for the street. His crowning achievements were the Thomassimas 1,ll and lll. Sadly Enzo Ferrari would not OK the #2 car to be branded as a Ferrari. Given the animosity back then with Ford, he may have not wanted give his blessing to an American coachbuilder.
David Green and Paul Rouffa reacted
28/12/2022 11:56 am
Great pics, as usual, Rich. But, a fascinating story as well.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Rich Sufficool reacted
28/12/2022 12:49 pm
I've never heard of this car. Cool history & it is certainly interesting to look at.
John Kuvakas and Rich Sufficool reacted
Topic starter
28/12/2022 1:50 pm
@gavin I just read it was put up on eBay at a "Buy It Now" for $9,000,000. The consensus it that it won't reach that high because it never received Enzo's sanction as a Ferrari.
John Kuvakas reacted
28/12/2022 2:05 pm
Very interesting car! I think I read somewhere that Enzo thought it looked too much like a Corvette - No matter, it is indeed a striking car and a cool looking model. Funny that my favorite 1:18 of 2022 is also a modified Ferrari - the 365 P2/P3 Drogo
David Green and Rich Sufficool reacted
28/12/2022 2:07 pm
Interesting blend of styles Rich, and a fascinating story. I had not heard of this one before. I can see why you like it so much.
28/12/2022 4:48 pm
I fully understand why Enzo would not give his blessing to a second car. The first one is BUTT-UGLY! And... I WANT ONE!
What an interesting story. I never saw this car and, naturally, knew nothing of its history. I'd love to have a 1:18 scale version in my collection!
28/12/2022 7:23 pm
Add my name to the list of those who have ZERO prior knowledge of this Vette-like-Ferrari; it makes for an interesting model though.
Topic starter
29/12/2022 10:42 am
@marty-johnson It was 5 months before the model miraculously showed up at my door, The official USPS investigation pronounced it irrevocably lost 2 months prior and the model was already sold out. I got it from Guangchou, China and although my written address was accurate, the bar code affixed in China was incorrect. I tracked the box all over the US and it even got within 40 miles of me. I guess someone stopped using a scanner and actually read the address.
Marty Johnson and Christopher Moroni reacted
29/12/2022 7:40 pm
The car looks hideous to me but the model would be neat to have.