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Ferrari 3747
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| October 02, A good 20 footer on arrival. |
3747 on its “restoration chassis," December 2001. |
Evidence of its original blue (note hinge & pinch weld areas). |
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Ferrari 400 Super America chassis number 3747 looked pretty good on arrival. The last short wheelbase 400 in the miniscule production run of similar cars, 3747 sported a white-over-silver two-tone paint scheme with a comfortably worn red interior.
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It was a perfect "20 footer." Closer inspection, however, revealed numerous areas needing attention. 3747 was to join a particular collection of superb, award-winning Ferraris & the standard of restoration expected was simple, excellence!
Step 1, disassembly, saw car come entirely to bits with the objective to bring it back to the condition it once enjoyed on the fateful day it left its original home, the Ferrari factory. Documentation & research commenced to define the car’s pedigree.
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Evidence of Chinetti’s left rear 1/4 story.
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The “Tin Worm” had just started to take hold in several areas.
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Eradicating the evil worms.
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Mechanical bits ready for restoration.
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Though acquired prior to our restoration in Europe, this car was originally imported by Luigi Chinetti for sale in the United States. Chinetti told a story about Super America 3747. Soon after importation he had the buyer coming, and wanted to be sure the car was ready. He assigned one of his mechanics to drive the car down to a nearby filling station for a splash of pre-delivery gas. The trip seemed to take a good bit longer than it should and we can only imagine the tension in the air as the mechanic pulled back into the dealership. It always happens when there is not a mark on a car and it had happened again; this top of the line shiny new Ferrari had magnetically attracted some unlucky…dare we say unaware, taxicab driver’s hack, which was carelessly drawn to the beauty of 3747’s left rear fender.
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Approximately 4 decades later, with the layers of paint removed, we were pleased to see the dent still there, a little less dramatic & filled with plastic, but clearly as described. Though repainted & repaired as needed 3747, had never been restored.
Interior out, chrome & trim off and to the platers, mechanical components all to pieces, and soon 3747 was but a shell of its former self. Corrosion repair followed a thorough media blasting, then the shell & hinged panels found themselves in the Automotive Restorations Paint Shop. The correct color, Connolly hide, was located (a challenge with the then recent Connolly Bros. bankruptcy), as engine, transmission & numerous other mechanical components reached completion. Research, research & more research accompanied to be sure. 3747 had the credentials for the exacting, judged exhibits & competitions to which it was bound.
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Charlie puts the finishing touches
on the heart and sould
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Rebuilt suspension
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Much better.
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All the hinged panels soon follow.
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Suspension & other key bits “fall” into place.
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Looking up, but still “heartless,” May 8.
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November 2002, and just the right shade of dark blue now adorns the body as various small but needed bits of “unobtainia” arrive weekly. The assembly process starts in earnest. Item by item, layer by layer, the finished product starts to peek out from the beehive of activity that surrounds it. By June, it is ready for serious testing.
This car has to perform exactly as it should. Yes, the owner will both show & drive this car. The big things are easy and soon accomplished, but each switch, latch, control or other bit of Ferrari lure must feel & function exactly as it should. A delight to undertake, but it all takes valuable time in the ramp up to Ferrari 400 Super America 3747’s debut at the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It’s always a photo finish. We cannot tell you why. Nerves intertwine with reality & expectation with apprehension. The process focuses all resources on the objective such that this thoroughbred is done, tested, preened, polished then on a truck bound for the Monterey Peninsula in late July.
We all “head West” shortly thereafter. Once looking out over the Pacific, a measure of pre-event tweaking is undertaken.
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Engine rebuilt & settling into its home.
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Parts start to find their way back to the shell.
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Just the right red!
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3747 en route to becoming a car.
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Mechanical components and bright work take shape.
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Final fussing finished and 3747 completes the 50-mile pre-event tour in fine style with nary an incident of skittish thoroughbred behavior. Sunday morning finds our entry among a field of absolutely incredible Ferraris on a lawn bathed in the best of the best. It is nearly impossible to find fault with any of the cars in our class. At day’s end, we are rewarded with a second-place finish. First has been awarded to a very special “on-off” example built specifically for one of Ferrari’s patrons of the era. We are all delighted as we load 3747 for the trip home.
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Exhibit at Pebble Beach was followed by showing at Cavallino Classic in January, where the car garnered first in class, The Honorary Judges Cup and Best Restoration. 3747 was again exhibited at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, where it not only won its class, but was awarded best of show among a very distinguished group of Ferraris and other automobiles.
Awards aside, restoring this Ferrari was a delight & we feel privileged to have been given the opportunity. 3747 is owned by Peter Kalikow. Peter is an exceptionally knowledgeable Ferrari aficionado & historian. He is dedicated to perfection and a pleasure to work with. We all thank Peter for his support, advice, research & extensive documentation. He was a key part of the success of this project & we cannot thank him enough.
We also would like to thank David Carte for all his unselfishly offered advice & assistance. David is an extremely accomplished restorer and helped this project through several “road blocks.”
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Dashboard and controls...all must look and feel just right.
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June 2003, first test, and it almost all works.
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Final tests and touches.
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Late July, the final test ...what a car!
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On the lawn at last.
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Looking.
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And more looking, just to be sure.
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So, what does Jackie Stewart think?
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Finally, results like this depend on the focus & energy of the individual craftspeople involved. Charlie Webb, Craig Cronin, Mike Pollock, Anthony Blankley, & Jim Kinsella should all take a bow. Many thanks to one and all for a job well done.
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This . . .
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. . . to this, the 18-month gestation.
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3747 featured
in Forza Magazine
Click here for the full article
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