An additional source for GTE information

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:56 am

Hey gang – for some time I have had ideas on other information that might be of interest to the GTE community. Not wanting to hog Tom Y’s bandwidth, I thought I would start my own website and link it here where appropriate. I have no interest in messing with a good thing, so I do not plan to have a bulletin board. Anything of interest on my site will be discussed here anyway, so I see no reason to reinvent the wheel! I also thought I would focus on the GTE as Kerry has already covered the 330 GT 2+2 quite nicely ( http://www.parrotbyte.com/330gtregistry ).

The first step I have taken is to publish my collection of GTE related magazine articles. I have about 170 such articles from 1960 to the present, most of which are on the site. I still have more to scan, but have enough posted to keep people occupied for quite some time. I really enjoy reading these articles; not only to learn more about the history of my car, but to learn what it was like to own such a machine in the early 60’s.

Things that I have in the works include a page listing the cars used in these articles by serial number. Bill Preston of the GTE Register is helping me with this, but if you know your car was used in any of these articles, let me know! I also would like to develop a history of the car; maybe Wikipedia style? I have also thought of a page referencing which other cars might be sources for parts for the GTE (ie: Fiat water pumps).

The other challenge that I would like take on is a blog on the restoration of my own GTE. I have yet to write the first one, but it will come soon. Tom Y has let me know what a challenge this can be, but I think it would be fun and can use your advice as I work on the car. Besides, knowing that people are watching over my shoulder may force me to keep up a regular work schedule on the car. It is time for me to get this baby running!

Along that line, if anybody else would like to try their hand at a blog, I have set up the site to handle it. PM me and I will get you on line.

So, check out www.ferrari250gte.com and let me know what you think.

Michael Bayer · Post by **Michael Bayer** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:27 am

Tom: A terrific site, great narratives, much to see and learn. BRAVO

rhb · Post by **rhb** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:29 pm

WOW! Tom this is fantastic! I have been looking for something like this for years. I also enjoy reading these types of articles about our cars, but they are so hard to track down and get a copy of them. Now, to have a library of all these articles to share in one place is fantastic (sorry I can't stop using that term, I am just so impressed).

Thanks for making my (car) life a little brighter!

sam231 · Post by **sam231** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:40 pm

Well done Tom! Who knows, this might be the start of a wave ending in the Tom W party ;>)

Sam

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:07 pm

Robert - I am amazed myself how much coverage our "unloved" car has gotten over the years. I have a number of continuing searches set on eBay and every couple of weeks, another item pops up that I did not know about. It is also interesting to see how much coverage the car got in Australia in the 60's and in the Netherlands today (though I think that is Yvo Alexandars doing). Hopefully, by mentioning my interest, people from other countries will turn me on to articles from their home. And Robert, as you read, let me know if any need to be rescanned. I have looked at this site so many times, that I often see what I think should be, not what actually is! Since sending the post last night, I have already spotted and fixed 5 or 6 errors that I had missed for quite some time.

Sam - At least at this point, the party would logicly be held in a library (or even virtually on eBay)! As the blog gets going, you will see that my garage is not exactly set up for crowds, but if you guys want to come over one at a time, you will be more than welcome. I will greet you at the door with a glass of wine and a wrench...

sam231 · Post by **sam231** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:31 pm

Wow, now that's an invitation! And me a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux, its' like a flame to a moth! Maybe something can be done.................

Sincerely, great work Tom, and I do hope someday to make it out your way.

David Booth · Post by **David Booth** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:25 pm

I'd have posted my congratulations on your terrific new site earlier, Tom. But I got so engrossed in reading the many articles I'd never seen before, that I suddenly realized I was in danger of leaving a client standing in my lobby for a previously scheduled meeting and I jumped up and ran for the car keys.

I think I may have a couple of articles that you don't have in your collection as yet - let me know if you want them scanned.

There's so much on the site that's wonderfully nostalgic. The 1963 Playboy article by Ken Purdy is a classic. And I love the full-on test report from the Finnish magazine with Kare's translation. Interesting to see what's important for car buyers in a country where they get REAL weather.

Excellent work on the site - it's a wonderful addition to our community.

afwrench · Post by **afwrench** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:54 pm

Great job Tom. You guys {Tom, Tom , Kerry, and Jeff } with the talent to get websites like this up and running are making history by keeping history alive. Thanks, Mike

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:10 pm

David - I do get a kick out of each countries priorities. The U.S. seems to focus on statistics, but I prefer the British, who always want to know how the gals on the street (or if it is from the 60's, the "Birds") react as they drive by!

If you have anything that I do not have, by all means, send it over.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:49 pm

Tom,

Very cool, nice job! I'm already in your back yard so you've been warned. Diet coke, synchrometer at the door please.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:11 pm

Ok, for those of you who need incentive in order to venture into something new, I am offering up a treasure hunt. I am suggesting you go onto the site and find a magazine called Onschatbare Klassieker. Now I'm not going to tell you where it is, so you will have to search the site yourself. However, if you find it, you will see an outstanding collection of photos of the GTE. I will admit that it being from the Netherlands, I have no idea what the text says, but it looks like a pretty thorough history of the car.

So what is your prize? A photograph of all the parts of a restored GTE engine, laid out on a red table. Pure vintage Ferrari porn! It is currently on two pages of this article, but I may put them together just for my own viewing pleasure. Actually, presented this way, it doesn't look so complicated...

There are many other such gems in there. Go find them!

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:51 pm

Found it. Awesome parts photos! Noted one black and one orange oil filter versus the standard two orange colored oil filters.

Everyone needs to find this article!

Lucky for me, I am fluent in Dutch.

Thanks, Tom.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 33o GT s/n 8705

Tom Wilson · Post by **Tom Wilson** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:56 am

So can you translate it for us?

Rudy van Daalen Wetters · Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:24 am

Sure. I'll print it out, translate it, and send you a copy of the text in English. Also, I may have some articles for your web site. A few years ago, I purchased a GTE 'bible' that a previous owner had compiled back in the 70's. Some good technical articles as well.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705

Musicman · Post by **Musicman** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:29 pm

Tom

What a great site - I've spent several hours already browsing all the information, much of which I had not seen before.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to pull this all together and sharing with us fellow GTE enthusiasts.

Graham