Rezzaghi Motors -- San Francisco

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jsa330
Posts: 512
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2003 8:41 am
Location: Dallas, Texas

Rezzaghi Motors -- San Francisco

Post by jsa330 »

Since the topic of history searches has come up up, has anyone heard of or remember this dealership? According to 330 Registry, they were the importer and sold #5409 to first owner.

You guys who are actively researching your cars' histories are lighting a fire under me...the 330 has been on the back burner except for regular driving and maintenance...life has been too busy and the garage at our new house too clogged with unresolved junk.
Current: 1983 308 GTS
R.I.P: 330 2+2 s/n 5409
LARRY
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Location: Saratoga, Calif.

Rezzaghi Motors

Post by LARRY »

I remember it.
It was just a body shop at the foot of Hyde Street half a block up from the Buena Vista Cafe, around the corner from the Maritime Museum at Aquatic Park. I remember being offered a Lusso with a smashed front end sitting in front one day for $5000.00 That was probably in the late sixties.
A real hole in the wall.
I think the Buena Vista is still there.
Michael Greenspan
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Post by Michael Greenspan »

My car (4969) was originally sold by Rezzaghi Motors and according to Kerry's data base they were at 271 Hyde St in San Francisco. Ed Garbutt told me the story of his getting the car from Rezzaghi at the bankruptcy sale in 1967 - seemed Rezzaghi died very suddenly and the bank discovered that there were lots of papers but not too many cars - so they liquidated. I have a badge that was for the members of the Northern California Ferrari club but Ed wasn't sure that the club really existed. Oh, by the way, Ed talked about a Lusso that was on the dealers floor but was kind of a mess - wires dangling, interior apart, etc so he decided that the 330 America was a better deal - I guess we have those kind of stories - my father nixed a deal for a 300SL gull wing for under $3000 (yes there are no missing zeroes). If you want to find out more about Rezzaghi, I can ask Ed.
jsa330
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Post by jsa330 »

Larry, Michael:

Thanks very much for the info--firsthand historic observations, no less! I had made a personal guess that R. Motors was a small outfit, with some business connection to Ferrari beyond being a repair shop.

Who were the main Ferrari dealers on the West coast in the 50's and 60's?

Michael, I'd appreciate any and all further info about Rezzaghi--it's kind of you to offer. Like you, I'm lucky enough to have a full ownership history, though my car wasn't "one owner", as yours was. I purchased from the third owner, a nice guy who gave me all the info he could, including a phone number and address for the second, who didn't respond to either calls or correspondence. I have written #2 off as a contact. I would like to talk to the first owner or a family member, but so far have procrastinated on pursuing it, out of fear of rubbing someone the wrong way and then hitting a stone wall.
Current: 1983 308 GTS
R.I.P: 330 2+2 s/n 5409
Lowell
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Rerzzaghi Motors

Post by Lowell »

Gee, I bought a Alfa Romeo Spyder from him in 1961
and picked it up in Switzerland with Italian EE plates.
The deal was done at his horse ranch outside of Palo Alto.
Lowell Brown
1966 Gold 330 2+2 Series II
Michael Greenspan
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Post by Michael Greenspan »

Actually I am the third owner. Rezzaghi sold the car to George Neary. He had it for a couple of years put on 20+ kmiles and then returned (traded it in?) it to Rezzaghi. It sat there until Ed fell in love with it and as he told me wasn't going to let the car get away from him. Ed owned it from '67 until 2003. I will see if I get a contribution from Ed.
Ruedi
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Post by Ruedi »

There was some discussion about one of Rezzaghi's Alfa Romeos here: http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=3832. Not much info about him personally, but one AlfaBB members looked up the California Death Index and found information that Charles L. Rezzaghi died in San Francisco on 4 August 1966.
Because one of my Alfa's (not quite as nice or rare a car as the one discussed in the link above) may have been imported by Rezzaghi, I'm also interested in learning more about him.
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Bryan P
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Post by Bryan P »

My dad was in that place a few times in '59 and '60 and remembers it being called "Charlie Rezzaghi's La Scuderia Rossa."
1968 365 GT 2+2
s/n 11199
1955 s.II 500 Mondial
s/n 0556(0446)MD
1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale
jsa330
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Location: Dallas, Texas

Post by jsa330 »

Bryan P wrote:My dad was in that place a few times in '59 and '60 and remembers it being called "Charlie Rezzaghi's La Scuderia Rossa."
I wonder what his personal connection with Ferrari was -- to have a small independent shop that sold new cars. Ex-factory mechanic, maybe?

It's neat that your dad can pass on memories like that.
Current: 1983 308 GTS
R.I.P: 330 2+2 s/n 5409
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330GT
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Post by 330GT »

In the 1966 Organizzazione di Venditi e di Assistenza book, Rezzaghi Motors is listed on 271 Hyde Street, San Francisco. It's shown with both service and sales symbols.

So it was an official dealership.
Regards, Kerry
http://www.330gt.com 330 GT Registry
http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari 250 PF Coupe 1643GT, 330 GT 2+2 8755GT, 308 GTS 23605
slewman
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Post by slewman »

Hi, 330gt

Is it possible for you to scan and email to me the page from the Assistenza Book and the cover page ?

Thanks,
slewsf@pacbell.net
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330GT
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Post by 330GT »

On the way to you now.

BTW, I noticed that I gave the wrong address. It's 2715 Hyde Street, not 271.

Also, Rezzaghi is NOT listed in the 1967 S&A book, so their demise was probably sometime in 1966.
Regards, Kerry
http://www.330gt.com 330 GT Registry
http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari 250 PF Coupe 1643GT, 330 GT 2+2 8755GT, 308 GTS 23605
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