I took it to a glass company to have a mold made, so we could sell bodies... then found out that it is thought to be a copy of a 50's Ferrari, a Bimbo Racer. The shop was told that if they reproduce the body, a law suit would follow!
I know this body need a lot of work!!!
The company I took it to gave me a price range of what to sell it for with an absolute bottom dollar!
I'm told that Ferrari had these made and will (and have) go after anyone who tries to reproduce them.
I don't know, personally, but I respect the source and take his word for it.
Smokin' Joe... the body was removed from the chassis in about 1970, when the owner outgrew the body. He continued using the chassis until he outgrew it as well. It was not to be found when I picked up the body.
I've been given a price range to sell in with a recommended minimum.
Comparing what you have to the originals they are not anything alike. The door openings are different ,the seat , the dash , the grill and headlights would of been cut out if it came from Italy . complete and flawless they sell between 4 and 6 grand US
-- Edited by slim on Saturday 5th of December 2015 08:39:13 PM
I see the similarities with the Bimb.
I also see the differences.
I am not saying it is anything other than what you see.
Not trying to scam anyone. Just conveying what I've been told.
If nothing else, i hope to gain some knowledge from this.
I disagree with the shop you dealt with though as I don't believe what you have actually started life as a Bimbo (simply going off of pictures on the 'net).
How does one put a value on something when no one truly knows (for sure) what it really is (or started out as)? I wonder if someone took a mold off an original Bimbo, then made enough changes to the body so Ferrari couldn't sue them? Or is it just an old Merry-Go-Round body (having no ties to Bimbo) that resembles a Ferrari?
It would be interesting to know what it really is either way. It does have the makings of a neat little toy and it could, with a bit of work, be changed to more resemble a real Bimbo.
I do remember hearing about Ferrari going after the builders and sellers of Ferrari styled kit car bodies. I also believe eBay sellers of Ferrari appearing kit cars are forbidden to use the name Ferrari in their ads.
I'll start the bidding at $20
-- Edited by chips on Sunday 6th of December 2015 03:24:18 PM
True, I cannot confirm it is a Bimbo.
It is interesting that the serial number is in a similar location. Sadly, someone has made a repair over the serial number...I can faintly see but cannot make it out.
I'm sure the shop where it was, probably wanted to protect themselves against a potential law suit. Which might be why they were pushing it to be a Bimbo...
I see the differences! I do! I don't believe it to be a Bimbo. Yet, three different sources have all come to that conclusion. Is it possible that the Bimbo had been modified through its production years? I believe it was made from 1956-1962.
Who knows! I may be a simple carnival ride!
The story I was told from the seller (which I believed to be true do to his surprise when I found the body hiding in a trailer under a tarp and the passion he expressed for it) was the his das brought the go kart home in 1968! It was an electric start gas engine , pretty rare in those days I would think! Once he could no longer fun the body, he removed it and continued using the chassis until he lost interest. It was not to be found.
Regardless of what it IS or IS NOT, it is only worth what someone will pay for it!
Obviously, the $20 bid won't fly! I have turned down 4 offers of $500... because to be honest, at that price, I'd rather build it for my boys to hoon around in!
Like I said before, if nothing else, i hope to gain some insight into what this body is!
I think I would have taken the $500. as the body is fiberglass and easily reparable. But on the other hand where do you get the original wheels and every thing else that is missing to bring it back.
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Yes they are all crazzzy but me and you........... and I am not sure about you!!!!
Do the work/modifications required to make it match (as much as possible) an original, unaltered Bimbo body, find another shop that WILL take a mold off it (do NOT mention the name Ferrari .... as far as you know, it's a Shelby Cobra), have several bodies taken from the mold and fill those four $500 orders. Simple.
Just an FYI, my offer of $20 actually is all I'd be willing to spend for it .... I'd be all over those $500 offers if I was in your position. Keeping in mind I have no idea what it cost you to acquire.
-- Edited by chips on Sunday 6th of December 2015 10:34:21 PM
But it is not a bimbo racer by the back end. It appears the back end is higher to accommodate a gas engine and the double curve in the seat back. Too many differences in the body style. As for the serial number maybe more than a coincident. Send a picture to Fararri and tell them you are going to make knock offs and they will respond more quickly IF it is theirs.
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Yes they are all crazzzy but me and you........... and I am not sure about you!!!!
I agree,definitely not a Bimbo racer,far too many differences to be even considered. I sa an amusement park ride as well,notice even the seat is scooped for two riders.... I hustle think without having anyone mad that the $500 offer was more than fair... Good luck with th is adventure ,it is cool any way you see it!
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Buying selling and trading garage toys and big kid stuff.
