Here we have a TOTALLY unique set of document pertaining to Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione with chassis number 2165 GT.

The car was originally bought by famous French racing driver Andre Simon who raced (and crashed!) it extensively. Simon sold it in 1961 to Bourely who again raced and crashed it after which it passed through a couple of hands until it ended up with Jean Sage of France in 1976 who had it again raced and crashed. NOT a lucky car one would be tempted to say!

This set of documents gives a unique insight in how this car was purchased (including the order form), repair estimate from the factory after its crash on its very first outing, a press photo and various letters from the factory. We will detail each of the documents below.

We have sorted the documents in chronological order to see through the process involved with this car. Scans of each document can be found at the bottom of this page.

1)
This is a letter from long-standing Ferrari sales manager Girolamo Gardini to Andre Simon, dated April 14, 1960. Gardini writes that he promises to send Simon a.s.a.p. a 7/32 rear axle reduction for his car. He also responds to Simon's earlier letter regarding the purchase and exchange of Simon's current car for the new Berlinetta. Due to the fact that he did not hear from Simon within 2 weeks from the Paris Motorshow, he can not guarantee immediate delivery and that the new Berlinetta's are expected to be available around October - November. This letter comes on Ferrari factory letterhead, is in Italian and is signed by Gardini.

After receiving this letter from Gardini, Simon wrote him back on April 26, 1960.

2)
This is Gardini's response to Simon's letter of April 26. He writes that he is pleased to hear of Simon's "scrupulous preparation" for the upcoming Tour de France (auto). Regarding the new Berlinetta, Gardini points out that Simon did NOT place a firm order at the Paris Motorshow but would write back in 2 to 3 weeks. Since Gardini did not hear from Simon, he thought that Simon had not taken a decision but if Simon is able to place a firm order, he will do his utmost to prepare him a special car in time for the Tour de France. Gardini also states that he is very sorry but that he is unable to take Simon's old car as part exchange on the new one. (This was Simon's Ferrari 250 GT LWB TdF S/N 0973GT). The letter is again on Ferrari factory letterhead in Italian language, signed by Gardini and dated May 3, 1960.

3)
This is again a letter from Gardini to Simon and is dated July 15, 1960. He writes that a little while ago, before the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in which Simon competed as well, he was partnered with Jean Laroche on an Osca Sport 750) an acquaintance of Simon dropped by in Modena to ask if Ferrari could prepare a car for the 1960 Tour de France. Gardini asks Simon to speed up his decision in order to be able to supply a car in time for the Tour de France. This letter comes on plain, folded, paper, in Italian language, is dated July 15, 1960, signed by Gardini and was sent to Simon by Express Mail.

4)
Simon hand-wrote the concept of his answer in French to Gardini on the inside of this letter. This is NOT a separate document but the inside of document # 3.

5)
This is a carbon copy of Simon's typed-out answer to Gardini's letter of July 15, 1960. In this letter, Simon confirms his order for a Berlinetta for the upcoming Tour de France (September 15 - 23, 1960 !). He inquires where to send the money. He also states that he has full faith in Ferrari to prepare the car for the event and when possible to leave all interior garments out in order to reduce the weight of the car to a minimum. This is letter is dated July 17, 1960 and as mentioned above, this is a non-signed carbon copy from Andre Simon's archive.

After receiving this letter from Simon, Gardini contacted Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd in Levallois-Perret, France to have Simon place the official order and to take care of this transaction.

6)
This letter was sent by D. Sleator of Franco-Britannic Autos to Andre Simon relaying that Gardini had asked them to take care of the transaction and the delivery and if Simon would be so kind to give him a personal telephone call to discuss the payment and if he would be so kind as to sign the attached order form. This letter comes on Franco-Britannic Autos letterhead, is in French, dated July 25, 1960 and signed by Sleator.

7)
This is handwritten answer concept that Simon wrote to Sleator, stating that the signed order form (# 300) is attached. He also states that he will call Sleator "next week" to discuss the payment. Eventhough this letter was probably typed out and sent to Sleator, Simon DID sign this concept. It is written on plain paper, dated July 26, 1960 and in French language.

8)
This is the "customer's copy" of order form # 300 from Franco-Britannic Autos. It is dated July 25, 1960 and oddly enough it was made out to "M. Andre Simon, Modena"... The car is specified as follows: Ferrari Berlinetta 1960 with competition engine, self-locking differential, 600 x 16 wheels & tires, disc brakes and Scaglietti aluminum body. The total price was 5.300.000 Italian Lira, tax included and delivery had to take place before the 1960 Tour de France Autos.

Simon DID get the car in time as other sources mention that this car was completed on September 14... one day before the start of the Tour de France!

9)
This is a vintage press photo of Simon / Thepenier in the Ferrari 2165GT Berlinetta during the 1960 Tour de France. It measures some 9.5 x 7 inches.

Simon crashed the car heavily half way through the event (September 17) and could not finish it.

10)
This letter was sent by the Ferrari factory to Marine Marchande, an insurance company in Algiers, Algeria (French territory at that time). Apparently, Simon had requested Ferrari to send a repair estimate to Marine Marchande, probably to recover the money from the insurance company. In this letter, Ferrari obliges to this request on February 1, 1960, stating that the attached is an estimate for the repair cost "following a road accident". The letter is on Ferrari factory letter head, in Italian and duly signed and stamped. It is the copy that was sent to Andre Simon himself (with original signatures and stamps).

11)
This document is the repair estimate for the damage sustained during the Tour de France. It goes into great detail, specifying that the total drive line will be taken apart, the body and chassis will be checked for straightness, replacing a wire wheel, the steering wheels and exhaust, body work, further technical checking, test drive etc. It also specifies the parts required for the repair (including 40 liters of gasoline for the test drive!). The total repair bill came to 965.855 Italian Lira (compared to the 5.3000.000 that Simon paid to purchase the car).

All in all this set gives a MOST intriguing insight in the earliest history of this car and a set of documents like this will never be found again.

Only 1 set available of course.