Preserve the Passion
Colleen Sheehan has spent her life pursuing her love of cars and has built a global reputation for her knowledge, passion, commitment to quality and trust in every aspect of her business
"The world of classics cars was engraved into my heart from the very beginning. If I had to pick a moment that sparked my automotive obsession it would be August of 2003, at 11 years old when I drove my 1930 BMW across the podium at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. From that moment on cars were destined to be at the center of everything I did."
The Soul of the Classics
Classic cars are more than just vehicles; they are living, breathing time capsules that transport us to bygone eras. Take, for instance, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, famously driven to victory at Sebring by Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien, or the 1957 Chevy Bel Air that has been cherished and handed down from father to son across generations. Each of these cars holds a unique story, encapsulating the spirit of its time and the essence of its journey.
Preserving the history of these vehicles is crucial for maintaining the legacy of classic cars. Over the past 50+ years, historians have meticulously documented and archived the stories behind these iconic machines. Through their dedicated efforts, we've built a comprehensive and accurate database that ensures these stories endure.
Today, this extensive archive allows us to preserve and recount the rich histories of thousands of classic cars. From uncovering the original color scheme of a Ferrari 246 GTS to locating the original engine for a 250 GT/L, our database plays a vital role in keeping these narratives alive for future generations.
Below is an example of some history that has been preserved:
Every classic car is a representation of the innovation and craftsmanship of the builders of that era, with each chassis telling its own captivating tale. This 1970 Ferrari 512 S was sold new to Chinetti as a NART car and raced in NART colors. In 1970 Dan Gurney raced this 512 S in the Daytona 24 hours and the roof contour had to be changed ("bubbled") to accommodate Gurney driving.
In 1971 this 512 M had a severe accident during the 1971 Sebring 12 hour race. The car was reconstructed incorporating some modifications which included removing the roof panel making it a 'M' spyder, door hinges changed to 'M' hinging, full width rear wing, etc.
in 1975 this 512 S went to a long term owner who loaned the car to Marauder Co. for an attempt to have the 512 body replicated. While the car was apart the owner convinced USAC Racing that the 512S motor was a "stock Block" and they put together an Indy car with a 5 litre stock block engine and raced at a few events. After the body was returned from the replica shop and the engine returned from the Indy car, the pieces of the car sat in a barn in Florida for many years.
In 1991 my dad purchased this 512S and restored it at his shop, European Auto Restoration, bringing it back to life. It then went to a collector who still owns it to this day