Le Monde Edmond

June 12, 2013

Interview Ed Niles: A legend tells his story

Classic CarsInterviews

90th.02

The word legend or legendary should be used with caution. Enzo Ferrari is certainly one as is James Dean, Steve McQueen and Caroll Shelby in the car world.

Most people become legends when they are no longer with us. However sometimes people become legendary during their lifetime.


In the Classic Ferrari world Edwin Niles is a legend.

Who else can claim to have owned over 100 Ferrari during his lifetime. Models such as 250 SWB, 250 SWB Competition, Nembo Spyder (see picture below), 250 TDF Zagato (main picture). Some cars he even ended up owning 5 and  half times (we will explain the half part later). Ed Niles was in the right place at the right time.

He was most active in the 1960s buying and selling Ferrari like there was no tomorrow. In the classified ad section one phone number was turning up consistantly on the ads for old Ferrari. It was 385-5121 the phone Nr of Ed Niles office. The fact is back then most people at that time did not know the brand Ferrari and the average price of  used Ferrari cars was $5’000.

Ed had fun with the many cars he owned and drove them properly, because Ferrari was just another sportscar at the time. While he didn’t always make money with selling each car, he had something even more valuable: one hell of a great experience. With that story to tell it is no wonder Ed Niles became President of the Ferrari owners Club of America (FOC) and contributing editor to Cavallino Magazine- both prominent roles in the world of Ferrari.

For more insight into the fascinating life of Ed Niles and Ferrari – please read on:


LME: How did your love for cars start? Why did you concentrate on Ferrari?

Niles: My first two cars were 1934 Ford coupes.  When WW 2 ended, the World was starved for cars, and we started seeing a swarm of “foreign” cars in the U.S. at the end of the forties.  In 1951 I bought a 1949 VW, one of the first in the country, and I was hooked on small cars that handled well and were fun to drive.  After that I had several MG’s, an Austin-Healey, and a Jaguar.  Then, when I took my first trip to Europe in 1959, all my friends advised me to buy a car and bring it home for re-sale.  After searching for something like a 300SL without luck, I found a Ferrari 250 Europa in Rome, on the very last day of my trip.  After shipping it home to California, I re-sold it (after amazing all my friends with the beautiful car) for a profit of around $1,000.  Have fun AND make money—why not?

In the 1960s Ferrari was barely 15 years old. What is just another car brand or did it have the mystique already?

Niles: I think there was that certain excitement—call it mystique—surrounding Enzo Ferrari and his cars from the beginning.  Who else was building cars with those beautiful Italian bodies, those marvelous V-12 engines, and winning races?  The Touring barchetta is still considered a gorgeous car even though it’s over 60 years old.

You have owned over 100 Ferrari throughout your life. Some cars you bought back and have owned several times (like the TDF). Tell us more!

Niles:  I owned 0515GT, the Zagato 250GT, 5 and a half times (half because I had a partner the last time)!  I used to make it a habit to tell a buyer to call me if he decided to sell, and once in a while they remembered me.  After a certain point, we had so many cars in Southern California that it was easier to find them here than in Italy.  I kept on buying and selling, partly to make money but mostly because I enjoyed the experience of driving something different.  Also, I got pleasure from fixing a car; they always left a a better car than when they arrived

Is it fair to say that driving back then was more fun? No real speed limits, policemen were more friendly?

NilesA good question.  Those early Ferraris were, in some respects, difficult to drive.  The clutches were touchy, the flywheels light, and in the case of some old race cars the transmissions were difficult as well.  Of course that was part of the thrill:  Anyone could drive a Plymouth with automatic trans; we were the real drivers!  Not only did we drive cars like no-one else’s, we knew HOW to drive ‘em.  If a policeman stopped us, it was usually just to talk about the car

In those days you would buy a Ferrari and enjoy it over the summer and then sell a year a few months later for a profit. Life must of good back then?

Niles: Yes, I count myself very fortunate, as I’ve had a good life.  I didn’t always make money on a car but I always enjoyed the experience.  Beyond the great cars that I’ve driven, I’ve met some wonderful and interesting people, some of whom remain good friends to this day.  I was at the right place at the right time.  In those days, if I took a car to a car show I would have the only one like it.  Today, you’ll see a line of 5 or 10 360’s, and most of them Rosso Corso at that!

Did you ever imagine the brand grow as big as it is today? With sum of the prices of your cars you once owned you can buy a house today. Has that changed the collecting and fun aspect of collecting old Ferrari cars?

Niles: With prices through the roof, I could buy a mansion with just one car!  Today, some of the buyers, while enthusiastic, are primarily investors.  I applaud those wealthy individuals who actually use their Ferraris.  I’ve been priced out of the market as far as the older cars are concerned, but I still serve as a judge at Ferrari events.

What does Ferrari have as a brand that makes it so desirable?

Niles: Ferrari has several things going for it.  First and foremost, in my opinion, is it’s history.  Next is exclusivity;  Ferrari is wise to limit its production.  Finally, we have the combination of speed and beauty.  I read recently that Ferrari is the most powerful brand in the world, ahead even of Apple.

Which model of all the models you once owned would you like to have back today. Why?

Niles: Hah!  I’m often asked that question, and I never have a good answer.  Perhaps the 206SP, S/N 002, although it was not a car that could be easily driven on the street.  It took three people to start it:  One to hold the hood up, one to squirt starting fluid into the injectors, and one to turn the key!  Or perhaps 2689GT, the ‘61 LeMans-winning 250GT SWB.  Or perhaps the Nembo, S/N 1777GT.  Or maybe the Zagato, S/N 0515GT (or it’s sister 0537GT, which I also owned).

I am just starting out to collect cars. What advice would you give an inspiring collector today?

Niles: Trust your judgement and buy what you like.  You might as well enjoy it!  And buy the best one of it’s kind.

What are some of the most common mistakes collectors make?

Niles: I can only speak for myself. My biggest mistake was not hanging on to one or two of the great ones. Unfortunately, my crystal ball malfunctioned!

According to several reports you have met Enzo Ferrari twice. Did Enzo have that special ‘Aura’ that everyone claims he did?

Niles: I actually felt a bit sorry for him, having to put up with all these strangers coming through, having to greet them all as if they were important to him!  Seriously, yes, he did exude a certain aura. He famously hid behind those tinted glasses, and didn’t have a lot to say even when we were prepared with good questions. Of course he never admitted that he understood English, although it is said that he did.  The first time I met him, I just showed up and said I was the president of the Ferrari Owners Club and could I come in to see the factory. I was escorted around by Dr. Franco Gozzi, Ferrari’s assistant, and then ushered in to be greeted by the man himself!  I was completely unprepared for this, and I don’t think I made much of an impression on the boss!

If you had to chose another brand to collect other than Ferrari what would that be?

Niles: I’ve been so involved with the Ferrari brand for so long, that I wouldn’t know where to start.  I have to say, however, that I am enamored of the little Fiat Specials the we call the Etceterini.  I love the imagination and ingenuity that went into these cars, some of which are so light that they seem as if they could be lifted with one hand.


Now I ask Ed Niles to chose one option, the other option or both.

  • To have driven the Miglia Miglia in the 1950s or now?     The Fifties for sure 
  • Race driver Fon De Portago or Castellotti?                          Both
  • 250 TDF or 250 SWB?                                                           250 SWB
  • Ferrari Chat or Cavallino Magazine?                                     Cavallino 

Below perhaps the most valuable convertible of Ferrari today: A Nembo Spyder which is similar to a NART 275 Spyder in form. Ed Niles owned this at one point.

1777GT_250GT-Nembo-Spyder-1968-Art-Center-School-of-Design-Pasadena-CA3-Strother-MacMinn-1024x816

 

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