{"id":61919,"date":"2025-04-21T04:18:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T08:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/the-unconventional-ferrari-collector-embracing-the-beauty-of-imperfection\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T04:18:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T08:18:06","slug":"the-unconventional-ferrari-collector-embracing-the-beauty-of-imperfection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/the-unconventional-ferrari-collector-embracing-the-beauty-of-imperfection\/","title":{"rendered":"The Unconventional Ferrari Collector Embracing the Beauty of Imperfection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Meet Scott Chivers, the Unconventional Ferrari Enthusiast<\/p>\n

When you think of Ferrari owners, images of pristine, red sports cars and impeccably dressed drivers often come to mind. But Scott Chivers is here to shake up that stereotype. He\u2019s the kind of guy who buys the Ferraris that most people wouldn\u2019t touch with a ten-foot pole. His latest acquisition? A rough-around-the-edges Testarossa he affectionately calls \u201cRatarossa.\u201d This isn\u2019t just a car; it\u2019s a reflection of Scott\u2019s unique philosophy on what it means to own a Ferrari.<\/p>\n

What Makes Ratarossa So Special?<\/p>\n

Scott\u2019s Ratarossa is a far cry from the glossy, showroom-ready Ferraris you might expect. Picture this: a chop-top Testarossa, finished in a rough primer coat, with visible metal beams and flapping door cards. It\u2019s the ultimate expression of what Scott believes a Ferrari can be\u2014a car that\u2019s not just for show but is meant to be driven and enjoyed. \u201cI have red Ferraris, but it\u2019s not my favorite color,\u201d he says. \u201cI don\u2019t drive the cars to be seen.\u201d His daily driver is a black 360 Challenge Stradale, which he\u2019s owned for eight years and driven for 50,000 miles. He takes it to the shops and even to school with his kids, embracing the beauty of a well-used car.<\/p>\n

The Backstory of Ratarossa<\/p>\n

Scott\u2019s journey with Ratarossa began when he was searching for an engine cover for another Testarossa he owned. While browsing online, he stumbled upon an ad for an unfinished Testarossa spider project in California. Intrigued, he reached out to the seller, who was looking for someone to restore the car rather than break it for parts. After a successful negotiation, Scott brought the car to the UK for just \u00a316,000, including shipping and taxes.<\/p>\n

The car\u2019s history is as colorful as its current state. Originally owned by a kit car company that used it as a base for replicas, it had its roof cut off at some point, leading to its unique and unfinished look. Rather than restore it to factory condition, which would have cost a fortune, Scott decided to embrace its raw aesthetic. \u201cFor me, the rat look is where the car is perfect under the skin but looks like it\u2019s been sat around, untouched and never restored,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

A Passion for Ferraris<\/p>\n

Scott\u2019s love for Ferraris isn\u2019t just a passing phase; it\u2019s a lifelong passion. It all started when he was a kid, inspired by his father\u2019s dream of owning a 246 Dino and the iconic Testarossa featured in the Sega game Out Run. His first Ferrari was a 348 Spider, and since then, his collection has grown to include eight Ferraris, ranging from two 355s to three 308s, along with the Ratarossa.<\/p>\n

Despite his impressive collection, Scott is refreshingly down-to-earth. He\u2019s a 42-year-old IT professional who\u2019s currently taking a break to reassess his future after a recent divorce. His home is modest, located in the Berkshire commuter belt, where his Ferraris often spill out onto the street due to limited driveway space. His collection is insured for \u00a3500,000, with an annual premium of \u00a33,000, a testament to the value he\u2019s built through savvy buying and restoration.<\/p>\n

How Does He Afford His Passion?<\/p>\n

Scott\u2019s approach to Ferrari ownership is unique. He seeks out cars with uncertain histories, those in the wrong colors, or unfinished projects\u2014essentially, the ones that others overlook. \u201cI\u2019m the guy who buys the Ferrari you shouldn\u2019t,\u201d he says. This strategy allows him to acquire these vehicles at relatively low prices and then invest time and effort into bringing them back to life. He\u2019s become quite skilled with the tools, learning through experience and online resources, and he\u2019s not afraid to get his hands dirty.<\/p>\n

His knack for finding deals has also led to profitable flips. For example, he once owned a pristine 430 Scuderia for just three months, selling it for a \u00a325,000 profit, which he reinvested into acquiring more Ferraris.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for Scott and Ratarossa?<\/p>\n

Scott has big plans for Ratarossa, including refurbishing the steering and front suspension, giving the engine a thorough service, and tidying up the cabin. He\u2019s committed to using genuine parts to ensure everything is done right. And as a final touch, he plans to detail the engine to make it look as good as new.<\/p>\n

While Scott has a soft spot for all his Ferraris, he admits there\u2019s one that would make him consider selling his entire collection: the legendary F40. \u201cIt would be the only one that would be driven every day,\u201d he shares, hinting at the dream that still lingers in his mind.<\/p>\n

Scott Chivers is a testament to the idea that owning a Ferrari doesn\u2019t have to be about status or perfection. It can be about passion, creativity, and the joy of driving. His story reminds us that sometimes, the most interesting journeys come from embracing the unconventional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Chivers\u2019 collection of cars is insured for \u00a3500,000\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Serial Ferrari owner Scott Chivers buys the Ferraris you really never should, such as a car he\u2019s dubbed Ratarossa<\/p>\n

\n

It\u2019s Stig of the Dump meets Don Johnson – a chop-top Ferrari<\/a> Testarossa crudely stiffened and finished in primer; the antidote to all those gleaming Rosso Corsa Ferraris piloted once a year by meticulously groomed squillionaires, dressed to impress in prancing horse regalia.<\/p>\n

It belongs to Scott Chivers, a man with interesting views on Ferraris and owning them…<\/p>\n

\u201cI have red Ferraris but it\u2019s not my favourite colour and I don\u2019t drive the cars to be seen,\u201d he says. \u201cMy daily driver is a black 360 Challenge Stradale<\/a>. I\u2019ve owned it for eight years and done 50,000 miles in it. I go to the shops and take my kids to school in it. I love the fact it\u2019s used \u2013 and looks it.\u201d<\/p>\n

His Testarossa, or Ratarossa as he calls it (a name inspired by the term \u2018rat\u2019, short for \u2018recycled automotive transport\u2019 exemplified by superficially rusty split-screen Type 2 Volkswagens<\/a>), is the ultimate expression of Scott\u2019s Ferrari philosophy.<\/p>\n

Its grey body is rough and rippled, the engine cover is barely secure, the slender metal stiffening beams are visible between the sills and seats, the door cards flap around and the leather trim around the A-posts and behind the seats is as neat as my gift wrapping…<\/p>\n

\"Luc<\/p>\n

Does it look low to you? That\u2019s because it sits on lowering springs. The weight of the strengthening beams forced the car down at the back. Scott says he ripped out the old suspension and ordered three sets of front springs of different specs so he could play around with the ride height to equalise front and rear.<\/p>\n

Next thing, he\u2019ll be saying there\u2019s an old Vauxhall<\/a> four-pot under that rear cover. Not a chance: Scott props it open with a piece of 4×2 to reveal the car\u2019s original, and suitably grimy, flat-12 engine. Somewhere in there is the original five-speed manual transmission, too, as evidenced by the dull alloy transmission gate downstream in the cabin.<\/p>\n

Scott bought the car from a bloke in California. At the time, he was looking for an engine cover for his 1990 Testarossa coupe, a left-hand-drive car he\u2019d bought from the Netherlands. (Seven of his Ferraris are left-hookers.) There he was, surfing the web, when up pops this four-year-old ad for an unfinished Testarossa spider project car.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was intrigued and called the seller on the off-chance it was still available,\u201d says Scott. \u201cIncredibly, it was. He\u2019d bought it intending to restore it but it just sat in his garage gathering dust. The owner said he wasn\u2019t interested in selling it to anyone who would just break it for spares. I told him I would take on the project and get the car roadworthy. We agreed a deal and I shipped the car here to the UK. All in \u2013 the car, shipping, taxes \u2013 it cost me \u00a316,000.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Luc<\/p>\n

Ferrari made only one Testarossa Spider, commissioned by company boss Gianni Agnelli in 1986. It was sold by his children in 2016 for \u00a31.2 million. Naturally, it was a proper job, unlike the dozen or so copycats, including Scott\u2019s, that followed from body shops.<\/p>\n

At some point, Scott\u2019s car was owned by a US kit car company that used it as the basis for its replica Testarossas. Then one day, perhaps following a crash, they cut the roof off, at which point, says Scott, Ferrari stepped in to protect its copyright…<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I received the car and the two crates of bits that came with it, my intention was to rebuild it,\u201d says Scott. \u201cI had my other Testarossa coupe\u00c3 that had also just arrived so I used that as a blueprint to work out where the bits from the crates should go and as a wiring guide. I was able to swap parts between the two cars so I was able to cheaply and quickly verify if things worked or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

But as Scott\u2019s giant Ferrari puzzle came together, the more he loved its raw and unfinished appearance. No bad thing, either, since to bring it to factory standard would have cost a bomb and, in any case, without a roof, it could never be a purist\u2019s Ferrari and his investment would never be recouped. He decided just to enjoy the build, make the car mechanically perfect \u2013 and stick with the rat look.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, the rat look is where the car is perfect under the skin but looks like it\u2019s been sat around, untouched and never restored,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

\u201cBits I\u2019ve since acquired or refitted were finished in red so I\u2019ve left them because they add a touch of colour.\u201d To describe Scott as a Ferrari nut is something of an understatement. His passion for the marque began as a boy when he saw a competition on the back page of Reader\u2019s Digest to win a 308. At the time, his dad never stopped going on about the 246 Dino he dreamed of owning, and then Out Run, the Sega game, came out, featuring a Testarossa Spider.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen, eventually, I could afford to, I bought my first Ferrari \u2013 a 348 Spider,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

At this point, I should point out that Scott, a down-to-earth chap of 42, appears to be comfortably off but by no means loaded. He\u2019s freshly divorced and is taking a year out of his job as an IT bod to consider his future.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

He has recently moved into a small estate somewhere in the Berkshire commuter belt; nice houses but with driveways too small for more than two cars. It\u2019s why I have no trouble finding his place, since out on the road in front of it is part of his Ferrari collection: the Ratarossa and an F355 Spider; on the driveway, a 355 F1 Spider; and in the double garage, where the Ratty lives when it\u2019s raining or Scott\u2019s working on it, a 308.<\/p>\n

In all, Scott has eight Ferraris: two 355s, three 308s and the Ratarossa, all left-hand drive, and the 360 Challenge Stradale and a 456 GTA, both right-hand drive. In addition, he has a 1969 Porsche<\/a> 911 T Coupe\u00a0and a Volkswagen Golf GTI<\/a> Mk1.<\/p>\n

Some are here and the rest are with friends and family. They\u2019re insured for \u00a3500,000 and his annual premium is \u00a33000. How has he done it? \u201cI\u2019m the guy who buys the Ferrari you shouldn\u2019t: the one with uncertain history, in the wrong colour or the unfinished project. They\u2019re relatively cheap to buy and I make a profit selling them on when I\u2019ve sorted them out. I plough the money back into the collection.\u201d<\/p>\n

But not all of his purchases are \u2018orphans\u2019. \u201cMy 430 Scuderia<\/a> was immaculate,\u201d he says. \u201cI owned it for three months and then sold it, making \u00a325,000. I added \u00a33000 and straight away bought a left-hand-drive F355.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

Over time, Scott has become a whizz with the spanners. He\u2019s self-taught but little, short of dropping an engine for a timing belt change, is beyond him. He\u2019s constantly on the internet, seeking out deals, parts and technical advice.<\/p>\n

Next on Scott\u2019s Ratty to-do list is to refurbish the car\u2019s steering and front suspension, give the engine a thorough service and tidy up the cabin. He\u2019ll fit a sports exhaust too. It\u2019ll all be done properly using genuine parts. As a final flourish, he\u2019ll detail the engine so it looks like new.<\/p>\n

Is there one Ferrari Scott would sell his collection for? \u201cYes: an F40. It would be the only one that would be driven every day. I did once suggest to my ex that we extend the mortgage to buy one.\u201d<\/p>\n

No need to ask why it\u2019s just him and eight Fezzas these days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-61919","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}