VIN: the Patrick Collection / Noel Edmonds Ferrari 288 GTO chassis 55729
History of chassis 55729
Chassis 55729 was one of 20 Ferrari 288 GTOs officially sold in the UK.
It was ordered as the start exhibit for the soon-to-be-opened Patrick Collection in Kings Norton, just outside Birmingham.
The Patrick Collection was a motor museum established by Alexander Patrick whose father, Joseph, had founded the Patrick Motors Group (PMG) which owned automotive dealerships, parts suppliers and petrol stations around the UK.
When Joseph Patrick died in 1982, it was decided to make a gradual withdrawal from the motor trade. The last retail location for PMG, Mercedes-Benz Patrick Solihull, was sold in 1999.
The Patrick Collection’s purpose-built museum housed Joseph Patrick’s personal collection (which he had built up since 1960) and also an impressive display of modern supercars purchased after his death.
The order for chassis 55729 was placed on August 8th 1983 by John Ward, curator of the Patrick Collection. It was configured with all the available optional extras to include full leather upholstery, air-conditioning, electric windows and a radio.
In May 1985, John Ward and Philip Turner of Motor magazine headed to Maranello where they met Enzo Ferrari and collected the Patrick Collection’s brand new GTO (May 17th). A slight discount on the anticipated pre-tax price of £59,985 was given as it transpired chassis 55727 had not been fitted with a radio.
Upon arrival at the Felixstowe docks, another bankers draft (this time for £14,000) was handed over for UK tax and import duty.
Philip Turner’s account of his return trip to Italy was featured in the June 1st 1985 edition of Motor magazine for which 55729 also starred on the cover. The cover shot depicted 55729 wearing the personalised UK registration plate 426 GTO which had been purchased in advance. However, the car actually made the trip back to England on the Excursionisti Esteri plate EE 023 AV and was subsequently registered 426 GTO on arrival in the UK.
In September 1986, chassis 55729 was wheeled out from the Patrick Collection for a Performance Car magazine road test. It appeared on the front cover of the October 1986 edition alongside an early 365 GTB/4 Daytona that was driven alongside.
Unfortunately, despite ambitious plans and a 250-strong selection of vehicles, the Patrick Collection never turned a profit. In 1994 the first cache of cars were disposed of.
Chassis 55729 was sold via William Loughran to British TV personality and production company owner, Noel Edmonds. By this time the car had covered a little over 5000km.
Edmonds retained the GTO until 2000, at which time it was sold to its next owner showing around 8000km.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
