VIN: the Gianni Agnelli / John Mecom Jr. Ferrari 365 P Tre-Posti chassis 8815
History of chassis 8815
Chassis 8815 was the second of two 365 P Tre-Postis manufactured by Ferrari and Pininfarina. These cars were built on Ferrari P-car underpinnings with 380bhp 4.4-litre V12 engines but were most famous for their three abreast cockpit layouts.
Despite its lower VIN, chassis 8815 came after chassis 8971 which broke cover at the Paris Motor Show in October 1966. Attending the Paris Salon that week had been Fiat boss and Ferrari VIP, Gianni Agnelli, who ordered his own example.
Agnelli had taken over as Fiat boss back in April following the retirement of company president, Vittorio Valletta. Agnelli’s grandfather co-founded Fiat back in 1899 and ran it until his death in 1945. Control then temporarily passed to Valletta as Agnelli’s own father had died in an air crash during 1935.
Gianni Agnelli was no stranger to exotic motorcars and had owned a selection of Ferraris since 1950, many of which were highly customised to his individual taste. As a fan of glass roofs, unusual coachwork and bespoke detailing, it was not difficult to see the 365 P Tre-Posti’s appeal for a man uninhibited by cost.
Like many of Gianni Agnelli’s cars, chassis 8815 was configured in Grigio Metallizato. Agnelli was also fond of contrasting swage lines and accordingly a two-tone dark blue and aquamarine cochline was applied down each flank. The interior was upholstered with a mix of Avorio and Nero coloured fabric, leatherette and carpet. Uniquely, a power-assisted clutch was installed to reduce the effort required for gear changes as Agnelli had sustained a leg injury some years prior.
Other differences to chassis 8971 included a larger front lid with eleven instead of twelve vents, headlights with larger chrome bezels, front indicators mounted under as opposed to over the front bumperettes and high-backed seats with a different stitch pattern and fabric faces.
Somewhat surprisingly considering Agnelli’s love of glass roofs (a feature he had requested on several of his previous machines and one that the sister car chassis 8971 was fitted with), Pininfarina initially completed 8815 with a standard roof. However, upon its return from the 1966 Turin Motor Show (which ran from late October to early November), chassis 8815 was equipped with a glass roof that matched the one fitted to chassis 8971.
Upon delivery, chassis 8815 was registered 888888 TO.
Of his time with the car, Agnelli said: “You didn’t have time to stop before people were immediately around it. But it was fun and had monstrous acceleration.” He retained 8815 until 1970, by which time around 10,000km was showing on the odometer.
Having seen chassis 8815 while on a factory tour, David Kopf enquired about the car’s availability but was initially told it was not for sale. However, he persisted and a deal was eventually concluded and 8815 departed for Kopf’s collection in California.
David Kopf retained the Tre-Posti for around four years; in 1974 he sold it to fellow Californian, Bud Keeney, who subsequently had it repainted black with a red swage line. Keeney famously had a one mile track at his industrial park in Irvine where chassis 8815 was frequently put through its paces.
In 1976, Keeney sold the now black Tre-Posti to Texan oil magnate and race team owner John Mecom Jr. who had chassis 8815 painted red during his circa 13 year ownership.
During the winter of 1988-1989, chassis 8815 was sold to well-known dealer, Edgar Bensoussan in France, who had it repainted light metallic blue.
From 1994 to 2018 the car spent time with a Hong Kong collector, since which time it has returned to Europe and undergone a four-year restoration.
Notable History
Grigio Metallizato / Avorio + Nero
Gianni Agnelli, Turin (RIV-SKF)
10+11/1966 Turin Motor Show
Fitted with a glass roof
1970 sold to David Kopf, Tujunga, California
1974 sold to Bud Keeney, Irvine, California
Repainted Black with Red swage line
1976 sold to John Mecom Jr., Texas
Repainted Red
1988/1989 sold to Edgar Bensoussan, Paris
Repainted Light Metallic Blue
1994 sold to Hong Kong
2018 sold to Swiss owner
Restored to original configuration
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ferrari - https://www.ferrari.com
