Automotive 'Area 51' Closed it's Doors ...........

[asphaltgambler]

One the members here recently asked me what happened to Area 51 in Dulles, Va? Some of you may remember that I had an opportunity to interview with this facility a few years back. I had to sign no disclosure documents before I even sat down and was told if I has a cell phone on me to put in my car.

OK, now no big deal. The company was run by one of the Dupont heirs and focused mainly on Ferrari's and mainly on famous clientele. It was secret enough if you Googled them or their phone number it would return...............almost nothing. After my guided tour of their shop, I concluded it was more impressive than possibly Jay Leno's but even by that comparison was pale. Serious stuff. How serious? Try a complete vintage Ferrari V-12 engine dressed with a sextet of Dellorto's that had a custom glass table top which served as exactly that - a table in the customer's lounge. Also, many other makes of very, very rare cars which all were roadworthy.

They also had a huge support team for vintage road racing where they would fly the technician's out to help with their customer's cars on race day. They did a fair amount of buying / selling on behalf of their clients. This is where things get ugly. One of the main managers was embezzling money, under reporting actual sales prices, over representing cars condition and keeping the $$ difference. Apparently, this had been going on for some time until the owner found out, and became so disgusted he just closed the entire place down last year.