I am confronted by an-almost complete sea of red as I walk into the reception area of Rosso Sport Auto and look down onto the showroom floor. It feels like a massive glass box filled with a variety of mostly red candy.
Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms
Cars that immediately catch my attention are a classic Dino 246, a mid-engined 512 BBi and then also more modern classics like a 599 and 550 Maranello. It is hard believe that the company has moved into this building less than a year ago. Up on a lift, as if presented on a pedestal, is beautiful Daytona.
Paul Gerber, the managing director of the company, takes me down the steps and here I’m shown the business side of the workshop where they focus on servicing and maintenance. Here are even more Prancing Horses to inspect.
Paul has been involved with Ferraris for numerous years. He was known for managing NGK Pablo Clark Racing, another Ferrari-focused outfit. However, in 2019 PCR purchased Rosso Sport Auto and he moved across to manage the business. To settle any confusion, it is two separate companies, whereas NGK Pablo Clark Racing focusses on racing, racing cars and experiences, and Rosso Sport Auto is purely focused on road cars.
“Rosso Sport Auto was the official Ferrari dealer in Johannesburg from 1998 to 2009. Since then they have focused on used cars through the proprietor Piero Giovanelli. Sadly he passed away in 2019 and shortly thereafter PCR bought the business. This included the tools, parts and the building, to name a few. The main reason we kept the name going is that it is such an important part of Ferrari's history in South Africa as well as keeping Piero’s legacy going.”
Paul might be only 35 years old, but already several years ago he understood the importance of history and an automotive archive. As part of the larger business, he has collected what is arguably the most important Ferrari archive in South Africa. And he doesn’t stop there, he still keeps track of cars when they enter and leave South Africa. He eagerly pages through the SEFAC 50 Year Anniversary book, a truly exceptional coffee table book compiled by Giorgio Cavalieri that neatly illustrates the history of Ferrari in South Africa.
As Paul says himself, the premises made sense and it is also a beautiful space that really puts the cars in the centre with all the focus on them, no matter where in the building you find yourself. The cars are also perfectly spaced out and it is easy to move around them.
“We focus or servicing, maintenance and parts sourcing and pre-owned sales. At this stage we don’t do restorations. We mostly service F355s, 360 Modenas, F430s and 458s. We see plenty of those coming through our doors.”
I was wondering which models buyers are most interested in, and Paul is quick to answer. “At the moment there is a big demand for F430s, Californias and 458s. What I find is that a lot of the enthusiasts are still building their collections, looking for 308s, Boxers or Dinos. But, at the same time they also want more modern cars that they can just get in and enjoy without the challenges that sometimes comes with a classic car. We sell a lot of cars to Cape Town, and usually they tend not to come back to Gauteng.”
Paul has brokered deals with many of South Africa’s special Ferraris, including Jean Alesi’s Ferrari 643 F1, a Ferrari F40 and more than a third of South Africa’s Dinos.
The Rosso Sport Auto Workshop is headed up by Massimo Vecchio. He has completed extensive training on the Ferrari F40 in Italy and is one of the only technicians in South Africa trained on the rare LaFerrari. He started his apprenticeship with the original Ferrari importers, TAK when he was 18 years old. This means he can work on most modern classics. The most modern car Rosso Sport Auto will maintain or service is the 488, and then all Ferraris before it. For newer cars clients will have to visit the official importer.
I take a final walk through the cars and there really is a healthy mix of front-engined V12 Prancing Horses as well as several mid-engined V8s to choose from. If your dream Ferrari is not there, there is very good chance that Paul will be able to source it for you.
Visit Rosso Sport Auto’s stock by following this link.