Front Cover

FRONT COVER

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe

I first became aware of the latest custodian of our cover image Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, through his ownership of the ‘Verde Abetone’ Ferrari F40 which if you are an Instagram user you may well have seen already.

Known as @redshift75, Gioel has recently taken his innovative digital health company public through the NYSE and during our recent Zoom call explained the CLK GTR was purchased as a celebration of his recent business efforts. I’m delighted to say that b500 has got the first dibs with a photo story on Gioel’s latest acquisition - just literally as it’s being delivered from DK Engineering in the UK, where it’s been going under

some interior work, to its new home in the US, and before its first outing, which will be at Amelia Island.

Gioel already has a stable of mostly analog cars which show great consideration and quality of choice, with cars such as his stunning 1990 Verde Abetone F40 which he acquired from Eugenio Amos, (who interestingly also owns a CLK GTR), and is also the founder of the Futurista (Integrale) limited edition series, and perhaps not a surprise that Gioel also has one of these on order for an imminent completion. His in a rather stunning Azzuro Stratos (think sky blue).

Aside from Gioel’s F40 and Future Futurista, he also owns the ‘Connecticut’

Singer, another stunning analog car to stir the soul and his finished in ‘Seaglass’ / Downton Blue.

There’s also a Carrera GT in the garage as well as one or two other cars to choose from whenever Gioel fancies a blast down the highway.

Gioel’s latest, and some may say greatest acquisition is the subject of our Spring cover story. This example has covered just 6,400 kilometres from new and is presented in the very rare combination of Iridium Silver metallic with Stirling Moss ‘300SLR’ grey-blue heritage plaid. Just three cars left the factory with this interior optioned in homage to that of Sir Stirling’s 300 SLR which took 1st OA at the 1955

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Mille Miglia averaging a staggering 97.96mph average over 1,660kms.

This example was supplied to its first private owner, registered in Switzerland. It is understood that Mercedes had two ‘press’ cars, #001 that was born an outand-out race car and was converted to a road car for homologation purposes as well as used in initial press images wearing registration ‘LB:RA100’ in images. After homologation it was converted back to a race car; the interior remained a race car throughout.

#003 was the second press car and was used in several articles and reviews at the time of the launch of the car. Tiff Needell tested the car for Top Gear magazine as well as filming a short video review of the car. The car would remain in Switzerland seeing occasional use until its sale in 2016 from leading marque specialists, Kienle Automotive of Germany. SPS was involved in the sale to the current owner and in 2017, the car was returned to them. At this time, the car received a comprehensive and meticulous service with every item being checked and documented. The major service also included the replacement of the fuel bladder and a new fire extinguisher was installed.

Having chatted to Gioel for a good hour about cars and watches and business, I thought it would be an idea to set up a few questions.

Del: First up. Thanks for taking some time out to be involved with b500’s Spring Issue and many congratulations on your recent business success, and of course your ‘Unicorn’ acquisition!

I’m interested in how you met Eugenio Amos?

Gioel: I met Eugenio through his Lancia Delta Futurista project and that began the following. Our tastes are similar and I’m a big believer in working and learning from world class people when you are lucky enough to meet them.

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I’m an amateur car guy while Eugenio is a professional and has dedicated himself to his passion and over the years built a real brand and product, with more to come.

Del: How did you end up with Eugenio’s F40. What’s the story.

Gioel: A few months after meeting in the UK for the Futurista launch he was thinking about adding a Special car. One of our mutual Italian car friends told me his F40 might be for sale so I immediately texted Eugenio and told him I would take it off his hands with a right of first refusal for when he inevitably will want it back. The rest is history.

Del: What made you go for an F40, or was it because you wanted Eugenio’s Verde Abetone version?

Gioel: I like to maintain a Car Roadmap which is my way of organizing the different types of cars I’m interested and plan / dream. The roadmap has different swimlanes and timelines like “Italian Legends”, “Porsche”, “Racecars” and a few others. So I lay out the next few years of car goals in each lane and update as necessary.

The F40 has been on my roadmap for several years as a peak analog driving machine, which is the underlying theme for every car. For various reasons the right car and the right price and time never came together. The verde F40 happened to be the right car at the right time from the right person.

Del: Tell us about the Carrera GT. I understand it had an interesting previous owner...

Gioel: The CGT is one of my absolute favorite driving machines. This is my second Carrera GT, my first was basalt black and I bought it in 2009 at a low point for CGTs. I sold it in 2016 as I was working on my latest company. I figured I could

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eventually get another CGT given their production numbers. I later found out the car’s first owner was Elon Musk which I had not been aware of.

I got my second CGT on my birthday in August 2020 and although it was not owned by Elon Musk it is in even better condition than my first, so it all worked out.

Del: How did you make the decision on the Singer. Tell us about that.

Gioel: My first exposure to Singer was through their green car on YouTube via Adam Crolla in 2010. They were building their second car at the time and I talked to Rob about his vision and early cars. My first sports car love has always been Porsche and the combination of old and new that

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Rob had created was entirely new to me and seemed exactly on target with what I wanted in the ultimate sports car. Analog, lightweight, beautifully crafted in every detail and engaging in every sense of the word.

I was able to commission my car, which is Singer Connecticut #20 in 2013 and took delivery in 2015.

Del: Is there a current favourite in your collection? The one that you would default

to on a Sunday morning to get out and drive on your own for a couple of hours… or maybe that car hasn’t arrived yet?

Gioel: The Singer is my favorite. It is the perfect one car solution and delivers all the thrills and feel you need in a street car. The right amount of power to weight so that you can enjoy the full capabilities of the engine and its glorious sound and power band without losing your license. It will never feel slow or outdated and it is aesthetically just

perfect in my eyes. Plus I can enjoy it with my kids in the back.

Del: The CLK GTR is one hell of a car. Has this been a car on your ‘roadmap’ for all time or a more recent consideration. Tell us the story.

Gioel: The CLK GTR was not on my roadmap as it is so rare and “out there” but came about through fortunate timing. I had my eyes on a different car from the Italian lane but it was sold just before the Christmas holiday last year. Just a few days later DKs catalog came in the mail and there was a spread on the GT1 era showing their McLaren F1, Porsche GT1 and the CLK GTR. The Mercedes had a very unusual tartan interior that I had not seen before and I set about learning more. After a few days of intensive research I was in love and convinced this timeless machine would be the ultimate addition... and even a “value” play compared to the values of the F1!

Del: Do you have any plans for this car in the months ahead? I know we discussed Amelia Island. How did that come about?

Gioel: We will show the car at Amelia Island Concours in May. It was a last minute entry facilitated by my friend and ultimate car guy Jas Singh. He made the connection with the organizers and lucky enough this year is the first time there will be an 80s and 90s super car section on the field. Excited to show the car and break the pandemic induced drought of events with passionate friends.

Del: Gioel it’s been a pleasure, and thanks so much for spending some time and sharing your car passion with b500.

Credits: My thanks to James @DK Engineering for use of some words and CLK GTR images. All other images courtesy of @redshift75 Words: DK Engineering, Del Gregory @ b500magazine and Gioel @redshift75

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