Ruling due on "cloned" Ferrari

As far as Ferrari is concerned, there were three 330 P models produced as factory race cars in the 60's. Each was identically built with a 12-valve, 4-litre, 360bhp engine. The fate of two is known. Chassis No 0820 is in the US and chassis number 0822 in France, both with collectors. The fate of the third car, chassis number 0818, is still a question mark to everyone but Ferrari and Mr. Egon Hofer.
It seems that back in 1967, Mr. Hofer purchased what he thought to be chassis number 0818, for which he states he has "all of the documentation". This car is well known in the racing community as being driven by Graham Hill and Joachim Bonnier to a second place finish in the 1964 24-hour Le Mans race. The following year the same car was driven to victory by Ludovico Scarfiotti and John Surtees at the Nürburgring.

The problem is that both Mr. Hofer and Ferrari have identical 330 P's with the same chassis number (0818). Ferrari has issued a "certificate of authenticity" for the car it owns. Industry experts state that alone should be the final word. But for Mr. Hofer, who thought he owned a $1.4 million dollar Ferrari, the fight isn't over.

After a five-year battle in the court system, Ferrari has agreed to look at Mr. Hofer's car in Maranello, but Mr. Hofer feels like they will deem it a fake as soon as he drives it in and his battle will only get more difficult. The courts are getting very close to issuing a decision, based on extensive testimony from many experts and witnesses in the racing community.

One thing is for sure; two cars can't possibly have the same chassis number, so one of them is a fake. Will we ever know the truth?

[Source: World Times Online]