In Part I, Michitake Isobe provided the economic and social background which set the stage for the birth of the Matsuda collection. Part II, described Mr. Matsuda's various museums, established to house a growing collection of cars. Below, in Part III, Michitake details Mr. Matsuda's fascination with Ferrari, and the evolution of this fantastic Museum.

Ferrari Fandango
During the 1984 Ferrari Days in Japan, Mr. Matsuda had not only hosted the event but displayed some of his own cars as well. These included a right-hand-drive 250GT SWB (3605GT), a 250GT Ellena coupe (0785GT), a Lusso, a Daytona coupe Speciale and two 312T F1 cars from the '70s. But as the years progressed, the latest models were not ignored.

From the early 1980s, Mr. Matsuda acquired examples of most, if not all, of the new production cars. This has enabled the visitor to the museum to view the 288GTO, F40, F40LM, F50 and 550 barchetta to his heart's content, soon after the cars have been announced in the West. Even for the most jaded enthusiast, this is a rare sight. While 250-300 new Ferraris have been sold annually for over a decade in Japan, it still is not easy to see a Ferrari, especially one that is not in motion.

A yellow F50 and the white with red Testarossa are some of the newer Ferraris in the collection. Mr. Matsuda has purchased a example of almost every new Ferrari model since the mid-1980s.

Perhaps to meet popular demand, at one time there were actually 200 cars exhibited in his various museums, which featured European Sports Cars, Porsches, Ferraris, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and other marques. Today, the collection is primarily focused on Ferrari, fine art and automobilia. In the late '90s the Ferrari Museum was renovated and renamed The Ferrari Museum of Art. As the name suggests the displays comprise of a wide variety of items: Gerard Wingrove scale models, race posters from Le Mans and other races, Patek Philippe watches, and sculptures of Charles Royce and Henry Rolls.

An array of the more available scale models from Bbragos to the classic Dinkeys, BBRs and those nostalgic Politoys are also showcased. Also on display are Andy Warhol paintings (Marilyn Monroe smiles from behind the 212 Inter Ghia Agile coupe, 0137E), lithographs as well as oil paintings by Hideki Yoshida in Paris, Hiro Yamagata art works and de Costa paintings.

above: Among the artwork in the museum is this Yoshido GTO oil painting. Also, many Ferrari items can be bought at the shop in the museum. right: Dennis Hoyt created this homage to the pontoon bodied TR in wood. A nice contrast to the sculptures of Charles Royce and Henry Rolls.

But we must not get carried away, no matter how awesome and staggering the displays may be. Entering the glass doors on the lower floor, the visitor is greeted by two Testa Rossas, the classic 250TR and the 500TR both with Scaglietti spyder bodywork.

The V-12 Testa Rossa is a familiar car in Japan as well as in the West. S/N 0714TR had first made its competition debut at the 1958 Buenos Aires 1000km race, the same race where the factory 250TRs made their debut. Piero Drogo and Sergio Gonzalez finished fourth over all after the winning factory 250TR, another factory 250TR and a Porsche driven by Moss and Behra. It then spent most of its life in the USA.

It was acquired by Mr. Matsuda in the mid-1990's from a collector in Tokyo. After purchasing the car, 0714TR has been actively entered in historic car events allowing Ferrari enthusiasts the treat of a pontoon bodied 250TR-- the only example in Japan. From a historic event in Kobe to Suzuka, from Laguna Seca to the Mille Miglia, the 250TR has covered miles in all the major historic events.

The quattro cilindri Testa Rossa is a recent addition to the museum. It is the only LHD 500TR built. S/N 0620MD/TR was sold new to Anna Maria Peduzzi. It finished tenth overall in the 1956 Paris 1000Km and Supercortemaggiore GP at Monza. After competition life ended, it went to the eastern USA, going through a few owners and competing in the Historic Mille Miglia several times before arriving to the shores of Japan in the early '90s.

Mr. Matsuda currently has two magnificent Testa Rossas, a V-12, and a four cylinder in the museum. Both have been entered in vintage events around the world.

To complete the Testa Rossa name is a 1985 Testarossa (S/N 56531) in white and red, exhibited on the upper floor. This car is one of four Testarossas first imported to Japan.

Another reason to visit the museum is number of 250 GTOs in the collection. Amazingly, Mr. Matsuda owns three: S/Ns 3505GT, 3445GT and 4675GT. Some people seem to wonder why there is more than one GTO. Well, the answer is simple. The owner has the greatest respect for the GTO legend and its place in Ferrari history. Wouldn't you want one example each of the major GTO variations too?

Although Mr. Matsuda only owns three GTOs, Michitake Isobe was at the museum when a fourth GTO was visiting, and captured four in a row.

The Ferrari Museum of Art is maintained by a full time staff. There is also an automobilia shop where you can buy a wealth of Ferrari goodies. In a land where it's people almost regularly insist on something new, the exhibits are changed every so often

Reflecting on the museum founded by Mr. Matsuda over the years, it is no exaggeration to say that he has contributed greatly in spreading the knowledge of European classic and historic cars in Japan. By making public his collection in his own way and continuing to provide the spacious Gotemba Sports Car Garden for various club meetings, he provides both a meeting place and a museum of automotive art for all those who care to learn about these important automobiles.

I would like to thank Mr. Mizuno at the museum for all his cooperation in writing this story.