Tom Meade’s final GT creation in Italy

After some time ago we have discussed the iconic car model made by Tom Meade called it the Thomassima, which in Italian means 'the maximum from Thomas.' The first car is known as Thomassima I completed in 1962, then it was destroyed because swept away by the great flood in Florence in 1966.

1969 Thomassima III 'Lacrima Rossa' is the third model produced by Tom Meade based on a Ferrari 250 GT Coupe. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31LoS4s)

Shortly after that the Thomassima II was built in 1967 and was even more beautiful. It was commissioned to be built by a private owner in Northern California in 1966.

The car was finished by Tom Meade in 1968 and shipped over from Italy. Soon after arriving it was displayed at the 1968 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Thomasimma II was believed lost since 1971 as it was not seen in public until 2015, subsequently being sold for $9 million or about Rp.121,2 billion!

1969 Thomassima III is the third model produced by Tom Meade and the most famous of his creations now on display at the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Italy. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31LoS4s)

Finally, the Thomassima III 'Lacrima Rossa' as the name implies is the 3rd model produced by Tom Meade in 1969, who put his own interpretation on Ferrari styling in the sixties and seventies. This model is based on a Ferrari 250 GT Coupe and was the most famous of his creations. While the additional name of 'Lacrima Rossa' (means 'Red Tear') was given by Josh Lange, who continues to work toward completion of Tom's last dream car and also a close friend of Tom for the last few years of his life to describe of Tom Meade's last great struggle.

1969 Thomassima III uses a 3-liter V12 Ferrari engine with a power output of 237 hp. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fSYESA)

It may the best-described interpretation as a front-engined supercar inspired by the legendary 330 P4 sports racing model. It uses a 3-liter V12 Ferrari engine with a power output of 237 hp. The design includes a carbon fiber chassis with seats molded into the tub, much like the Thomassima II. The instruments will be multi-level, multi-functional, and hand made like most of the car's details. An aluminum body to Tom’s careful design will follow the Meade tradition.

1969 Thomassima III has multi-level, multi-functional instruments, and hand made like most of the car's details. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31LoS4s)

At the time, not many people get to build their own cars. Fewer still enlist their coachbuilding help in Modena or use aristocratic 1960s Ferrari components as their foundation. But Tom Meade able to do that, and the swooping style of his Thomassima III is evidence that he had an eye for stunning bodywork.

1969 Thomassima III's seats molded into the tub, much like the Thomassima II. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31LoS4s)

The Thomassima III created a sensation when exhibited at Italy's automobile manufacturers’ show in Turin. At the time, so many visitors crowd around the place where the Thomassima III was exhibited and made the event organizer was necessary to move the place to accommodate larger crowds surrounding Meade’s creation. Even a diecast model manufacturer, Mattel made the Thomassima III as one of its Hot Wheels collections.

1969 Thomassima III is the third model produced by Tom Meade featured the gull-wing doors as the access into its cabin. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31LoS4s)

Today the Thomassima III is in the protective hands of Meade’s adopted son and is kept in northern Italy. As its sub-300km odometer reading shows, the car has not run in decades, but to see it as it was in period (save for absent exterior mirrors and the different seat color) remains awe-inspiring. Its shape is very much organic, the ultimate rendition of the 1960s front-engined Italian sports car ethos.

Tom Meade passed away in August 2013 aged 74. It was therefore a great shock, in the year that followed, to find out that the Thomassima III was not merely a long-lost dream and actually proper to be displayed in a museum.  Not just any museum, mind you, but the Galleria Ferrari museum in Fiorano, right by the Maranello factory. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THOMASSIMA.COM | DRIVETRIBE.COM | DRIVE-MY.COM]

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