NEW YORK — Comedian and car collector Jerry Seinfeld filed a lawsuit against European Collectibles of Costa Mesa, Calif., in federal court last week. The suit alleges the dealership sold Seinfeld an “inauthentic” 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster in February 2013. After Seinfeld resold the car at auction in March 2016, his buyer, a Channel Islands-based company called Fica Frio, determined the vehicle was not genuine.
Last month, Fica Frio sued Seinfeld to recover some part of the $1 million-plus price tag. Seinfeld’s attorneys say they pressed European Collectibles, which they say provided Seinfeld with what appeared to be a genuine certificate of authenticity, to settle the matter with Fica Frio directly.
It might not be real, but it’s spectacular: The vehicle in question is billed as a 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster.
Photo courtesy Gooding & Co.
European Collectibles “refused to do so,” triggering further legal action, the lawsuit states, in part. The suit also alleges the dealership “deploys fraudulent practices in connection with its restoration and sale of classic cars.”
“Jerry has no liability in this matter, but he wants to do the right thing, and is therefore bringing this action to hold European Collectibles accountable for its own certification of authenticity, and to allow the court to determine the just outcome,” said attorney Orin Snyder.
