Crashed Ferrari Driver’s Chopper for Sale by Malibu Man

• $57,000 Top-of-the-Line Custom Motorcycle Reflects the High Life Stefan Eriksson Lived •

BY ANNE SOBLE

Just as the rare, red $1.5 million Enzo Ferrari crashed by Stefan Eriksson in Malibu in February 2006 reflected the jet-setting lifestyle the Swedish businessman and ex-felon led in Bel Air, so did his taste in two-wheel forms of transportation.

Just before the spectacular crash that made headlines around the world, Eriksson walked into Schwartzkopf Exclusive Customs in Marina del Rey, a motorcycle Mecca known worldwide, and plunked down his American Express Black Card for a $57,000 chopper.

The masterpiece of mechanical engineering was designed and built by owner Eric Schwartzkopf and his crew, who craft mean wheels for an international A-list of affluent easy riders.

The six-speed, dual carburetor, air suspension chopper has a 124-cubic-inch S and S Super Sidewinder engine with all performance machine controls packaged on a satin nickel-plated frame that is matte black.

The 300x18 fat rear tire may prompt some to be reminded of Eriksson’s mobster moniker (according to the Swedish press), Tjock Steffe, or “Fat Steffy” (the nickname for Stefan).

Schwartzkopf said the bike, every component of which is “top of the line,” took over five months to complete. The bike was originally designed for someone else, but was on display at the shop when Eriksson decided he wanted it. Schwartzkopf said, “He didn’t strike me as the kind of man who would wait five to six months for anything.”

As was the case with the high-performance Ferrari, the bike designer said the chopper would have no problems exceeding either the speed or the noise limits on any local roadway.

The motorcycle is now owned by longtime Malibu resident Peter Tripp who has put it up for sale. The printer supplies business owner, who is a former studio musician for Jan and Dean and others, bought the bike after his son, who worked at Schwartzkopf Customs, took a call from Eriksson’s attorneys indicating that he had to sell the bike for cash because all of his assets were frozen.

British banks had the Swede prosecuted in Los Angeles for fraud on the Enzo and two other high performance sports cars. He is still serving a three-year jail sentence and is expected to be deported to his native Sweden, or to Germany, where his wife and children now reside with her family. When he returns to Europe, he may face no shortage of other legal woes related to his business dealings abroad.

According to the already mounting lore about the sleek two-wheeler, federal authorities impounded it with all of his other material possessions of value, but his lawyers were reportedly able to get the bike back for him because of paperwork showing that it was paid for in full.

Tripp said he will bring the motorcycle out to Malibu to show potential local buyers, but it is currently on display on the Schwartzkopf showroom floor.

The motorcycle’s hand-sewn leather seating and handle grips also have a local association. The fancy design was done by Eric Staudenbaur at Bill Wall Leather, a firm that has been designing works of leather art in Malibu for more than two decades.

Staudenbaur said the top of the seat and the handles are covered in sharkskin, the sides are Italian calf, and the logo is sterling silver. He noted that the floral scrollwork is a traditional design.

Tripp is asking $46,000 for the chopper that the man who is now dubbed “Ferrari Guy” never got to enjoy. Whoever buys it can expect it to attract attention, even if the onlooker doesn’t know the story of one of the most famous car crashes in history. And if they do know it, that should increase the level of attention even more.