| Author | Message | ||
| George Gibbs (George_gibbs)
New member Username: George_gibbs Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2002 |
ah a prugnia 328,i would like to see it if you have a pic,the only other plum ferrari i've seen was a 85 mondial on ebay. cool thanks kelly  | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
New member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 41 Registered: 11-2002 |
Kelly, i wouldn't make that claim...i've got one o' them 'plum' 328s, with a solid/closed roof, to boot! Is a bit unusual to see prugnia colored Fcars, but not unheard of, as at that time this was Ferrari's answer to 'what do i get if i want burgundy?'... | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 521 Registered: 2-2002 |
Mike, Welcome aboard. Everyone, I bet you never seen a car like Mike's. the color is Plum. Mike's car is in the middle of mine and John's  Kelly | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 520 Registered: 2-2002 |
Welsome aboard mike. glad to see you have joined us. Here a pic of Mikes Plum colored car. I'm on the left and John is on the right.  Kelly | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Junior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 148 Registered: 8-2002 |
Someone on this board (most people, actually) had a link in their profile to a Ferrari website that i clicked on and i was reading some information about Ferraris and it said that, contrary to popular belief, Ferraris are made to be driven, not to be looked at... that a Ferrari will be more reliable if it's driven on a regular basis than if you let it sit in a garage 9 months out of the year... It continued to state that Ferraris are made to be driven HARD... i, for one, can assure the world that when i get a Ferrari (not if, WHEN), i will proudly drive it into the ground... (this statement probably discludes me from EVER getting someone to let me drive their Ferrari, but i can accept that...) My S- er, current car is constantly pushed way beyond any limits anyone would/could set for a car and she runs even better than when i got her... i can't wait to sink my teeth into an exotic. | ||
| George Michael Gibbs (George_gibbs)
New member Username: George_gibbs Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2002 |
im new to the board, but im here to tell you. the most fun i've had with my 85-308gtsi was at the french quarter events. thanks to john,franco,jim,kelly,ferrari of houston and eric for the 100mph+ 360 challenge ride. as soon as i can figure out how to shrink my pics i'll post them. | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 77 Registered: 9-2002 |
This guy Spiro is amazing, he drives an 41 year old LeMans winning Ferrari that cost $8 mil to work. Maybe he should be in charge of the Treasury or SEC, it sounds like he knows what he is doing. Amazing guy. | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
New member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 30 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dave: I'm not quite sure why you are so contrary. My post about the fact that you "can" drive you car everyday, is to inform our friends that it is "feasible" to do so, and to give real life examples of many of us who do this. Are the things I stated so obvious to our group? Is it obvious how much an F50 will depreciate if you drive it 40K miles? I'm sharing, what I consider to be interesting FACTS that I'm not quite sure everyone knows. I'm not quite sure of the intent of your suggestion that those of us who report of driving these cars everyday, are lying or are exaggerating these claims. We may be few, but the point of my post is that we are not irrational for doing so, nor are we leading people to believe we drive these cars more than we do. Dave, I'm very curious about were you get the information from which you draw conclusions. Nor am I clear why you choose to take personal shots at me. I'm merely stating facts about myself and my friends, that support an opinion different from yours. | ||
| Manu (Manu)
Member Username: Manu Post Number: 578 Registered: 2-2002 |
"Was he part of Meriwether's Arb Desk back in the late 80s/early 90s???" Hey Rick! Looking at his cars you'd think so! - Probably wasn't part of LTCM though  Good for him for kicking the crap out of his F50 - that's the way they're supposed to be used! | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 298 Registered: 3-2002 |
Nothing like making fun of someone's name to help your arguement. I thought that name-calling and the such were the lowest form of discourse. "but truth is many don't as often as they might lead others to believe" A shame isnt it? But if someone is jerking your chain you could always take a peek at the odometer if in person. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 416 Registered: 4-2002 |
"If you want to drive a Ferrari rain or shine. You can" sure you CAN (full marks John thingy the IInd, for stating the bleedin obvious), but truth is many don't as often as they might lead others to believe. | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 518 Registered: 2-2002 |
I sent Jim an e-mail telling him a fan club was forming and we would be choosing a President soon HAHA. I bet he will check it out. | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 121 Registered: 8-2002 |
Was he part of Meriwether's Arb Desk back in the late 80s/early 90s??? | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 295 Registered: 3-2002 |
Salomon Smith Barney | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Junior Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 120 Registered: 8-2002 |
What IB does Spiro work for? Just curious, was he an M&A guy, LBO, Prop Trader, Hedge Fund? | ||
| Mike Clark (Vipersrt)
New member Username: Vipersrt Post Number: 8 Registered: 10-2002 |
Mr. Spiro is my hero. No, really, he is. What kind of other cars does he own? | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 294 Registered: 3-2002 |
John, When is that 360M gonna get in? What options did you choose? | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
New member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 28 Registered: 11-2002 |
Neil: Dont let anyone out thier curb your enthusiasim or suggest that "once you get one, you'll know better" That's hogwash. If you want to drive a Ferrari rain or shine. You can. (I can count SIX close friends in my small city of New Orleans that do just that: they drive their Ferraris every day- one with an F50, two with 360s, one with a 328GTB, and two with 550s). This does not include Jim Spiro, who drives a different one every day. (Jim has accumulated 1400 miles on his LeMans winning 330 TR/LM since he purhcased it a few months ago, previously it was locked in a museum in France for the last 33 years. Does it run better now, you bet.) This does not mean that those of us who drive these cars dont give a passing fancy about the accumulation of miles. It means that we've made the conscious decision that driving our Ferraris is worth more to you than the depreciation recieved from the accumulation of miles. (Spiro, after accumulating 40,000 miles on his F50 lost less than $60,000 in depreciation in 4 years. And Dan will likely be able to put another 10k on it without loosing anything) Compare that to the guy who buys a $110,000 348, polishes it with a diaper for years, rarely drives it, and today owns a $50,000 car.) Who's more enlightened? Well I guess that depends on your point of view. You have the choice to approach your ownership anyway you like. If your into having a perfect jewel that can win your concourse, and enjoy polishing it in the garage or driving it only on nice weekends. Then great. There is a place for you in Ferraridom. If your big dream is to drive a Ferrari everyday, then do it. Dream big Neal. Its really the only way to make outrageous things a reality. John BTW. Neal, come to think of it, when you get your Ferrari, take the dam thing straight to the nearest race track you can find and do a few hot laps. Go wheel to wheel with a local Ferrari club. Buying a Ferrari for most of us enthusiasts is fullfilling a fantasy. Get the most out of the experience and dam the pundits. | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
New member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 27 Registered: 11-2002 |
Neil: Dont let anyone out thier curb your enthusiasim or suggest that "once you get one, you'll know better" That's hogwash. If you want to drive a Ferrari rain or shine. You can. (I can count SIX close friends in my small city of New Orleans that do just that: they drive their Ferraris every day- one with an F50, two with 360s, one with a 328GTB, and two with a 550s). This does not include Jim Spiro, who drives a different one every day. (BTW, Jim has accumulated 1400 miles on his LeMans winning 330 TR/LM since he purhcased it a few months ago, previously it was locked in a museum in Franch for the last 33 years. Does it run better now, you bet.) This does not mean that those of us who drive these cars dont give a passing fancy about the accumulation of miles. It means that we've made the conscious decision that driving our Ferraris is worth more to you than the depreciation recieved from the accumulation of miles. Dream big Neal. Its really the only way to make things happen. John BTW. Neal, come to think of it, when you get your Ferrari, take the dam thing straight to the nearest race track you can find and do a few hot laps. Go wheel to wheel with a local Ferrari club. Buying a Ferrari for most of us enthusiasts is fullfilling a fantasy. Get the most out of the experience and dam pundits. | ||
| Evan Jones (Jonesn)
New member Username: Jonesn Post Number: 50 Registered: 8-2002 |
If I had a F50 I'd do the same, lucky guy. Carty Bill is a guy from Midland (TX) who owns the silver McLaren F1 that R&T tested, and he drives it just as much as Jim with his F50. BTW, what firm was Jim with? | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 413 Registered: 4-2002 |
The best restoration shops can fix it better than new I'm sure they're out there but haven't come across one yet over here in the UK. They seem incapable of not getting overspray somewhere or other or not screwing up something else along the way. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 412 Registered: 4-2002 |
Neil A...thinking you'd use an F 'daily' come rain or shine before actually doing it when you get one are two worlds apart! When you get one you will understand my point. It seems that although many will spout about not being fussed about how high the mileage goes or when they use the car, many actually 'do' give these things more than a passing thought and prefer to keep them reasonably low. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 405 Registered: 10-2001 |
Magoo ,i have been driving my Alfa Spider everyday for the last 4 years to go to school or whatever , and im still in love with it . Every morning , i warm it a bit by revving the engine , then when i take it out , i see the smoke coming out of the exhaust ...its still a magical moment . And its just a little alfa ! Cant imagine doing this with a F50 ! | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 516 Registered: 2-2002 |
Sorry John, The Southern Baptist in me came out. I hate it when it does that. HAHA | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 515 Registered: 2-2002 |
Amen | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
New member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2002 |
IF you Ferrari owners out there want to come to an absolutely amazing event, we are having out 4th annual Louisiana event on October 24-27, 2003. Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Drivers, amazing Ferraris, a great track event, and professional New Olreans style parties!! This is a very unique boutique style event. Expensive but worth it. You can do things in New Orleans that are not possible anywhere else. We party proffesionally. Combine this with a first class Ferrari event, with guys that DRIVE thier cars, and you've got the picture. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 3721 Registered: 2-2001 |
Driving a F50 everyday is awesome but like anything else you get used to it. Sometimes a hamburger works where a steak won't. Just human nature. But then we would all like to try it for a while...... | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Junior Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 109 Registered: 6-2002 |
I belive the F50 largely uses Rod-ends<just>, which are also replaceable (albit at ~$100/pop, unlike rubber bushings that are a few dollars. But rubber is *lame!* ;) Best! Ben. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 400 Registered: 10-2001 |
AMAZING ! How exciting it must be when you know that you are going to wake up and drive an F50 or a Cobra Daytona..! Felicitazione ! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 3050 Registered: 2-2001 |
True, the grass is always greener... I think I need a house up here in NJ and another one down in Louisiana (too many people do the NJ to FL thing, I'll have to be original here). You guys have Britney Spears which right off the bat puts you higher up in the ranking also. Plus, those southern girls have big boobs. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 292 Registered: 3-2002 |
Bret, Dont forget the potential for hurricanes and oppressive summer heat/humidity! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 3048 Registered: 2-2001 |
The F50s got that back lit display, even the new Enzo doesn't have that. Very very cool feature. I would venture to guess this would cost quite a bit to fix if it had problems. The only reason I would worry about driving the F50 everyday is that it has little or no bushings. So when the front end, suspension, etc loosen up the entire part will have to be replaced as opposed to a simple urethane or rubber insert. Granted it will probably never make it to a mileage that would make this a problem, but it would bother me a little if I was buying an F50 with high mileage. Since he is the original owner though he obviously doesn't have to worry about it. That said, I think it's awesome that he drives it like he does. Makes me jealous of you good weather all year guys. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 291 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think one of the only problems he had with his car was with the instrument panel malfunctioning in some fashion. Maybe something to do with the way it lit up. For some reason I think I remember hearing Jim talk about that happening. Not a cheap fix either. Correct me if I am wrong, because it is quite possible But when I heard this particular F50 after the French Quarter Concourso it sure sounded like it was running perfectly. Goes to show you that even F50s like to be driven, and HARD!!! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 3037 Registered: 2-2001 |
You guys down south have a big jump on us northern guys. I too would drive the 308 everyday... if I could get it out of the driveway from December to March...then there's that salt thing. Damn the north, at least we won the Civil War. | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 410 Registered: 3-2002 |
If I had his collection I'd be fine with a one bedroom too... | ||
| Mike Clark (Vipersrt)
New member Username: Vipersrt Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2002 |
If he owns an apartment, he must own somesort of warehouse he keeps the cars in. I can just picture it, 12 million dollars worth of cars sitting in a parking lot! | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
New member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2002 |
That was Jim's Cobra on speedvsion. But that was not Jim's estate. I cannot wait to tease him about that one!!! We always kid jim because he lives in a one bedroom apartement in town. Not because he cannot afford a bigger place but because this guy's first love is Ferraris. He's not one to indulge in anything else. Unlike some Ferrari owners he does not own them to show off, he owns them becuase thats his true love. John Houghtaling, II | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 380 Registered: 1-2002 |
senna 1994- You're right about the F50 GT and the 206, read about them here: http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/forza/number16/pg38.frame | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jim Spiro from what I read in Forza is an Investment Banker who has a real passion for cars, and sounds like a great guy. He also at one time owned an F50 GT1 he bought from Ferrari of B.H. and a Dino 206 SP. Apparently the guy just loves cars and doesn't worry about driving them everyday. AMEN. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 533 Registered: 7-2002 |
I may be dumb, but who is Jim Spiro? | ||
| Kevin Butler (Challenge)
New member Username: Challenge Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2002 |
John, didn't Jim show off that Cobra on a Speedvision program (Hemmings)? He drove it down the beautiful tree-lined entrance of his estate (I presume it was his). Incredible sounds. Kevin | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
New member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 22 Registered: 11-2002 |
In Louisiana we drive our cars. If they get rock chips, they are repainted. When I bought my first Ferrari I would only drive it on nice sunny days for fear that the car may show some wear. My good friend Jim convinced by otherwise. Not with a speech, but by example. Jim drives his cars. He does not do so without care of their value. He does so knowing that to really get value from these cars you must drive them. They are a hell of a lot of fun. Does driving them hurt thier value? Maybe somewhat, but the value you get from driving them far exceeds the depreciation from the miles. (this depreciateion if often very exaggerated) As for wear and tear. This is completely fixable. The best restoration shops can fix it better than new. As for mechanical wear and tear? Well I can tell you from driving Dan Heard's (ex-Jim Spiro's) F50 several times, it runs flawlessly. Jim drove the thing every day rain or shine, and it NEVER left him stranded. These cars run better if you drive them, than they do if they sit in your garage. By the way, I often saw Jim driving his 4 million dollar Daytona Cobra Coupe to work in a suit and park it in his buildings parking garage!! He now drives the 62 Le Mans winner around the streets of New Orleans. John W. Houghtaling, II | ||
| Mike Clark (Vipersrt)
New member Username: Vipersrt Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2002 |
How many cars does this Jim Spiro have? He must have a really nice collection? | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 509 Registered: 2-2002 |
Ok let's try the rear view and what jim owns now again.   | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 508 Registered: 2-2002 |
OK Here's a picture before it was painted, That's my little boy in the picture.  Here the new owner Dan, lives in Baton Rouge, LA with John, who put on the Concourso:  We are so lucky the car never left the state! Here is what Jim owns now | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1984 Registered: 9-2001 |
yes it is spiros car, he bought a 8 million dollar race car at the auction. Kelly in NO knows him | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 738 Registered: 4-2001 |
This November, I drove my TR almost everyday (2,431 miles in 35 days to be exact). Rain or shine and she was a joy. Fired up everytime and ran like a champ. She's in Florida now get a well needed "spa-like' treatment at the mechanic. Will do next year too -- I cannot tell you how much fun it was to see people's faces when I would drive up in pouring rain to go to lunch at a restaurant. Some people would come out with umbrellas to help us in -- gotta love the power of an f-car. My hat is off to the F-50 driver. | ||
| Doug Meredith (Doug308)
Junior Member Username: Doug308 Post Number: 223 Registered: 2-2001 |
I think it's great that he drove it that much. Like some of the owners of the F40's on this board, he enjoys it for what it was meant to do: be driven. Reggie Jackson has his less than 300 mile F40 going to Barrett-JAckson in January. How much could he have enjoyed that compared to this guy. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Junior Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 205 Registered: 10-2002 |
If you want to see what a real racecar looks like after winning the 24 Hours of Daytona check out pic of 0846 http://server.ferrarichat.com/~ferrari/ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/14/173918.html?1038425096in | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Junior Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 104 Registered: 6-2002 |
It may be a 'ratty' looking F50, but exactly who do you think has the last laugh here? (hint: it's the guy who gets to *daily* an F50!) Drive it as often as you possibly can, maintain it impecibally, die with your tires corded Best! Ben. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 375 Registered: 1-2002 |
>>i remember some auto rag criticized the owner about the condition of the car andhe wrote back!(Forza?)<< If it is, indeed, Mr. Spiro's car then yes. Forza called it the 'rattiest' (recalling from memory) F50 it/they had ever seen, the owner didn't take kindly to being slighted by a magazine that obviously used him and his car to sell issues, wrote in w/ a rebuttal to the commentary, and had the editors write an apology in the next issue. However, an 'enthusiast' mag disdainfully commenting on an owner that USES his car betrays where the magazines/editors barrometer lays, namely, they side with the: mantel piece ferrari, to be waxed with cotton diapers, and kept in an airtight bubble collectible category. Not in the 'use as intended' catagory, and judging from the laughable and discrediting 'write up' done on the F40 belonging to owners of this forum, the expert standing of those dishing the critique should be taken with a grain of salt; as it pertains to the use of these cars. | ||
| RyanK (Ryanab)
Junior Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 169 Registered: 3-2002 |
i remember some auto rag criticized the owner about the condition of the car. i believe he wrote them back with his 0.02! (Forza?) Ryan | ||
| Patrick (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 76 Registered: 4-2002 |
I had heard of a black one in Louisiana... the guy supposedly drove it everywhere. The front nose was pretty nicked up from rock chips... but hey, it is his car and he obviously liked to drive it. Nothing paint can't fix. Patrick | ||
| Marvin Balagot (Mdb69)
Junior Member Username: Mdb69 Post Number: 58 Registered: 4-2002 |
Probably James Spiro's car from New Orleans? | ||
| Dave (Netviper)
New member Username: Netviper Post Number: 22 Registered: 11-2001 |
Damn.. he was in louisiana!! I would have driven anywhere in this state to see it! | ||
| Neil A. Campbell (Bimmerlover)
New member Username: Bimmerlover Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2002 |
hey, i must commend that guy. i mean i think the f50 is a special sort of car. but it gets sort of ridiculous when people dotn use their cars more often. although i dont have a ferrari, i would drive any car in the rain. after all it was purchased for enjoyment. drive it when you want. but to each his own. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 374 Registered: 1-2002 |
It was a black F50 right? The name of the owner escapes be, but I've read about him using the car daily; rain or shine. | ||
| Doug Meredith (Doug308)
Junior Member Username: Doug308 Post Number: 222 Registered: 2-2001 |
New issue of Sports Car Market does a profile of a '97 F50 that recently sold in Monterey for $528k. It had 37,000+ mile from the original owner in Louisiana who used it as a daily driver! Maybe I'll trade in my Audi on one. |