| Author | Message | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Member Username: 4re308 Post Number: 760 Registered: 6-2001 |
Steven, GREAT looking car man! Congrats and a hearty MAZOL TOV to you! What a gorgeous car! Drive it often. Everytime I look at my car, I see another part of her that I like. Welcome to a VERY exclusive club. If you have any questions about the car, feel free to contact me anytime. ENJOY IT!! | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hi Everyone, First, a most humble thanks to all for your well wishes. It really has been a multi-decade dream come true. Have been a private guest of Pininfarina and toured their facility. Toured the Ferrari facility in September... After two days of driving the Euro 308GTS QV all i can say is "fun fun fun (on the autobahn)". Handling is easily controlled and seems very predictable... even on the cold roads and zero degrees Celsius weather here. The HP and torque feels about as they should be. The sound is nicer than expected :-) The usual stares by those i pass, the lovely ladies, the car guys with questions, the car parts store and Italian restaurant clearing out of employees... but above all that is the driving EXPERIENCE is what matters most. Snow, no snow... Ferrari cars are meant to be DRIVEN!!! Controlling the rear end is VERY easy. Shifting is a bit notchy at times, but is is VERY COLD here. Of course the 308 does not have "neck braking" acceleration, though enough to have fun on the long and winding Mountain roads here. The roads here are VERY seductive and a good portion of why i choose to not move to our family home on the beach (west coast Florida). Still get butterflies in my stomach before i start her up. Like a dream.. but this is reality. Decades in the making, making the right choices, not selling out during the .com boom, never settling, being fair and just with others, no short cuts, etc etc etc. BTW: installed my Valentine 1 and during today's drive it started the usual at one point so i slowed down... was passed by a local police officer who was VERY CAREFULLY looking at my car as we passed each other. Guess the locals are learning there is a new car in town. Probably have the only F-car in a 40+ mile radius. Funny to see the SUV/Caravan "soccer moms and kids inside" stare at the car and ooh and ahh. Decided to take two hours to detail the car today after driving her the past two days (Jeff would be so proud of me). She looks gorgeous, if needing some more TLC in some spots. Ok, enough for now. Have to make a list of parts i want to bring the car up to a higher standard before spring time (older oxidized bolts, cracked side reflector, etc). In the end what REALLY matters is that YOU... Enjoy The Ride, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 233 Registered: 12-2002 |
Great looking car! Man, that ramp just does not look sturdy enough to hold a Ferrari...Id have to look the other way when they pulled my car out  | ||
| Lee Hamner (Tennlee)
New member Username: Tennlee Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2002 |
What a beautiful car! Congrats! | ||
| Ming Cheng (Onlinesys)
Junior Member Username: Onlinesys Post Number: 171 Registered: 5-2002 |
Steve -- What a nice and clean Engine! Jeff -- You must love your baby and took great care with it! Enjoy both of your new babies. Cheers, | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1234 Registered: 7-2001 |
Jeff, we need details on the 348. How was the drive home? Are you happy w/ the intercoolers? Can you post pics? I haven't seen the installation since the parts came back from the powder coaters. Sorry I missed you on Fri. | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 86 Registered: 4-2002 |
Jeff, Looks like you did a great job. Seems the sticky shifting was simply do to cold. Took another spin this eve as i went out for the obligatory Italian food celebration dinner. Needless to say it is fully owned and operated by TRUE Italians and they almost all cleared out of the restaurant to see/hear the car. And the dinner they cooked... Meraviglioso! Will e-mail other details to you tomorrow my friend. Enjoy The Drive, Steven R. Rochlin PS: If anyone wants a larger photo of the engine bay, e-mail me. The file is "only" 275kb, but can make it upwards of 1MB or more if you desire. | ||
| Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
Junior Member Username: Euro308guy Post Number: 198 Registered: 7-2002 |
Steve, Congrats! I knew you'd be happy with the car. Tugs my heart strings to see it gone. But, my new 348 TT is very cool too. Glad to see it showed up in one piece. Rob- Yes, I did the engine compartment, and paint, and undercarriage, and the leather. This car was my baby! J | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1232 Registered: 7-2001 |
Holy crap, that engine compartment is GORGEOUS! Sad that I lack motivation for that kind of thing. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 3374 Registered: 12-2000 |
Beautiful car! Jeff, you detail and do all that engine work yourself? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2476 Registered: 9-2001 |
yes, I have used intercity too | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1640 Registered: 8-2002 |
WHOOOOO...! It's more like a video than a picture, i can see it moving...! Awesome... | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 85 Registered: 4-2002 |
Tom, Was not nervous at all as the delivery guy at Intercity was VERY careful and took his time as needed. Would HIGHLY recommend them. Great service and cost was well below others :-) Enjoy The Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 84 Registered: 4-2002 |
Des, Your wish is my command... Here's the photos :-) Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin  | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Junior Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 122 Registered: 12-2002 |
Steven, Congratulations on your new car. It looks magnificent. I hope that you will enjoy it very much. Ton | ||
| John (Modenaf1fan)
Junior Member Username: Modenaf1fan Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2002 |
WOW! very nice! nothin like a crispy clean ferrari on the snow | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2475 Registered: 9-2001 |
looks good - how nervous did you get when that intercity guy backed it out on the truck platform looks might cold there | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1639 Registered: 8-2002 |
HOLY CRAP...! That thing looks brand-spanking new...! Steven, that's awesome...! i love the shot of the car on the truck, with all the smoke coming from the exhaust... did you get a profile of the car, at that height...? That's suhWEET...! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1638 Registered: 8-2002 |
2 minutes to install a tail light...? It took me fifteen minutes and the Birdie's help to install 2 license plate lights- you should take that on as a side job... Above 80...? Steve, 65 miles is not enough... come back when you've put 200+ on it and you've taken it above 130+...! Some of the people on here have stories of getting pulled over and the cops just let them go...! Tell the nice man in the blue uniform with the shiney badge that it's your first day with your new baby- you're just breakin' it in... i'd be out driving it, mapping out gas stations across the eastern sea board, trying to make it from one to another... Steven, get off here and go make a story...! | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 83 Registered: 4-2002 |
photos...     | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 81 Registered: 4-2002 |
Des, Back home after 65 miles of driving fun. After 15 miles the temps came up ok, but even after 40 mile there are some shifting gremlins i need to work out. Intermittent problem, could be shifting alignment problem and will research more. The 308 is really very civilized... but then again i have always driven some form of sports or "sporty" car. The chassis is more rigid then i expected as is the suspension. The new Maser Spider with top down SEEMED to be less rigid than the 308GTS with targa top on during rougher roads. Still having fun and learning. Of course she gets into her own above 80mph, but the Valentine 1 is not installed yet so i haveta be careful to keep my "good driver" insurance status. PS: (Said in good humor) The car is ALREADY costing me $$$ and LOTTSA time to maintain. $1.99 for a new tail light bulb and 2 minutes of my time. Should pass inspection tomorrow :-) Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1636 Registered: 8-2002 |
Steven...! Fuggin' A...! i have a feeling we won't be hearing from him for a while... | ||
| Theo Pappas (Theo)
New member Username: Theo Post Number: 28 Registered: 5-2002 |
Steve, Congrats on the arrival of your new baby!!!! I remember when I got my 328 I was outside of my house pacing back and forth waiting for it. When I saw it coming up the street (driven by the previous owner) my heart came out of my chest!!!! What a day. A life long dream had come true. Let's hook up when the weather gets better. Theo | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Junior Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 208 Registered: 2-2002 |
Great to hear good luck!! | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 80 Registered: 4-2002 |
Mission control, we have touchdown!!! The car was a tad hard to start for the delivery company, but that is expected as she sat for a few days and it is -7 degrees F here (was -15 last night). Weak battery i bet due to cold. Will be taking her out for fun shortly as i need to get an inspection sticker. Will post photos shortly. From the basic one mile drive it seems OK, if a bit notchy. That is expected as she is COLD!!! More to come. Enjoy The Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
Junior Member Username: Euro308guy Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2002 |
Steve, You've been patient. Today, the patience and persistence will be rewarded. Enjoy your new car. It is truely a great one! Jeff | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Junior Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 119 Registered: 12-2002 |
It's almost there now! | ||
| Johnny (Up2nogd)
Junior Member Username: Up2nogd Post Number: 127 Registered: 8-2002 |
Steven, Congrats!! I was lucky enough to pick mine up locally but man what a feeling. It will take about two days before the numbness will wear off and then another two days of wondering what the Hell have I just done! I agree with all here - take it for a long drive by "Yourself" prove that it will not leave you beside the road and every little noise is not it falling apart!! As for sleeping and being nervous -- When I first got in mine I was so nervous I stalled it out twice with everybody in the garage watching!! Enjoy! Johnny | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1625 Registered: 8-2002 |
Victor, truly an amazing story... The Prancing Horse is invincible...! Or, um... it was just luck... | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 228 Registered: 12-2002 |
OMG! Crazy story Victor! Thank heavens your 355 was unhurt | ||
| victor v villarreal (Vvvmd)
New member Username: Vvvmd Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
I purchased a 99 355 GTS a month ago. With the bad weather I haven't had a chance to drive it very much, I think however the delivery of my new toy is something I will never forget. The dealer called me on a monday morning to tell me that the car was being loaded into the transport as we spoke and that I could expect to get the car later that day. That evening they called me back to tell me that there had been a delay and that my car would be at my home before 7 am the next mornig. I told them that I had to be at work at 7:30 to perform surgery so if they were late they were to call so I could arange to meet them. The next day 7 am came and went so I left to go to work. Just before I got started with my first case my wife called to tell me that my car was there but that there was a little problem. It seems that the driver had taken a wrong turn in my development and was on a different street. To make matters worse his truck that was towing the transporter was broken and wouldn't move and that he couldn't get the 355 out of the trailer. I told my wife to go to the transporter and tell the driver to wait for me there for 20 minutes and I would help him out. My wife went to talk to the driver and got a good description of the problem with the truck. She went home and called the local Ford dealer and told them about the problem. They infromed her that there was a problem with that vintage truck and that it was not driveable and that they would send a truck out to take care of the problem. As she was headed out the door the transport arrived in front of the house. I should add that the spot where the driver parked has a moderate slope. The driver figured out how to release the straps on the 355 and fired it up. The brakes of the truck chose that instant to fail and the entire rig including a driverless Ford F350 truck towing an enclosed transporter with a running 355 GTS in it with the driver in the 355 rolled down the hill. The truck rolled off the road jack-knifed and hit a tree dead center. The truck had to be towed away. The driver looked like he had seen his entire life pass in front of his eyes. The 355 was unhurt!! Fortunately I didn't witness any of this. If I had I'm sure I would have lost bowel and bladder control. I hope that the rest of my time as a Ferrari owner will be less eventfull | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Junior Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 225 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thats the best liscense plate ive ever heard of! You can count on me saying wee if i ever get a ride | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Intermediate Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 1619 Registered: 8-2002 |
Steven, that's so friggin' awesome, it's not even funny... i can only imagine how you feel... As far as sleep is concerned- don't even think about it...! The best advice i can give you is to try and stay awake, the whole night through- you might actually fall asleep at some point... You must be STOKED...! Can wait to see the photos... Listen: don't be afraid to jump up and down and squeal like a little third grader in pig tails when the truck gets there- once your neighbors see what's coming off the truck, they'll understand... Your choice for a license plate is awesome, too... Don't be so concerned about posting pictures right away, though- take her for a ride...! That's the most important thing... i really hope you get more enjoyment out of it than you ever dreamed... Let us know how things turn out... | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 79 Registered: 4-2002 |
PS: for those who mention licence plates... Well... have been wanting a Ferrari since i was a kid. As a child i would go "WEEEEEEEeeeeeee" when dad got his then new '69 Mustang (my dad's dream car". The shockwave file at http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/weeee.html also made my choice easy :-) So the plate is... "4R-WEE" If you want a ride in the car you MUST go WEEEEEEEE at least once while i am driving :-) Enjoy The Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 78 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ron, Will take MANY pics. Only have a 1GB microdrive in the camera so i am limited to "only" a few hundred before download and go again :-) Darn 6-7MB photo files really eat up disc space fast! Tom... i am sure Jeff's car is great and PPI'ed impressively by a mechanic near him. Will have a "local" do more tests in the next week or so. Have some plans for this car... Enjoy The Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Pat Pasqualini (Enzo)
Junior Member Username: Enzo Post Number: 205 Registered: 2-2002 |
I have to imagine that when the transports door opens there will be a million butterflies flapping in your stomach. I just can't wait for the day that happens to me. Hopefully soon Bringing the wife to check out an 80 GTSi next week and hopefully an 86 328 after that. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 416 Registered: 5-2002 |
You must take pics of the car being taken off the transport truck and you driving it into it's new home (garage) You enjoy the moment and make those pictures count.. Congrats | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2461 Registered: 9-2001 |
best of luck - I remember the anticipation. Let us know if the seller misrpresented anything | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Junior Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hi Everyone, In approximately 16 hours my first Ferrari will arrive here via enclosed transport. Most of you know the car as it was Jeff's '85 308GTS QV Euro. Will have photos and all online once she finally arrives "home" :-) It has been decades, literally, in the making. So any tips on how to get some sleep tonight? Enjoy The Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
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