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Ferrari factory tour 1981

Discussion in '308/328' started by Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010.

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  1. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

    Jan 22, 2010
    237
    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Bob T
    #1 Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    There was a thread earlier this summer that discussed what it's like when you visit the F-car factory these days and I mentioned in that thread that I had been there years ago. Wow ... like 29 years ago. Times were obviously different then.

    It's a bit of a story as to how I got there. Hope not to bore anyone. At the time I was a Navy LT, on a ship deployed to the Mediterranean and our ship was going to be in port for enough time to allow for a road trip. Four of us each had a place we wanted to go, so we rented a Fiat Ritmo and put 2300 Kms on it in 3.5 days. Obviously it was my choice to go to Maranello. My Commanding Officer (also a car guy) offered to allow me to bring a car back to the US on the ship if I bought one. In hindsight, there was no way he could really have done that but, ok by me. Of course, there was that little "funding" problem I couldn't overcome. Needless to say it was pretty cool, we just walked up to the door, and walked in. A great guy, who spoke some English, showed us around and we were allowed to go almost anywhere. Great memories.

    OK enough nostalgic drivel, I finally was able to scan the pictures. The guy with beard is me (oh my). The gentlemen who gave us the tour and is seen handing me a set of keys is unknown. Enjoy the good ole days.

    Bob
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  2. eracer

    eracer Karting

    May 29, 2009
    141
    Michigan
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    Eric W.
    #2 eracer, Jul 30, 2010
    Wow, great pictures and story! When I was there in 2000, photos were strictly forbidden.
     
  3. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    #3 miketuason, Jul 30, 2010
    That was awesome Bob, thanks for the pics. Were you guys allowed to sit in one of the 308 from the production? It sure is different from when I was there 3 years ago.
     
  4. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    Apr 29, 2004
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    Peter den Biggelaar
    #4 bigodino, Jul 30, 2010
    Great story, thanks for sharing. Love the humour of the last picture! :)
     
  5. sltillim

    sltillim Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 22, 2009
    1,695
    San Diego
    #5 sltillim, Jul 30, 2010
    Love the yellow tiles. My mom's boyfriend had a coffee table made of those when i was a kid!
     
  6. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,345
    Kzoo Michigan
    #6 phrogs, Jul 30, 2010
    Man It must have been great to be able to have a beard while serving!

    There are no beards anymore in the navy and marine corps!


    What month was this trip, My car was built in november 1981.
     
  7. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

    Jan 22, 2010
    237
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Full Name:
    Bob T
    #7 Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010
    Yes Mike,

    The completed cars you see in the pictures had just come off the line and were being prepped for delivery. I know it's amazing by today's rules that we could just go sit in them. We did ask of course, but they were actually happy to have us look and touch.

    Bob
     
  8. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

    Jan 22, 2010
    237
    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Bob T
    #8 Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010
    Thanks for your service John,

    Yeah the beard had to go a couple of years later. The pictures were taken in February or March IIRC, sorry it wasn't November. That would have been cool!

    Bob
     
  9. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
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    May 10, 2006
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    #9 Ferraripilot, Jul 30, 2010
    fantastic pics! thanks
     
  10. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    Apr 13, 2004
    7,345
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    #10 phrogs, Jul 30, 2010
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2010

    I remember always seeing John Philip Sousawith a beard and thinking why do I need to shave look at our history! haha


    It would have been cool if you were there at the same time!



    Thanks for your service as well!

    I spent more time in the med than I liked and never got to port anywhere but a beer on the peir in thessaloniki greece and didn't even get to go see anything we just got out of kosovo and were loading back up on the LHA!
     
  11. Argento839

    Argento839 F1 Veteran

    Oct 21, 2005
    9,103
    #11 Argento839, Jul 30, 2010
    Great pics thanks for sharing!
     
  12. Red 328 GTS

    Red 328 GTS Formula Junior

    Aug 27, 2007
    888
    Sydney, Australia
    #12 Red 328 GTS, Jul 30, 2010
    +100..........

    Bob.
     
  13. viper_driver

    viper_driver Formula Junior

    Jan 1, 2009
    978
    Vegas
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    Jason
    #13 viper_driver, Jul 30, 2010
    Thanks! So neat to see how they let you check out the cars. Times sure have changed.....

    That is the piece of Ferrari I want to own.
     
  14. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2007
    4,786
    Marin
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    Geno
    #14 Sledge4.2, Jul 30, 2010
    no more pictures in any place other than the museum, when we took the factory tour the took away everyone's cams.

    amazing pics, thanks for sharing..
     
  15. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #15 Paul_308, Jul 31, 2010
    OMG, that's my car, the red one.

    I did a Navy related year in Naples in 1965 and drove by factory before I knew about Ferrari. My real factory tour 1999 was memorable, wife enjoyed it too. Save those pictures - part of your life you'll always rever.
     
  16. magnum

    magnum Formula Junior

    Feb 21, 2008
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    Barcelona, Spain
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    Antonio
    #16 magnum, Aug 6, 2010
    Thanks for sharing!
    Pics are already saved in my HD!!!!

    Many thanks again
     
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    #17 BigTex, Aug 6, 2010
    That silver 308 is a North American spec, is was headed "over here".....great shots!

    I actually HAVE heard of a Ferrari being shipped in along with a bunch of big generator skids...it could happen! They all look alike under a tarp......
     
  18. Mfoncerrada

    Mfoncerrada Formula Junior

    Dec 20, 2009
    419
    Monterey, CA
    Full Name:
    Miguel Foncerrada
    #18 Mfoncerrada, Aug 6, 2010
    Awesome pictures!

    We were never allowed to have beards in the Air Force. Bummed me out. Actually considered the Navy for that reason alone...but just couldn't see spending months on a ship...

    Cheers
     

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