Another shameless plug for Maranellos, including my own two cars

Darius, excellent piece, with only one of your comments do I disagree: "And while I would never claim my own Ferrari 575 (2004, manual, with “FHP”) is anywhere near as beautiful as one of the 1960s cars,..."

As I've written elsewhere on FChat, walk around any Maranello; from every viewpoint and perspective, there is not a single line that is less than flawless. I believe that the Maranello may be the most beautiful Pininfarina/Ferrari design ever, including the SWB, 250GTO, Lusso, 275's, GTC's and Daytona. But what do I know, I drive blue Ferraris (575M, F355, 412).

 

Re theorem: in a bubble 'collectors' will believe anything that implies greater exclusivity be it MP4-12C built at MTC not MPC or manual 599 whether or not they are necessarily superior (see also Semper Augustus tulip)

 

Nice article, Darius. I'll add two sentiments:

The first is that I don't necessarily think the 'modern classic' appeals only to the younger generation; instead I'd suggest that the niche has it's place among and instead of '60's (+/-) cars amongst '60's (+/-) year old owners, for the reasons in my next point - which includes this generation as a subset of a larger population.

The second is that there is a new value proposition developing in modern classics, and that is utility. By that I mean the availability of incremental use is real. Consider the accessible performance, reduced risk exposure, increased destination options, and reliability/robust build quality of a Maranello compared to a 275 GTB, while still retaining the passion, pedigree, and art. That has to become more and more compelling to singular owners, collectors, and anyone in between, in regard to demand for modern classics (with Maranello's as a prime example).

As much as the people deride concours ownership, the reality is simply that 275 GTB's aren't typically used to go for a quart of milk anymore - but a 550/575/etc certainly can be, and I can't think of a better way to do it.

-Joe

 

Darius, thank you for the article, you're a real "ambassador" for our beloved model.... ;-)!

Perfectly explained, think the same way.

 

+1 Great article

Nothing to add other than, I've been contemplating about selling my 575M lately maybe for a FF or 599. However, every time I look at the 575M against either, I just don't/can't get that same feeling when looking at the 575M. Not sure how to articulate into words, others here have better vocabulary to put into words, for me, it's just a feeling you know when something/someone is special.

 

Darius- Nice article and pretty much matches my thinking. The number I have for 575Ms is 2064 (from Maranello Concessionaires) and the only other published number I have seen is 2056.

Could easily have had a 3 pedal back in 08 when I bought mine, but I wanted to try the F1 system after 50 years of driving 3 pedal cars. Turns out I really like F1. Takes a while to learn how to drive it well, but once you do....

No maintenance issues with F1 if well maintained. Unfortunately, many early F1 owners do not realize the system should be fully serviced (fluid change, bleed, PIS optimized) at least every 3 years.

 

Appreciate you love your F1 but as the article states.........

"Ferrari will never make any more of its metal-gated manual transmission cars: they are all automated, “paddleshifts” now, much more efficient but with less soul. A Ferrari 575 or 599 with the manual transmission is the last such car (V12 Ferrari) ever to be made: it combines soul, driving quality, scarcity, brand and the end of the line kudosFerrari will never make any more of its metal-gated manual transmission cars: they are all automated, “paddleshifts” now, much more efficient but with less soul. A Ferrari 575 or 599 with the manual transmission is the last such car (V12 Ferrari) ever to be made: it combines soul, driving quality, scarcity, brand and the end of the line kudos"

This is what makes the front engined V12 metal-gated cars true classics.

 

They will never make any more dry plate clutch F1 systems, either, and I read the article. The new ones are all DCT. Not the same thing.

 

Now the F1 gearbox do not like at the classic owners, all want the 550 or the 575 manual because is rare and the driving is pure ......
Than, you induce me to think that the driving of a scuderia is not pure and enjoy because is only F1, and Scud will be not a very classic car?
My thinking is that from more years also the F1 gearbox will become a rare system produced only for a limited period of time 1994-2012 ... we can only wait the future ....

I hope nobody will be offended...

Cheers

 

Mario- The first F1s for the F355 did not actually appear until 1997. The first F1 355 Owners Manual was published in December 1997. Ferrari started using the F1 transmission in Formula One in 1989.

 

I'm sorry Taz,
thanks for the correcting ...
The "F1 era" it is reduced from 1997 to 2012 ...

 

Mario- They did use them in F1 from 1989.

 

Yes, if i remember correct, first time in F1 was in Brazil with Nigel Mansell ..... The F1 designed from John Barnard ...

 

Agree that the F-1 shift cars will have a following going forward-completely different beast to a DCT car.

 

+1000

And to compare the production number of 575 manuals with FHP to 250GT SWB is verging on the mindless. Let's hope the magazine's readership has a better understanding.

 

Excellent!

 

Not undermine Darius's valiant efforts, suspension components or gorgeous cars.

On the usability question, the major disadvantage of the "modern classic" is the importance accorded by collectors to mileage. So driving your 250 on the tour auto does nothing to harm value whilst driving your Maranello regularly arguably does. Thus to an extent the tables are turned. If you have a "vintage classic" then drive on ! If you have a "modern classic" particularly one with sub 15 k miles an economist would say keep it in a box.

Maybe a glass one, next to your Nguchi coffee table and art book stack?

If you have 30 K plus miles, you have a "driver". Enjoy it, unless the market dumps you could still hold value or even make money, but don't expect to be making auction headlines any time soon.

 

Its not only about the production quantity when cars are valued especially in Ferrari's case..

Racing pedigree plays a large role for Ferrari, most 60's era cars were race cars first then sold to the public.

 

The best selling Ferraris in the 60s were the 2+2s and GTs, pretty far removed from race cars except by heritage and engine similarities. As in 950 GTEs, 1075 330 GT 2+2s, 750 GTCs, and 800 365 GT 2+2s. Plus throw in the pure street GTS models. The numbers of Ferraris with any racing history pale in comparison.