Anyone Else Put Snows on their Ferrari? | FerrariChat
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Anyone Else Put Snows on their Ferrari?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by aleventhal, Apr 9, 2008.

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  1. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #1 aleventhal, Apr 9, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    We got some late season snow last week where my country house is in upstate NY, and as I had a blast bombing around in my 400i "daily driver" (#049773) on Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50s it got me wondering if I was the only guy running snow tires on a Ferrari? FWIW this car does great with the Blizzaks - totally stable and lots of traction. Some pics of this day are below (lots of other snow and NYC pics of this car on the board) - I would love to see pics of other Ferraris running snow tires...

    A
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  2. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    #2 James_Woods, Apr 9, 2008
    What great pictures. Why is it perfectly enthusiastic Germanic behavior to do this with a Porsche, but not with a Ferrari?

    On the other hand, I could not find any all-weathers in my 415mm rim size for the Testarossa.
     
  3. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #3 aleventhal, Apr 9, 2008
    James:

    It turns out I have a Testarossa also (#65247). All you need to do is replace the 415MM TRX knock off rims with the 16" knock rims - these are readily available used from various sources, including ebay. Lots of all weather tire choices in 16", as well as much better summer tires than the TRXs (although only my 400i sees foul weather, the TR and the others do NOT).

    A

    PS You can't imagine how fun and freeing it is to drive an F car in the snow!
     
  4. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    #4 James_Woods, Apr 9, 2008
    I CAN imagine! However, we don't get much snow here in Texas, and when it does come I don't trust the other drivers. We have the old 993 daily driver for that.

    I have been thinking about looking into some 16" rims just so I had a better choice of normal tires, though. The only thing holding me back was the originality-no modifications deal.
     
  5. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 donv, Apr 9, 2008
    That's awesome!

    That said, I only drive my Ferraris in the snow if I'm caught out in it.
     
  6. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #6 aleventhal, Apr 9, 2008
    James:

    FYI the 16" TR knock off rims are as correct at the TRXs. The early TRs could have come with either, and Ferrari has no record of what wheel a give early TR had - you will not lose a single point, even at concours - so go ahead.


    A
     
  7. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    #7 James_Woods, Apr 9, 2008
    Thanks - I think this may be something I need to look into. They don't even have the same front and rear tread style anymore in 415, and my tires (although they still have plenty of tread) are cracking in between the tread blocks such that I really don't feel safe driving them anymore. Coker says the fronts in 415 are different because they are really made for a BMW model rather than the Testarossa and it was not worth doing two molds.

    BTW, did you know that although you posted your VIN # for the Testarossa on the "Production Numbers List" thread in the TR section, I don't think CircleInd ever got it into the actual list? Maybe that thread needs a bump sometime this week?

    James
     
  8. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #8 aleventhal, Apr 9, 2008
    That is precisely why I bought the 400i. I use it as a "sacrificial anode" to save the other Ferraris from winter use while still preventing the depression associated with Ferrari withdrawal!

    A
     
  9. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

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    #9 Tony K, Apr 9, 2008
    Do you feel that keeping it clean, giving it regular check ups, and giving it a throrough cleaning and inspection in the spring can effectively minimize corrosion, and keep the car in good condition?
     
  10. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #10 aleventhal, Apr 10, 2008
    In a word, yes. By late 1984 Ferraris (or at least 400s) were receiveing Zincrox rust proofing at the factory. My 400i has seen three hard northeast winters and does not have even a trace of rust on it, although it sure has collected its share of stone chips. If anything the car seems to run better and have less niggling faults due to the frequent use - it has been remarkably trouble free and still shows very will when clean.

    A
     
  11. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #11 aleventhal, Apr 10, 2008
    In a word, yes. By late 1984 Ferraris (or at least 400s) were receiveing Zincrox rust proofing at the factory. My 400i has seen three hard northeast winters and does not have even a trace of rust on it, although it sure has collected its share of stone chips. If anything the car seems to run better and have less niggling faults due to the frequent use - it has been remarkably trouble free and still shows very will when clean.

    A
     
  12. burriana

    burriana Formula 3

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    #12 burriana, Apr 10, 2008
    A lovely looking car, is it that sort of bronzey colour they did ... very classy and an awesome daily driver :)
     
  13. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ
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    #13 ArtS, Apr 10, 2008
    Alex,

    My neighbor bought a lightly used 365 Cailifornia back in 1972 and kept it as his daily driver for many years. He put snow tires on the Boranis and used it in the winter!

    Regards,

    Art S.
     
  14. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #14 aleventhal, Apr 10, 2008
    Thank you very much for the kind words. The color is bronzey, and it is called Marronne - truth be told, I bought this particular car almost entirely because I thought it was the ideal color for a 400i. A 400 is not the fastest car in the world, or the best handling, but it is a wonderful, exciting and competent all weather daily driver - who would have guessed. :)
     
  15. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

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    #15 Jackmb1, Apr 10, 2008
    Nice car. By the look of the pictures, you seem to enjoy it in the snow. How many miles do you have?
     
  16. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 texasmr2, Apr 11, 2008
    Loving every minute of it seeing a Ferrari not relinquished to a garage queen because of the weather!
     
  17. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #17 aleventhal, Apr 11, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Fabulous! I never had the heart to do that with my vintage stuff but I did take my old ex-livanos 365gt (#13141) on a "fall foliage tour" that turned into a blizzard - did fine even on the regular Michelins.

    A
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  18. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #18 aleventhal, Apr 11, 2008
    I am closing in on 60k miles, and adding them quickly. I also hope to turn 100k miles on my Dino this year (#10704). The funny thing with the 400i is that it is my least exciting Ferrari on a dry, sunny day (albeit the most comfortable) but it is just an unbelievable hoot in the snow - the others would be too, I guess, but I just don't want to sacrifice the others (Dino, 365BB #18265, etc.)...

    A
     
  19. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

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    #19 James_Woods, Apr 11, 2008
    You have done a double misdeed here, Aleventhal.

    First, you have probably talked me into 16" wheels over the metrics (just when I was about to order the metric tires),

    Second - you have created the festering notion of taking the Testarossa out in the snow (if it ever actually snows again here in Dallas).

    Wonder if they make a ski rack for it?
     
  20. aleventhal

    aleventhal Formula Junior

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    #20 aleventhal, Apr 11, 2008
    You will thank me for later for talking you into the 16" wheels. :) I am also sure that one of those suction cup ski racks will work on the roof - I saw one on a Mondial at a ski area once...

    A
     

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