Wow Steve, you weren't kidding when you said it caught fire. I'm glad you made it ok. Congrats to you and Karen, we're all very happy for you guys! Norm
"Fire has always been and, seemingly, will always remain, the most terrible of the elements." - Harry Houdini What a tragic sight to see those pics of your newest ride burnt from the inside out. Your short speech at the Spring Thaw event about losing your car was inspiring. And your surprise proposal to Karen was a fun thing to witness. Keep us posted on how your insurance claim goes.
Steve AND Karen, We were in the booth just over the partition from you (off the photo to the left), and we can't say much more than what already has been said, except that if someone looks up "bittersweet" in the dictionary, they will find your weekend's events there. I thought proposing to my wife 4 years ago (2nd time around for both of us) in a restaurant with her 9 and 18 year old kids there was something. But proposing with over 100 Ferrari spectators there is a testament to your faith and love, and a tribute to the wonderful friends and family of FCA-MAR. Stan & Ilene T.
Congrats and RIP btw, any parts you'd consider getting rid of for cheap? http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193855
Shame there weren't any fireman nearby! I guess the good thing is you didn't have it long enough to get too attached. Makes a great story to tell your grandchildren about the day you got engaged. I bet Karen felt really guilty about loosening the clamp on the fuel line after you gave her the ring At least it wasn't a Ferrari. Congrats on the engagement! Glad it was only the car and not something like a house or the owner. P.S. I'm throwing a fire ext. in the 328 as soon as I'm done typing this.
Damn....sorry for the fire, obviously a total loss. Trust you had an agreed-value policy. Congratulations on the engagement and good luck!
Steve, the Diablo story was heart rending. The live proposal 30 seconds later filled my heart with joy for you and Karen. Finding that one special person is truly priceless! Congrats! You can always find another special exotic. Not so easy to find a lifetime mate. Bill
We just wanted to thank everyone for the well wishing and we were very happy that we could share in our special moment with everyone in the Ferrari community.
You seem to be taking it very well. Congratulations on the engagement. It is safe to say you have your priorities in life straight. Good luck.
Sorry to see the loss. Maybe a godsend that she is totalled. Would have never felt the same to you if it was a ton of damage that did get fixed. I am getting ready to put a fixed fire system in my track car and am looking at one in each of the collectables. I am a fire protection engineer by trade and feel up to the task. Pretty simple systems with manual discharge. Curious, was this a mechanical fuel pump or electrical? The track car is electric. The GT 365 has both. I will want to shut the electric down through contacts. Thing is you get one shot. If I don't think about all the what if's it may not matter. Would love to hear your thoughts on whether such a system would have made a difference. The systems are primarily intended to protect the driver and give some escape time considering 6 point harnesses, hans devices, and roll cages and the like. Protecting the car may be a side benifit for the collectables. Congrats on the engagement. Surprised you felt like going through with it after such a stunning loss. Some things are more important though. Thanks, Mark
I carry a fire extinguisher in mine. But then I wonder if that is really wise. Would I really want the car after an engine fire? Would it be better to let it burn to destruction so the insurance company will more readily pay for me to replace the car....or would that be dishonest? What are your thoughts on this? The second scenario messes with my principles and conscience. Has anyone else had the same considerations?
I don't think it would be dishonest... fire is nothing to play around with. Chances are it wouldn't take much for them to total it anyhow. I looked at a salvage title 308 QV a few years back that had repaired fire damage but was no where near as gone as Steve's car. The orginal owner had somehow gotten a fire extinguisher from someone trying to help. His insurance still totaled the car even though it was repairable.