...I get a 458 serial number...? :) Should we place bets...? I started a poll.
In before the poll! I bet September, when the car is debuted. -Someone- will record the serial number
Much to my chagrin - though I can't say that I'm surprised - each poll entry has a (100) character limit; so I needed to do some editing. I hoping on that, too.
The first 458 Italia serial number (163241) popped up on 5 September 2009 - but it was in a computer-generated image and the serial number is, in reality, assigned to a RHD 599. Thanks to Trax and a few others who made it the Frankfurt Motor Show, we know two 458 serial numbers thus far (as of 16 September). Still waiting (hoping?) for the serial number to black one though.
Okay Carbon. A word. I have enjoyed your presence on this forum since I began frequenting its pages two years ago. But I have to ask: What's the deal with serial numbers? Is it just a personal obsession or is there a real need to keep track of these cars in such a specific manner? I've never seen someone so dedicated to something so seemingly minute. I can understand how you could be with Enzo serial numbers...but you're everywhere. Is there really a need for the database I assume you're adding to day after day? In good fun, M
Both! A few examples... Back in, I think it was March, 2003, I got my very first ride in a Ferrari. It was a 550 Maranello, owned by the late Brad Abbott (may he rest in peace). We met at a diner in Suffolk County on Long Island - a diner owned by a fellow FerrariChat member. When the day finally comes that I'm in the market for a 550 - if 126531 is available, I'll buy it, because that's the first Ferrari in which I've ever ridden (not to be confused with 125149, the other blue 550 that Abbott at one time owned). Example two... Several years ago, I get a phone call from a guy who I believe was in the northeast. He tells me that he saw 134282 (my favorite black Enzo) for sale on eBay, located in Las Vegas. I told him that the car was in Chesapeake, Virginia, and most certainly was not for sale anywhere in Nevada. Against my better judgment, he decided to fly to Vegas. He called a few days later, after wasting time and money - in a situation that had potential to put him in harm's way - and told me that the 'seller' flaked completely. Needless to say, the car is still in VA. Third example... There's a Ferrari - not gonna say what kind, not gonna post the serial number (yet) - that I've seen twice. On both occasions, which were not very far apart, the car had the same mileage. So I'm keeping tabs on it to determine if the odometer has been unplugged. And it means absolutely nothing to me unless the car ever comes up for sale. Chances are, the car lives very close to where I've seen it, so it's probably nothing. But you never know... Example four... All of the Enzos that have been 'rebuilt'. Maybe this stuff doesn't matter too much to too many people right now. But if you troll the vintage section, you'll see a ton of period photos with half of the posters trying to determine the serial numbers and the other half posting the serial numbers. With that said, yes, I am obsessive compulsive, and sometimes lovingly referred to as an anorak*. *In British slang, an anorak is a socially inept person, usually male, with a hobby that includes tracking and recording detailed information on arcane subjects, such as tracking trains, or cars, or ships, which is normally regarded as staggeringly boring by the rest of the population.
Matthew- Maybe I can provide an independent view of Carbon's interest in serial numbers and other data. Perhaps you have heard of Marcel Massini? Marcel is perhaps the world's expert on early Ferraris and what happened to them during their lifespans. I owned a 1970 365 GTB/4 for a short period, and Marcel recently filled me in on what had happened to it since I owned it. He is a historian, but has little interest in the late model, mass produced Ferraris. Carbon is cut in Marcel's image, except he is interested in all the late model Ferraris, as well. In the future Carbon, and a few other similarly minded individuals, will be the historians who have documented the late model production Ferraris. We should give him all the help we can, because God knows, most of the rest of us are incapable of the effort necessary to keep all those facts documented. For those of us with the attention span of a parakeet, and, judging from the poll results, there are quite a few of us, just play along and future generations will benefit from your cooperation. Taz Terry Phillips
Thank you, Terry; so eloquent. Of course, my efforts are merely a grain of sand in this vast beach. I highly recommend that book for those who have a registry, want to start a registry, or are just curious about the trends, idiosyncrasies, and consistent inconsistencies in Ferrari production.
Matthias Urban published his Handbuch der Ferrari Seriennummern recently (www.vinbook.com), with an update slated within the next year or two. No need for me to publish the data I collect - I share the pertinent details with Urban and, compared to his collection, my database is literally a grain of sand on a beach. I'm just more vocal than most about trying to get serial numbers. Squeaky wheel and all that...
Carbon- Based on the poll results, I would say we are dealing with a group of weak dicks who will never own a Ferrari because it is not that important to them, and a group of very knowledgeable owners who will do what they can to help. I know which group I will count on in the future. Only my personal opinion, mind you. If you are one of the weak dicks who voted they would never help, kiss a fat lady's rear end. Taz Terry Phillips
LOL, thanks, Terry. I'm not worried about the poll results - if I was, I wouldn't have included that last option. I'm just very amused by it. Oh, and just so we're clear, only four people were right.
I am like that, obsessed with girls cell phone #\'s That could just be me though! 458 ITALIA rocks, i think you should be more concerned when your said beast arrives? Cheers
I'm guessing Carbon put the last option there as a light hearted joke. Maybe some of the guys chose that option did so in good fun? Just a thought. I voted for the first option by the way
Carb, Terry... Yes, heard of Marcel. Makes sense what both of you are saying. And it helps to shed a bit of light on Carb's obsession... In light of that, keep up the good work Carb. Your input is always welcome (even though me saying that to a man with almost 30K posts seems a bit ridiculous). Edit: Excuse me, MORE THAN 30K posts... Good lord.
