Earliest First Drive Ever!

In thirty-four years of continuous Dino ownership, Saturday I took by far the earliest ever first drive of the season. The high temperature approached ninety degrees. Coincidentally, Brenda Vernor had called during the late morning to wish us Easter greetings. When I told her that it had been eighty-nine on Good Friday, she told me that it was freezing in Maranello! Around 2:45 p.m., I and a fellow Ferrari owner (he has a 328 GTS, an F1 F355 GTB and an F1 F430 Berlinetta) set out for a brief drive along the Lake Ontario shore, then out for a bit on the Lake Ontario State Parkway. The traffic was fairly brisk, due to the warm temp. on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I am always a little apprehensive about going onto a limited-access highway on the first run of the season, but 04808 performed like a champ. Although we spent a fair amount of time sitting at traffic lights, there was no hint of overheating, and acceleration on the highway was smooth and linear. My friend, who had only previously ridden in my other Dino (03964) loved the symphony of induction, gear and exhaust sounds, and I enjoyed working the gearbox. We had a very pleasant drive. As usual, a number of teenagers, who had probably never taken notice of a Dino before, smiled as we passed them as they either rode in other cars or walked by the roadside. I hope that this portends a long driving season, with many Ferrrari sightings through the summer. It's time for all of us hibernating northerners to fire up those V-6 banshees. It looks that we may actually have a Spring this year! Fred

 

I'd be too worried about running into that bulldozer at the end of the mountain tunnel! Fred

 

Lars, the red Dino is still tethered to the trickle charger, and will probably be for several more weeks. The weather this weekend won't be as good, but I'll try to get the blue one back out for another run. Around here, a good driving day is where you find it! (Namely, they're few and far between!) Thanks for the good wishes, and happy driving in your gorgeous Rosso Bordeaux GT. Fred