Ferrari factory tour 1981 | FerrariChat

Ferrari factory tour 1981

Discussion in '308/328' started by Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010.

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  1. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

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    There was a thread earlier this summer that discussed what it's like when you visit the F-car factory these days and I mentioned in that thread that I had been there years ago. Wow ... like 29 years ago. Times were obviously different then.

    It's a bit of a story as to how I got there. Hope not to bore anyone. At the time I was a Navy LT, on a ship deployed to the Mediterranean and our ship was going to be in port for enough time to allow for a road trip. Four of us each had a place we wanted to go, so we rented a Fiat Ritmo and put 2300 Kms on it in 3.5 days. Obviously it was my choice to go to Maranello. My Commanding Officer (also a car guy) offered to allow me to bring a car back to the US on the ship if I bought one. In hindsight, there was no way he could really have done that but, ok by me. Of course, there was that little "funding" problem I couldn't overcome. Needless to say it was pretty cool, we just walked up to the door, and walked in. A great guy, who spoke some English, showed us around and we were allowed to go almost anywhere. Great memories.

    OK enough nostalgic drivel, I finally was able to scan the pictures. The guy with beard is me (oh my). The gentlemen who gave us the tour and is seen handing me a set of keys is unknown. Enjoy the good ole days.

    Bob
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010
    #1
  2. eracer

    eracer Karting

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    Wow, great pictures and story! When I was there in 2000, photos were strictly forbidden.
     
    eracer, Jul 30, 2010
    #2
  3. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    That was awesome Bob, thanks for the pics. Were you guys allowed to sit in one of the 308 from the production? It sure is different from when I was there 3 years ago.
     
    miketuason, Jul 30, 2010
    #3
  4. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Great story, thanks for sharing. Love the humour of the last picture! :)
     
    bigodino, Jul 30, 2010
    #4
  5. sltillim

    sltillim Formula 3 Silver Subscribed

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    Love the yellow tiles. My mom's boyfriend had a coffee table made of those when i was a kid!
     
    sltillim, Jul 30, 2010
    #5
  6. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    Man It must have been great to be able to have a beard while serving!

    There are no beards anymore in the navy and marine corps!


    What month was this trip, My car was built in november 1981.
     
    phrogs, Jul 30, 2010
    #6
  7. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

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    Yes Mike,

    The completed cars you see in the pictures had just come off the line and were being prepped for delivery. I know it's amazing by today's rules that we could just go sit in them. We did ask of course, but they were actually happy to have us look and touch.

    Bob
     
    Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010
    #7
  8. Bobbytinvab

    Bobbytinvab Karting

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    Thanks for your service John,

    Yeah the beard had to go a couple of years later. The pictures were taken in February or March IIRC, sorry it wasn't November. That would have been cool!

    Bob
     
    Bobbytinvab, Jul 30, 2010
    #8
  9. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ Owner Project Master

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    fantastic pics! thanks
     
    Ferraripilot, Jul 30, 2010
    #9
  10. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

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    I remember always seeing John Philip Sousawith a beard and thinking why do I need to shave look at our history! haha


    It would have been cool if you were there at the same time!



    Thanks for your service as well!

    I spent more time in the med than I liked and never got to port anywhere but a beer on the peir in thessaloniki greece and didn't even get to go see anything we just got out of kosovo and were loading back up on the LHA!
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2010
    phrogs, Jul 30, 2010
    #10
  11. Argento839

    Argento839 F1 Veteran

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    Great pics thanks for sharing!
     
    Argento839, Jul 30, 2010
    #11
  12. Red 328 GTS

    Red 328 GTS Formula Junior

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    +100..........

    Bob.
     
    Red 328 GTS, Jul 30, 2010
    #12
  13. viper_driver

    viper_driver Formula Junior

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    Thanks! So neat to see how they let you check out the cars. Times sure have changed.....

    That is the piece of Ferrari I want to own.
     
    viper_driver, Jul 30, 2010
    #13
  14. Sledge4.2

    Sledge4.2 F1 Rookie

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    no more pictures in any place other than the museum, when we took the factory tour the took away everyone's cams.

    amazing pics, thanks for sharing..
     
    Sledge4.2, Jul 30, 2010
    #14
  15. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

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    OMG, that's my car, the red one.

    I did a Navy related year in Naples in 1965 and drove by factory before I knew about Ferrari. My real factory tour 1999 was memorable, wife enjoyed it too. Save those pictures - part of your life you'll always rever.
     
    Paul_308, Jul 31, 2010
    #15
  16. magnum

    magnum Formula Junior

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    Thanks for sharing!
    Pics are already saved in my HD!!!!

    Many thanks again
     
    magnum, Aug 6, 2010
    #16
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Rossa Subscribed

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    That silver 308 is a North American spec, is was headed "over here".....great shots!

    I actually HAVE heard of a Ferrari being shipped in along with a bunch of big generator skids...it could happen! They all look alike under a tarp......
     
    BigTex, Aug 6, 2010
    #17
  18. Mfoncerrada

    Mfoncerrada Formula Junior

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    Awesome pictures!

    We were never allowed to have beards in the Air Force. Bummed me out. Actually considered the Navy for that reason alone...but just couldn't see spending months on a ship...

    Cheers
     
    Mfoncerrada, Aug 6, 2010
    #18

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