Pics - 2200 mile trip Complete - F430 safe at home

For those of you following the story ... I picked up my F430 in San Antonio on Thursday night around 8:30 pm. I drove it through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and into Washington. 2200 miles in 48 hours ... and loved every mile of it.

Day One, Thursday - picked up late, got on road at 9pm - 200 miles;

Day Two, Friday - 800 miles ... slept in Cortez, Colorado;

Day Three, Saturday - 1200 miles ... get home 1:30am.

Crossed 4 mountain passes, and the Continental Divide twice. I (gasp) even drove through a little snow. The car did surprisingly well ...

So, I am now a proud member of the 1000 mile club (In a single day), and had the trip of a lifetime. How many tickets? One - in Colorado - 5 over. (PS, still worth it)

Got up this morning, spent the day cleaning/detailing the car. It needed it after 2200 miles ... believe me. No damage ... just a number of paint chips, and I could care less. But I do need a source for Corsa Rossa and that grey paint in the front air scoops. Please LMK the best place to buy?

A few pics of the detailed car, sitting safe at home. For the eagle eyes, you may spot my 71 GTO Convertible, 67 Corvette Convertible, and CLS 550 daily driver. I like all kinds of cars - especially old muscle. The floor needs a good cleaning, it's been a tough winter. That will be next weekend:
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That is awesome...and pretty brave driving a car you just jumped into through the days and nights and weather. I guess you at least will not need to get used to the car over the next couple of weeks! just curious, did you happen to keep track of mileage on the hwy. interested to know if it is 16 or 17mpg like the factory says...a couple of people have asked me, "what is the mileage on that thing" when they see the car and hear the engine! Congrats again...nice garage BTW!

 

Keep in mind ... I would drive for 8 hours straight at 75-80MPH ... so mileage was absolutely peaked. But I was just over 20MPG as long as I was cruising. When I'd stomp on it (which was a lot) all bets were off.

I will do a detailed analysis and let you know. I kept every gas receipt for that reason.

 

you have great taste in cars. ticket for going only 5 miles over --- i take it you were going much faster and he wrote it just 5 over. you should have had valentine one mounted on the windshield. sounds like a great trip.

 

I own a Valentine One and forgot it. My own damn stupidity. The ticket should have been for "Stupid in a no stupid zone"

Yes, I may have been going a few miles faster than five over . Cop was very cool.

 

Congrats!!! Love the Vette, too. 1200 miles in a single day is brutal in just about any car, you must have been running on adrenaline to do that. Enjoy her!

 

Damn and I thought I was cool when I picked up my 360 in Houston a couple of weeks ago and drove it to San Antonio that same night...you da man!! Great looking 430 btw

 

Goodonya!
Rob.

 

Great trip and lovely car! Congrats.

I always ask my local F car dealer to get their body shop to supply touch up paint - they never seem to charge.

 

Congrats! great looking collection!

 

I now pronounce you "Man and Ferrari". And there aint no doubt the marriage is consummated. Nudge Nudge Wink Wink!

Good for you, since you bought it to drive it and that is what you did. No reason to think for a moment that the car would let you down.

She looks beautiful and you have a great garage.

Congratulations and have fun……..Steve

 

That's the best way to get to know a new car, every squeak, bang and clunk in just one trip.

Enjoy!

 

We got more than 20mpg on a 2500 mi trip. I still can not believe it, as we often were traveling much faster than above stated MPH.

Good job on the driving, as these cars are meant to be driven. As for the stone chips...
I hope you have a chance to get many many more!

Happy Motoring!!!

 

Wow....congratulations on a beautiful car. What an amazing garage. An italian exotic next to a couple of GM's best cars ever produced. You sir, are an inspiration.

Glad to hear the cop was cool to ya.

 

Sweet addition to a beautiful garage. Congratulations! Enjoy her in good health.

 

+1

Gutsy! I limited myself to a mere 300 mile trip on delivery.

 

Thanks guys ... really appreciate all the comments. It was so much fun ... a trip that I'll remember for the rest of my life, for sure.

Great idea on calling the Ferrari body shop for paint, thanks. I should have thought of that one.

 

Sounds like a great trip and memory. I love your story... shows the passion and excitement... exactly how it should be (for both buying the car and life in general!). Good to see the car is going to be driven and enjoyed.

BTW cool garage. I'm looking into new flooring and you gave me an idea (like the checker board rubber tiles).

Thanks for sharing.

 

Congrats on the car (twin to mine , and glad you enjoyed the trip. But yes, you're a brave man to drive a used car you know nothing about for 2,200 miles. Hope you at least checked all fluid levels and tire pressures before leaving < he he>.

 

Yes, like I said, definitely gutsy!! I have Power warranty on mine, which supposedly comes with full roadside assistance. Even then, 2,200 miles... you da man!

Speaking of which, anyone ever used Ferrari roadside assistance?

 

That's awesome.

I'm leaving on a road trip totaling 1500 miles on thursday.

It's good to know it's not fragile and can be driven.

 

Very cool story and 1200mi in one day, wow, i thought i was good at 700mi in a day.

Great collection, I still love those old vettes!

 

Bad ass! I want to do that someday! You buy the car from Barrett?

 

Tell us more! Tell us more!

 

Story of a lifetime and some great memories to boot! Few ever get to own a Ferrari and I bet no one will ever trek your route in one!! Congrats on a job well done