The thing about older Ferraris...

I often get asked why I am so attracted to older Ferraris, especially those from the 1980's. What is it about Ferrari? What makes them so special?

Admirers know what they read in magazines and what they see on the street corner, car show, or in magazines, but unfortunately, descriptions do not do justice to the experience.

My initial affinity for 1980's Ferraris probably stems from a childhood drooling over them in car magazines, but as I have grown, my appreciation for all pre-360 Ferraris has gotten more complex.
Let me compare for a moment my newest acquisition, a '06 Porsche Boxster S to my beloved 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2 cab. In every conceivable subjective way the Porsche is a better car, it is faster, handles better, brakes better, shifts better, has a more communicative chassis and is about as solid as a piece of granite. It is simply a far better car. It is designed to be a faithful servant, to allow the driver to look like Superman. With that car, with a simple poke of the throttle and flick of the wrist, I can set the tail out in minute increments to tighten a line without any fear whatsoever. The older Porsches I have driven, and specifically the 3.2 Carerra, which I have good deal of seat time in, were scary cars with regard to some of their peculiar handling characteristics, but still they were designed as drivers cars. Even for the mid- 80's, they were very compliant sports cars that did everything well and with ease--with the exception of that spooky at the limit handling.

Older Ferraris were never designed to be faithful servants, but equal partners that demanded respect and sacrifice. When you jump into an older Ferrari, there is a learning curve, sort of like taming a wild horse. The shifts require precision, the steering is heavy, the controls are idiosyncratic and if you don't operate the vehicle a certain way, it will drive like crap. HOWEVER, the more time you spend with her, the more you understand what she wants. Once you learn her, every drive becomes a dance. The shifts turn from notchy to determined, the engine sings a song telling you exactly how much input you need and the brakes stop hard and firm. The controls become a little secret you share with her. After all, nobody can just jump into your Ferrari and do something as simple as turning on the windshield wipers. The substantial maintenance demands are also part of the charm, as it serves a constant reminder that your relationship is based on upon your willingness to cater to her needs. I am forever drawn to that interaction. It is not terribly dissimilar to what I imagine equestrians feel towards their horses. I have a true relationship with my old Ferrari, one I would never trade for something newer or faster.

An older Ferrari is a true fiery mistress, filled with allure and spite. You have to yield to her will and respect her. Even then, she may not ever let you know all of her secrets, but the excitement comes from the relationship you share, the anticipation and the danger.

As an aside, I will admit that I had the privilege of spending an afternoon in a Lamborghini Countach and can say first hand that the experience was sublime...those who snub the older Lambos probably haven't driven one, they are everything the Ferraris were, just turned up to 11.

I know that most on here won't agree with me and think that I belong with the horse and buggie crowd. I realize my views may be antiquated, so thanks for humoring me.

 

"the older Ferrari's ... you know, the ones from the 80's"

kinda makes me smile ... but feel kinda old too

nice description, thanks for sharing!

 

I love the 1960's etc Ferraris, especially cars like the 365GTC but, unfortunately, have not had the privilege of driving enough of them to speak with any authority whatsoever.

 

'80s Ferrari = Hot chick who needs to be pleased a certain way in order to have very hot sex with you....And that can be out-of-control fun.... tiring but worth it.

Modern Ferrari = Hot chick who may fake orgasm with you in bed to please you. She has a long way to go before she reach that point but few of us are capable of taking her there with our driving skill.

Both can make us extremely happy.

 

A counterpoint:

I've owned 3 from the 70's and 80's and one modern day version.

Sorry, the "classics" are interesting but not what they are cracked up to be. Sometimes you can't go back. You can call it "romantic" if you want. Others might just call it "a hassle".

And....

They break down (starting one is a version of Russian Roulette), they aren't fast (a late model Toyota sedan can beat most of them at a traffic light), they don't stop all that well (classic ABS: Almost Borderline Stopping), you worry more about how your mechanic is feeling than your girlfriend (after all... you can ALWAYS get another girlfriend...), you sweat your buns off in the heat and freeze to death in the winter, you worry about rust at every raindrop while you dare yourself to try to see if the wipers actually work, you spend more time looking at the temperature gauge than out through the windsheild, at night you could see better if you lit candles instead of using the headlights, you constantly ask yourself one of the following: 1) what's that noise? and 2) what's that smell?....and if you get into an accident-- you better have a fireman with the "jaws of life" on speed dial.

Are they fun? Yes. But with some pain. I decided after 50 years on this planet that I prefer pleasure over pain.

Are they pretty? Some are, some no so much -- same with modern cars.

Do they have personality? Absolutely. And, that's what makes them special. It also makes them at times annoying.

I'm not knocking "oldies". It just that they aren't all they are cracked up to be either. Would I own another "classic". Sure -- as long as it's parked in my garage with something more up to date to drive most of the time.

 

Like anything else, there are times when all that personality can be annoying. For me, the solution was to also have a modern sports car so I could save my time with the Ferrari for when I am in the mood. HOWEVER, 50 years from now I will probably relive the time I spent in my old Ferrari every time I close my eyes.

In a few years, I will likely replace my Porsche without much fanfare, but my Ferrari will have to be pried from my cold dead hands.

 

I have never had an 80's Ferrari to compare with my modern Ferrari. This is very funny, though. Thanks for making me laugh after a long crappy day of work.

 

I LOVE older Ferraris.

My beauty is 20 yrs old this year. I hope to get another 40 yrs from her before I give her away.
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As much as I loved my Lusso for thirty years; compared to my 575 it drove like a truck. I enjoyed that fun. Now, I enjoy this fun.

 

Beautiful Car. Thanks for posting.

 

I agree with the OP, although last weekend I got to passenger in a well driven 430 Scud 16M right after a driving myself for few laps in my Testarossa. Simply amazing (and I now know I suck at track driving).

The 16M was far quicker, but at the same time far less work than the TR (except the neck muscles under braking and lateral Gs - ouch). Do I want a 16M? Sure, it could make my mom look like Fangio on the track. But if I had both now and had to sell one, my TR would stay. It's got character. I love shifting gears, learning how to heel and toe, etc.

FWIW, I completely agree with the Countach statement, that is a car which I loved the first time I drove it home, but am still learning to enjoy after 5 years together.

 

I know what you mean as I have a similar relationship with my Boxer. I've had her for 6 years, most of the time a joyous relationship, sometimes painful, but never unforgettable!

It's old enough, with carburetors, to smell like gas and oil and leather, sometimes not start like you'd like it too, sometimes not run quite as good as you'd like it too, but most of the time runs like a thoroughbred, and is an absolute joy to drive up in the hills!

Lately though I've looked a bit at the newer cars. A CS or a 430 would no doubt be fun, are light years faster and more sophisticated, but wonder what they might lack in comparison to my Boxer. Most people would say they don't lack anything compared to some old Boxer, but then again, perhaps it's a more personal thing..

But I don't think a test drive in a newer car would hurt.

John
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Joe, I enjoyed you post and actually can feel emotion and passion in your writing. Bdelp's comment kind of sums it up for me. I love the old F cars and for that matter a lot of other old cars. There something that excites me when I see one. They have personality and are special. It's where we have come from what we have learned and what we are now. I, like you and bdelp, enjoy having something more reliable for daily use, but there is still that thrill that comes from driving and listening to where we have come from. Kudos to you Joe, well written!

 

I think it is John, it's what thrills you, it's personal. Kind of like romance isn't it?

By the way, you have beautiful Redhead sir!! : )

 

A bit apples and oranges isn't it?
Everyone spends his money as he wants and I don't see vintage Ferraris as being substitute goods for more modern ones.

 

When I see a modern day ferrari it stops me in my tracks to see an F-430 or 360 and even a 355 passing by but when I see a F-512 boxer or Testarossa it's just breath taking

 

an older Ferrari is a mistress that snores. LOUDLY.

 

Smells kind of funky too.

Hard to wake up at times.

Creaks a little bit as you get inside her.

May show a little wear but still turns heads.

 

Well written I call my F40 the Italian Dominatrix bcus she is uncomprimising and will kick your but if you are not performing to her standards LOL

The Cali, 612 & the FF are the diet coke of Ferrari, just 1 calorie, Not Ferrari enough
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I love posts like Joes.

Yes, BDelp has a point, but at the same time we have seen a tremendous evolution of cars over the last twenty five years since Joes Mondial was built. It really has been a HP race and safety features are light years ahead of where they were.

I have a Road and Track from about 1983 where they compared a Countach and a 512BB. One of the quotes is "We are damn near 170mph!!" That has stuck with me over the years because that was insanely fast. Yet 170 isnt that fast anymore in comparison.

I know that my 308 isnt "fast" yet its more capable than I am as a driver. I simply love the experience of owning my childhood dream car and THAT is what its about for me.




PDG

 

It's absolutely apples and oranges. There is no perfect solution and it's a matter of taste.

But -- sometimes guys --- we need to be honest with ourselves. The cars from the late 70's and 80's aren't really as great as we make them out to be.

If I were to go classic again, it would be the late 60's or early 70's. But, the 80's were not kind to most all Italian cars.

Sorry to burst some bubbles... but it's true. You call them having "personality" and "passion". I call them not very well engineered or screwed together.

 

I respectfully disagree. In the process of making a more perfect automobile, modern cars, to me, have become somewhat antiseptic. I say this with great respect for the performance capabilities of the modern automobile. I also do not mean to offend my fellow proud owners of modern Ferraris. They are wonderful cars and worthy of the high praise they receive. To me, however, the modern Ferrari is designed to make an average guy feel like Alonso behind the wheel. The performance is astounding and easy to control at all but the most insane speeds. Beyond that, however, are the little things, like the Manetto on the steering wheel, the F1 "inspired" controls, etc that give the illusion you are actually driving an F1 car. Finally, is the exhaust sound, which has been massaged within an inch of its life to sound like a "Ferrari" A sound which, at least in the 458, can be turned off with the flick of a switch if it becomes inconvenient. I guess my point is, TO ME AT LEAST, the older Ferraris are more the genuine article in the sense that they weren't trying to be anything. They were what they were because they were made at a time when Ferrari was still defining itself. They didn't need to "create a personality," their idiosyncrasies inadvertently created spontaneous life. Maybe they were shoddily built by comparison to the newer cars. But somewhere in their handmade nature of loose screws and engineering lunacy, a creature was born. Maybe not a perfect creature, but its the flaws that make life beautiful. Perfection is, to me, boring.

Which is why, I will always own a car like a Porsche, which is convenient, exciting, and easy to own and my old Ferrari, which is childish, silly, and a real pain in the a$$, but I love her just the same.

 

If I may I could say that a couple of friends driving 2010 exotics cars have tried my TR while I was driving their car (Cali for one and Carrera 4S for the other).
Both of them came out of my TR with that "stupid happy smile" on their face. Me on the other hand was impressed with the level of control and power at hand...but it was too perfect, aseptisized to the limit.
I must say I prefer my TR and 328 with all their quirks to these perfect cars. But that is just my opinion and feeling.

 

The eighties weren't a high water mark for much of anything