Mate, pics are SENSATIONAL! Looks like a trip of a lifetime! DK has some amazing cars there!! I see they checked out your a/c? They top it up? Your car looks amazing in those pics! Perfect colour choice my friend. Also, your accom looks unreal! I am showing the Wife these pics and will be sure to re-check this thread when our time comes to visit Europe! I may even buy my own Ferrari to drive around there and import back.
Thanks Pap, It has been an awesome journey so far! DK did top up the gas in the air-con and now it is a fridge!
No probs Glenn, You will be one of the first to see her when I get back as I will need you to sort out some of the rubbers around the lights and the paint on the window frames, plus she is thirsty for a polish and wax!
Aaron- The 575M rubber headlight surrounds are identical to the 550's. A bit expensive, but then you are set for years. Might see if you can pick up some in Italy. Likely cheaper than Oz. Parts numbers are 65515300 and 65515200. Or you can try and repair with double sided tape, which is how they are installed. Much fussier to repair than to take off the backing and install a new set. Great trip and photos. Wish I could have afforded something like that during my 14 years in Europe. I was more of a bed and breakfast kind of guy. Taz Terry Phillips
I like all of you have enjoyed everything about this thread, so I vote for "Thread of the month" That way all of F-Chat that might have missed it will get to enjoy it when the newsletter comes out. Just my 2 cents, Bill
Cheers Taz, The car is booked in to Ram Ferrari Vicenza for a whole heap of work that I want fixed for the following reasons; 1) What better place to take a Ferrari to be fixed than in the North of Italy. 2) The Head guy is friends with my cousin so he is looking after me. 3) It will be cheaper than in Australia. 4) I can't stand to have a car that has not been looked after and to me there are many things that just need simple routine maintenance and attention. Don't think for a moment that the car is in poor condition as she just continues to give more and more to me each and everyday! For example we travelled 650 kms to Brno from Stuttgart today and the 550 purred on the Autobahn at between 175 - 225kph the whole way. Man what a way of life these guys have!! I was in driving heaven!! By the way, all of those Chateau's and Castles are relatively cheap, now this may have something to do with the time of year, the fact that our dollar is strong or simply because I use www.booking.com For example the last Chateau at Etoges was 113euro for the night! Thanks once again for all of your support!!
Thanks Guys, I thought it an excellent opportunity to share with you guys what I think these cars were made for and I am really glad that you have enjoyed the thread so far!
Thanks Guys, It's not over yet...... I just need a better Internet connection so I can upload some more photos. Hopefully tomorrow this will be sorted out.
Day 9, 10, 11 Stuttgart to Brno Some of you guys may know where Brno is due to the Moto GP. It's the 2nd largest city in Czech Rep. On day 9 we left Stuttgart and I managed to see 2 SLS's in colours that I have been hanging to see. 1) Matte Silver (Photo Below) 2) Alubeam otherwise know as Liquid Metal. Sorry no photos. She was Stunning!! We travelled 685kms in approx 4 hours thanks in part to the Autobahns and the Czech lack of Police cars. On the Autobahns it was 180 - 220 kph with needle nudging 250kph on several occasions and I have to say that it is such a liberating feeling being able to legally drive a Car that is made to travel fast at full noise! It was tough to wipe the smile off my face! By the way, Czech drivers, in particular Skoda drivers are terrible! They have a tendancy to hog the left lane which required multiple high beam action for them to move the flog over!! Whilst in Brno we ate far too much including heavy meals consisting of Meat, Potates and Beer! Plus More Beer! Hence why there aren't too many driving photos as the Blood alcohol limit is .00. In Brno we stayed in a large suite at the Hotel Comsa. This is a cracking hotel that is near brand new with all the Moto GP riders stay there and I can see why! I would highly recomend this to anyone! The car was securely parked in a garage around the corner. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Day 11 & 12 Brno to Prague After travelling a mere 210kms to Prague we parked the car in the secure garage and went off exploring this gorgeous city! In fact probably one of the most beautiful cities remaining in Europe which was in part due to Hitler's wish for Prague to be his own! Therefore it was never bombed by the Germans. We stayed at the Malostranska Hotel which was right in the heart of the action and spent 2 days visiting all of the tourist attractions on foot and eating all of the Czech delights! I also decided to give Subway a miss and I think that their car may need a little attention.... Whilst in Prague I really observed the Czech's appetite for Matte Coloured Cars including; 1) Matte White Bentley. 2) Matte Grey Nissan GTR. 3) Matte Black CLS Merc. 4) Matte Black Cayenne Turbo. Some photos attached. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Day 13 Prague to Vicenza Today was a big day! 865kms. Its not every day that you can say that you woke up and had breakfast in Prague, drove through Germany on the autobahns to Innsbruck, Austria for Lunch and arrived in Vicenza, Italy for a walk around the town centre and some dinner! To do it all in a Ferrari just adds a whole heap of cream on the top! Even my wife has become accustomed to driving in the car, which has surprised me a lot! As a matter of fact, my wife seems to have caught the Ferrari bug, stating that the next Ferrari must have the Daytona seats with two tone!! There is just something really special about touring in a Ferrari, I just don't think that this holiday would be half as good if we were in another car, in particular a rental. So today we left Prague, photos attached of the car park exit complete with the timber boards to prevent the car from rubbing. Travelled through Germany on the Autobahn, nearly ran out of juice, pulled off the highway and the Rozzers followed us as they thought I was trying to run from them and then they pulled us over! Quite funny. Also attached are some pics of the autobanhs for some that have never been there before. Saw a matte grey Audi TT that thought it was a GT3 RS and arrived in Italy in time for an espresso and gelato! What a blast! The pass through Trento Mountains was to die for complete with tunnel blasting for good measure! Talk about "Kills Bugs Fast"! I had the car hand washed the minute I pulled into Vicenza and she is now looking stunning once again. The colour of Grigio Titanio is just stunning! Staying in Vienza for the night and dropping the car off to the Ferrari Dealer for bits and pieces that require attention. I guess more on that in the next few days. I have also been able to swing the Lamborghini factory tour and the Ferrari tour all on the same day which will be coming up shortly!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Great travelogue. How many sightings of other V12 Fcars during your journey, or any other Fcars for that matter? You have mentioned 2 458's I think. And whilst on that theme have there been many Porsche 911 Turbos?
