I don't have precise knowledge about this but I keep hearing about how the 348 is the last "real" Ferrari while others say the 355 is the actual last "real" Ferrari.
"Real" in terms of what? To me, F355 and 550 Maranello closed an era of truly gorgeous analogue Ferraris. But that's based on my perception because those were the models I dreamed about as a kid and I prefer manual gear changes and little technological interference. I don't think there were "not real" Ferraris until FF and California (which to me seems like cars based on market research rather than drawn from scratch with pure enthusiasm). If "real" means the difference hand built vs. assembly line, then I sort of get it, but I don't agree that hand built places them any higher than later Ferraris. This reminds me of the air cooled vs. water cooled 911 debate.
No. Not a debate... I have taken my 355s apart... alot and I know that certain parts of the car have been assembled and there are differences even between the two cars that lead me to believe that the 355 is some how hand built. I am just curious if among the considerable knowledge base here if someone KNOWS to what extent the car is hand crafted. And is it the last F-car or for that matter the last of any modern production car to have a hand crafted element in its construction. Thanks in advance.
I am not one for the "real Ferrari" discussion, but I have never seen a documentary or other media describing the assembly process for the 355, anyone know? I also own a Lotus Elise and I have seen the Lotus plant while it was in production so I have a really good view of that, and would love to know more about the 355.
To the best of my knowledge, the Testarossa and 328 are the last of the "hand built" Ferraris. The 348 and 456 were the first of the production line Ferraris.
The 355 did have a few of pre-industrial-revolution assembly techniques used in it's manufacture. Many of the interior bits of the car are attached with sheet metal screws. Most of the time, it looks like they held the part in place, then drilled a hole, then screwed the part down. (examples include: the outer edges of the door panels, the small panels on the backs of the seats, the little piece of plastic surrounding the accelerator pedal)
Not entirely what you were asking but I know the 348 and 456 were a combination of both, guessing the 355 would have been similar but I don't believe the 328 was. Here's a couple of vids of them being built. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5gXRMSpmpk[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYgbUbRJWog&feature=related[/ame]
The guy it in the clip above is probably trying to figure out how the water is getting in the bottom is probably the clip before the gear box explodes from not tightening down the retaining clips.
I suppose it depends on how you define hand-built. I'm currently reading "Inside Ferrari" by Michael Dregni Motorbooks Inernational Publishers 1990. The book says "Sometime in 1969, during the run of the 246 GT Series, production was changed from hand-beaten to machine-stamped body panels....the rule was broken on the neighboring line of 365 GTB/4 Daytonas, which were sill constructed with hand-beaten and power-hammered panels." Is "by hand" finishing with electrics? Then the 348 was a combination of robotic welders & manual hand welders. The F40 "...was a revival of the labor-intensive level of the late 1960s - albeit with materials of the 1990s." And then what of the engines & trannys? Some work was done by automated milling machines, some by hand. "...Typically, a Testarossa engine was assembled by one worker, unless a more skilled assembler was teaching an apprentice." It's quite a good book on the factory through the ages.
I hear this a lot but dont get it... Why is the California any different than the Mondial or, for that matter, the 412?
Guys, Ferrari built its new modern factory in preparation for their then brand new "all alloy" F360. However, due to various construction delays the factory was completed in late 2001 and fully operational in 2002. This is an effective but far more "automated" factory so I believe that the F355 was possibly the last "extensively" hand built Ferrari.
It doesn't make a lot of difference to me, and it's probably just urban myth, but I heard the California was originally going to be a Maserati. Sometime later in the design process it was realised that they were never going to be able to sell it as a Maserati, it was too expensive to build so it was rebadged as a Ferrari, given a few cosmetic tweeks so it fit better into the line and rolled out as a new front engined V8 Ferrari. It was never intended to be one though. As I say, possibly just urban myth but have heard this from some people I'd expect to know better than to pass it on if there wasn't a grain of truth in it. Anyway, that'd make it different than a Mondial if it were true . Not sure if it is though.
I view the California as a newer version of the Mondial. Just much better looking and as much, if not more of a Ferrari than that thing. How people can bash it and call it a focus group car while ignoring the 308 GT4 and Mondial that Ferrari made for 20 years is beyond me. Maserati already has this car in the GT, so I don't get that theory either, makes no sense at all. It would basically be a duplicate product offering for Maserati. I think Ferrari saw a hole in their product line that used to be filled by the gt4 and Mondial and appropriately filled it, doing a better job than last time around (imo, I like both of those cars but the California is less compromised and a pretty car).
Some also view the models that came out after Enzo died as being not "real" Ferraris. IMHO, Ferrari has whored themselves out a little too much with all this over-merchandising of kinck-knacks such as backpacks and coffee mugs. Add to that the huge production numbers of today and the FF which is advertised as a car capable of being used in the SNOW!??!! (Poor Enzo must be turning in his grave!). Greed and short-term gains seems to guide this company now and they are putting their "mystique" at risk.
Actually, I have seen a video of Michael Schumacher talking about the Cali. He talks about how he was involved in the design process and how he help the engineers in the development of the car. It is pretty clear that the Cali was purpose built by Ferrari for Ferrari. In fact, he suggests that Ferrari started out to make a car worthy of the name California.
Thanks. Like I said, wasn't sure how true it was and know nothing about Maseratis at all but was under the impression one of the Maseratis is a very similar car.
LOL. There again, Ferrari don't build gear boxes any more, do they? Isn't the one in the 458 also in a Merc?
Personally I don't mind this stuff as much as I mind the lack of a basic Ferrari that gives you a modern interpretation of the original Ferrari experience. All the cars drive themselves these days. They are so upscale as to be practically unobtainable by mortals. They have so much electronics that we know they will be pratically worthless when those electronics start breaking down. I find that the Porsche business model is better, well, except for the SUVs. I have always pitched for an entry level Ferrari as well as models with minimal creature comforts and electro-options. You know, sports cars...
