Yes. Give me a buzz when you're in the area and we'll see what we can do. You'll probably find it pretty tame.
Age 23, 250 cabriolet series 2 when it was delivered after I bought it back in 1974. First ride in an F-car was the week before in the same car, when I went to look at it. No brakes ("you just need to bleed them" -- right...), which made things a little more exciting. But that sound!
21 a parental friends Testarossa. Did the magnum PI 90 degree peel out, took it up to 160ish. Loved the sound, was underwhelemed by the feel of the acceleration, first car I ever drove with real steering feel. When my brother and I returned the car we had to wait about 10 mins before ringing the doorbell to give back the keys, there was oil smoke coming out the engine hood vents. In hindsight it was just oil that had leaked from the valve covers onto the header, but at the time we felt maybe we had overdone it a bit. The owner told us he bought the TR because he could fit his golf clubs in to go to the club. So I guess my Brother and I were the first to really drive the thing. 2 lessons learnt that day. 1. Cool guy for letting us take it, I can only ever say good things about him. 2. never toss your ferrari keys to some kids and say have fun, because they really will.
22, service tech at a specialty shop that handle sports cars. 308 GTS. Nice car, and for what its worth....one that I would still like to own. But it isn't a TR. 12 cylinders. Need I say more.
I started the obsession at 5 yo but drove my first at 40 Have owned Ferraris since but the greatest drive I have ever had was with you and Blackjag on the 4,500 km drive from Brisbane to melbourne and back at obscene speeds for the one card trick police states we have here. You and I can both drive fast and safe and have done so for many years but I have to say, that drive on day 2 where we covered an incredible distance in the few hours before lunch was one of the highlights of my life bar none !! To drive an old car (330GTC) and then swap over to the "modern" 365 where both are TRUE GT cars from an era that must have made those cars appear god-like, was an experience for even hardened Ferrari owners. My first drive in a 328 was memorable for the lack of lowdown acceleration but even more memorable for the handling and speed it went around corners on the way to Lithgow up the side of the Great Dividing range
Sex is over-rated, any idiot can have sex but to own and drive a Ferrari is a special experience not that many people get to do .... and then to race one on a track REALLY is better than sex I think the 2 nymphomaniacs I lived with ruined sex for me so my outlook may be tainted
First ride- about 27 in a 246 GTB at Seattle International raceway. I was an instructor at a track day....loved the sound. First drive I was about 33, again at SIR, but this time an 88 Testarossa. Owner said, "show me what this will do". I said, "uh what if I break it?", his reply was "I will buy another one", So we went around and wrung it out! Great fun, terrific car. I was 37 before I got to see my name on the title of a Ferrari, a 77 308GTB. Many memorable drives in other peoples cars, but there is nothing like bringing one home to stay! I have a wonderful 95 355GTS now and its a keeper.
Thanx for that,John. It was a blast and now you know why I look for the road less travelled,mind you doing it in 2 (or more),with folk that have the same mindset and skill,makes it that much better. You have upgraded the 330 though,it's a 330GT 2+2,only a couple of hundred thou difference!
Technically the first time I drove one I was 27. It was a 360 at a detail shop and I moved it a grand total of ~50 feet. When I was 30 however, a buddy invited me to some Ferrari event where they were trying to get people interested in the California. We show up and get a walkthrough of the car and then are told to pick our favorite colour of the four or five that were there. I chose red. One instructor/rep was assigned to each car and sat in the passenger seat while we all drive the parade of Californias around the city. When we got back to the parking lot where the event was happening there was a course set up out of cones. We rode as passengers as the reps blasted through three laps then stopped the cars and said "Now you try!". It took a few minutes for me to wrap my brain around the idea of beating on a Ferrari but I got over it and had great time. I even got a hardcover book as a souvenir and people who come over and see it on the coffee table to this day are surprised that it is the brochure.
I was 25, took the helm of a 400i for over an hour. Yes, some may consider it big, slow, and ungainly, but it was still my first experience behind the wheel. Driving gloves and all. I loved it. Included some time on backroad twisties too. The sound of that V12 sitting right ahead of you is unforgettable, especially when you make it growl!! The owner encouraged me to have a bit of fun with the car too...I sure did, and even had him white-knuckling at times ;-) He remarked something to the extent of "Wow, you actually WOULD be able to daily drive a car like this, wouldn't you?" Needless to say I felt completely at home in the cockpit
Similar story for me...but I had never even sat in a Ferrari until I was 45. The first time I sat in or drove one was after I bought one from ebay.
Was 18, had always been in love with the F355 since I was a kid Did my research about the available cars here in Brazil. First drive was in my F355 '99 berlinetta 6SPD BluTDF/light grey interior Berlinetta Fell in love with it right away, my dream came true bought that same car about 1 1/2 weeks later. this was in April 2011, have been in love with it ever since.
For me it was a 430 Spider followed after by a Scud. I was 25 and in Maranello on my honeymoon. I promised myself the first one I drove would have been my own however, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to drive them in the town of their birth. Was an awesome experience that I have video of!
+1 on driving a Ferrari on the racetrack. The first time I drove a 458 Italia was on the track...oh my God. -Gil
I was 32 or so and test drove my first Ferrari a 330GT 2+2 in some beach town along the Jersey shore. The speed limit was 25mph in the town so not much of an experience!