V8 -> V12: Speciale -> TDF

Some will say I’m crazy. The Speciale is the perfect dichotomy of the crescendo of power to the nimble weight. The engine sings while the chassis stirs the fingertips with an agile dance. So why did I make the jump from Speciale to TDF? Well, they say Enzo’s dynasty began with 12 glorious cylinders. So I had to try it.
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My first real drive....well, no better place to take it to then, GMR.
GMR is a tight canyon course with many off camber turns and sharp technical hairpins.
Steering is 1:1 perfect, as you go faster the car feels more planted. The wider front tires and RWS absolutely shrinks down the car to feel short and lithe, and yet it is sure-footed with confidence.
Pushing 7-8/10, with occasional signals of TC lighting up or turn signals flashing on hard breaking, the car sets into a rhythm. With each degree turn of the steering wheel, the car points exactly in that direction. For a larger car, it is “as nimble” as a V8, as if the faster you go, the car shrinks around you. Not pushing the car except for around a roundabout, the car becomes more planted as one accelerates through the turn with more power, magical. It sticks.
Switch manettino to “sport” and everything relaxes - suspension, steering, gearshifts, sound - GT comfort... drastic taming, if you wish.

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Silky, smooth and symphonic... you enter a state of nirvana, where you are dancing with the car, and all the steps are in synchrony. All this, while it sings to you. The sound, oh the sound, 4 more cylinders adds 4 more musical instruments to the crescendo of glorious symphony. At 9000 RPM, it reverberates and shrieks through your soul. The scream of the NA V12 is reminiscent of an F1 through the tunnels of Monaco. The V12 makes the V8 sound a bit, well, tame...? Just. Pure. Symphony.

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The power is a linear rush that seems to be endless. On the street, there does not seem to be enough road to extract and unwind the full power. It is a torrential rush that is scary fast. Gearshifts are visceral and raw which enhances the brutality of the car, almost the perfect blend between the Speciale and Scud gearshifts, who wants smooth? This is one of the few cars that feels scary when pressing the pedal to the metal, wheel spin like crazy and you have a bucking stallion. The term “feather the throttle” must be heeded. Because of the massive torque and power, inputs have to be smooth and finessed, a gentle winding and unwinding of the accelerator to harmonize with the inputs of steering.

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As you step out of the car titillating... you turn your neck to look at the long seductive body with sexy muscular haunches. The waterfall curves that pay homage to the 250 GT “TDF” drop into sleek vents and aerodynamic inflections, just flutters the heart.

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Do I miss my Speciale?... a little, but the TDF is like a Speciale on steroids. It does exactly what you tell it to do. It sticks and rarely feels unsettled. It is the perfect dichotomy of analogue with electrical engineering. Simply an Incredible machine. It is Intoxicating, addicting, mind-blowing.... and leaves you thirsting for more.

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Wow... I have no words. Pure pleasure reading and looking at those pictures. Amazing writing.

 

Love it!
Did you intentionally frame the picture of the Speciale with the word “stop?”
(...and the tdf with Thai massage...)

You’re an arteeest!

 

Fantastic....do love the F12 TDF. Must've been a difficult decision to let the Speciale go but I suppose with them being more easily available and the TDF having settled somewhat in price, if you didn't like the TDF too much it's fairly easy to swap back!

Love the write up, the car sounds insane. Very positive write up and I think it may well be a keeper for you.

All white theme is fantastic!

 

Tremendous spec and tremendous write up. Congrats and bravo.

 

Congratulations and thanks for the detailed write up. It read like the opener to a great book!

 

Great writeup! I enjoyed reading and dreaming!

 

Amazing write up, all you need now is a Speciale Aperta and I think at that point you might arguable have the best 2 to come out of Maranello up to this point. Thanks for sharing! Yes TDF is king of kings for me! Love mine!

 

so did you like it?

 

Awesome spec, absolutely beautiful! Congratulations, and enjoy in excellent health!

 

Love the TDF! Wish I could afford one!

 

Bravissimo! Great summary and couldn't agree more.

 

Congrats - I have started a similar journey

 

Oh man... You have just made my day! You know me and Bianco Italia, then the Tricolore and to finish it off an F12 TDF! Please don't make the same mistake with the CGT!!!! I hope to see that in person one day. Love the interior as well! Great write up, but quite honestly, I forgot what you had written and just remember all the images. That paint!!!! The details of the car. That is a work of art!

 

Oh Come on buddyg! We both know you can. Just have to rearrange some things.

 

Thanks Mate,

I really enjoyed that read!

You know I have been waiting for your thoughts!!!

I also look forward to going for a drive with you very soon.


May the Horse be with you

 

As long as my wife doesn’t mind living in the TDF yes I can swing it!

 

wish we had roads around here like that! well done!

 

Too funny !


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Many many thanks
Do love white!
Would love a white F40 and white CGT!
Even our minivan is white
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I also note you have a 16M license plate surround on that Speciale...are you telegraphing your 16M love?

 

Brother, we are two peas in a pod!
Let me know when you find your SA [emoji6]


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So the running joke... at the time, I ordered CF plates for my CGT, Speciale and 16M. I mixed up the different plates on the different cars. When I sold my CGT, I think it had the Speciale plate, 16M got the Speciale plate and Speciale said CGT.


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Can’t wait for you to join the club!
Are coming to the Enzo cruise on the 28th?


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great spec, i'm actually not a fan of the tdf but that is the nicest one I've ever seen