Has Ferrari Lost It's Luster?

Why can't it be both?

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From last month's Routeclassiche in their coverage of the Aurora concours.

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"The second edition of the Scandinavian show celebrated the Italian automobile in a context of great refinement, rendering still more evident the contrast between a glorious past and an empty present."

Which is to say, you can show off the new models if you like, but if you park them next to the old models, then you won't be feeling too good about the current state of car design in Italy. In the guts of the article they talk about how all of the old skills have disappeared, and the old styling houses have closed. The author felt that just about the only bright light in cars currently being built in Italy are the reborn Stratos and 037 coming out of Cuneo. I saw them both last year at the Torino auto show and they are indeed lovely things. Beautiful, clean, simple. Also, they're not ****ing enormous.

Why does Ferrari keep building larger and larger cars? Before you know it they'll be building TRUCKS! Oh wait, that already happened didn't it.

 

Maybe that's the answer - Ferrari needs an alter ego for Manzoni's experimentation!

 

Def hasn’t lost its luster. “Lost its luster’ is the wrong phrase IMO. The brand is still the most beloved and most sought after car brand in the world. I can’t drive more than 2 blocks without someone taking a photo or making a comment. Jaguar and Lexus are brands that have lost their luster. I’d argue the term “design slump” is more fitting. I’m in my mid 40’s and wouldn’t truly consider anything after the F8. I don’t truly hate anything that’s come out post F8 with the exception of the 849 and F80 but I don’t love anything either. I just find everything they’ve release to be mid. Happy to stick with what I have for now until they rebound which will 100% happen. Valleys and peaks and I believe the least 10 years has been a big valley but they’ll pull out. Just like in music, you can never count real talent out.

 

I've been fortunate enough to have driven all the new cars... the Roma and 12 cyl are my favorites.. the 812 is spectacular as well. The SF90 - super fast, but not that good looking and its heavy.. the 296... blah... it felt cheap to me on the inside.... its fast but the looks of the car... not at all pretty, as is the all the newer cars. I will say the Dodici 12 cyl, was a lot better in person... shockingly so. But still I think the 812 is pretty hard to beat. the F8 in my opinion is the pinnacle of 21st century Ferrari's so far. the Daytona is ok, as is the F80... but what is with the Huge side mirrors? they look horrible.

 

kay ChatGPT. ROFL. LIterally a thesis that says design is objecive due to personal interpretation, culture context, creativity and emotion.

All good, man. If folks think the new crop of cars are ugly, that’s cool—the internet is forever, right? Everyone’s entitled to plant their forever flag.

That said, beyond this one of course, which other Flavio’s cars did you think missed? @nicolaprince @papou
(I never count one-offs as they are reflection of the commissioner)

 

I type my thoughts into Chatgpt and let it format them into a more readable text, as my mind races so fast it can be difficult to read. I see nothing laughable about that. We all have different skills.

I never said the new crop of cars are all ugly. I disagree that design is 'inherently subjective' as then we wouldnt need design schools and all designers would be inherently equal from Pininfarina and Jon Ives, to Joe sketching on a napkin in Starbucks.

its really a quite silly thing to claim. Just like when someone says 'all lawyers are evil' or 'all ferrari owners are douchebags'

 

As you ask me I reply.
It certainly is a matter of personal taste, but I think there’s a general agreement that the vast majority of car enthusiasts prefer simple, clean, curvy, sporty yet refined designs.
I love the 8C very much, and I never heard anyone saying that her body is very beautiful (ok, the inside is disputable).
Similar thing with F355, 288 GTO, F40, 275, 250 SWB…
It believe that there was a long period, from ‘47 to the ‘90s, when most Ferrari have been considered marvellous from day one.
Then things got a bit more tricky at the turn of the century, and from what I read and hear even the 360 Modena was not a total like, especially the front end.
And then it just seems to me that in the last 15 yrs things have turned upside down and now most models are deeply disliked from day one and generate a lot of very divisive discussions.
In the time frame I mentioned I think there is a general agreement that the Ferrari-Pininfarina design was sporty and sensual at once.
Now I think that the cars look sporty and extravagant, but I would be surprised to hear that someone finds a F80 or 849 or 12 Cilindri sensual.
If you like edges and extravaganza, I am glad for you.
Ciao.
Nic

 

Not a fan of the robocop fronts and stupid looking rear haunches. Wouldn't own a single one of the current lineup - all hideous IMO. Too much stupidity in design. Just stupid looking.

They're FUGLY to me, especially the SPs (almost as godawful ugly as some of the one-offs). Saw the 12C and PS in person for the first time last week in the NY showroom. Didn't walk in (shows you how disinterested I am) and yeah, ****ing ugly as ****.

Oh well. Glad I got it out of my system when they had nice cars.

 

I said it before and will say it again... Ferrari BEAUTY STOPPED at the F8 and the 812.... after those two, a complete nosedive and getting worse.

 

Ferrari has never been more successful. They have never made better, more finished cars. They have/ are setting design trends. Not liking their current offerings is no different than in the past. People are uncomfortable with change- human nature. The Mondial wasn’t exactly loved in its day. There are numerous others.

As an aside- the 296 is beautiful in traditional Ferrari fashion with soft flowing curves. It will age well both stylistically and from a performance and entertainment perspective. IMO.

My first Ferrari was a 328 GTS- the 296 is a modern evolution and may be the best all around regular production sports car ever made. If you haven’t spent real time driving this car… you just cannot know.

And before you flame me- note I owned a 458 spider (great car) for seven years and it does not hold a candle to the 296.