So, You have a Ferrari. Where Are Your Loyalties?

I have at least 2 other cars I’ve poured my heart & soul into for many years. Jap cars. 1 72 Datsun 240Z and an 81 Mazda RX-7. I designed the bodywork for my Datsun to resemble a Ferrari 250 or 275 that contains an AL custom built V8 that pumps major HP. The 7 was after IMSA champ record holders w/ a SP engine & IMSA widebody to match.
What else do you have (have you had) besides your Ferrari makes you proud?

 

I had a 1969 Z28 with the rare 4 wheel disc brake option. I wish I still had that car.

I also had a 1987 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II; into which I put the Racing Beat straight pipe exhaust system, fuel cut controller, boost regulator and air intake. It took until I got my first Maranello (interim cars included 5 BMWs, 2 V12 MBZ's and a P-car) to feel just as fearless on the road as I did in that car!

DL

 

I got my first BMW a couple years ago, and find the build quality to be impressive. Quiet, solid feel, with a reassuring "thud" when you close the door. The V8 engine has amazing torque, though the sounds are rather muted (doesn't really stir you like a Ferrari when you punch the throttle). Overall, a great "daily driver".

Regards,
Dave

PS; though I consider myself to have a rather thick skin, I find the term "jap" to be rather offensive (considering I am one).

 

Beside my 512TR....I have 1999 Skyline GTR R34 and 1992 MX-5. Both are lovely car in its own way.

 

Let's see:

first car - '57 Buick I got from my grandfather in '76 - I want another one;

1965 Pontiac Catalina 2 door hardtop - want another one (but the 2+2 with the 421 tripower 4 speed);

proud of my '89 Mustang LX - I imported it to Australia and built a road racer - did everything myself except the welding on the exhaust and the roll cage - still have it in storage in Sydney awaiting my return;

my Mercedes 380SL - neglectarino but great cosmetics so just kept fixing stuff and it is now an absolute joy to drive (except in the rain - next project);

and of course the 348 which also has needed some love but is now getting it.

Cheers
Kevin

 

The thing I am most proud of is the fact that per confirmation from MBUSA on February 3 (after John talked to them with several questions regarding production numbers for the C 320) - that my "Kermit" is the ONLY ONE IN THE US according to their records - a six-speed, Citron Green C 320C (special ordered). Production numbers from inception in the US in 2001 are low for the 320; higher for the C 230 Kompressor Coupe. Next comes "Kaspar" - an '05 SLK 350 - Caspian Blue/Ash interior - six speed. They are followed by my '04 Chevy Dura Max 2500HD 4x4 pickup.

Carol

(once upon a time had a brand new '65 Mustang GT and '67 Chevelle SS396)

 

My 1980 VW Scirocco. My mom bought it for my the summer before my senior year in high school. Twenty years this Aug. I still drive it daily. I think I'll get buried in it. I put it thru a bare-metal re-spray and restored the interior in leather a couple of years ago. It is so associated with me around here now that when I bump into people I haven't seen for years they always ask if I still have it.
I also have an 82 Alfa Spider and two other Sciroccos but that black and red 80 model will always be my baby.

 

We still have my wife's 1994 Lexus that she bought new, its going to be my daily when we get home. Too good a car to get rid of.

 

I find the term offensive too and I'm not even Japanese.

 

My Alfa Romeo 166, replacement for my previous GTV 3.0 and the 164 Super. My wife drives a 330i and has always been a BMW fan since university days.
Used to have a Skyline GTR-R34 that made way for my first Ferrari.

Art in Engineering = ITALY.

 

My bright yellow 1980 Volvo 242 with 280,000+ miles. Last car I bought before the 550 last year. Folks can;t beleive I went 25 years without buying a car. Didn't need one, and still didn't "need" a car when I bought the 550 -- just wanted one.

Bought the Volvo new in 1980, my first year in a real job out of grad school. It saw me start my career, court my wife, get married, brought both my kids home from hospital after birth, was the first car my kids ever drove etc., etc. Still drive it everyday and never think about reliability. A real solid Swedish brick. Over the years it has been spotlessly maintained (by me) both mechanically and cosmetically. Flawless paint, new interior carpets and upholstery, but most of all, upgraded sport suspension with Bilsteins, Eibach springs, etc., and the piece de resistance is that everything under the hood that can be chromed, is birght shiny chrome ! Truly a personal sports sedan/daily driver/grocery getter. Can handle fun coutry rides, as well as a load of 2x4's on Saturday morning.

I was skeptical that the 550 could achieve the same deep-seated emotional status, but even in the short time I have had it (1 year) it is making solid headway. Like the Volvo, the 550 is simply the best at what it was designed to do. And now, I am identified arouind town with 2 very distinctive cars !!

Mike

 

Sex.

Ooops. Sorry. Wrong thread.


Tom

 

The most unique for me was my Daimler SP250 which back in 1960 was a super little car. 2000lb , fiberglass , hemi-head V8 , 4 wheel disc , roll bar , wire wheels and went like hell. I guess one of my later fun cars was taking a 1979 Jag XJS and doing a FI Corvette 350 (400HP) conversions. Great crusier as well as hot rod. But with all of this there is nothing like the Fcar.

 

I have had alot of Fcars......ranging from a 308QV, TR, to an F40.

I also have a MB SL55 AMG....brilliant car and will actually run circles around most Fcars at the track.

I will be buying a Gallardo....the prices just keep dropping!! Too good a car NOT to get one...Italian style...500hp and German engineering!!

 

I find the term simply short for describing the heritage of some of the finest automotive accomplishments in the last 2 centuries. If “Jap” offends you I’m sorry. Just call me the up-schooled honky white hard-body b**** proud to drive 3 Mazdas & a Datsun.

 

"Karen" is easier to say.


Tom

 

Had my 1980 Fiat Spider for 15 years; I practically grew up with it. Broke my heart when I sold it last June. But I hadn't really been driving it much since I bought the red car.

Here's a photo as its new owner took possesion of it and literally drove off into the sunset.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Karen the term is "rice-burner"

 

My toys/vehicles all happen to be japenese and occasionally I get kidded about it but that is where my loyalties are now. At this stage in my life I want to spend more time riding and driving than wrenching so my snowmobile, Yamaha fits the bill for that sport and my S2000 fits the bill for my top down day off cruising toy. I'm hoping there will be an Italian in my future and that the Italian will mesh well with the Japenese in my stable!

 

Karen,
I am quite certain you are not racist, nor do you use the term with ill will. But the term IS offensive. I am not trying to change you, and you are welcome to continue to use the terminology as you choose; heck, several of my own close friends use the term...to each their own. I just thought you may not be aware that it offends many.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary:
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

Jap

PRONUNCIATION: jp
NOUN: Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person of Japanese birth or descent.


Sorry for the thread hijack....

 

Jap is just short-speak for Japanese. Get over yourselves.

My puny Ford Ranger is my daily love. Having Blue collar roots, its been my white-collar daily transport for almost seven years now. I bought it just to move furniture from my apartment into my house, knowing full well that the truck was in a significant front-end collision and had extensive bodywork when I bought it. That was well over 120,000 miles ago, and no problems whatsoever. I have had to put on new paint and vinyl tonneau covers, but other than that, I've had no real repair bills. Parts are cheap, I've moved so much cargo in the back it's silly, and it runs like a swiss watch. It would be cheaper to just put a new engine and interior in the vehicle than go out and buy a new truck, so I'll probably have it for ten more years. If you have a house, you need a truck...

 

So Karen is a Jewish American Princess?

Actually, I have a bb question, if you'd drop me a PM I'd appreciate the chat. I'd shoot you one, but I'm sure I'd be one of several thousand and you'd not recognize me.

 

Does that mean Nig is short for negro, jew is short for jewish, etc... you see my point. If it's not you the short-speak is about, of course it doesn't bother you, but it's still a racial slur. I must agree with Handa on this.

Sorry for the hijack.

 

I have a '79 911 that I've hot-rodded for the past six years and a 2001 e55 for a daily driver. I love the e55!!