Drove my first Ferrari

Well its difficult to put into words but I did try....here is the result..

Well its sunny today, 30 degree, clear sky, still sea, typical beautiful Cape Town day.

A bit of backround before I post this experience, well mainly backround about me. Well I come from a middle class household, live a pretty normal life and I am 21 years old and I have never driven a LHD car before. Back in 2002 I was lucky enough to be driven to my Grade 12 dance in a Ferrari 355F1, seeing that 355 remains a vivid memory, I had a few passenger rides in it during the time my friend owned it and it was a car I truly fell in love with, it was everything I could want in a Ferrari.

Now to the present, this morning and set of circumstances led to me driving the self same 355, I dont even know the owner, met him once, really nice guy but I dont think he remembers me.

Being handed those keys, opening that door, and clambering into this car my dream car in a sense was so very special, it was like the outside world didnt matter. Ahead of me the Ferrari badge looked back, above me Mr Ferrari looked down, putting the key in the ignition and hearing the V8 fire up(this car has a Tubi so its rather loud) was just pure magic. Pull the right hand paddle and first gear is selected. I move off into the thick Cape Town CBD traffic, my mate in his 430 spider being in front of me and when traffic allowed, putting foot the sound of two Ferraris screaming, was well undescribeable. I was so nervous, perhaps even scared for the first 500 meters or so but after that it was just a dream. After that it felt terrific, managed to in the few open pieced of road get the rev counter to about 7000 rpm, fantastic feeling.

I had about 20 minutes to enjoy this 355 and I did, it was an awesome experience racing between traffic lights, the V8 echoing off the buildings. Tge people on the sidwalk shouting and whistling and I just, just had to rev give it stick under a bridge.

Words cannot describe how incredible this experience was...I am still smiling, I dont think anyone ever forgets the first time they drive a Ferrari. I can still smell that aroma of leather, hear the scream of the V8.

I got brought home in the 430 spider...now the sound of that top down, 8500 rpm is pure magic, rusted wrecks parting like the red sea to let us through, of course I dont have to tell anyone here the 430 is rather quick....

Anyway hope I somehow managed to convey what it felt like, maybe bring back memories from some here on Fchat about the first time they drove a Ferrari.

 

Funny after driving the car, my will to succeed and realize the dream of having my own Ferrari has got that much stronger.

There was much adrenaline, especially when numerous third world rust bucket cars got too close for comfort, but the sound and acceleration was a real thril. I really cant argue with your description!

 

Got a message from the owner of the car via a friend, he was really pleased that I enjoyed driving his car and he was pleased to share it with someone and delighted that I got such a thrill from driving it. Really nice touch this.