What started your love for Ferraris?

Matchbox cars early 70s.

 

I saw a 308 when I was 3 years old and since then it's been Ferrari and recently Maserati. What really drew me in though was an F50 I saw in late 95 or early 96.

 

Fow me it was when i was over my friends house and we were looking at a book called classic cars. I looked at that book everynight and stared at the F40 and F50. Ever since that night i have been hooked to them.

 

Early to mid 60's carmags Road & Track and Car & Driver were my favorites at that time and they had plenty of Ferrari coverage...roadtests, articles, racing, pics, classifieds. Enzo was truly at the height of his legend-making years and was the subject of much press.

Around Dallas then, actual Ferrari sightings were very few and far between...there was a new silver 330 2+2, very similar to my present one, on the streets and I looked at a '56 Boano coupe on the used-car lot at Precision Motors in downtown Dallas...where the Adam's Mark hotel is now. Though a bit tired, it was an awesome and exotic car, but at $2,995...too mucho big bucks for a 16 year old kid in '65. I even remember the s/n plate under the hood but not the number...wish I did.

 

FCA held their annual meet at hotel in Dallas. I worked as the doorman at that hotel while in college. I was a car guy but I didn't really have any particular favorite marque. That weekend I drove (valet parked really) a red/tan 360 6 speed Coupe, a Purple/black 355 F1, a red/tan F512M, and an Azzuro Blue/Crema 550.

GAME OVER!!!!!!!!!

To top it off I met Sergio Scaglietti and Phil Hill that weekend. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Mr. Scaglietti, since he smoked and always stood outside with me on the driveway. I didn't really know who he was until someone filled me in.

I've bled Rossa Corsa ever since.

 

I have always liked cars so liking Ferraris came naturally. I really fell in love after I read a magazine article on 275s. This must have been in the mid to late 80s, probably Automobile. The article taked about the variations on the car and then had a really well written test drive story. 275s are still my favorite cars of all.

(Anyone know what article I am talking about? The test drive talked about warming the car up and then stretching its legs. Driving by the cop car parked at the diner etc...)

 

Well back in elementary school my library had a little book about ferraris. So almost everytime we had to check out a book that was my choice of books.

 

The year was 1986 and I was 9 years old. I had gotten my bicycle repaired at the Schwinn (sp?) place. and we were picking it up to take home. My mother was pushing my bike out to the car, and right by the door on the way out was a stack of booklets with cool BMX bikes on the front. It said "Free Take One", so I did. When I got home I went up to my room and was flipping through this little booklet. On one of the pages in the bottom right hand corner, was a picture of a red Ferrari Testarossa. I had never seen a car like this, and I had to find out what it was. I took it downstairs to show my mother and ask her what this little piece of heaven was called. She said she thought it was a Porsche (LOL). Anyways, I took it to school to show my friends. One of my Physical Ed. teachers told me that it was a Ferrari Testarossa........wow was I in love!!!..........then one day I saw this T.V. show on called "Magnum P.I.", but that's another story all together!!

Sorry for the long post, I'm bored at work.........but I've been in love ever since that day!!

 

I was in first or second grade, so about 1963-64 somewheres. I recall some book I found in the library about motor racing, and it had pictures of Indy when that big fire happened, with parts, wheels and machines flying every which way, and great fire balls of flame. It was horrific, men died that day, yet something drew me in. That raw bravery of some guy climing into those cars and taking off, and even though I didnt know anyone, or anything, on some primal level I knew there was a master builder somewhere in the world, who stood above them all. The Mr Stratovarius of cars. The Michael Angelo, the Leonardo DiVinci of cars. I dont know why the Italians are so good at all that art stuff, but I like it.

When I began to read more as I grew older, the name Ferrari became so synonomous with sheer performance, and victory, I knew he was the master. Then I read stories about the old days of racing, the Alfa's of the 20's, and who is there standing front and center but Mr. Ferrari himself with SF shields blazing on the cowls of, an Alfa?. Then I recall the story of Fangio at the Nurburgring, how insanely crazy it read, yet how badly I would have loved to wore his shoes there for even a moment. I believe he was driving a Maserati at that event, but it all connects back. Having Ferrari the caretakers of Alfa and Maserati today, seems fitting, much more than anyone else in the world taking them over.

But as to a particular car I love, or a car that got me hooked, none exists. My love for Ferrari came from stories without pictures. Stories of men who drove cars on the worlds stage of race tracks, like Monoco. If I had access to all the Ferraris, and was told to pick only one, and take as long as wanted, I would probably die before I could ever decide. The 166MM calls to me, ( "I strip away the old debris, to find a shining car, a brilliant red barchetta....") but then so does the pontoon fendered TR. I like the GTO, but forced to pick id want a Lusso. I love the GT Californias, but I also like the 4.4 Superamerica, but also the Superfasts. Then there is that P3/4 thing, but also the 312 PB. Oh, the Boxer. The Dino's never quite grabbed me, but that 246 is a nice pretty car. The 308 GTB. I now own two of them, one drives. There just hasnt been anything much since then that cranked me up. I like the 348, but only because it is still somewhat simple, and a bloodline direct from the 308/288/F40. And thats about the last car Mr. Ferrari laid a hand on. Somehow I think the 166MM barchetta or the 59 TR would be one of the two I would choose between. I will likely never afford one, and may likely never see one, but I would want one just the same. Maybe a 166 or TR for sunny days, and a Lusso for errands? I can dream cant I?

 

A silver Daytona Spider my father bought in 1975.

 

I found myself in the presence of the newest creation from Pininfarina. Key in the ignition. Lights on. Engine start. I can hear her gentle purr, the idle. I can taste the octane in the air. I can smell the exhaust, feel it filling my lungs. Her curves are timeless, so reminiscent of her past life. She knows she is a racecar. She howls it through her flaming V12 heart. She is dripping in red paint, her blood that seems to pulse throughout her carbon fiber body. Her aluminum heart is sending 660 horses surging throughout her galloping body. Garage door opens and she is unleashed. She purrs as she leaves her cage. I am inside of her, at her mercy.

I take her to the open road where she can stretch her legs. She accelerates like no car ever could. The seat of my pants telling me to lift off the gas, to brake, but I can't. I can only stay there, accelerating. Looking at the speedometer, 100 mph has long passed. 180 mph flashes by instantaneously. 225, and here she is in her element, Where she can make me forget, make me feel free of all daily hassles. From inside her I can hear everything. At full speed I hear her roar, as though her kitten like purr had grown into something much fiercer, the lion inside her begging to be driven hard. Looking skyward from inside her glass cockpit reminds me of how much power she has lain in my fingertips, limitless.

The sound of the mailbox slamming closed throws me out of my day dream. The mail seemed strange today though. I wipe off my eyes to look at my computer screen. No wonder I had that dream. It’s covered in pictures, videos, and a 200+ page forum thread drowning me in Pininfarina. Lazily I get up. There’s something I feel calling me. Something was pulling me to the mailbox. Strange. At first glance into the mailbox I see nothing but magazines and junk mail. Walking inside back to my desk, I sift through it all sorting out what is junk, and what is worth keeping. I start two stacks. When I reach that last letter, I realize that you needed to set aside space for a third pile. My senses are set ablaze. In my hand I hold a white envelope. It may as well have been made of gold. It was stamped on the front with a bright blue badge and a return address from Italy. I know exactly what awaits me inside. I gently open it, and inside, there it is.

As if it was taken from the depths of the ocean, deep blue, and lain in the center a Pininfarina badge. My heart skips a beat. I take a deep breath as I take in everything there. A blank page other than a simple badge, yet I am completely entranced. I open the folded page. There I find the most beautifully sketched body. She is staring at me, just as in my dream. She’s begging to be driven. On the opposing side, only words. Words that send thrills throughout your body that even the concept sketch failed to do. “You are cordially invited by Andrea Pininfarina and James Glickenhaus to the unveiling of the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina.” Nirvana.

Weeks have passed since I received that letter, since the flame ignited. The flame has only grown stronger, fed by the e-mails and photos, press releases, write-ups. What started as a flame in my heart has begun to engulf my entire being. I can’t wait the meager two days for the unveiling; I must see her now. I hide this all inside of me while I turn off the lights and sleep takes me away. Yet, again I wake up having had the dream of her being with me flying through time without a care in the world. I wake just to get through yet another day.

Coming home that night I realize there is only one day left, so with this in mind I try to sleep. The next day I wake up, take a shower, and get dressed. I am ready for her. I sit through an otherwise pointless day just to get in my car. Key in the ignition. Lights on. Engine start. I hear the purr. I opened the garage, but she is tame. I race down the highway, pull into Pebble Beach Equestrian Center and park. I join everyone else waiting for the cover to come off, the unveiling.

The anticipation grows while James Glickenhaus, her owner, takes the stage. She is still wrapped up, protected by that silky blue cover. She is teasing us, and making the audience wait while her appeal grows. Mr. Glickenhaus finishes his speech, and then time stands still. His son walks along side her long, sleek body, and begins to take off her cover. It goes in slow motion as shock waves are sent throughout the air. Her body is being kissed by every camera. Her cover moves past her headlights and she takes a look around. She sees you.

James puts down the microphone as he begins living in my dream. He reaches down into the side scoop to find the hidden door latch, and opens her cockpit. He lowers himself inside her, and closes the door behind him. He puts the key in the ignition. He turns the lights on. He twists the key until he hears her gentle purr behind him. He reaches to put her in neutral, tapping the left gear paddle. His foot trying to give a slow run through the rpm’s, but while it tries desperately to just touch the gas, his senses run wild. He cannot help but keep pushing the gas until his foot finally hits the ground, and she is roaring. His foot drops off the gas. He waits only a split second before he runs through the rpm’s yet again. Once he turns her off, there is momentarily complete silence, until the crowd erupts with excitement.

I stare at her. I take photos, videos, write mental notes. Her presence being the only thing I cannot capture.

When I get home I look through all of your photos, re-watch every video. Yet I cannot feel her. She isn’t there.

All at once I realize. She can’t be mine.








Any guesses where I was August 18th?

Peter Hatch

 

Well it was a little different for me. I was very young, Im 14 now. My mom had some business to do somewhere, so she dropped me and my sister off at a babysitter's house. We sat around bored for a little bit, and then the babysitter suggested watching a movie. She picked a couple out, and keep in mind I had no real understanding or love for cars at the time, and finally she just picked one on her own. She said "This movie is called the Fast and the Furious." I just said ok and then we watched it. I thought all the cars "blowing fire out of there pipes" as I called it was pretty cool. This all happened as Fast and the Furious came out on video so that gives you an idea of the time. Then came the part, that started many an internet thread, where Paul Walker and Vin Diesel pulled up next to a black Ferrari F355 GTS. I listened to the engine rev and thought....wow that sounds really cool. I also thought the shape was beautiful. When the race ended I was mad that they were focusing on "the orange car" and not my new favorite "awesome black car." She asked me if I thought the orange car was cool, and I told her the black car was much cooler and asked her what it was. She told me it was a Ferrari. Hmm...I said to myself.....Ferrari...


Then I went to school the next day and typed in Ferrari in the library computer and found a nice big book, which today is one of the books I own. The rest as they say is history...I find out about all the cars, people, races, history, experiences, heritage...everything that makes the Cavillino Rampante what it is today. As time went on I liked Ferrari more and more and more...until it became much more that just a passion. I have since had many excellent Ferrari experiences and times...and I am happy to say that I have been told many times that my Ferrari knoweldge is encyclopedic. I have also been told many times that I am stupidly obsessed, but then I tell them there obsession with freekin clothes and makeup is the exact same to me, freekin retarded. Im known as the Ferrari guy at school...and that just the way I like it!

 

I was about 8 or 7 years old, and I saw a picture of a red F50, I was mesmerized. Absolutely amazing machine.

 

The styling, the sound, the performance, the reputation, the history, Magnum PI, and Michael Schumacher.

 

My dad used to take me to the Ferrari dealership from 3 yrs old til I got my license.

 

Seeing & hearing Daytona at the age of 5, it belonged to a Dr. that lived near my uncle. I've been fascinated ever since.

 

It's 1986, and there was this fun little game called Outrun. The game was entertaining - thrashing around a chopped top Testarossa in the arcade. I was hooked on that game. The first time I heard a Ferrari Modena 355 fly by on the street, I almost ran my bike into a postal truck. The rest is history.
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My husband rented one in Vegas. I thought he was nuts to spend that much money to rent a car, but I thought it would get the Ferrari bug out of his system.

Every line, stich, detail, emblem, etc. on that car was perfection. I'd been given rides in Rolls Royces as a kid, but they weren't red, they all had tops and none of them growled.

That rental made our vacation. And started a sickness from which there is no cure.

Jessica

 

Well, Im soon 48 years old, and my wife is half a year and four babies behind me. She is not the buxom babe everyone would see around a Ferrari, but her interest in the cars is red hot. When I finally got this lil red fart running, and took her for a ride, her laughing was contagious. Maybe its the carbs, they offer a gurgle, and a musical note to the car, make it seem to come alive, which is coupled with a instant push to your backside. Power on gurgle/acceleration, followed with power down silence. Everyone I have offered a ride does the same thing, they laugh when I step on it. I mean, it just freakin snarls when you lay into it, yet runs along so quiet and smooth otherwise, almost Jeckle and Hyde like. My nine year old daughter laughed every time I accelerated on an almost 20 mile jaunt, and when I asked her what is so funny, she just said the car just makes her giggle when I step on it. She said it reminds her of Luigi from the movie cars. I can with all honesty say that I have never owned or driven any car that seemed so full of emotion. I really liked my Alfa GTV 2000, and my MGB, but this is way beyond that.

 

I've always been a car gal & collected Matchbox cars starting in the 60s (wish I still had them). The Jaguar XKE was my 1st favorite. Maybe that's why I love the 250GTO so much. Ferrari came later when I got into driving sports cars & working SCCA & club events in the early 80s. Falling in love with Ferraris is so easy.

 

For me it was on a friday back in the late 80's where we went one shoping that afternoon and on the way out to our car I notice a little black sportscar parked right next to ours, It was a small two seater, black with infamous yellowbadge with the horse on it and it said in the sliver lettering "Testarossa" and as a kid I knew I had to have one. I had no idea what kind of car it was until later that night I notice that yellow badge with the horse on a picture of my wall and that said Ellgante and at the bottom at said Ferrari which has a 308 on it.

So for me it would have been the Testarossa, after that a few weeks later Miami Vice became one of my favorite TV shows because of the white Testarossa.

I still have my Countach and Testarossa Posters since the 80's and yes they are up on the wall right now as I post this message.

 

i won't bore you with what started me a long time ago. i will tell you what rekindled it and got me to buy my ferrari recently. a client of mines wife bought him a 430 for christmas as a surprise(i am not making this up). i had to walk by it in his garage almost everyday for a couple of weeks. game over.

 

This was my Dad's car when I was kid! He died shortly after he sold the car. I was 9 when he passed away in a car accident. These are the only two pictures I have of the car. There is a third pic of it somewhere, but as a kid I was forced to give it to my sister as a rememberance of my Dad.....now, nobody knows where it is! Go figure. Anyway, someday, I'd hope to track this car down and own it myself. We'll see how that goes. I can still remember sitting in the drivers when it was parked in the garage and getting rides around the block at night! I'm 28 now. I've had a warped mind ever since!

J
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when i was 6 i asked my dad how he knew so much about cars, and he told me if i want to know about cars then read this, he then handed me a car and driver, and the first car i read about was a ferrari, instantly i was hooked, and now i know even more then he does about cars, and i continue to expand my knowledge

 

You are so right its a sickness but a good one, I have met so many fantastic people through the common love of Ferraris, to a large extent this love has shaped my life....