what is "dated?"

The 308GTB I own - although I see a stunning beauty in it - im not exactly shure the actual youth well see it. I was astonished, when we made a foto session in a forum and a BMW M5 was third in beiing photographed / filmed. Mine fourth. First place on that tour was a 430 Spider, then Diablo, than the BMW M5 then me with a black 308 GTB. On the tour where certain beautiful Maseratis and Porsche but no one took notice, except a 928) The M5 was without doubt a well performing car. But its a BMW 5 with some applications, when it comes to looks.

Visual Disireablitity is learned. And you see on such occations.
PS: Heres a video from the M5 crew itself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ScFl--0zpA

 

Some current styling trends that I think will look very dated quite soon

- clear taillights
- square box vehicles
- All the oversized headlights that extend up the hood/fenders
- Rear ends with the Bangle style trunk
- In general all the first gen Bangle BMWs

 

"Dated" is a design that follows the trends of the time, but without having it's own intrinsic beauty. I don't think many Ferraris lack their own intrinsic beauty, thanks to their proportions.

 

As with many classic Italian more subtle designs, ones which we now view as 'iconic' often went through a period of dismissal as they were not in the latest fashion. They always come back, though, as the longer term classic beauty becomes apparant. I've read reviews where the 246, Daytona and even the 275 GTB were once dismissed as relics or dinosaurs of an earlier era and now they're hailed as masterpieces.

 

I know what you mean, I was on an overnight drive last weekend and pulled up to a gas station. A truck pulled up a few minutes later with a 9 year old boy, he ran up looking at the car. He yelled back 'Dad it does say Ferrari on it', I said to him 'it is a Ferrari', he replied 'doesn't look like a Ferrari to me'... It was sad.

 

Bangle trunk
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Thanks, and right after I ate lunch.

 

I'm going to get killed on this, but agree: like anything with rubber bumpers=dated. either all metal or matched.

let the flames begin.

 

Agree, along with what I call the armored car look (Chrysler 300, Hummer H3) with high doors and short windows. Cars/trucks with back doors that only open if the front door is open.

 

Rule #1: Style is never out of date.
Rule #2: Ferraris are never out of style.

I had someone pull up to me at the gas station just the other day and say "Wow, I sure like your new Ferrari."

She's held her 18 years very well, don't you think?
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well you get idiots everywhere


in all seriousness she looks lovely, but she doesnt look a new design.

 

I think your car looks fntastic. So much so that I bought one.

 

Now here's a new guy with good taste!
John

 

One source I found says 351 were made. Wikipedia says 337.

 

I'll check the month; it's at home and I'm at work. It's the cover story so it wouldn't be hard to track down.

Yes, they did a 914 too. They hated the interior, the seats and the styling in general. Funny, because I like them and was considering one, but they are way underpowered compared to the Europa TC and not really as exotic, although they are somewhat rare today. The X1-9 was also cited as being way underpowered; they had no idea about the rust problems yet! Are there any left these days?

They loved the Pantera and mentioned the overheating problems, they loved the 246 in spite of carb problems, awkward seating position (?) and "retro" styling. And of course the Bora which was like $27k!! The 246 was about $16k IIRC. Of all the cars, the 246 was the best "investment" in retrospect!

Ken

 

This is evil, Ken. You have brought back some memories.

First, the 246 IIRC was very "Ferrari" in the driving position...feet up close, wheel far out and tilted almost flat like a bus. Driving it was still worth it.

The one I looked at was going for about $12.5K new off the floor.

The thing I most remember about the old X19 was that it was set up with practically no caster in the front alignment - you actually had to push back on the wheel as hard when you took it out of a curve as when you turned into one.

The Europa I tried was just the opposite...never have I felt a car with such light and direct perfect steering. Too bad the gearshift lever was totally screwed.

The Pantera was the only car I have ever driven that presented me with a total brake failure. Yes - brand new yellow one off the floor of the local Mercury dealer. The brake fluid must have kind of boiled up and the pedal just went to the floor. Gearshift very similar to the Europa - for a realistic simulation, stick a table knife into your garbage disposal while it is running and attempt to move it around. In their day, these things were easy prey for any small block Corvette just because of that gearchange.

Sad to say, all the above were way prettier than the old brick of a 914, but in retrospect, the 914 - especially the 6 or the 2 liter, would outdrive them all. Except maybe the 246, but it felt much slower and more deliberate in all its moves. Maybe I was just too young for the Ferrari experience.

Guess they are all "dated" by now in their own special ways.

 

The sloppy Europa gearchange can be fixed by replacing the bushings at the lever with brass (the originals are plastic and were crappy even when new). It's still not Japanese-smooth, but more than adequate. I'm not sure about Vettes, but I think I could smoke a 914; even the 6. Might be a fun race though!

Ken

 

I agree about the Bangle BMWs. I think the previous 5-Series (E39) is aging much better than the new E60 will.
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99% of the public can't tell a new Ferrari from a 20 year old one.

 

+1

Especially since they are usually kept in excellent condition.