Pictures of 550 EXteriors

Yeah, that F-chatter was me...Sorry if I turned you off the car, but you are correct -- my comment had to do with another vehicle with a Baby blue wheel and dash and was just hideous.

This is actually not so bad. Yes, I would agree with the others that it would be better to wait for the right TdF/Tan example as there are enough nice ones out there. So...that's my vote.

Still not all that bad, really.

ketel

 

Damn straight...

Onno, you da man!

ketel

 

Ketel, no apology needed. There's been some good stuff on this forum, but that comment about a Smurf barfing is a classic. My wife and 4 boys loved that comment as well. I agree this isn't that bad, but I think I'll take the advice and continue to be patient and wait for the right car.

Bill

 

any luck..

 

love the 550/575

 

Bill, if you're happy with it go for it. Personally, I would gladly pay more for a car that fit's my tastes better, but it's a very personal thing. For me the following combinations really work on the 550:

TdF/Tan (Beige), Pozzi/Beige, Pozzi/Cuoio, Nero or Nero Daytona/Beige, Nero or Nero Daytona/Bordeaux, Grigio Titanio/Bordeaux, Rosso Maranello/Beige, Rosso Corsa/Crema, Verde Mugello/Crema, Azzuro California/Crema. Bonuses are if you can get the 250GT stitching, and the Daytona seats.

@Barry - nice! Then I would say that, of course.

BTW - Where's the dude that started this thread? Franc, do you have no comments at all? What is your current favorite combo?


Onno

 

Here's mine. Photo credit to Texasmike
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Wow! You really take it to town! Do you run slicks on the track? Also, do you not find it a bit heavy on the track?

 

Good call on the Speed Lingerie! I had to cut all the mesh away to keep the car running cooler.

 

What track is that??? I was figuring TWS, but I don't recognize that view if that is the place...

James
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James, TWO posts of your 928 in a "550 Exteriors" thread? You're dicing with death here...


Onno

 

Well, as you have seen those combo's are my faves as well. Great to hear you are moving forward with this - quite surprising considering the effort you have just put on on your 308 (which as I know you will be keeping).

I will be picking up the old girl next Wednesday (can't believe it - less than a week!), we can set something up after that. I'll send you a PM or e-mail regarding some plans I've got for next week Sunday.


Onno

 

Ooops sorry about that! Didn't know I did that on this thread earlier...should have put one of the others up... ugh. I am so wanting a 456/575 I can't stay off this thread! Love that red color 550...I need that in a 575 F1!

James

 

Actually, once you understand the car's good and bad points, you can hustle a 550 pretty darn quickly around a track. Granted, I run between 7/10s and 8/10s. (Go here for the best definition of tenths that I have ever read -- http://www.peterkrause.net/Krause_%26_Associates_LLC/Track_Wisdom.html) I just don't have the net worth to absorb the risk of wadding my car.

The bad points are that a Maranello is a very heavy car that has a much better motor than brakes. Better brake pads should be the first order of business if you plan on getting serious.

One of the good points, though, is that a Maranello is perhaps the ultimate momentum car. (Every race car is a momentum car. But most people think of a Miata when you mention momentum.) This picture was taken at the infield course at Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, which, depending on how you look at it, is either a big go kart or a tight car track.

The Dinos (i.e., the 328s/355s/360s/430s) were very busy shifting back and forth between 3rd and 4th. Me, I just left the car in 4th and let that bottomless supply of torque pull me through the corners. Brake late, let the tires sing, roll on the throttle after the turn in, lift at the apex to rotate the car, and then when you floor it at 3,000 rpm that motor carry you all the way to the promised land at right about 6,000 rpm.

A 550 is a broad sword. A 360 is a rapier. A 360 with the F1 is an absolute hoot to drive through a series of switchbacks. Blat, blat, blat, just like a video game. A 550 does okay here, but where it really shines is the track out on a long fast sweeper. I swear you'll feel like a balls out locomotive on rails. The faster you go, the more the car hunkers down and asks for more.

I wish I had the nerve to, just once, drive this car flat out on a fast track, a really fast track. I still have not even red lined the car through all six gears in a straight line. I guess that I never will.

Dale

 

You discovered that too, huh? I thought the tech was shcitting me when he said that, but he was right.

Dale

 

Onno - I agree with you. I'm a little more traditional than some of the color combinations on a few of the cars out there. It's just a shame that the TdF car I posted pictures of had that blue/white piping interior. The exterior couldn't have been prettier.

As it turns out, I've found a 2000 Nero/Tan (my favorite combo) that's being PPI'd tomorrow. I've made an offer that's been accepted pending the results of the inspection. Keep your fingers crossed for me, guys.

Bill

 

We will, Billwest. But you know the rules: once she's safe in your driveway, load up them pics or else....We're a tenacious lot here...

ketel

 

+1!


Onno

 

This was my first 550 and then the current one
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Both beautiful machines - did you add the shields, or were they factory? I really like them. The car I've made an offer on doesn't have them. Apparently there are some very thin, fire-enameled shields available from Yoshield. BUT....I'll worry about getting the car first, then the other stuff.

Bill

 

Isn't that the '01 that was "sold" and used in a rap video? One of the very last (if not the) ones to roll off the line?

 

Shields look great. There's a big difference between the factory shields and stickers (see below: a UK 550 with stickers and my own 550 - have posted this before, apologies to regulars). The magnetic ones look better but not as good as the actory ones due to the indentation those sit in. Nevertheless, they look better than nothing at all, I think. So try them out.

@Jsuit - both very nice machines! What made you exchange the first one?


Onno
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The first one was destroyed by a shop doing work on the car, I have been advised to not discuss details.

John

 

Onno - In other words, he would tell you but then he'd have to kill you.

ketel