First sight and sit was in a '56 Boano coupe at Precision Motors (Adam's Mark Hotel is there now) in Downtown Dallas, ca. 1965. Next were in a 330 2+2 and a 330 GTC at a sleazeball used sportscar dealer on Lemmon Ave., ca. 1972. Never had a ride. First Ferrari drive was in my '64 330 2+2 in March 2003, when I picked it up at the delivery point, John Eagle motors on Lemmon...it was in the carrier with a couple of new Aston Martins and some other various exotics.
Fchat member 4rebob was kind enough to take me for a ride in his 83 mondial. It was great! Still the only ferrari i've been in.
When I was 18, I got the mother of all Christmas presents from my sister who was studying at Oxford: Come drive a Ferrari on a track. Sit/Ride/Drive: 96 355 (first RHD car id ever driven, got to hit ~7000 in 4th whatever that equates to) (also a 308 that day) There's me in it. The sound of the engine getting on the cam(s) still gives me chills, hearing it behind my left shoulder. Image Unavailable, Please Login
A dealership actually let me test drive a 348GTS when i was only 19 needless to say it was the greatest moment of my life.
First sat in a Ferrari when I was 19 (in 1988): black/red Testarossa, 328 GTS, White 512 BB, 250 GTO, 250 LM, black/red Daytona spider, 250 SWB. This was during the opening of a dealership. First rode and drove in a 348 when I was 20 (in 1990). Highlight sofar: driving from Holland to the Ring and back (including a lap on the modern track) in 212 Inter Ghia coupe s/n 0105. This was 2005.
Now that I think of it I've never had the chance to do any of these things yet. I've often wondered if it could possibly live up to the hype in my head. Hehe maybe someday.......
Sat: white 1989 Mondial T Cab - about 15 years ago in Shelton Ferrari. I was on vacation and found the nerve to ask a salesman if I could sit in a car - He graciously complied even though it was pretty obvious I wasn't there to buy any of their cars. A couple years later, I went back and sat in a white 328 GTS. Rode: red 1986 Mondial 3.2 Euro Coupe. About 10 years ago. It was for sale at a local dealer but it needed quite a bit of work. a true beater. but I didn't care because it was my very first ride in ANY Ferrari and that put a grin on my face for weeks. Other notable ride: red 1987 TR. About 8 years ago. A friend of a friend heard I was a Ferrari nut and offered to take me for a spin in his TR. New grin was set in place for about a month after that! 1st Drive: black 1994 348 spyder. About 7 years ago. It was a rental while on vacation in Maui. It was expensive, but it was worth every cent to me. What could be better than a first ferrari drive in Hawaii? Had it for 6 hours which went too fast - and had to drive it slow since the speed limits on Maui are quite low in most places. Even had a local patrol car tail me for about 5 minutes. Thankfully, the day wasn't ruined by a ticket - he left me alone after giving me a really good long lookover. 1st Ferrari bought: D'oh! none yet. at the present time, and at the rate I'm going, I'm estimating that I will be able to afford one in about 124 years.
I rented a 360 F1 for 4 days in Miami back in 2004. That was my first time sitting in or driving a Ferrari. It was an experience. They handed me the keys and I was off. I couldn't believe it. I got to a stop light and the F1 went into neutral. I couldn't figure out how to get it into first. People were honking at me. And I was just stuck there at the light in a brand new red 360. I tried everything. I turned the car on and off a few times I fumbled with the paddles. Took the key out and in a few times, pushed any button I thought would help. No luck getting it into first gear. The light turned red green 3 or 4 times before some how I got it into first gear and got it going. Then after that I was in south beach driving around with 3 girls in the car with me. It was like something out of a circus all 4 of us getting out of a two seater. I had alot of fun in that car I put about 550 miles in 4 days.
First Ferrari I sat in was a TDF (I think) 275 GTB or GTB/4 (not sure what it was) in 1974. I was working at a garage in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (on Interstate 4) and a gal drove in with a car she said she had just inherited. She was driving it cross country from California and it was running rough and she asked if I could do anything about it. I said "sorry no", but she insisted I let her pull it in the garage so I could take a look. I did, she popped the hood and I took one look at the six Webers and said "no way". Unbelievably, she insisted I try to do something. It crossed my mind to at least replace the plugs, but then I realized we probably wouldn't have the proper plugs in stock and I might somehow damage the engine while attempting the job. In addition, I knew the carbs might also need adjusting and syncing and by the time my brain got that far I was scared to death of touching the engine. So I sat in the car and blipped the throttle a couple times and got out and stared at the engine again and poked around a bit looking for something obvious. Then I did my best to explain to her how complex the engine was and that she needed to get to Denver and find a specialist. We talked a bit more and eventually she left. I finally concluded she was just showing off the car, although it was running rough. I had to wait another 33 years before I actually got a ride. As you can see from the photo below I was all grins in anticipation of the event. Thanks to Jerry (owner of the 360 Modena) and the rest of the folks from the NW chapter of FCOA for making it possible. I plan to actually drive one before another 33 years go by if I have to buy one to make it happen! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I had to buy my first Ferrari to sit/ride/drive it. (Obligratory pic of my 348. ) Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was 57 years of age, had a dream all my life to own a Ferrari. Had owned Mg's Copper S,Jaguars before. At 57, went and inspected three 328 GTS' for sale, sat in all, was driven in one, drove it, then bought it. Drove it home, in peak hour traffic through Sydney. Now owned it almost two years, and LOVE IT! Drive it every weekend (unless it is wet) Cheers, Ross. A saying by a famous Aussie racing driver, Peter Brock, "Live your dreams" Cheers
First sit and drive was an 86 328GTS in Sera blue a couple of years ago. I was going to purchase it but things didn't work my way. The car now has a happy owner in Washington state. I'll have the opportunity to drive an F430 later this year.
First sit in a Ferrari was a Red/Black 512 BBi. First ride was an F40... hit a deer. Most memorable! First site/ride in a Maserati was a RHD 65 Mistral. Nice car! Wish I bought it. Never drove a Ferrari but have driven several Lamborghinis. Still hoping to buy one soon.
The first Ferrari I sat in and drove was a 1967 330 GT 2+2 with Borrani wire wheels. I bought it in 1974 for $7,000. Now in my house I have a mobile made from 12 pistons.