Do Ferrari's have a unique smell?

Do you ever notice a distinct car smell in the garage where your Ferrari is parked? I'm not referring to a 'new car smell' but rather a pleasant combination of metal, leather and minerals (lubricants). It is especially noticeable after the car has been run a while but often permeates the air for at least a week between drives (if I go that long!).

When BS'ing with fellow F-car owners, I have heard others speak of the same thing. Is this all just imaginary or is there something distinct about how a Ferrari smells? Do older cars exhibit that smell 'more' than new?

 

Yeah it does. I've noticed this too. It smells like rich leather to me.

 

+1 That's what I chalk it up to.

Jedi

 

Only after I have a burrito.

 

Yeah I agree especially after a nice drive. It almost smells like a combo of leather and oil. It permeates through the garage. I love it.

 

I've noticed Ferraris all have a standard interior smell. Again, not the "new car smell" but something else. On the side, I always thought Volkswagens had a crayon smell to them.


_J

 

When mine sits for any extended time. The entire garage smells of natural oils,leather and engine cook off. Even if I send it away for a few days the smell remains and sadly reminds me of whats missing.

 

Mine smells exactly like my '71 Alfa GTV I drove in college. That was the first thing I noticed about it when I bought it. Even the engine bays smell the same.

 

The 308 does after a nice run; that leather/oil smell others have discussed. The 348 doesn't have one that I've noticed.

 

Ferraris do seem to have a unique odor, but nothing like the distinct smell of BMW leather.

 

With a bit of work, you can put that Ferrari smell (the leather part at lest) into any leather appointed vehicle. Just coat the stuff with letherique and leave it in the hot sun for a day or tow. Presto, Ferrari smell.

{Don't try this on a car with 200K miles and smells like the mens room in a baseball stadium...}

 

Momo... mmmmm. Fine Italian leather feels dreamy wrapped around an ergo race proven steering wheel. Yeah, I shamelessly sniff my wheel.

 

I am about to get flamed here...but I think all 70's-80's FIAT cars have a very similar smell, whether they be Ferrari, Lancia, FIAT or Alfa. Its a distinct smell of fine leather mixed with a bit of fuel and god knows what else.

Never noticed it in any other make of car....even Lamborghini. Go figure.

 

and you know how this smells..... how ? LOL ?

 

Even though I haven't owned one, I can remember a distinct smell other than the leather smell from the interior. When the FXXs came in from some laps at the Ferrari Challenge, the smell of burning brake pads mixed with some other divine smells; and to this day, every time I smell brake pads (though not unique to Ferraris), It takes me back to those garages at Road Atlanta with the lovely looking, sounding and smelling FXXs! -kevin

 

I agree on the fiats smelling the same, but they always seemed to have a little something extra like the essence of smoking wiring harness, or at least the promise of it. I remember I'd been away from Italian cars for a few years then for fun looked at a 124 spyder that hadn't run in years. When I opened the hood I took in a deep breath, it was great.

The smell of carmelized oil against the heads and block, Mmmmmmm.

 

Don't know if its an old v. new thing, but you've nailed it on the smell and, no, I don't think its imaginary. I've often thought the same thing about my 328.

 

Yes, there is something different about it - its unique and I love it!!!


PDG

 

They definitely do.

When I restored my interior I INSISTED on Connolly instead of a better leather. I wanted that same smell that I grew up remembering.

Problem was I didn't exactly get it. It seems that the uniqueness that, at least I noticed, has to do primarily with the dying process that is no longer used - a vegetable dye of some sort.

Either way I can guarantee anyone with 100% certainty that you can sit me down blindfolded in a Ferrari, BMW or Porsche from 1985 and I tell you which it is. Everytime.

 

For me its the smell of slightly stale gas. Walk into Fantasy Junction some time.
I had a lady friend of my wifes visit us several years ago. She is a big race fan and her and her husband follow the circut closely. When she walked into the garage she inhaled deeply and said, "My god it smells good in here".

 

!!!???????!!!!!!! Ummm. Uhhhh. You know what whale sperm smells like??

 

He studied whale husbandry in college.

 

Rob, are you sure you don't mean Sperm Whale?

I think Ferrari use a special type of hyde that only Ferrari use.