A nice day for a drive in the Central Loire Valley... | FerrariChat

A nice day for a drive in the Central Loire Valley...

Discussion in '612/599' started by LondonParis, Dec 9, 2021.

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  1. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
    377
    Houston/London/Paris
    Full Name:
    Bill Coates
    The weather has been rather poor in the past 2 weeks, but today we have had blue skies and bright sun. It is a bit cool (2-4 degC) but you can't be too picky this time of year. Took my 612 out on some of my favorite D roads along the Cher river (D27 and D35) where there are some very nice twisty bits with decent pavement and some small but fun enhancing elevation changes. They are only a 10 km on each side of the river with the D27 on the west bank and D35 on the east bank but you can do a few laps if you choose. Roads were dry except in the shade where it was still a bit greasy.

    To drive her on a day like this...sublime in every way.

    (note: tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4, tire temps were 15 degC front and 20 degC rear after warming up)

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  2. bay

    bay Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2011
    1,224
    Belgium
    Full Name:
    Bernard
    Congratulattions , very nice 612 ;)
     
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  3. Neil183

    Neil183 Rookie

    Mar 3, 2014
    22
    Hertfordshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Neil B
    Well done, great that you are using your car, so many are now wrapped up snug until the spring.
    I continue to use mine, just with a little more caution than normal and a lighter right foot!
     
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  4. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    38,054
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Your 612 looks great in white.
     
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  5. Concretecomet

    Concretecomet Karting

    Oct 10, 2021
    95
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Yes the white looks amazing on the 612, and the white stitching on the black leather is perfect!
     
  6. brogenville

    brogenville Formula 3
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    Apr 24, 2012
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    I agree, great looking 612!

    Random question though... was the black strip along the bottom of the car a factory option, or did they all get delivered like that? My car has body colored bumpers and skirts, but its been painted, so not sure if it originally came with black along the bottom of the skirts/rear bumper.
     
  7. F612

    F612 Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2018
    603
    Leeds,AL
    Full Name:
    David D. Hood
    My 2008 OTO came like this.
    I like the look of the black skirt.

    Random question though... was the black strip along the bottom of the car a factory option, or did they all get delivered like that? My car has body colored bumpers and skirts, but its been painted, so not sure if it originally came with black along the bottom of the skirts/rear bumper.[/QUOTE]
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  8. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    38,054
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    Ferrari goes back and forth on the black lowers. Most 575Ms had it, but Superamericas did not and no black migrated to a few late model 575Ms. Likely the same with 612s. I have seen mixes, too, with some lower parts all color and some parts with black bottoms.
     
  9. Makuono

    Makuono Formula Junior
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    Feb 15, 2014
    998
    Full Name:
    Ricardo
    I believe prior to OTOs, all (most) 612's had black lowers from the factory.

    Since OTO's were fully customisable, probably some owners requested the lowers to be painted body color?

    IMO, black lowers give the impression of a lower and less bulky car.
     
  10. Concretecomet

    Concretecomet Karting

    Oct 10, 2021
    95
    Missouri
    Full Name:
    Mike
    For reference I have a 2008 OTO and it has black lowers
     
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  11. Autodetailing

    Autodetailing Karting

    Oct 5, 2021
    206
    Full Name:
    John
    Beautifull in White my friend, and i am not in the least bit jealous of where you live, not in the slightest!
     
  12. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
    377
    Houston/London/Paris
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    Bill Coates
  13. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
    377
    Houston/London/Paris
    Full Name:
    Bill Coates
  14. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
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    Houston/London/Paris
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    Bill Coates
    On weekends we often take a drive to a nice restaurant...today was "Auberge du Bon Laboureur" in Chenonceaux. It is located a few hundred meters from the famous chateau. There is private parking with more than enough room to manoeuvre a 612.

    Food was spectacular...the fixed menu today was around 50 euros for 3 courses.

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    Mushroom cake...
     
  15. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
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    Bill Coates
  16. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
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    Houston/London/Paris
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    Bill Coates
  17. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
    377
    Houston/London/Paris
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    Bill Coates
    In the last week or so we have also visited:

    3 Cepages in Reuilly (great place, Japanese/French fusion)
    Bistrot de Hauts de Loire in Veuzain-sur-Loire

    Both are excellent. There is a 2 star Michelin restaurant as well in the Hauts de Loire.

    Bill
     
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  18. bay

    bay Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2011
    1,224
    Belgium
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    Bernard
    Dernière sortie de l'année , avant d'hiberner ;)
    [​IMG]

    Last outing of the year, before hibernating ;)
     
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  19. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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  20. Justin Hughes

    Justin Hughes Karting
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    Mar 8, 2020
    156
    Oxfordshire - UK
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    Hughesie
    We were due t stay at Chateau D'Artigny over Christmas but the French Gov put paid to that, have you been there yet, if so what's it like ??
     
  21. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Stayed there a few months ago...it is a fantastic location. Hotel is 4/5 star for service and food, although the building is a bit dated. The spa facilities are nice, especially if you like sauna and hammam.

    There is a lot to see in the area and some nice roads to drive as a bonus.
     
  22. Justin Hughes

    Justin Hughes Karting
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    Mar 8, 2020
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    Oxfordshire - UK
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    Hughesie
    Fab, thanks for the update !
     
  23. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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    Sep 30, 2020
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    Bill Coates
    Today was as perfect a mid-winter day as you can get in the Loire Valley...beautiful sun and 10 degC.

    Went for a drive amongst the vineyards and chateaus.

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  24. LondonParis

    LondonParis Formula Junior
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