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

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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Congratulattions , very nice 612

 

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!

 

Your 612 looks great in white.

 

Yes the white looks amazing on the 612, and the white stitching on the black leather is perfect!

 

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.

 

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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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.

 

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.

 

For reference I have a 2008 OTO and it has black lowers

 

Beautifull in White my friend, and i am not in the least bit jealous of where you live, not in the slightest!

 

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another beautiful day....

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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...

 

main course of lamb...

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dessert...

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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

 

Dernière sortie de l'année , avant d'hiberner


Last outing of the year, before hibernating

 

Boxing day 2021...wet, a bit grey, and a nice country drive.

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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 ??

 

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.

 

Fab, thanks for the update !

 

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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