lots of regular cars these days are also over adorned with "aero" features, which is even more gratuitous given expected use.
How so? My b-i-l just got an FF, and I've only driven it once and fairly restrained, but I really liked it.
Personally, the Maranello became my favorite car design ever in 1997 and that never changed. Much like my 996 Turbo, it has a subtly aggressive look that I find intoxicating, and the driving experience is so, so good. I drove it to Verizon the other day and at one point, the gentleman standing next to me looked out, realized what the car is, and said, “That has to be the most understated Ferrari I’ve ever seen!” To which I replied, “Yep, one of the many reasons why I love it.”
To me, the 550 is the sharper angled evolution of the 275. As you study it, the muscularity is apparent. The hood scoop, the trunk spoiler, the quad tail lights, the gills, like a powerful shark, yet still subdued Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I enjoyed my 575. Changed the suspension computer to make it more road worthy. Modified the exhaust so it sounded like a v12 and not a buick. Great GT car. Beautiful. Wanted more of a drivers car. Bought a loaded C8. Much more fun to drive. Fix it anywhere. Looks,handling,brakes,power and get it serviced anywhere.Thinking of changing something? Dozen different exhaust systems, springs,shocks,bars,etc.etc. A world class car nothing like previous iterations. Never would have give an earlier generation a second look.
A few months ago I sold a 2015 458 to buy a 99 550. I made the change because I wanted to experience a manual V12 (YOLO), and I've always loved these cars. I think they're quite unique even in Ferrari terms. Much different than the 599 on up, and zero resemblance to the 512's/TR's they replaced. I personally don't think they're the tip-top of Ferrari styling, but they're gorgeous, amazing drivers, and snapshot of a unique point in Ferrari history. Very analog, but also reasonably modern and drivable for just about any occasion. I basically daily mine and have added over 3K mile in about 3 months. I have lots of friends with exotics, most fairly new, and am around them all the time. Huracans, Aventadors, 458, 488, F8, 812, etc.... We were talking about how we're so jaded they all blend together. Oh look...another 458 Speciale.... The 550 is TOTALLY different and stands out parked with those cars. A lot of my buddies are about speed and flash, I prefer something a bit more subtile that offers a unique driving experience. The Maranello's deliver that in spades. I haven't missed the 458 at all....well mostly not at all
Looks Great Terry! You definitely have some add on bits that make the car look very sharp! My car has the carbon around the stereo but the carbon on the steering wheel is different. It is also on the base of the seats, door sills and the surround around the Tacho. And I agree it does match the look and feel of a red car!! Now what were you saying about a steep driveway??? Looks almost flat to me??? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login May the Horse be with you
I just think that the proportions are not great. The hood is too long, the door is too long and the read is stubby. They needed to forgo some of the mid front engine for better proportions IMO. Image Unavailable, Please Login
CM- My old house in Albuquerque. Steering wheel is by MAcarbon and the paddles are by Carbonio. Mine has OEM CF on the sills, seat control panels, instrument panel (obviously) and parking brake/switch surround. Have the radio surround, but the stitching does not match (different stitch pattern on factory CF center consoles), so never fitted it. Have the right-side door panel, too, but not fitted until I get a left one to go with it. I had an OEM CF steering wheel, but it was in pretty bad shape, so sold it. Your interior looks great. No Daytonas on mine, one thing I will add in the future. Mine was a bare bones FHP 575 initially. Looks like you have a loose connector under the steering wheel. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Terry, I had no idea that you car was factory FHP! I like the fact that you have a fire extinguisher. Do you ever get it refreshed? I am thinking about getting one too. I think no carbon around the Stereo looks nicer. How big are the door panels? And how are we going to find you the other one?? Not a loose connector, that is the charging cable going from the cigarette lighter to me phone holder for when I use sat nav.
CM- Yup, that was my main criteria for my 575M, back before I knew much about 575Ms. Not even hunting for a door panel right now. Daytona cushions next. I try to ignore my cell phone as much as possible. Pretty good at that.
Daytona's are rather comfy and supportive at the same time! Back to the fire extinguishers, I just ordered 3 x of these - https://elementfire.com/ Very impressive.
Forgot the fire extinguisher. Have never recharged it so likely pretty flat by now. My theory is if it catches on fire, aluminum burns pretty good, so I will likely just back away and cry. The Royal Navy learned that aluminum superstructure on warships may not have been a great idea. Unfortunately, our US Navy may have a short memory
I thought that this may have been the case! And back to the carbon...... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
In the UK, it seems that McLarens are almost impossible to sell if they don't have lots of optioned CF. I have CF on my FF steering wheel (with LED lights), and my 456 has Italian leather on the steering wheel. I prefer the feel and grip of leather as the CF feels like I am holding cheap plastic. To my eye, the older cars have more style and appear to be trying less hard to impress.
FWIW, another fire extinguisher option. May not be effective but I thought, if by some chance I had a small fire under the hood, I would feel pretty stupid not having a least tried to put it out. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I find my 550 to have an understated elegance to it. Nothing flashy or outlandish. Most people who ask what year it is are surprised how old it is, they thought it was much newer. A timeless design.
CM- Yup, mine has all the OEM CF except the aforementioned door panels and radio surround. Robert- On my steering wheel, the parts my hands touch are leather. The CF is just for pretty. I never had stickies when I lived in NM with no humidity. Now in Tennessee with plenty of humidity, I have stickies galore. Next thing to fix once she gets back from Merlin Motors, where Wade Williams is doing an annual and some other work.
Love reading your story. I feel like you. I could sell it and renew my car situation. If I sold all my cars, I could get a F12 which I know is an amazing car. It is just that I know my heart will fall outside my body of regret if I sell the 550. Like I have said before, it is not perfect as it has some small shortcomings, but for me it is still perfect. This year I was at the spring event in Oslo where there are about 600 classic and sports cars coming every year. The opening is quite cool when all the cars are arrivibg. My 550 was still in storage. I was looking at one great car after the other entering. Suddenly a black 550 Maranello with 19" modular wheels and spacers was slowly entering and drove in... I found myself in a situation where my eyes were wide open of excitment, my heart hammering and myself asking, "do I really have a car looking THAT good?!". We chatted for 20 minutes and he was in love with his too. After that, all the other 500 cars were just cars... Then i really understood that I can not live life without my 550 anymore. Sounds like a spoiled kid, but the loss will create real pain. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've never forgotten what my first boss told me re:fires. If the plane catches fire on the ground , get out and let it burn... Must admit though , I'd have a VERY hard time doing that with the 575
Terry, During winter 2020 I had sticky and non-sticky interior trim pieces/parts removed by Classic Coach Repair (Elizabeth, NJ) where they were doing a major at that time. Classic sublet the refinishing to Sticky No More (SNM). Classic photo documented, packed up, and shipped all interior trim pieces/parts to SNM for refinishing. Process took a couple months. Upon receiving the refinished pieces/parts, Classic reinstalled all trim pieces/parts and provided me with a thumb drive documenting the entire process. The stenciling and reinstallation was perfection! All trim pieces/parts are "brand new" and never have to worry again about stickies. Having now owned my 575 HGTC for 14 years, I couldn't be happier. The design is timeless, thumbs up and compliments continue! Kind regards, Walter
