Birmingham Spotters

I know Birmingham is not as big as Atlanta, but I KNOW there are some Ferrari's and other very high end cars around here! I love seeing these awesome cars around and trust me, my wife just LOVES when I almost wreck for trying to look at them closer

Ill start it off:
Nice Maybach in Liberty Park ( I live there so I see some nice autos frequently),
Black Lamborghini Diablo also in Liberty Park,
Yellow Lamborghini Diablo on 280 (I was on the patio eating last weekend at Pettrucelli's and almost dropped my drink in my lap when I heard then saw it come by)
Red 360 Modena several times in Mtn Brook (lady driving each time )

 

I have seen that red 360 with the lady driver a few times. I spoke with her out in front of my office one afternoon. She told me she likes the standard shifter over the paddles. She says it makes her feel more like a driver. Not many like her around these parts.

 

If you see a 365 or a Mondial on Rocky Ridge, 95% chance it is me or Spicy...

 

I'm in Mountain Brook 6 or so times per year, and Branko's is the only F-car I've seen in the Bham area. Rumor has it that there is/was a blue 308 on Kingshill in MB, but I have yet to see it.

Dr. Tommy - I see you desire a VW Corrado. Even with the 328 currently in the garage, the '93 SLC may be my favorite car that I've ever owned. That was one sweet ride that not only didn't attract attention, no one knew what it was. And driving it was a blast every single day. I would love another one, but a daily driver, truck and the 328 are all that currently fit in the driveway.

Troy

 

If you see a Mondial on Rocky Ridge, 95% chance it's Judge. It may have the better radio, but the 365 has the better engine.

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Did B get one? He test drove it the same day I did and passed on it...

 

I have seen that red 360 in English Village and also a silver 360 parked at the end of Lakeshore where Jemison Park begins. The black Lamborghini was parked on my street in Mountain Brook for a week because the owner was out of town so he let his daughter and son-in-law have it that week. Then, a guy on the next street over, who was buying and selling cars, had two black 308's.

 

WAR EGL -

Here is that blue Ferrari you have heard about in MB. I took these pictures when I was 16 one summer night back in 1984. I was run off by the mall security when I took the distance shot (this was back when we cruised that parking lot and they were trying to crack down on it).
It is #48963 and as I posted earlier was bought new in Germany and is still owned by the same family here in town.

 

Wait a minute, my pictures didn't make it up. Give me a minute...

 

Tommy, where is the photo? I would love to see the car in person.

 

I think I need to change the format on my scanner. I am working on it now.

 

When I was younger (about 11 or 12 years ago) I can remember riding with my parents and we would frequently come down Montevallo Road towards Eastwood mall and the such and there would be a house on the left kind of on a hill with a Ferrari that was ALWAYS sitting out there, never moved out of the same spot. I'm no Ferrari expert but I would say it looked like a 308 model (Magnum PI similar?). I remember always hearing the story that the man bought it for his son to have when he came back from Vietnam or something or some war but died before he got home and the dad couldnt part with it after that, so it just sat there literally for years and years. Whatever happened to it? Is this story just urban legend or any truth to it? Surely someone else remembers seeing it besides me, or I hope so!

 

I know the house you're talking about. Never saw the 308 there, but did see a 550. And the house is on the right if you are going towards Eastwood.

Over the years, I also recall a DB7, Continental R, 360, 360 Spider and some other things. That road is part of my weekend loop when I am in town...

 

The house is on Salisbury Road.

Actually, the yellow 360 can be seen from space.

Yes, too much time on my hands today...
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Well, believe it or not I know all about this car too.

It was a 1982 red/tan 308 GTSi that was bought new in Mississippi. It was the first GTSi I ever laid eyes on in real life back when I was in 8th grade and I'll never forget the thrill I got when it drove by. I remember it like it was yesterday. I have LOTS of pictures of this car too. I took them in Aug 1983 at the old Stereo Warehouse (now Wallgreens at Eastwood)
The real story:
It belonged to a man who lived there with his parents at that same house. He had some engine work done (and I am not making this up) by a guy at a gas station over on Hollywood Blvd. in Homewood. It got as far as 459 before it shut down on him totally. It was towed back to his house where it sat for YEARS out in the open. I drove by it practically everyday from the latter part of high school thru dental school. I finally knocked on his door back in 94 and got to see it up close again for the first time in 10 years. It was really bad, the paint had faded to orange, the tires were flat and there was LOTS of dirt and leaves in the grills and engine areas. It was a sad sight. The car had just been sold to a man who's son went to high school with me. They put a 350 in it. I have been meaning to call him about this car for years. I may just go ahead and do it today.
It is a really small world too. I bought a practice where the original owner was actually a patient! He cam in one day and I couldn't believe it. I brought him a picture of me in front of his car at the stereo shop when I was 15. He was standing in the background waiting to get in and go home. He remembered it too! How funny is it that stupid kid who was holding him up with pictures wound up being his dentist years later?

Anyway I know all the details about why the car was up there for so long, etc., because HE told me about it. It's funny to hear about the rumors concerning that stray Ferrari.

If I can get my scanner to cooperate I'll scan in those pics too.

 

THIS house is actually on the corner of Montevallo and Euclid. It is actually the last house in Birmingham before you cross into MB. It would be on the left heading to Eastwood on Montevallo. It is just a few miles from where I live and grew up.

 

Where did you hear that dead kid story anyway? That's funny.

 

There was a red 308 GTS QV (US version) parked in front of Stephens Garage today. I went inside to ask who the owner was and Stephen said he did not know, it was here when he arrived this morning and no one had called about the car yet.

 

That's really weird

 

Hmm. Your regional Ferrari knowledge base would seem to make you the L. Wayne Ausbrooks of Birmingham.

Troy

 

Ha, I think my dad told it to me who heard it from somebody he was in the guard with! Thats funny, I have been way off all these years, I even have relayed this "tale" to my wife when we drive by that house occasionally

 

Ask Tommy ANYTHING Ferrari......if he doesn't know the answer .............then your next step is the factory.

 

I know where you are talking about now, but I never went that way to Eastwood growing up so I never saw that 308.

But the guy on Salisbury still goes through cars the way most people go through shoes...

 

I don't know if I know that guy or not. I had a patient tell me last week that there was a fellow in that area back in the 70's that was a BIG car guy. He sold my patient a Corvette to make room for a new Ferrari in 1975. The way he described him it sounds like the same person you are referring to.
I have lived right here since 72. It's hard to believe that we have not crossed paths at some point in time.