California Vs Maranello

I see nothing but similarities in a larger more elegant package but heh, beauty is in the eye of you know who..... I find the Maranello too flat...

Tony.......

 

Interesting point. Does anyone have a photo they can post of the two side-by-side?

 

The 550 is beautiful to me. I dislike the cali quite a bit, mainly because its so 'tall'.

 

I agree and see exactly what you are talking about William - I always felt that the 550 was a VERY beautiful design from day one. The Cali is ok, but not nearly as graceful. I have not seen them side by side yet, but I can definitely see the obvious differences.


PDG

 

FCI had a 599 parked next to a Daytona. I stood and stared with my jaw open for about 5 minutes. Couldn't believe the difference in size.

 

A slight deviation here, but a couple of years ago while in Munich I happened across a 550 sitting next to a 612 in the local dealer's showroom. You know how a guitar case mimics the shape of a guitar ? The 612 looked like the case that the 550 was shipped in.

Mike

 

To Me, the Maranello harks back to the 275 GTB's, where as the California does exactly what it was intended to do and harks back to the 250 california.

Strange how no one thought the same when the 456 came out and took some styling cues from the 365 GTB/4, everbody thought it was a marvelous tribute to the "Daytona" design at the time.

At least Ferrari try to vary their designs unlike Porsche or Aston Martin. I for one would be very dissapointed if all they did was continually rehash the same old design everytime.

 

exactly.

I don't really like any of Ferrari's new designs. I didn't like the 612, the california is butt ugly and I was so excited about the 458....Right until I saw it. No thanks. Maybe they can make it look better when a challenge stradale version comes of it but for now...no.

the '70s - '90s had the best looking cars IMO. 550 maranello, 512BB, testarossa, Daytona, 355 GTB...etc etc.

 

Dems fightin words. IMNSHO, a Cal Spyder is the best looking car ever made, by any manufacturer. I like it even better than a 250 GTO. So take it back Mister, unless you want to re fight the War with the Colonies again.

Dale

 

Agreed. We used to have Coburn's black SWB here in CO for a number of years. This is the car sold for 11M a couple of years ago. It made my knees weak every time I saw it. I can't see any connection with the new CA at all.

I thought the 550 to be a bit plain when it came out but I think it has aged well. I thought it was a big car then, but when I see it next to the new stuff, it looks small!

Dave

 

Yes, it most certainly is!

 

Reminds me of the thread ze_shark created with side-by-side photos of his 599 and 550:

http://www.asphalte.ch/Auto/599-2/599-2-5504.php

This photo in particular: http://www.asphalte.ch/Auto/599-2/599-2-5490.php

 

Wow! Thanks for the link. Here, I used to think a Maranello was too big. The 599 looks like it is going to eat it.

Dale

PS It would be great to include a 275 in these shots.

 

Right, where did I leave My Red Coat? .

I'm not saying it's as good looking as a 250 California, let alone better looking. What I am saying though is that if you compare the new California to the old 250 California, you can see the lineage. If you compare this picture: http://autonovita.blogosfere.it/images/1958_Ferrari_250CaliforniaSpyder2.jpg to the picture of the California in the first post, it shows why the wings are set so high, because that's how they were on the original (plus it helps them comply with the new pedestrian safety laws).

Don't get Me wrong, I'm not praising the modern design, far from it. For Me, the biggest problem with the modern designs is that because of all the modern safety laws and requirements for more space from buyers, they lack a fundemental requirement of design, and that is elegance. I'd take a 250 California over a new California, a 275 GTB/4 over a 550/575 Maranello, a 365 GTB/4 over a 456 everytime and not because they're worth more, but because they have elegance incorporated into their designs.


Damn, My powders wet and now I'm told I can't use My shot because the health and safety laws have banned lead!.

 

hahahahhHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

 

rmk- Great photos of the 550 vs 599, thanks. Deserve to be in the two other formums after a bit of PhotoShopping to brighten them up. Will make sure they are credited properly.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I had no idea the 599 was that much larger than the 550. I like them both, but I thought they were closer in size. The 550 almost looks small in comparison, and it's a large car.

 

VH- A common misconception is how big a Maranello is. Here is a comparison between a 911 and a 575M. Corvettes are about the same size. A Maranello next to an f430 makes for an interesting comparison, too. 2004 575M 2009 911.

Length: 575M 179" 911 176"
Width: 76" 73"
Height: 51" 52"
Wheelbase: 98" 93"


Only realized that when comparing my old C6 Z06 to the 575M in the garage. The C6 Corvette was designed to be no bigger than a a 911. The Maranello is heavy, yes, big, no, unless you are comparing it to a Dino 246 GT or sister V8s.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Im going to refrain from commenting on styling and go right for the meat.

Ferraris have become way too large.

 

Hmm... you must have a better imagination than I.

Dale

 

IMO, the Cali is an improvement over the 550 (cosmetically)

 

Reminds me of this picture someone else posted a while ago.
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