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Got my F40 today!

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by stradman, Dec 10, 2007.

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  1. stradman

    stradman Formula 3

    Jan 8, 2004
    1,284
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Stradman
    #1 stradman, Dec 10, 2007
    So first day with the F40 and just got back from my first proper drive of the car. Did 50 miles tonight! It was terrible all day today, raining until late afternoon, after which the skies cleared. I allowed a good few hours for the streets to dry, and anyway, thought it would be better to drive in less congested streets after 10pm. Well I can say that I now feel a whole lot better about the f40 than from my first, albeit rainy drive, a week ago. I certainly felt a lot more at ease and was able to get into a reasonably comfortable driving position. Unfortunately at the end of my hour drive I did feel a twange of back ache-getting old you know! I also find it it difficult sprinting out of the car getting over the high sill after that time period-I suppose I was feeling stiff! Anyway these are personal foibles I and therefore may not affect everyone-although dont think I am that old @45 !

    Regardless, the car overall performed beautifully. I was able to warm up the brakes after about 20 minutes and the steering certainly lightened and became delightfully quick as you got on the move. Ok the accelerator pedal is still slightly jerky and I still find engaging 1st slightly difficult even after the box had warmed up-don't know maybe the clutch needs changing although it doesnt feel that stiff. It is however quite easy to drive this car at slow speeds or in traffic and did not find it at all tempermental. I thought it would have been but was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I do need to do-for driving at night- is to find someway of securing the pop up lights a bit better so that they don't bounce and flicker the lights as much. BTW I noticed the right pop up headlamp glass has become slightyl opaque from the inside. Does anyone know if these are sealed units or whether one can undo the lamp and perhaps clean it(if possible).

    I do have to say also that the adjustable suspension worked impeccably and is really a boon for cities like London where there are numerous speed bumps and where my driveway is less than flat in all areas!
    I know you all want pictures, but give me a break the weather is overall dreadful at the moment and am finding difficulty getting the time. I promise I will take some though and post!
     
  2. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
    USA
    Full Name:
    Jas
    #2 RufMD, Dec 10, 2007
    Well done Alex, quite a fun time for you right now !
     
  3. rossocorsa13

    rossocorsa13 F1 Rookie

    Jun 10, 2006
    2,557
    Nashville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    M
    #3 rossocorsa13, Dec 10, 2007
    Congratulations Alex!! I was gonna post and ask for pics, but I'll be patient...Besides, she'll look better under a sunny sky.

    Good write up, and it's always good to hear about people actually driving these great cars.

    Don't be afraid to pile on the miles!!

    Enjoy her!
     
  4. stradman

    stradman Formula 3

    Jan 8, 2004
    1,284
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Stradman
    #4 stradman, Dec 10, 2007
    You know at about 9 pm when I got back home from work, even though I was shattered, I thought I've got a bloody F40 in the garage, I cant just let it sit there, so off I went!
     
  5. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
    USA
    Full Name:
    Jas
    #5 RufMD, Dec 10, 2007
    That is a tidy feeling isn't it.....
     
  6. BrianZuk

    BrianZuk F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2007
    4,607
    NorCal (Bay Area)
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    BrianZuk
    #6 BrianZuk, Dec 10, 2007
    Congrats!!! Can't wait to see some pics. Enjoy....
     
  7. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,958
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    #7 285ferrari, Dec 10, 2007
    Congrats!!! PICS!!!
     
  8. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    #8 RTB, Dec 10, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
    USA
    Full Name:
    Jas
    #9 RufMD, Dec 10, 2007
    well, that put a damper on things in a hurry didn't it....
     
  10. stradman

    stradman Formula 3

    Jan 8, 2004
    1,284
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Stradman
    #10 stradman, Dec 10, 2007
    Ouch!
     
  11. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    #11 RTB, Dec 10, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
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    #12 RufMD, Dec 10, 2007
    It did ! Not to take this too far off topic, but I had the opportunity to meet Phil, PB and Martha at Cavallino and the FCA event at Watkins Glen...very gracious folks whom you see a lot more often than I of course (and in Phil's case, at speed and at a lot closer quarter !)

    You're quite correct about English weather...its one attribute of the old country I don't miss at all.
     
  13. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    #13 RTB, Dec 10, 2007
    Those pictures are from Nurburgring last year, and it was wet there too - I'm sure that Phil remembers that weekend very well........
     
  14. GFUracing

    GFUracing Formula Junior

    Nov 12, 2005
    625
    Ahwatukee Foothills
    Full Name:
    Darrell
    #14 GFUracing, Dec 10, 2007
    u have any pics to share on that first drive?
     
  15. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    Jan 31, 2004
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    #15 RufMD, Dec 10, 2007

    quite...luckily it was only a "flesh" wound...appeared relatively minor at that...but I'm sure the statement of costs did not reflect that :)
     
  16. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    #16 RTB, Dec 10, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    All smiles here though.......
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    #17 SSNISTR, Dec 10, 2007
    Mega congrats!!!!

    Please post pics when you can!
     
  18. SpyderCP

    SpyderCP Formula Junior

    Oct 17, 2006
    724
    California
    Full Name:
    Spyder
    #18 SpyderCP, Dec 10, 2007
    +1 would love to see it.
     
  19. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    #19 512Tea Are, Dec 11, 2007
    Dear Comrade Stradman,

    A Red Letter Day Indeed!

    Well done, and of course we must have the photograph's just as soon as time permits.

    There were two English Lightweight F-40's on the Queens highway yesterday as I too ventured out in the 'Son of Vulcan' to perform the happy adventure of Christmas Shopping. RufMD has very kindly posted images of the circuitous route that I perambulated via Beaulieu (Look in F-40 Photo's) I also visited Beaulieu Garage where many delectable motor cars were available to view.

    I am certain that once you become just a little more familiar with the F-40 you will simply adore it more and more with each occasion that you drive it. And thus it will become so inextricably linked into your life that you will never wish to be parted from it.

    But, you must be cautious with it. And you are extremely wise to familiar yourself with it at times when road conditions are somewhat less congested. I found that a few early morning jaunts on a Saturday or Sunday morning progressively familiarised me with it's foibles. A friend with a left hand drive provided me with some superb tips on driving with left hand steering. Accordingly, please settle into your mind that there will be a propensity for your brain to 'read' the road from its erstwhile more familiar position of right hand drive. The consequence of this is that there will be a tendency for you to keep drifting toward the centre of the road - so do be aware of this. Also, a similar aspect is applicable on roundabouts and where you (yourself not the car) are positioned three feet to the left of your position in a right hand drive car. You will soon become used to this - so don't force the pace for it'll come progressively over time and soon become second nature.

    So allow yourself plenty of time to settle into it and you will then find it to be just the nicest car that you've ever driven. Just one more caveat: Please, please, be certain that there is no potential whatsoever of damp patches on the highway before even contemplating the release of the enormous power that lies in wait to catch the unwary. Please read this sentence again to instill it well within your mind.

    I wish you many happy days of blissful enjoyment. Bravo!

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  20. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
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    Tony H
    #20 tonyh, Dec 11, 2007
    pics pls alex , ffs :D
     
  21. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
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    Pap
    #21 PAP 348, Dec 11, 2007
    Congrats Alex! :)

    Looking forward to seeing pics mate. :)

    Enjoy the car in good health. :):)
     
  22. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
    USA
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    Jas
    #22 RufMD, Dec 11, 2007
    +1, ffs !
     
  23. Stradale Corsa

    Stradale Corsa Rookie

    Apr 27, 2007
    25
    UK
    Full Name:
    Dan
    #23 Stradale Corsa, Dec 11, 2007
    I'm looking forward to the day when I can say that!! Congrats, looking forward to the pics....
     
  24. zsnnf

    zsnnf Formula 3

    Sep 11, 2003
    1,877
    #24 zsnnf, Dec 11, 2007
    Good for you! Congratulations. The F40 is sure to put a smile on your face every time you move the boost gauge. My GF giggles whenever she is riding in mine and the boost kicks in! :)
     
  25. Dr JonboyG

    Dr JonboyG Karting

    Jul 26, 2004
    227
    Washington, DC
    Full Name:
    Jonathan Gitlin
    #25 Dr JonboyG, Dec 12, 2007
    Has the entry to the garages at the back been reprofiled? I'd imagine it was a nightmare with a really low car now!

    Congrats on the smile machine.
     
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