I Realized Today Why I Drive A Ferrari

When I was a lot younger growing up in Ohio, I remember straining my neck, my mouth open in awe anytime I saw an sports car, especially a Ferrari. Back then, far and few in between, so the vision of a red piece of rolling art was forever programmed in my memory. Someday, I would own one.

When I went to the Monaco Grand Prix in the late 80's, I stayed in Cannes. I went to the beach with my then wife, and she pointed out the attractive women sunbathing topless. I had my back turned and was photographing a Testa Rossa, a Boxer, and a Dino. I mumbled something like "oh yea nice looking women, but do you see that Testa Rossa?" No photos of topless ladies, but 32 exposures of 3 cars came home.

So today I am out in the Boxer, and I look over and see a carload of 10-12 year old kids, all smiling and giving the thumbs up. And then another car with 3 more smiling kids getting their Sunday thrills watching my Ferrari. So I realized, I don't have a Ferrari just because I like it, or because it sounds incredible. I never drive it on dates, so I have no idea if the women like it. Actually I wish I was driving next to it so I could enjoy the sound and sight.

I realized the big enjoyment for me is watching the young kids, who like me, will dream of owning a red rolling piece of art just because I was at the light next to their mom's Audi. OK, I admit, mom was rather cute, but I could see a diamond the size of a golf ball on her finger, so that was out. Most of those kids will not remember today, but if just one grows up dreaming of owning a Ferrari, then this car I have that requires $8500 just for its regular service was well worth the price of admission.

 

Ron, I think you are a true enthusiast!
It's ALL about the CAR!

 

Can we please see a few pictures of your car? I'd love to see them!

 

Ditto on the pics. I was with a friend today with a Lambo and he made a great comment " I don't own the car it owns me!"

Only a true enthusiast can understand that!!!!!

 

I think we are owned by all our possessions. The truly enlightened understand and want nothing. That being said, a Ferrari is very hard to not want. I agree that Ferrari ownership is a public service. After all SOMEONE has to own and drive them, or else we wouldn't ever see them on the road. I look forward to public service.

 

So your point is you drive a Ferrari for the resale value...?

 

Hey don_xiv, resale, no way, the point is that driving a Ferrari around the neighborhood is giving the young ones something to dream about, something to reach for, as it did for me so many years ago.

Sure it is a selfish acquisition, but then the enjoyment I see on kids faces when they see the "cool" red car is priceless.

 

I love driving a classic Ferrari with no A/C in the summer heat,
because I look so damned sexy in my soaking wet shirt when I get out of the car.

That's right baby, My shirt is soaking wet and I smell like gas fumes,
now give me some sugar!

 

Great post Ron...Im one of those kids staring at your car when you drive by, and I WILL have my own one day for the exact same reasons. I like your comment about wishing you could drive next to your car to watch your rolling art...Ive felt the same way sometimes when getting to drive some Fchatter's Ferraris. Even when Im an owner, no matter how many Ferraris I can ever dream of owning, my heart will ALWAYS race everytime I see one in person. I could own an Enzo but when I go to a car show I will always stand their in awe of any Ferrari...Ill still take 50 photos of a 308 sitting there

 

Very nice. The owners here definitely need to get their cars out and let them be seen so that another generation can get excited. I was out this AM to meet a friend at a cafe. As it turned out there was a big empty parking space right by the outdoor seating, so I pulled in. As we sat and chatted for a couple of hours I could see people walking up every few minutes and looking in & hear them talking about it. #1 was of dads with boys taking them up to see and explaining the car. #2 was young men with girlfriends dragging the girl along to look at the car . My favorite was one guy who was driving a nice BMW Z4 himself and as he walked away said to his girlfriend "you can't carry more than a toothbrush, but so what!".

 

Ron, thanks for sharing. I feel the same way, myself, sometimes.

 

That sounds just like me. Everytime I see a Ferrari (wich is almost never) I get so excited. No matter what model. It just makes your heart race. It's for that reason, that i WILL own a Ferrari one day. I don't care wich one, although a 355 is likely what I'll look for first.
Keep driving the cars. Keep the next generation excited about them.

 

Great story!

 

nothing like seeing a Ferrari on the open road

 

I just have to say this was one of the better posts I have seen!!!


A Ferrari is very unique car, a true work of art.......

 

A great post. I keep hot wheels in the blister packs for the occasional young kid you looks at my car. I also remember being a kid.

 

Brilliant post!

 

Awesome post ron!!

I think i have a pic of your car somewhere its BEAUTIFUL!!

-jt

 

nice post... True Ferrari enthusiast

 

Yes, it is fun to give that to the children.

12 cylinders or walk

 

reminds me of my situation, i can totally relate to everything you said, except the ferrari part. but my car is a big hit nonetheless

 

I agree seeing kids gawk is a fun reminder of being younger. I was driving a few months ago when a dad must of told his kid (who looked to be about 10 years old) that a Ferrari was following them. For about two miles the kid could not stop watching the Ferrari. Then the traffic opened up and I got to pass them as second gear was winding out at around 7000 RPM. That kid has no chance of resisting the memory. Good times...
BT

 

LOL.

When I run the 328 topless in the city, I think I need to go topless, too. Commuting to work in a shirt and tie in a 328 at a traffic light. Oh, I'm a ton of fun in meetings after that. (Winston Churchill had his cigars to shorten meetings, we've got me. )

 

Tennlee:

Thanks for the great idea. I went to Walmart and Target this morning and bought all the Ferrari Hotwheels I could find. Time to start tossing them to the kids.

Who knows, maybe one their mom's is a single babe!!

 

How about because it's more fun to tinker with than a rusty 1974 Chevy Suburban (a car I once owned)?

I also like it because my wife looks good driving it and she gets a thrill from all the cat calls of other men. We both agree "it's fine to look at the menu provided you do your eating at home."

Finally, nice to have your own little piece of Italy in the garage.