Jim G. Will Be at Chowder on 8/8

Anyone within shouting distance of Sardi's restaurant next Tuesday, the 8th, should come to the monthly meeting of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society to see Jim G. speak about his P4.

It all starts at noon sharp and usually runs until about 1:30 or so with a buffet lunch and a cash bar. Cost for Chowderheads is $30 and $35 for non-members.

The lunch is at Sardi's Restaurant, 234 W 44th St. on the 4th floor.

Who knows, he may have 0846 parked in the street out front!

John

 

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Tomorrow's the day, Jim will be talking about his P4/5 Enzo rebody.

John

 

I was there and it was a very interesting story of how he was contacted by Pininfarina to consider designing a one off and how far they were willing to go to convince him to do it, including promises of lifetime service support.

It was especially interesting to hear about how Ferrari had no idea that the car was being built (modified) until 5 months into the project. When Luca de Montezemolo arrived at PF in his helicopter to see the car and to protest that they needed to approve it, he had the engines shut down unlike most of his short visits, indicating that he was there for a serious sit down about the car.

One of those present said that he could tell that de Montezemolo really liked the design, because, for the first time ever, he was speechless when the car was unveiled. He quickly changed his view that the car should not have any Ferrari badges at all to agreeing that it could have them on the front and the rear.

I really like the looks of the car. It somehow looks quite modern while having some styling cues to the P3 (notably the cockpit cover and the rear end), all without being kitschy or overly retro. It truly looks like a modern car and I think that maybe it is closer to the design that the Enzo should have been in the first place.

For those unable to attend, Ted West has a good story with many pictures of it in the September Car and Driver magazine.

The first place you can see it in the metal (or, more correctly, the carbon fiber) is at Pebble Beach (actually at Quail Lodge, I believe) and then in Paris in September. Other than that, I am looking forward to be lurking around Route 22 in Westchester to see it actually on the road sometime!

John