Look at what I got to drive today............ | FerrariChat

Look at what I got to drive today............

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by kizdan, Aug 29, 2012.

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  1. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    #1 kizdan, Aug 29, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    What can I say? The car is just unbelievable! I had driven a 288 GTO before, so add about 35% of the insanity, and now you have an F40. There is nothing quite like the rush you get when the turbos spool up...........I kept thinking of the coyote in bugs bunny, when he had the rocket strapped to his back. Loved the sounds of the turbos and wastegates crackling..........

    Thank you so much to a very special customer to allow me this opportunity.
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  2. Cozmic_Kid

    Cozmic_Kid F1 Veteran

    Dec 1, 2005
    7,573
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    B. Frandsen
    That's awesome :D:D
     
  3. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
    3,206
    Beverly Hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Jay
    Wow! I never get tired of looking at F40's. Here the car came out in the end of 1987 and it still looks new and exotic! What a great day it must have been!
     
  4. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2004
    1,983
    Michigan
    That is great! Very happy for you. So if my memory serves me correct you have now driven the Enzo, 288 GTO and the F40. Now all that is left is the F50 :) I bet this is a day you will never forget.
     
  5. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
    2,398
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Wow, that's just stunning!
     
  6. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2006
    5,071
    Troy, Michigan
    Full Name:
    James
    Awesome! What an experience. I can't wait to do that one of these days!
     
  7. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,890
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    A drive in an F40 is definately on my bucket list!
     
  8. SFchallenge

    SFchallenge F1 World Champ

    Jun 28, 2004
    11,945
    Sgp, KL, HK & London
    Full Name:
    Jon Wijaya
    U lucky chap! :D

    how does it handles?
     
  9. Jason Crandall

    Jason Crandall F1 Veteran

    Mar 25, 2004
    6,375
    ATL/CHS/MIA
    Full Name:
    Jason
    +1. Do tell more.
     
  10. JeremyJon

    JeremyJon F1 Veteran

    Jul 28, 2010
    7,569
    Calgary, Canada
    i kinda hate you little bit right now :D

    beautiful F40 (lucky dog!) :)


     
  11. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Lucky boy, car looks amazing!!! :)
     
  12. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    Knowing it has no electronic aids, and knowing that the turbo lag is quite severe, I really didn't want to get into any uncompromising positions in someone else's really expensive car, so I just kept it in a straight line when indulging.

    The clutch is just like a GTO's, where you have about an inch of travel. It really takes getting used to. Initial throttle tip-in sort of sticks for a moment, so that takes getting used to as well, because you need to give it more juice than what I have been used to to get it off the line without stalling it.

    Really, if you are not on boost, the car is a dog. But under hard throttle, as soon as the turbos come on, HOLY CRAP! It's like getting hit in the face with a sledge hammer, not that I actually know what that's like, but I can only imagine. You just better be ready for it, and have both hands on the wheel, and your eyes on the road. This is not a car that you want a cell phone in - leave that behind. You do not want any distractions if you plan on getting on it. It is quite a rush!

    Brakes are nice too. Very good feedback, and very capable.

    If you keep in mind what year this car was built, and compare it to other Ferraris available at that time, how can you not be completely blown away by it? It is so raw, and so pure, one of the coolest automotive experiences in my life - and believe me, I have gotten to drive more exotics than most people.

    All I need now is to drive an F50 - and that would complete my Ferrari supercar experience!

    I would be very curious to see rolling acceleration times compared to a modern Ferrari. The car hits 60mph in what, like under 4 seconds? It certainly is not making that time until you get into boost, so the acceleration from like 30 to 60 is insane to make it in that quick of a time.
     
  13. Drew Altemara

    Drew Altemara Formula 3

    Feb 11, 2002
    1,533
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    Full Name:
    Drew Altemara
    Interesting comment - "Breaks are nice too".

    You see criticism from some on the amount of brake pressure to stop the car since is is non-assist. I suppose it is more important to those who track the car more than I do.

    But I have to say, though probably in the minority, I like the way the brakes work. They just seem to go with the nature of the car.

    Drew
     
  14. nthfinity

    nthfinity F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2005
    7,467
    South East MI
    Full Name:
    Isaac not Issac
    #14 nthfinity, Aug 30, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That was a fun day when you were driving the 288 :)
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  15. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    Certainly, the brakes require more pressure than assisted ones, but the direct feel is very nice and communicative.

    I agree 100%.....they are perfectly in character with the car.
     
  16. GreenLantern

    GreenLantern Formula Junior

    Apr 23, 2010
    459
    CA, NV, TX
    Very nice. Congrats, and thanks for sharing. :)

    (Love the F40, and especially the 288 GTO. Absolutely incredible machines, regardless of their age.)
     
  17. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2006
    5,071
    Troy, Michigan
    Full Name:
    James
    That F40 passenger is sure one handsome chap if I do say so myself!

    Probably one of my favorite days I've had in the past 5 years. The pic on my profile page is from when Dan was driving the 288
     
  18. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 19, 2002
    19,220
    michigan
    Full Name:
    john
    very cool!
    was lucky enough to get a ride in that car when you guys had your open house:awesome
     
  19. Jeffg11

    Jeffg11 Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 31, 2004
    567
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Jeff Grabowski
    Sure looks like a great day at work!
     
  20. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    Great write-up, and congratulations on your first F40 drive!

    I have to say I totally agree (as with Drew) that the F40s brakes are good. You have to warm them up before asking them to perform severe tasks, but for road use they are more than adequate. In fact, I think if an F40s brakes are operating correctly and you don't feel they are adequate on the road, you are going too fast to be safe :)

    A couple of things I should point out based on my F40 ownership & testing experience: if all you have is an inch of travel with the clutch pedal, it needs adjusting, or the clutch is on the way out. There should be 3 inches of travel with a distinct over-center feel as you depress the pedal past halfway.

    Also, if working correctly and in the correct gear, I would not call the F40's turbo lag severe. The turbos spool up progressively and you can drive this car at increased rates of speed easily. Severe turbo lag is what we have with our 70s Porsche 930. When not on the boost, an F40 is just like driving a normally aspirated 308 around town, so its not that bad because around town you better not summon any boost :eek: :)

    Its great that you shared this experience and hope to hear more reports as you test others.

    Best
     
  21. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

    Feb 28, 2005
    1,184
    Miami, Fl
    Full Name:
    Josh Dahlstrom
    Extremely jealous. The F40 is by far my favorite car on the road. Just wish the ones in Atlanta were out a little more.
     
  22. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
    7,370
    My car had severe turbo lag when I first got it so I understand what you are saying. Once Dave helms was done with it, the turbo lag is nearly gone. So some cars are better/worse than others. The only problem I have now is lack of grip! I can only imagine what the F40 would be like on the track with slicks... Great story thanks for posting
     
  23. furoni

    furoni F1 World Champ

    Jun 6, 2011
    14,008
    Vila Verde
    Full Name:
    Pedro Braga Soares
    Joe, since you´re the expert perhaps yopu can explain me why the american version of the f40 as got that horrible black plastic or rubber thing above the rear bumper, separating it from the engine cover. The original version also as a black "line" that separates the bumpers from the rest of the car but it´s a lot thiner. Why is that?
     
  24. ryanro24

    ryanro24 Karting

    Aug 23, 2005
    125
    NW Indiana
    That carbon sure has yellowed...
     
  25. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    USA Department of Transportation mandates for that era.
     

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