My father's first ride in my car | FerrariChat

My father's first ride in my car

Discussion in '348/355' started by bkniep, Nov 20, 2010.

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  1. bkniep

    bkniep Karting

    Dec 31, 2008
    200
    St Louis, MO
    Full Name:
    Bill Kniep
    It was one of the last nice days of the year here yesterday and I wanted to get a top down day in. My father went for a ride for the first time in the car. He's mid 60s and pretty fit.

    To get in required him to bend his knees to the point of severe pain. The seat belt wouldn't extend far enough to belt him in. The check engine light came on (damend hyperflow cats), And the lights for the dashboard turned on and off about four times after darkness fell, rendering the whole dsah unreadable.

    At one point he asked me if the car was really supposed to sound like that.

    Then he said sadly "son. I promise I won't tell your mother you're driving a death trap."

    We had a good laugh about it, but it pays to remember that 99.9% of the world thinks we're nuts. Except of course for 11 year old boys.

    Sun's out again. Guess I'll go for a drive.

    Bill


    PS> Does anyone know why the dashboard lights would randomly turn themselves off for minutes at a time and then just light back up again? Loose connection somewhere?
     
  2. Rob'Z

    Rob'Z Formula 3

    Mar 29, 2008
    1,024
    Tucson,AZ
    Full Name:
    Robert
    I think that's standard for Italian electronics.
     
  3. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,777
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Lol, and true
     
  4. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
    Full Name:
    Rick
    It's a shame your Dad didn't have the ultimate Ferrari experience.

    Sounds like your beauty needs some TLC and proper diagnosis. Your cats aren't the cause of the CEL problem. Cats are a "dumb" component and only deal with what is thrown at them.

    You might want to search this sub forum for 2 threads I started in the past couple months. One was entitled something like "slow down 1-4 and CEL 1-4" and the other was "F355 University".
     
  5. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Thanks for sharing. :D:D
     
  6. MarkJ

    MarkJ Formula Junior

    Sep 10, 2006
    729
    NW Arkansas
    Full Name:
    Mark Jones
    Great story.
     
  7. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,180
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Paolo
    yes really nice
     
  8. UConn Husky

    UConn Husky F1 Rookie

    Nov 11, 2006
    4,425
    CT
    Full Name:
    Jay
    look at the 'bright' side, with dash lights off that's less power a failing alternator will have to supply :D

    Passion trumps reliability ;)
     
  9. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2004
    4,629
    Full Name:
    Dave Helms
    From part of the .1%, well done!

    Check the fuse box to see if someone slid a self resetting circuit breaker in there. If so, lift the center console and wire tie the harness clear of the throttle cable that is cutting through the insulation.
     
  10. foxmul

    foxmul Karting

    Mar 14, 2008
    100
    Millington, NJ
    Full Name:
    Joseph Molino
    My father always wanted a Ferrari and he could have afforded an Enzo if he wanted but he chose to invest in Real Estate. He became ill with a brain tumor 3 years ago and he passed away on April 26th of this year. Before he passed away, I forced him into my Ferrari 348. He always thought it looked nice. I bought in August of last year and he would admire passing it in the garage. As I shoe-horned him into the car, a smile came across his lips and I took him for a 15 minute ride flooring it at times causing him to tell me to slow down while still smiling all the way. After we brought her back to my house, I asked my father's approval by asking him "What did you think"? Keep in mind the previous owner installed a Tubi exhaust. Just to bust my chops, he said "It's nice but I think there is something wrong with the exhaust". I just smiled. That was his way of telling me he liked it. As long as I have known him, he always wanted a Ferrari especially since he was born and raised in Italy. I think he was able to enjoy this through me. Life is too short, that is why I bought it. You cannot buy that experience I shared with my father. Rest if Peace, Dad and look in on me from time to time.

    Joseph Molino
     
  11. foxmul

    foxmul Karting

    Mar 14, 2008
    100
    Millington, NJ
    Full Name:
    Joseph Molino
    My father always wanted a Ferrari and he could have afforded an Enzo if he wanted but he chose to invest in Real Estate. He became ill with a brain tumor 3 years ago and he passed away on April 26th of this year. Before he passed away, I forced him into my Ferrari 348. He always thought it looked nice. I bought in August of last year and he would admire passing it in the garage. As I shoe-horned him into the car, a smile came across his lips and I took him for a 15 minute ride flooring it at times causing him to tell me to slow down while still smiling all the way. After we brought her back to my house, I asked my father's approval by asking him "What did you think"? Keep in mind the previous owner installed a Tubi exhaust. Just to bust my chops, he said "It's nice but I think there is something wrong with the exhaust". I just smiled. That was his way of telling me he liked it. As long as I have known him, he always wanted a Ferrari especially since he was born and raised in Italy. I think he was able to enjoy this through me. Life is too short, that is why I bought it. You cannot buy that experience I shared with my father. Rest if Peace, Dad and look in on me from time to time.

    Joseph Molino
     
  12. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
    Full Name:
    F683

    You did the right thing and the nice memory is yours to keep.
     
  13. rbellezza

    rbellezza F1 Rookie

    Jun 18, 2008
    2,793
    Henderson, NV
    Full Name:
    Roberto Bellezza
    Really nice, thanks for sharing !
     
  14. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2007
    2,381
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    I can't wait to get my dad in our Ferrari. He was here last Christmas but we had a nasty snow storm and it just wasn't possible. When I do get him in the car he will be driving and I will be hanging on for dear life.

    dave
     
  15. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 15, 2006
    28,633
    Phoenix
    Full Name:
    AG
    Haha @ death trap.

    Hope he still enjoyed it :eek::)
     
  16. dlynes

    dlynes Formula 3

    Oct 16, 2004
    2,450
    Augusta, Ga
    Full Name:
    Dave
    +1

    priceless memory...you only live once!
     
  17. SBrooks

    SBrooks Formula Junior

    Jan 27, 2009
    778
    Bend Oregon
    Full Name:
    Sam Brooks
    I think electricity is magic still for most of Europe :p
     

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