Not a dinosaur, not into the new cars

Don't worry Erik, there are other 70's and 80's car lovers here. There's a lot to be said for these cars. In the end, all that matters is that you enjoy your hobby/what you are driving.

Maybe the cars are unloved, but I prefer to think of them as underappreciated. People who haven't driven one don't know what they are missing.

Are you nuts? Yes. We all are.

Dom

 

i LOVE the 80's
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I love 80s Ferraris.

 

My 77 308 rocks!! I simply am not interested in the post-328 V8 Ferraris.
Although their performance advantage is without question, I feel some of the magic left in 1990. Too much wind tunnel compromise, too many electronic controls, too large, etc....

I still get a thrill out of looking at/driving my 308, more than seeing a 355/360/430, etc.... If I want to drive modern, I just fire up the old 350Z--truly an amazing performance bargain!

Heresy? I think not... Just preference!

 

I love classics, they are just out of my price range for the models I really would like.

80s Ferraris defined Ferrari for me when was young, so well, end of story.

Late 90s and Present "Luca" Ferraris are nice, but different...

 

I want all of them!

Honestly, THIS is heresy, but the early (1960's and earlier) V12 cars largely do nothing for me. I do like the 365 GTC4 though.

For the most part, I like the models starting with the 206/246 and moving forward from there.

It might be less cool looking than a 308 and full of electronics, but I would love a 355. I wouldn't get rid of my 308 to have onen though. When they are cheap enough, maybe I'll be able to get one!

They will never make another car like the 308, shaped purely for looks with almost no consideration paid to safety, bumber height, wind tunnel testing, etc. I will never part with mine.

It's a pity that all the cars made in the late 70's and early 80's are plagued by emissions restrictions that not only don't work, but make the cars whimpy. All the cars from this era have the same problem. There never was a whimpier Corvette than the late 70's!

Birdman

 

I agree with all of the sentiments regarding the 70's and 80's cars. They're tough to beat for looks, ease of ownership, reliability, and "wow" factor.

 

NO! Love the 328 and Mondials.

 

What no Boxer lovers here? I'd love to have an 80s Ferrari.

You can go out and buy faster cars these days at any Japanese car lot. But, that's not the point. The over all driving experience is the whole focus of these cars. From walking up to it, driving it, and trying to trying to walk away without looking back at it. Then having it replay in your memory days, weeks, even years later. Most cars don't do that for me. These do.

 

judge4re,

I agree with Dom, we're all nuts! You're certainly not alone. I found Gerald's article very interesting and if I could have watched myself read it I'm sure I was nodding my head up and down through the whole thing. I grew up reading about the Ferraris of the 50s (have a brother 8 years older that brought home car magazines) and continued on my own through the 70s buying Ferrari books when I had some cash. Those cars and many that followed are just too expensive as you said. I enjoy the 'song' of my V12 in a car that Enzo had a hand in developing. Without computers and associated technology I have a chance of doing maintenance myself.

400iGuy (1984 Blu Sera Metallico/Tan)

 

I too love classic Ferrari's

Vasco.R

 

The great 12 cyl. GT's for me started in the mid sixties and ended after the Boxer, and the transverse mounted engines in the smaller GT cars. The rest of the earlier and later are really great, but those 67-88 cars are the ones that do something for me.

 

You guys are nuts. Why would you want to drive one of these old pieces of crap when you have some true rock 'n roll animals out there? If you ever get the chance, take a Stradale out on the track. If this doesn't open your eyes, I quit.

Dr "Too old to rock 'n roll and too young to die" Who

 

boxer lover/owner here!

a very well known and respected ferrari restorer told me he believed the boxer was the "sparticus" of ferrari road cars! i agree.

the last great ferrari road car in the ferrari tradition.

pcb

 

What he said!

After 4 years of daily driving I still look forward to every trip in the Mondial. Even if it's just to Shoprite to get a loaf of bread.

 

LOL

Cause Mama wants a new pair of shoes, or should I say a house. I brought the car knowing that I'd have to sell it. That said, I'm gonna buy one again someday. A Stradale is without a doubt the best sports car that I have ever driven.

But let's talk some more about this, uh, problem of yours. At least us old farts have an excuse. We're trying to recapture what little we can of our mis-spent youth. Ah, the smell of burning oil and the sound of values ticking over after a hard run. But you, Wayne and the rest of you young punks are not old enough to be sentimental fools. So what gives?

(BTW, we'll leave the issue of why you don't like sports cars for our next session.)

Dr "Puffing on pipe and looking earnest" Who

 

Ouch!

Listen babe, I have paid my dues and now I'm ready to sing da blues. Have you ever adjusted points on the side of the road when it's after midnight using nothing but rolling papers, a lighter, and a Swiss Army knife?

Don't get me wrong. I love driving the older cars, but you have to understand their limitations. After 20-30-40 years, a lot of those little bits and pieces start wearing out. Thus, you either have to pay someone to keep fixing things, or you have the time to fiddle diddle with it yourself.

Unfortunately, at this point in my life, I don't have the time. Put another way, I don't have the time for an older Ferrari. I might get another vintage Porsche to get back into that loving feeling because Porsches, in general, are less of a PIA than Ferraris.

To give another example. Rob in another thread started getting the hots for a 1970 Boss Mustang. I'm wondering why anyone would buy an old Mustang over the brand new car. Driving a 70's era muscle car is a contradiction in terms. You don't drive the damn thing, you just hang on and hope that the brakes work before you have to turn it.

But how about this, getting back to Erik's point, who buys and drives dino cars? I'm going to say that there are at least three types:

1. Collectors,
2. Enthusiasts, and
3. Lifestyle buyers.

The main difference between Collectors and Enthusiasts is money. Most Collectors are in the game because they love the cars. But they have the money to live large and do it right. Enthusiasts also love the cars, but have to do it on the cheap. However, the Enthuisasts don't mind doing the work themselves and, in fact, busting knuckles is part of the enjoyment.

We don't see as many Lifestyle buyers here in the states as in Europe. These are people who enjoy the social aspect of the older cars such as rallies, concours, occasional get-to-togethers and whatnot. For these folks, owning a car is the price of admission into the club.

Your thoughts?

Dale

 

Erik,
I am right there with you, crazy as a loon. I really enjoy my Euro 308 QV. And would love to see your 308 when you get it.