Rare F355 Fiorano comes to Southern California

Well, it finally arrived. After a terrible event which lead to the demise of his red/tan 1997 F355 Spyder my good friend and fellow F-chatter Mike finally took delivery of his NEW even more exotic F355.

For the full story leading up to this point see:
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25546

So needless to say Mike has been very eager to refill his garage with an equally awesome piece of automotive history. True to form, from the guy who coined the phrase "I have never lost money on any of my cars" mr. automotive turns a bad hose clamp engine fire into an opportunity. Once insurance issues were addressed (which to date still have to be resolved) Mike set in motion to replace his awesome car. Turns out that with the insurance money and a little in to boot he was able to swing a deal to land a 1999 F355 Fiorano Spyder. One of 100 in the United States and one of only 104 in existance. Talk about stepping up.

Mid morning of August 29th a few F-chatters gathered in Woodland Hills for a champagne brunch in anticipation of the arrival of Mike's new baby. It was being transported from Texas by Richie Transport in a closed container long hauler. By about three in the afternoon much were giddy as a bunch of school girls (and a little drunk) waiting to see a red truck with a black trailer arrive near Calabassas. As luck would have it...

 

Here's us in Mike's truck looking on the freeway for a truck carrying his new baby.

 

First sighting of the truck!!!!!! Yahoo... we started waving and honking to get his attention.

 

Here she comes...

 

Now to unload her.... but true to LA style, the streets are narrow and too small for the truck even to enter into a strip mall to unload the car. So what do we do? Oh what the heck, let's just drop it right in the middle of the median (thankfully it was very large and not much taffic and besides if the cops rolled up we'd just explain that "hey man it's a Ferrari, you don't just drop it anywhere."

 

The proud father....

 

Our cool driver "Danny"....

 

First sight...

 

Bringing her down after unloading a nice Mercedes.

 

Down she comes... slowly.... slowly... slowly... easy... easy...

 

Safely on the ground... we have a once over...

 

Many thanks to Danny and Richie Transport for a job well done.

 

Some special components of the Fiorano...

 

Once warmed up we listen to her purr and take her for a spin... Here's a great shot of me in the second best seat in the city.

 

Just goes to show you how cool a guy Mike is....


Sure enough he let me take the wheel and enjoy the best seat in the city!! Wow what a car, thanks a million Mike...

 

Look at the proud new papa!

 

Once safe and sound at home we continue to check that all the electrical components are functioning as they should...

 

Later in the day a celebrity friend and F-chat troller came by with his immaculate 512tr for comparison. The 512tr is one of my all time favorite Ferraris and is one of two cars I am considering as my first F-car. Rob the owner is a real class act and took me for a spin for comparison between the F355.

 

Rock Star! No really, I'm not kidding!

 

Now doesn't my little streetrod look like she's in very good company?

Wow!

 

Thank you again Mike and congratulations! Cigars all 'round!

Rob- It was very nice to meet you and your wife and I very much appreciated the ride! Hold on to her for a few years and I'll come buy to collect her!