Jim: From all of us who have been waiting impatiently for Ferrari to allow Pininfarina to design a utterly beautiful Ferrari, a throw back to times when the car's shape was not just dictated by the size of a golf bag, we thank you. It is obvious that your special project the P4/5 inspired the 458. It is clear your car was the starting point of the 458. The front bonnet, the headlights, the front fenders, the rear fenders, all taken straight from the P4/5 design. I am thrilled. For all of those who wonder why it took so long for Ferrari to get re-inspired to building beautiful cars again, a look back at the old days holds the answer. Years ago firm's like Pininfarina had a free hand to build cars without a "committee," without compromises in design and beauty, without bean counters deciding we needed to modify it for fat men and women and a set of golf clubs. In the old days they were given a chassis and told to cloth it. That type of small boutique process is exactly what Jim did (at a great expense). I say Bravo to Ferrari for following it and Bravo to our F-Chat member, and my friend Jim Glickenhaus, for making it happen!!!! I firmly believe without his effort, time, expense, and passion he shared with Pininfarina, this car would not be nearly as beautiful.
I want to add my gratitude here as well. I read a lot on the process to build the P4/5. It is so obvious that the 458 took a lot of design elements from Napolis's P4/5. The design result is very impressive on both cars. I bet the 458 would have been different and not as pretty if the P4/5 never existed.
I don't know the connection between P4/5 development/design and 458 Italia, but he deserves tons of kudos for being one unstoppable source of inspiration with his stories, pictures and adventures. "Sharing is caring" and Jim shows that. This is not a** kissing, this is just me giving kudos where it's deserved. Keep on rockin'! Err... Drivin'!
I almost see more of the Veyron than the 458! http://digiads.com.au/car-news/latest-PININFARINA-news/Pininfarina_Ferrari_P45_20060729/photos_2.html Image Unavailable, Please Login
These cars are similar, but not in bonnet,headlights and partial in fenders. Against: -The front bonnet 1.458 has no big hole in it 2.458 has a "normal" bonnet....the one from p4/5 it opens like a Lemans car... 3.458 one has a distinct shape that rise on the fenders.... 4 if you consider the surface between front fenders, we have two parallelograms, but on 458 its one with the big base up, while on the p4/5 the big base is down.The bonnets have no similarity. -The headlights 1.if you take the base shape it differs hugely 2.the only resemblance is in the technology:led turning lights and daylights 3.The xenon-bulb its above the led's in the p4/5 where in the 458 its under them. A sketch [img=http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7633/headlights.th.jpg] Pro: The rear fenders are similar from side but not in anything else because the p4/5 ones are more muscular, big, with no air-channel ....and no "s"-shape that comes over the doors .... Here is a sketch with sides..[img=http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9714/sides1.th.jpg] .i draw the lines that are similar.Notice the diagonals in the front and rear fender( the rear one is present in the callifronia!!!-a trademark for ferrari from p4/5 to now ) the ideea where both are similar in back is the V shape of the glas above the engine....and the eleron in the back, very large and powerful, it came from that diagonal line from the rear fender.... (with red the lines that differ, with black the ones that are similar; blue those diagonals)
This is the first time in a good long while there's been universal praise for a new Ferrari from the outset. There's a reason, though. Amen.
Yes - note Motor Trend gives 'Napolis kudos, as well. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/exotic/112_0907_ferrari_458_italia_first_look/index.html
Jim you certainly have set an example of what it looks like to be a classy car guy through the display of your passion,resources and sharing...couldn't happen to a better car guy. congrats! tichi
Completely agree! It seems that a lot of the recent cars, especially the 360, 430, 612, 599, have had a huge backlash until people saw them personally.
Ferrari should just give Napolis a 458 in tribute! Jim, other car companies would do well to give you their existing platforms to coachbuild.
Share the same sentiments here. I honestly believe if Jim had not worked with Pini' to design his car, we would be looking at a completely different 458 right now.
I agree ........ the 458 has absolutely implemented many of the P4/5 design ideas, especailly the rear section ............ in some ways ...... the 458 is like the 'little brother' of the P4/5 ........ I have felt the 360/430 series needed stronger definition in the front, rather that the ambiguous blobs that defined the front fenders ........... the elegant 'wedge' front design of the 355/288/328 series is what drew me to f-cars to begin with and now it has returned ............
I would have to agree with John. The P4/5 and Jim have changed automotive history for the better. Politically the P4/5 was a very bold statement. Controversial in so many ways, imitation is the best form flattery.
