The Enzo reimagined.... Jim's Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina

Impressive. Monumental. Colossal.

 

Wow, looks like a great event. Is that an old Bugatti in the back of the room and if so why?

Anyway, congrats to Jim for pulling the event and the covers off for the world to see!

 

Yes it is. They had the cars that were going to be auctioned off through Gooding and Co. inside the tent as well.
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Lanch Gallery

http://www.*************/gallery/119513/903/6.html

Launch Video

http://www.*************/videos.html

 

What a noise ! Congrats Jim on a dream fullfiled .

 

Haha, i can see Brad at the end of the movie

 

From the guy in the front who thanked (yelled at) you from F-Chat - THANK YOU AGAIN!

It was a wonderful event!

- Dan



PS: Who's F50 parked in the dirt out front (EC sticker on it)?

 

Looks like a fun event! Wish I had been there.

I spotted Fchatter 'No Doubt' in the crowd shot!

 

Hey, how did you sneak in??

 

OK back in da City...and before the night gets too long...

Fellow chatters, sorry for the long post.

First off, a big thanks to Jim for inviting me to an incredibly warm yet glamour filled evening.

Ill try to take you guys along from my eye. It is written for your enjoyment and my memory as it still fresh.

After arriving at the PBEC at 640pm, Pete and I joined the line to enter the big white tentage where the P4/5 unveiling and Gooding auctions were hosted. I almost didn’t get in as my name was not on the list. She asked for my RSVP and I told her I RSVP'ed to Jim. She asks "Jim who...?" I laugh. A few seconds later we manage 'get her ok'.

The tent was filled with some 20 or so auction cars of incredible provenance including the Type 35b Bug on stage, 1965 350r Shelby Ford Mustang raced by Pedro Rodriguez, Lincoln Indianapolis Coupe By Boano, 1957 250TdF, 1952 Porsche Glockner coupe, 2 x Type 57 Bug Coupe, unrestored 500/540K MB cab A, Rolls Royce hunting - Maharaja of Bikaner, several great pre WW1 bikes including Harley Davidson and Pope.

The first person I saw and recognized from photos was Andrea Pininfarina who was there with his family. I walked over and introduced myself. He informed me that he was enjoying California and was here for a week.

The next person I met and spoke to was Jason Castriota. He is a cool guy as well as a great designer. He told Pete and I about his recent work with the P4/5 in some detail (the modeling and shaping process, time in the wind tunnel). He told us that in addition to the P4/5 he has worked on the Maser Birdcage concept, the 599GTB and 612Kappa. Jason originally hails from NYC. Ken Okuyama (Creative Director, PF) steps in and says a few sentences in Italian.

Next I recognize Jim standing in a group of his friends. The topic being discussed was the 'Old Man's' thoughts of the 330P3 when it was being built. I manage to introduce myself to my host and thank him for allowing me and my friends this vicarious ride. His response blew me away. He shook my hand with both hands and said something along the lines of how happy he felt that his friends (I guess he meant me) could be part of this and how it means the most to him that those with real passion can enjoy it too. I smiled and said that I am fortunate to know him. Another thumbs up and we parted.

I was lucky to be standing onstage with a bunch of press people (I am not press) for the unveiling. Jim gave a small speech about how he listened to Le Mans races on shortwave when he was boy and that is one of his seminal memories which I guess is where the love for prototype racing cars came about.

The car was unveiled by the sons of Jim and Andrea. Everybody went nuts. I looked at the crowd from onstage and I for a brief second could imagine what Bono feels every night. The electricity in the place was, well, electric. Flashbulbs popping everywhere.

The P4/5 lights were turned on and later Jim gave the gas pedal a few welcome presses for the appreciative crowd. I turned around and told Marcel "It’s even better in real life" and it is...And that was it. I went in for a closer look a few minutes later as it was a mob scene immediately after the unveil.

The car - the whole thing is carbon fiber on the outside and inside, including the headlamp housing. The pictures can do the talking.

I had fun bumping into Martin Swig (Cal Mille Maestro) there and am happy to renew my contacts with him.

By chance Ken Okuyama walked by on his way out and I managed to get in a few questions on the Enzo. He said the final design was finalized in 15 minutes. But it took a long time for an agreement on the shape to come about. Luca dM had what was described as the swinging and deciding vote between two presented alternatives. He said that the underlying shape that influenced him a lot was the 412 F1 car (Alesi). He begs off and I apologize for being a pest. I say to him - to you, it’s talking about work, for us, its pure inspiration....he smiles and walks off.

It was a very rewarding evening. My thanks to my host again. Salud!


PS - Went to the Hogs Breath bar in Carmel later last night to celebrate a grand day. Today, met Jay Leno in pit lane at LS and said hello! That was neat. He was just wandering around having fun.

 

Good times. Thanks for hosting the party Jim. Inspiring speech and fantastic "dream car"!!!!

 

Reeves Calloway was also there with his wife and son. We talked with Marek Djordjevic (RR Phantom designed) for a while; quite a nice guy!

 

Incredible night. The car was amazing. Thank you Jim for sharing your dream with all of us.

Video of the unveiling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyABrkRsODk

Video including the speeches: http://www.socalspeedzone.com/pages/P4-5.html

 

We added some more shots of the car on in the concept car corral at Pebble : http://www.***************.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2830

 

Actually, the time did go by fast talking with you, your father, and Michael Gregg. Those bacon wrapped shripp were pretty good.

I realized today, if Rob and Carbon could have been there, along with James and Marcel, that would cover about 95% of FChat. What a great evening that was.

 

Jim's car is just stunning! The sound of the engine gives me goosebumps! I am glad Jim decided to put shields on the car, it now looks complete. His car is now my wallpaper. It is just strange, after seeing Jim's car, I can't look at the Enzo with the same lust as I had before. The P4/5 would be a hard act to follow.

Cheers,
Andy

 

This blows, I've got to sit at home while you are all out there enjoying the show. O'well have fun and take plenty pics.
LOL, I knew he was going to put thoses shields there, looks complete now. I hope some one gets some detailed interior shots as well as every exterior angel you can.

Have fun Jim and you lucky few!

 

Wow,
It was a great event for all of you, i think. I hope to see the car in Paris, yeah.

 

Yeah , our time will come !

 

We've got plenty of pics from this weekend to sort though but I really want to look up her skirt... Anyone have a pic of the underside? Kinda curious how the airflow is managed there as well.

-Chris

 

You would..wouldn't you? Unfortunatly I do not have any pics of her underneath, but I'd think it would be hard to accomplish given the ride height of the car, plus I don't believe it was on any lifts this w/e. Hopefully one will pop up though!

 

James.
We talked before about the triangular shape of the headlight cover.
Now...tell us about those 15 small rectangular (things) around (inside) the head-light cover. What are they? (have I missed something)?
I can imagine what they are for...but would be pleased to hear it from you.

Best: Staff.

 

They look like lights to me....LEDs, I would assume. Maybe they're turn signals or daytime running lights.

 

They are leds each little white rectangle has 8 leds(2 rows of four). Here is a combo pic of there fuction. I guess the outer rows are parkinglights and turn signals, after all, he wanted fully road legal and serviceable.

http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p45lightsbi6.jpg

 

Jim,

Can you tell us modelcar people when the 1/18 version is coming out?

Thanks

P.S. Who's gonna make it?