What if I had listened...

I just returned from a leisurely one hour drive in typical SoCal weather and had time to think a bit while enjoying yet another memorable drive. They all are actually.

Just a little over three years ago (with my wife's blessing), I began my quest for a Ferrari. I did my homework in checking on price points and maintenance issues before deciding that a 355 was my car of choice. I contacted the FCA by email and was sent a nice response from the chapter president (Diane I believe?), encouraging me to take the leap as I'd never regret it.

On to more due diligence, I called a former co-worker who was a very knowledgable sports car guy and ran the idea past him. His response was anything but encouraging however, as he admitted that the 355 had stunning and timeless design, but I'd need to, "hire a full-time mechanic to ride with me and have a tow truck on standby 24/7". This was not what I wanted to hear.

But I pushed forward nonetheless, admittedly a bit more guarded now and began test driving some local specimens. The first was in Irvine and I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed with the lack of torque. On to the second drive, this time a 355F1 (thanks Steve) where I was shown that the car's full potential couldn't be experienced until the upper bands of the tachometer were engaged. That was where my mind was made up. A few weeks later I called Craig at FASTCARS, drove off in a 1995 F355 and the rest is history.

So here's the thing. I've had a lot of fun cars in the past (1963 split window Corvette, 1973 Dodge Challenger among them), but absolutely NONE has given me the feeling I get when I drive my Ferrari. Some on this forum have said from time to time that in the end, it's just a compilation of metal, plastic and leather. But it's really so much more than that. I vacillate between recalling Enzo's quote that a Ferrari is a dream that will only be realized by a lucky few, to finding it hilarious seeing my young grandson with his diapered butt hanging out the driver's side window after using the door scoops as a ladder. So periodically it seems to go from iconic to just a car?

To the uninitiated, I have some difficulty trying to articulate the special feeling we all get when we drive these amazing cars, and feel somewhat sorry for those who look upon any car as merely a means from getting from point A to point B. I guess there is no real point to this thread other than to put something down while still coming off yet another driving high. To date I have needed neither the mechanic ride-along, nor the trailing tow truck. But the whole ownership experience has been intangibly enhanced by those I have come to know after joining FCHAT and my Ferrari family. Thanks for your guidance, encouragement and advice over the past three years. Here's to another twenty...

Cheers, Henry

 

Thanks Robb. If I could only put into words the look on our faces as Grant passed us on the freeway that day...

Henry