What's in the name, 'The California' | FerrariChat

What's in the name, 'The California'

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by branko, May 16, 2008.

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  1. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
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    Branko Medenica
    Now that Ferrari has come out with the new baby Ferrari, 'The California', I was wondering, what if they, instead, had named it, 'The Vermont' or 'The Ohio' or 'The Idaho'. Would it have the same panache? LOL
     
  2. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 20, 2003
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    Dirty Harry
    <spoilsport>It joins the 365 California and 250 California GT [SWB, LWB & Competizione in both flavors] as only Ferraris named after the U.S. State. Enzo figured they would sell mostly in it's namesake, so, all these years later... the tradition continues.</spoilsport>
     
  3. RawAutos

    RawAutos Karting

    Jan 24, 2008
    92
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Josh Lewis
    Coming from Enzo? Yes... I think it could have been named the Ohio All-Roader and it would have worked.
     
  4. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    Jon
    Or the 'West Virginia'.
     
  5. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Dirty Harry
    Yeah - see, conceptually, it traces straight to Jon von Neumann at Ferrari Representatives of Hollywood, CA - he pictured a convertible 250 GT LWB TdF, Chinetti gave it two thumbs-up, Enzo was convinced, and marketed what's-in-a-name in his own words. Neumann eventually got the first 250 GT LWB Competizione via Chinetti, Chinetti got the second, the rest of that bunch also went through Chinetti... who was based in New York!
     
  6. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Nov 26, 2001
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    Snike Fingersmith
    Hell, given the styling they should have just cut to the chase and called it the "San Francisco".
     
  7. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    Is that because the F149 is "almost heaven"?
     
  8. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
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    Mitchell Le
    It is named the "California" because Ferrari wants every grown up who has seen the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off will jump to buy one. In that movie, it was a fake Ferrari California that was kicked into the ditch by an rebellious son. If it were my son (thank God I am blessed with daughters), he would be informed that it was his inheritance he just destroyed.
     
  9. BBL

    BBL Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2006
    658
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Sean
    Well, if I was your son, I don't think I would mind wrecking the car so much - upon learning that my inheritance was a fake Ferrari. :D
     
  10. wetpet

    wetpet F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    May 3, 2006
    10,210
    pretty sure the name comes from it being a convertible. a "california" car.
     
  11. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    Ouch!!!
     
  12. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
    5,611
    San Antonio
    it's traditional and used before; Ferrari isn't the only one using such names.

    Lots of cars are named after western locales or themes in the USA (or Mexico), evocative of rugged or romantic imagery:

    Dodge Dakota, Durango
    Chevy Sonoma
    Chevy Del Rey club coupe
    Chevy Laguna
    Ferrari California GT
    Isuzu Rodeo
    Chevy Bel Air
    Dodge Aspen
    Ford Bronco (western theme)
    Mustang
    Aztek
    Del Sol

    there are probably many others
     

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