Newsletter 47: ALL ABOUT THE FERRARI CALIFORNIA!

By Dee Munro2022-05-07Comments Off

LIKE KIM KARDASHIAN AFTER A VISIT TO THE PIE SHOP!

At the time of its launch, Enzo Ferrari would have probably been turning in his grave at the thought of his beloved company offering a practical, easy to drive cruiser and supercar all rolled into one!
So, can the California be a convertible, a gran tourer and a supercar, and still be a proper Ferrari?
Well for starters, it displays all that grace and poise a Ferrari should, before a wheel has even turned. This is Ferrari’s first-ever hardtop convertible and its “folding swan” routine is the most elegant one out there!
It may disappear beautifully but it does reveal something slightly less dainty. Some might think, it’s got a backside like Kim Kardashian after a visit to a pie shop, and no amount of designer lines can disguise the fact that with such bulk comes weight, 200 kilograms more than the f430, and more even than the bigger 599 GTB.
This car needs to have a pretty amazing engine to shift it …………..and it does!

It’s the first fuel-injected, front-engine, v8 Ferrari ever. It’s got a really broad powerband so it is incredibly user-friendly. It marked the start of the company’s commitment to reduce emissions, the co2 output is a new company low of 305 grams per kilometre with an average of 12.5 L/100 which is not too shabby figures for a supercar, but the only figure you really want to know is this one, 0 – 100 in under 4 seconds, so any worries about a lardy back-end will literally be left behind. The lightning-fast twin-clutch, the seven-speed gearbox was a first for a Ferrari road car. Keep your foot down through the gears and you’ll see 310Kmh, very, very quickly. If you’re not in the mood to attack, attack, attack, then just drop the pace a little and enjoy the California as a cruiser, it’ll pooter along and 130 – 140Kmh quite happily, proving that it is a very capable Grand Tourer.

When launched, the California was more expensive than competitors like the Bentley Continental GT and the Mercedes SL63 AMG, but what you don’t get with the Merc and Bentley is firstly, value, the Merc and the Bentley are worth half the Cali price now, and secondly, something that’s in abundance with the Cali, sexiness! This car makes you feel like a million dollars! Inside it’s a sumptuous mix of stitched leather and aluminium, but good money’s also been spent on the more practical areas like the electrically adjustable steering column and beautifully sculptured and supportive seats.

So far we know the California is at least two Ferraris rolled into one, within 14 seconds it transforms from a convertible into a hardtop coupe. Flip the little manettino switch on the steering wheel, that controls the gearbox, traction control and suspension the car becomes a legitimate supercar. It’s got great balance because of its weight distribution, almost 50/50 between the front and rear end, and that equals great handling. Pick a corner, turn in, bury the throttle and that voluptuous derriere is all yours to play with. Amazingly, the California doesn’t feel overweight at all. It may lack the intensity and feedback of an F430, but it has so much more to offer.
The California is the most user-friendly way of indulging in the Ferrari spirit……………….ever!

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Newsletter 46: THE FERRARI NUMBERING SYSTEM

By Dee Munro2022-04-12Comments Off

HERE’S HOW…………. WHY!

First, let’s take a look at how it all began in the car industry.

The first-ever car was called the ‘’Benz Patent-Motorwagen’’. Karl Benz, the founder of Mercedes-Benz, applied for the patent of the automobile on the 29th of January 1886, it was, therefore, a logical choice to name it after himself and his patent. He revealed it to the public in July of that year.

When Ford began production in 1903, it started with Model A. Model B and C followed and the next production Ford was the Model K. Henry Ford mainly used lettering designations between C and K for development and prototypes. Model N, R and S were also production cars. In 1908 the Model T was revealed.

The reason why manufacturers use certain methods is to keep the bloodline quite simple.

Because of the innovations in every Ferrari, the names are easy to create but there are no real rules when it comes to numbers.

The moment you discover a pattern or method, it’ll change to a new or an old one.

The first Ferrari, the 125 S, was named after its engine (a 1500 cc V12): if you divide 1500 cc by 12 you’ll get 125, but the V12 cars were not the only ones designated by this method. The first four-cylinder Ferrari, the 500 Mondial, featured a 1985 cc 4-cylinder. You can do the math.

Slightly unusual, but this type of designation was used until the Ferrari 456 (5473 cc / 12-cylinders = 456) was replaced by the 612 in 2003.

Most of the rounded designations, such as the 400 Superamerica and 500 Superfast received their name after the engine capacity was divided by ten. The 550 and 575 also received their name after the Italians grabbed their calculator and divided their engine capacity (5500 cc and 5750 cc respectively) by ten. The 599 features a 5999 cc V12, hence its name.

Although you have to do some math, this method was all fine when Ferrari primarily produced race cars. The designation was to name the cars but was not created from a marketing point of view. However, when Ferrari started building more road cars and they needed to market them, a new system had to be designed.

This new method still consisted of three numbers, but the first two represented the engine capacity and the third represented the number of cylinders.

The first production mid-engine Ferrari featured a 2.0-L V6 and was therefore named the Dino 206 GT.

This method continued until the Ferrari 348 and was also used for the 512 BB (5.0-L flat-12).

When the successor of the 348 arrived, called the 355, a new method arrived as well: the first two numbers refer to the capacity of the engine (3500 cc), but the second 5 refer to the number of valves per cylinder.

Its successors, the 360 and 430, were named after their capacity was divided by ten.

The 458 was named after its engine capacity + the number of cylinders and the 488 received its name from the capacity of one cylinder (488 cc).

Ferrari cheated a little with the 612 Scaglietti. You would assume it’s powered by a 6.0-L V12, which it isn’t because it has a 5.8-L V12. The reason why Ferrari named it 612 is simply because they rounded it up a bit higher than usual, must have been one of those “Isa fiva pointe aita, isa nearly a sixa, shudupa your face” moments!

Both the GTC4Lusso and GTC4Lusso T, just have one number referring to the number of seats. The F in F12 refers to Ferrari and 12 refers to the number of cylinders. The 812 Superfast is named after its rounded power output (789 bhp became 800) and the number of cylinders.

Ferrari revealed the Ferrari 275 GTB with a four camshaft engine in the late 1960s and it became known as the 275 GTB/4, 275 refers to the capacity of one cylinder (275 cc) and 4 refers to the more powerful 4 cam engine.

Both the F40 (1987) and F50 (1995) refer to the 40th and 50th anniversary, respectively. The reason why Ferrari celebrated their 50th anniversary earlier was that the US emission laws were scheduled to be overhauled and tightened in 1996/7.

The Enzo was revealed in 2002 and wasn’t called the F60 because there was much too early for the 60th Anniversary (2007).

The F60 name was used for a Formula 1 car, although it was two years after the 60th Anniversary (in 2009), and for the F60 America (2014), which celebrates the 60th anniversary of Ferrari’s presence in America.

So, there you have it. Just about all you need to know about the various Ferrari numbering systems.

In any event, it will no doubt change again, when the boffins in the design studio get bored or have too much cappuccino and pizza!

With Thanks: Max Lammers

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Newsletter 45: FIORANO, NOPE, NOT THE CAR, NOT THE TOWN, THE TEST TRACK!

By Dee Munro2022-03-29Comments Off

BRAVO, BRAVO, SCUDERIA FERRARI!!!

As we are all probably aware, The Scuderia got off to a blistering start at the Bahrain Grand Prix circuit last weekend with a 1-2 finish.

Congratulations to them!

This weekend is the Saudi Arabian GP, and all the signs are there to be fighting for a similar result.

Let’s all wish them the best for Sunday!!

FIORANO,
NOPE, NOT THE CAR, NOT THE TOWN,
THE TEST TRACK!

Enzo Ferrari commonly used the Modena Auto-drome for testing his cars throughout the 1960s, however, with the ever-growing regulations at the Auto-drome hindering Ferrari’s testing, Enzo took the decision to build his own test facility.

It was an idea that would allow Ferrari to extensively test any production or racing models the company conceived, straight from the factory and without disruption.

The circuit was constructed on a piece of land already owned by Ferrari, near the factory in Maranello, and adjacent to the town of Fiorano Modenese.

Construction started on the circuit in 1971 and was opened and ready for use on the 8th of April, 1972.

The length of the initial layout was 3 kilometres, with a maximum circuit width 8.40 metres.

The circuit is based on some of the most renowned corners from that period of F1, including the Tarzan corner at Zandvoort, the Brunnchen jump at the Nurburgring and the Gasometer corner from Monaco, more commonly known today as La Rascasse.

The track stayed relatively the same until the introduction of a chicane in 1992, as well as a chicane in 1996 thanks to the input of then-new Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher. He asked for the use of a possible hairpin upon the circuit’s renovation the same year.

The renovations made in 1996 saw the circuit being shortened by 24 meters to a total length of 2.997 kilometres. A new corner was also introduced during the circuit’s revision, a faster first corner at the end of the pit straight to replace the sharper corner that was originally in place.

In 2001, a skid pan was introduced at the circuit as well as an irrigation system to allow the simulation of a wet circuit and wet tyre testing. Further on-site improvements included the installation of a telemetry system, which allowed for the capturing and recording of data from cars on the circuit.

Thanks to the technical, challenging layout of the circuit, it has also proved valuable to various Ferrari drivers through the years as a practice and testing area for coming seasons.

The lap record at Fiorano is currently held by Michael Schumacher, who, in 2004, set a lap of 0:55.999 in that year’s F1 car, the Ferrari F2004.

Andrea Bartolini holds the fastest racecar time with the Maserati MC12 Competizione with a 1:11.711, while the fastest road car is the 2019 Ferrari SF90 Stradale, with a time of 1:19.000.

Il Commendatore’s old quarters, a whitewash-walled former farmhouse, sits within the track’s confines, not far from the modern-day pitlane.

Spookily, his old office has been preserved more or less as he left it, right down to the black and white TV he used to watch F1 Grands Prix on when he was no longer able to attend the races in person.

Today, certain valued clients are invited to stay in the house overnight when visiting Ferrari, and well-heeled members of the public can do the same, for a few thousand Euros….. Sacrilege! Seems there’s nothing at modern-day Ferrari that can’t be turned into merchandise, even Old Man Ferrari’s own pad.

Many of the streets around Ferrari’s base are named after the F1 team’s former drivers. but five-time Ferrari drivers champion, Michael Schumacher, gets an entire Piazza.

It’s the space in front of Enzo’s house, flanked by the red-doored, rustic-bricked farm building used as garages in the ’60s, and a former barn opposite that’s now used as a briefing room for track clients and V.I.P’s.

Back in his days testing for Ferrari, Schumacher used to base himself in Ferrari’s former house, converting the top floor into a gym and reputedly playing football with the mechanics outside in the evenings.

With the circuit being situated right beside Enzo Ferrari’s house, it is well known that, from the construction of the circuit, till his death in 1988, he would often sit in his house or even out by the track to watch and listen to his beloved cars.

The circuit itself is closed to the public, but customers are often invited to test their newly-purchased models on the track. Various Tifosi are also known to watch from the roadside when Ferrari are testing, particularly any F1 testing.

Multiple drivers have expressed their love for the circuit through the years, including Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher, to name a few.

The circuit has seen the debut of many famous names in F1, the latest being Charles LeClerc and Carlos Sainz, as the Fiorano circuit gave them their first taste of F1 with the Scuderia

There are still spaces available for the Finali Mondiali Tour in October.

If you are interested in going, please send an email to:

[email protected]

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Newsletter 44: FERRARI’S NAMED AFTER PLACES

By Dee Munro2022-03-14Comments Off

FERRARI’S NAMED AFTER PLACES

We can all name a couple of Ferrari’s which were named after places, but it turns out there are a few more than we thought!

AMERICA/SUPERAMERICA

The Ferrari America and Superamerica were a series of cars built in the 1950s and 1960s primarily intended for the US market. The cars were fitted with large V12 engines and often had custom bodywork by the likes of Vignale, Pinin Farina, Boano and Ghia.
In later years, the America name came back, primarily on limited cars or special projects. Both the Superamerica 45 and SP America were for American clients, and in 2014, just 10 examples of the F60 America were made, also only for the US market.
All Ferrari America/Superamerica models:
1950 Ferrari 340 America, 1951 Ferrari 342 America, 1953 Ferrari 375 America, 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica, 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica, 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica, 2011 Ferrari Superamerica 45, 2014 Ferrari SP America, 2014 Ferrari F60 America.

CALIFORNIA

Ferrari introduced the 250 GT California Spider in 1957. The California name came from the fact it was designed for export to North America. About a decade later, the California badge came back with the introduction of the 365 California. In recent years, we’ve had both the California and California T. The philosophy behind the name is the “sublime elegance, sportiness, versatility and exclusivity” of the Spider concept.
All Ferrari California models:
1957 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider,
1966 Ferrari 365 California,
2008 Ferrari California,
2014 Ferrari California T

EUROPA

Ferraris named after the continent were designated only for sales in Europe.
The 1969 212 E was named after Europe because of its participation in the “European Montagna” Championship. Driven by Peter Schetty, the car dominated the 1969 European Hill Climb Championship, placing first in every race it entered and setting many course records.
All Ferrari Europa models:
1953 Ferrari 250 Europa
1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT
1969 Ferrari 212 E

FIORANO

A magical place for fans of the brand, Pista di Fiorano is Ferrari’s very own test track in Maranello, Italy. Enzo Ferrari unveiled the circuit in 1972 and told the press: “From this moment on, I don’t want any Ferrari to tackle the track or address mass-production without passing the Fiorano test with flying colours.” And in 2006, the 599 GTB Fiorano became the first and only car named after the legendary circuit.

NAMED AFTER ITALY

Place of origin. Ferrari named the 2009, 458 and 2011, F1 car after the country.
All Ferrari Italy models:
2009 Ferrari 458 Italia
2011 Ferrari 150 Italia (F1)

LE MANS

Cars with the LM name competed in the iconic Le Mans 24hr race. Both the 330 LM and 250 LM managed to win, in 1962 and 1965 respectively.
The last Maranello-produced car to receive the LM designation was the F40 LM, though it didn’t have any successes in the race.
All Ferrari Le Mans models:
1955 Ferrari 735 LM
1956 Ferrari 625 LM
1962 Ferrari 330 LM
1963 Ferrari 250 LM
1978 Ferrari 512 BB LM
1989 Ferrari F40 LM ‘IMSA GTO’
1994 Ferrari F40 LM

MARANELLO

The place where it all began in 1947. Maranello is a relatively small town in Northern Italy and home to both the Ferrari Factory and the Scuderia Ferrari Racing teams. It’s surprising that the name was only first used in the late 1990s.
All Ferrari Maranello models:
1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello
2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello

MEXICO

The Ferrari 340 Mexico was unveiled in 1952 and competed in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana, which took place in Mexico. It used a 4.1-L V12 producing around 280 bhp and had a mind-boggling maximum speed of 280 kph (174 mph). Just four Vignale bodies were made – three Berlinettas and one Spider. All were designed by Giovanni Michelotti, and Chinetti and Lucas finished the race in third place.

MODENA

The Ferrari 360 Modena, which debuted in 1999, was also named after places, the town of Modena – the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari.

PORTOFINO

Named after a charming village in the Italian Riviera, the 2017 Ferrari Portofino is the successor to the California and California T. Portofino is an Italian fishing village and luxury holiday resort famous for its picturesque harbour, great seafood and rich history.

MONZA

The Monza-named Ferraris were racing cars in the 1950s and named after the town of Monza, in Northern Italy. The city is home to one of the most iconic racing tracks: the Autodromo Nazionale Monza Circuit. Through Ferrari’s Icona Series, the name made its reappearance in 2018 with the introduction of the Monza SP1 and Monza SP2.
All Ferrari Monza models:
1954 Ferrari 750 Monza, 1954 Ferrari 250 Monza,
1956 Ferrari 860 Monza, 2018 Ferrari Monza SP1,
2018 Ferrari Monza SP2

ROMA

Named after the capital of Italy, the 2019 Ferrari Roma is a grand touring sports car associated with the ‘pleasurable way of life’ (La Nuova Dolce Vita). The shapely coupe brings to mind iconic mid-century Ferraris, but packed with cutting-edge tech and a 611-hp turbocharged V-8.

NAMED AFTER VENICE

Venice, the famous Italian city of romantic canals, inspired the name of one Ferrari: the 456 GT Venice, which debuted in 1996. The Venice was a 5-door station wagon based on the Ferrari 456 and commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. Only seven examples were made. After Pininfarina designed and built them, the prince only purchased six and the remaining car was sold to a private collector in the United Kingdom.

So could you imagine that there were many Ferrari’s named after places?

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Newsletter 43: Ferrari F1-75

By Dee Munro2022-02-21Comments Off

The Ferrari F1-75 was revealed on Thursday afternoon and first impressions are good………. it looks fantastic! There was a hint, from the teamwear colours released earlier this year, that the car would have more black incorporated into the livery, and that is what has happened with the black covering the front and rear wing while the rest of the car is draped in traditional red.

The current colour scheme harks back to the type of livery the Scuderia used in the 1990’s. Since then we have seen the team go for a red and white theme and in more recent times a red and green type look, which many were not fans of.

The eagle-eyed among you will notice no “mission winnow” on the car.

This was a Philip Morris (Marlboro) initiative and, as some of you may be aware, Philip Morris ended their partnership with Ferrari at the end of last year.

The ending of this partnership would also explain the colour scheme change. Previous colour schemes were dictated by the corporate identity of Malboro, as they were the primary sponsor.

The biggest change in the new F1-75 is engine related, and there’s not too much info in the ether on that.

We do know however, that in 2021 the team made a leap forward, despite spending most of the year focusing on 2022.

The rules around the power unit are not changing this year, so, 2022 represents the final opportunity for the power unit manufacturers to make an impact in this department before an engine development freeze comes into play at the end of 2025.

Ferrari have interpreted the new rules in some very innovative ways.

Starting at the front of the car, the wing is pretty much indistinguishable from all the other teams, but that’s where the similarities end.

The centre section of the car, and in particular the side pods and the big undercut in the middle, are in stark contrast to what has been seen so far.

The genius of this design is, instead of trying to manage airflow from around the sides of the F1-75 (very turbulent), Ferrari is directing air from the from wing, into the undercut (1), the air box (2), and then through the internal valley in the side pod (3).

This means the airflow is much more manageable and should result in a much more slippery car.

The turning vanes, attached to the outer edge of the floor are designed to control the flow of wake created by the front wheels.

In addition, Ferrari has an upturned vane on the leading edge of the undercut, to direct airflow along the underside of the side pod, utilising the turning vane and keeping the flow controlled along the length of the undercut section.

The rear suspension is vastly different from recent Ferrari configurations.
The upper wishbones are a lot wider and flatter, have a much more pronounced angle and are extended further forward.
This helps with the airflow created by the side pod configuration and enables a smoother transition towards the rear wing.

The idea behind this layout is to energise the rear wing and make it perform to its maximum.

The entire objective of any race car is to make it as aerodynamic as possible.
The new rules have put much more emphasis on downforce and ground effect than has been seen since the 1970’s.
The aim is to channel the air along the car, through the various vanes, valleys and wings, and forcing it upwards at the rear, away from the cars following, thus enabling closer racing.

Ferrari have been extremely aggressive with their approach to the 2022 design and have come up with some very elegant solutions for the F1-75.
Lets hope that this will be the change that we have been hoping for!!!

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Newsletter 42: AUTO AVIO, FERRARI’S FIRST BUILT CAR.

By Dee Munro2022-02-07Comments Off

“Factories are made of people, machines and buildings.
Ferrari, above all, is made of people.”

That was a famous quote by Enzo Ferrari, and words that are being reiterated by the company in celebration of Ferrari’s 75th Anniversary.

Ferrari is introducing a 75th Anniversary logo to commemorate Enzo Ferrari setting up shop back in 1947.
While his first car was the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815 in 1940, the 125 S race car introduced seven years later was the first Ferrari-badged model in history.
On February 17th, Scuderia Ferrari will take the covers off the 2022 Formula 1 car and reveal it to the world.
The Italian team has already announced that the car will be called:

The F1-75.

THE ‘SECRET’ FIRST FERRARI

Whilst the first-ever car to wear the Ferrari badge was the 125 S, in 1947; seven years earlier, Enzo Ferrari created the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815.
It never bore his name, but it is the very first car built by Ferrari.
There is only one remaining Auto Avio 815 example in existence, and as such, you would think it would be housed in a room made of Tungsten, built on a hill only accessible by unicorn, and guarded by a three-headed dragon, but no………………………….
The Auto Avio is kept in an old castle, in a town called Panzano, a stone’s throw from Modena, in a room that looks like the roof may give way any minute.

Collection of old cars — The Auto Avio sits between a Giulietta SZ (left) and a Lamborghini 350 GT, in the castle of Mario Rhigini.

When Enzo left Alfa Romeo in 1939, he had to agree not to use the Ferrari name, or be involved in motor racing for four years.
While the official line these days is that Enzo “quit… to set up his own company,” he was in fact (as he himself admitted) fired.
As Brock Yates wrote in his seminal biography of Enzo Ferrari, the firing became “something of a cause celebre in the Italian sporting press,” and led to a minor palace revolt at Alfa Corse, with other top names, such as Enrico Nardi, joining Enzo as victims of the bloodletting.
But this was 1939, there was bloodletting of an altogether more serious kind spreading across Europe.
To again quote Brock Yates, “Even as the acrid smell of cordite drifted slowly south over the Alpine peaks, Enzo Ferrari had one final gesture of defiance in mind before Italy plunged into the fighting.”

Black and White Car — This was the Auto Avio Costruzioni 815.

Enzo’s act of defiance was the result of a visit in December 1939, from the young Alberto Ascari, who wanted Ferrari to build two sports cars for the 1940 Mille Miglia, one for himself, and one for his friend, who went by the wonderful name of Marchese Lotario Rangoni Macchiaveli di Modena.
Enzo agreed, and his decision was a middle fingered gesture aimed at Alfa.
Since the Mille Miglia was scheduled for 28 April, they had just four months to create two racing cars from scratch.
For this reason, and also because the regulations demanded that a production car chassis form the basis of the racer, the new cars were based on the Fiat 508C Ballila.

The main problem was that the Ballila’s engine was far too small.
So Alberto Massimino, a highly experienced designer and another victim of the Alfa revolt, came up with the plan of building a straight-eight engine block and topping it with a pair of modified Fiat Ballila cylinder heads.
The new car’s name: 815 refers to the engine’s 8 cylinders and 1.5-litre capacity.

Meanwhile, the open-topped, large-grilled bodywork with its ultra-modern Plexiglas windscreen was styled by Carrozzeria
Touring Superleggera, and the cars were fitted with Borrani wire wheels.

The potential of the cars was proved in the Mille Miglia itself, as both led the 1500cc class in turn, before suffering mechanical problems that forced them to withdraw, hardly surprising when only four months previously, the two racers had been nothing but a twinkle in Enzo’s eye.
They were clearly worthy of further development, but Italy’s rapid entry into the ongoing war put paid to any such plans. By 1945, Enzo was free to develop cars with his own name, the first being the famous Ferrari 125 S.
There’s little doubt that Enzo learnt a great deal from his act of defiance and the ‘secret’ Ferrari of 1940.

The last remaining Auto Avio 815 currently belongs to Mario Rhigini and, as if owning the rarest Ferrari on the planet wasn’t enough, he also owns a couple of hundred other cars …………………. including an extremely rare Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, which was personally owned by Tazio Nuvolari, a Mercedes Benz once belonging to Adolf Hitler,
a Formula 1 Ferrari 512T raced by Gilles Villeneuve, Benito Mussolini’s private car, the fearsome “cigar” on four wheels,… the unique Fiat Chiribiri, powered by a 7-litre, 300-horsepower aircraft engine!
Plus, hundreds more significant, historic vehicles.

Rhigini was renowned for buying all the scrap, test and crashed race cars that Ferrari discarded.
He purchased the Auto Avio (Chassis 021) from Enrico Beltracchini, who raced the car in 1947 before selling the
car to a museum. After re-purchasing the car, Enrico sold it to Righini.
As of 2020, the car remains in the Rhigini Collection.
Mario Rhigini can regularly be seen tearing up the streets of Panzano when he takes the Auto Avio out for a spirited Sunday drive ……………………….. something that takes big kahunas, in something so rare!!

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Newsletter 41: FERRARI ICONS 250 GT LUSSO

By Dee Munro2022-01-24Comments Off

WELCOME TO 2022

Ferris Cars has some exciting things lined up for the year ahead.
More events.
Some exciting social media content.
Revolutionary new cryptocurrency options.
More fun Rhino stuff.
Watch this space!
In the meantime, you know you are always welcome, so pop in for a coffee and a chat ………….even if it is just to talk about cars and shit!!!!

FERRARI ICONS: 250 GT LUSSO

When it made its debut at the 1962 Paris Salon, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso was unveiled as the final iteration of the 250 GT series of cars.
The Lusso, which means “Luxury” in Italian, was positioned between the more hardcore racing models and ultra-luxury variants within the Ferrari lineup.
It aimed to offer the experience of top-tier Ferrari sports car performance while being well-appointed with an arsenal to combat the demands of daily use.

The 250 Lusso is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars to be adorned with the prancing horse badge.
Its sporty nature is derived from the use of a Short Wheel Base (SWB) chassis, shared with some of the previous competition cars, and a V12 engine fueled by three Weber carburettors.
The overall design elements of the car were ground-breaking for their time, and the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso would soon become one of the most recognisable automobiles in the world.
Exquisitely proportioned, the GT/L had an elegant silhouette which comprised of its elongated profile, curvy fenders, slim pillars, truncated rear and charismatic three-piece front bumper.

The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso was imagined by Pininfarina and brought to life by Carrozzeria Scaglietti under the direction of Enzo Ferrari.
While the GT/L was intended to be a road-going grand tourer in every sense of those words put together, many owners ended up outfitting their cars for racing anyway. This is because the GT/L inherently possessed race car DNA, which is shared with the 250 GTO, including its SWB, disc brakes, suspension, and engine, making it a viable track toy when the latter was not an option.

Though well-received and sought after, the GT/L would ultimately have a brief production run spanning just 18 months, between the years 1962 and 1964, with only 350 examples made. At the tail end of 1964, the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, and by extension, the entire 250 GT line, would be succeeded by the incoming Ferrari 275 GTB.
This would by no means signify the end for the GT/L, as it has become a hot collector’s item in recent times.

The Ferrari 250 GT Lusso is the quintessential 60’s sports car.
Driving any Ferrari from the same era is a tremendously special experience, of which few of us have had the privilege.
The 250 is rare, expensive and highly collectable, but its value is based on the engineering, remarkable style and elegance, coupled with the exceptional performance and handling of that particular era, all of which made it ahead of its time when the car was launched in 1962.

THE FERRIS CLINIC IS NOW OPEN FOR 2022, AND
THE DOCTOR IS READY TO HELP!

We don’t have a PhD, nor any formal medical training, but we do have a vast experience and understanding of your condition.
The bad news is that your illness is not curable, not terminal, but not curable, and is something you are going to have to live with ……….. probably for the rest of your life.
Some of our clients claim different ailments related to their illness. Some speak of a feeling of petrol running through their veins. Some talk of sweaty palms and accelerated heartbeat when visualising or being in close proximity to certain items of a mechanical nature.
Some patients, who are currently being treated, claim to have a much more fulfilling life, a sense of contentment and, in some cases, a better sex life, all due to the therapy and treatment we have prescribed.

Ferrari driving in the Sunset — **Some of our patients enjoying their therapy!**

This illness, unlike many others, has taken on various names over the years.
An extreme case is called, “Mechanophilia”. The most common is called, “Paraphilia”.
Locally, the most common term for this illness is
“Motor” or “Petrol” Head.
The best news of all is that our mission is to make living with your illness, as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Over the years we have developed some proven therapies to help alleviate the many varied symptoms.
If you think you may be experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, don’t delay, call Ferris immediately, and get professional help in dealing with this terrible illness.

Did you enjoy reading about this Ferrari Icon? Read about another one here.

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Newsletter 40: FORMULA 1, 2022 SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

By Dee Munro2021-12-13Comments Off

This year’s thrilling 2021 season came to a sensational climax this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
It’s been a long time since the championship has gone down to the wire in the last race.
We can only hope this is a sign of things to come on a more regular basis.
The new regulations, cost caps and totally new cars should, according to the experts, have the desired effect.
So, in case you have been living under a bush for the last while, here is all you need to know about the 2022 Formula 1 cars ………..

Formula 1 in 2022 is introducing a vastly different car, with a move towards regulations that should enable cars to follow each other far more closely. Having only been seen in scale models and studio renders up until Formula 1 produced a full size car, conforming to the new regulations, unveiled at Silverstone a few months back.

The changes ……………

18 inch wheels:

A move that’s been coming for a while now, a shift away from the traditional 13 inch wheel that has been a mainstay in Formula 1 for over thirty years, to 18 inch wheels.
Aside from the improved aesthetics of bigger wheels, the relevance towards road car technology is far greater. Pirelli’s new 18 inch tyres, which are already in use in Formula 2, will run the same tread width as now, but with a bigger diameter.
The sidewall reduction will be the biggest change, more closely resembling a road car. The changed behaviour of the tyre means the cars will handle differently, making them more precise due to the far stiffer sidewall.

Testing has so far resulted in positive driver feedback, with less tyre flex and less impact on car aerodynamics.
This increased stability means less focus is required from the teams to address the turbulence, meaning lower costs.
Aside from the wheels themselves, wheel covers return for the first time since 2009. This is done to reduce the aerodynamic wake coming off the cars, for the benefit of those behind, however, it also reduces the downforce of the car itself. The physical seal of a wheel cover prevents the teams from finding ways of re-directing air through the wheels.
Over wheel winglets are also set to be introduced, something that has never been seen in F1 before. These will help to direct the wake of the air coming off the front wheels and direct it away from the rear wing.

A complete aerodynamic overhaul:

For 2022, Formula 1 cars will begin to utilise a different form of aerodynamics.
Ground effect, which was used to great effect in the 1970s and 1980s, creates suction underneath the car to pull it into the tarmac.
F1 moved away from ground effect almost forty years ago, with the focus switching more towards over-car airflow. But the obvious disruption of this philosophy has resulted in modern cars being unable to follow each other closely, so Formula 1 is returning to a ground effect solution.
The 2022 car will utilise underfloor tunnels, which will generate large amounts of ground effect downforce.
Without the requirement for disruptive aerodynamic appendages like vortex-generating barge boards, lips, flaps and scoops everywhere, following cars should be less disturbed by cars in front.

The front wing re-design for 2022 is also much more simple. The new design will obviously generate downforce in the traditional way, although it will be concentrating on controlling the front wheel wake in a much less disruptive fashion.
The intent is to send the wake down the sides of the car in a fluid manner, rather than underneath or pushed out from the sides, like on the current cars.
The new, unusual rear wing is designed to collect wake from the rear wheels and re-direct it into the flow coming from the underside of the car. This creates a much narrower convergence, with a revised diffuser design throwing it high into the air.
This, in theory, means the following car will essentially drive ‘under’ the disturbed air caused by the car in front.

Back of a red Formula 1 in 2022 race car

Formula 1 in 2022 will be Safer, but heavier:

As ever, Formula 1’s push for greater safety continues unabated. The 2022 car chassis has had extremely stringent crash test requirements put on it.
The front impact test has been increased to demand an absorption of 48% more energy than the current car, and 15% increase for the rear impact test.
Following Romain Grosjean’s high-profile Bahrain crash in 2020, the power unit will separate from the chassis without exposing or rupturing the fuel tank in the event of a severe enough crash.
A longer front nose has been introduced, based on findings into the FIA’s investigation of Anthoine Hubert’s fatal Formula 2 accident at Spa-Francorchamps in 2019, as well as stronger chassis sides to deal with side impacts.
The front nose will absorb about 50% more energy and the side of the car will be twice as strong to lateral impact.
Improvements to the headrest for the driver, to the fuel tank, and various systems to prevent debris being spread out on the track, which would make it dangerous for other cars.
The safety gains, together with the bigger wheels, have resulted in a weight increase. The minimum weight of the cars will go from 752kg to 790kg, with the same power units in use for 2022.
This means that to begin the new regulation cycle, the new cars will probably be a little bit slower than the current iteration.

And finally, one of the most notable changes will be with fuel.
The new fuel will contain 10% Ethanol, and must be a second generation bio fuel, made in a sustainable way. In other words, it must have a near zero carbon footprint.
The fuel will be called E10.
Intense research and development of bio fuels is on-going, both in Formula 1 and most road car manufacturers. This means that when the time comes that petrol, as we know it is no longer allowed to be used in motor vehicles, there will be a much better and safer alternative, which can only be good news!

If you enjoyed this article head over to Newsletter 16 and read FERRARI, STILL THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FORMULA 1 TEAM!

Sadly, this will be the last newsletter of 2021.
We will resume in January with lots of exciting things planned for next year.
Hopefully, the “New Covid Norm” will allow us to pursue what we have planned.
The showroom will be closing on:
SATURDAY 18th DECEMBER
The showroom will be open again on:
WEDNESDAY 5th JANUARY
We are available throughout the shutdown, so if you require a viewing, test drive, etc. please contact:
PAUL 082 851 3300
Happy holidays, travel safe, be safe and above all……… enjoy!!

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Newsletter 39: FERRARI 328 … THE MOST RELIABLE MODERN CLASSIC

By Dee Munro2021-12-07Comments Off

Trading in the Ferrari 328 model range seems to have ground to a halt lately, but it’s the same with most “modern classics,” as soon as Puff Diddly Daddly or Snoop Doggy DooDoo put out a video with a Ferrari in it, everyone wants it!
Thomas Magnum obviously started the trend with the 308, after appearing in his TV show, it became one of the biggest selling Ferrari’s.
To a lesser extent, Miami Vice did it with the Testarossa and Bad Boys with the 355.
The 328 however, seemed to dodge all the hype over the years, despite, in many ways, being superior to all of them.

The 328 is a true driver’s car in every shape and form.
It does not have eye popping and ear bleeding amount of horse power like the modern supercars do.
A souped up civic can beat it, but if all you care about is 0 to 60 numbers and quarter mile times then you might as well stop reading now.
Numbers mean nothing when it comes to the 328.
How the car makes you feel is what strikes a chord with a true car enthusiast. Driving the 328 is like driving a go cart. The chassis is stiff and rigid, the handling is amazing, the car is small and nimble, and the sound of the engine is just a joy to behold.
The clutch is light and precise and the gated shifter is from the Gods, there is no other way to describe it.
The cabin is surprisingly spacious with all the controls at your fingertips. It’s a very easy car to drive. As with most Italian sports cars of the era, the seating position is a bit awkward as the pedals are shifted to the right, but you get used to it in no time.

There is really nothing out there that comes close to the feeling of driving a classic Ferrari.
It has to be an event, a sense of occasion.
The simplicity of this car is what draws you in.
There are no infotainment screens, no navigation, and no stupid computers beeping and screaming at you all day long.
It is just you and the car, the way Enzo intended it when Ferrari’s first started rolling off the factory floor.
A drive in a 238 is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face!

The 328 is considered one of the most reliable classic Ferrari’s.
An evolution of the 308, launched in 1975, it’s a relatively simple car, free from electronic wizardry.
Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection was the order of the day here.
Unlike many Ferrari’s, a 328 cam belt service can be carried out without removing the engine.

Fuel economy is quoted as 12.9 L/100km at a constant 86 km/h, and probably mid to high teens if you give the car a workout.
That’s better than some modern cars!!
So, if you haven’t got a 328, best you think again and do something about it!
Look after your 328 and it should be an appreciating asset.
With luck, that rise in value could outweigh the running costs altogether.

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Newsletter 38: FERRARI 599 FIORANO

By Dee Munro2021-11-30Comments Off

Replacing the 575 Maranello in 2006, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was the new flagship of the famous Italian brand. Named after Ferrari’s own test track, the 599 is a high-performance Gran Turismo with a V12 up-front, and rear-wheel drive.
A pure product from Maranello, the 5,999 cm³, V12 is capable of taking the car up to speeds of 330 km/h and go from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.7 seconds.
If you think about it, back then in 2006, this was ballistically fast (and it still is). Just to put things into perspective, the Ferrari Enzo went from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. The 599’s engine is actually derived from the Enzo and was later used for the track-only 599XX.
The engine is so pushed back that you can actually call it mid-front position. Finally, it can rev up to 8400 rpm, and you can only just imagine the noise it makes when it reaches these speeds.

The design of the 599 is quite a controversial subject.
While some think the 599 GTB Fiorano looks a bit chunky, and with a behind that is up to Kardashian standards, many think that it’s one of the most beautiful modern designs to come out of Maranello. Designed by Frank Stephenson under the watchful eye of Pininfarina, it looks totally different from its predecessor, the 575 Maranello.
For the first time, the car was equipped with only one round tail light on each side, and this was weird because we were always used to having the signature circular quad rear lights.
The 599 was designed to deliver the greatest amount of downforce, a consequence of which is the very distinctive arches on the back, probably the coolest feature on the body.

There was a choice between a (very rare) six-speed manual or the automatic, called the “F1 Superfast gearbox”. Most customers opted for the automatic one. It was quite an innovation back in those days.
Ferrari promised smooth and near F1 fast-like gear shifts. Sadly not the case, although it was a giant leap from the one found in the 575, it was not a double-clutch box, so by today’s standards, the car falls a bit behind the competition. Only 10 manual versions were ever produced, and it’s the final Ferrari V12 that came with a “proper” gear stick.

What is a Gran Turismo without a great interior?
The now-signature start button on the steering wheel was brand new and it was cool to finally see the Manettino on a V12 GT.
There are inspirations from the Formula 1 world, like carbon fibre bits and pieces, or the optional LED rev display on the steering wheel, that help you shift like Michael Schumacher.
Of course, the seats are beautiful and comfortable, and you have all the comfort you need. This isn’t an Enzo, so you have a radio, satnav and leather everywhere, etc.
It really is a car you don’t mind doing many miles in.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano had many variants, and we’re not talking about the various Mansory or Novitec Rosso editions.
Ferrari built a few exclusive and limited edition models based on the 599 GTB. The first limited-edition car that the brand released was the GTO. Iconic name for an iconic car. Only 599 units produced and it is a car that, like the F12 TDF, is faster, lighter and even more sporty than before.
Then came the real deal, as mentioned above, the 599 had a track car variant called the XX. Something crazy, from another world that was then followed by an even crazier Evoluzione.
Back to road cars, the open top SA Aperta, the one-offs P540 Superfast Aperta, Superamerica 45 and SP30, were all derivatives of the 599.
The 599 GTB is such a blast. It’s a true Ferrari Gran Turismo capable of blistering performances.
The 599 was such an achievement back in the day, that you had to love it.
Talking about investment, just think about the fact that this is one of the last naturally-aspirated V12 engine’s from the brand.
Could it be worth much more money in the future? ………….. It just might surprise us!

We are very fortunate to have just acquired this
2009 FERRARI 599 GTB FIORANO
With only 34,000 km’s, Full Service History, all books, spare keys, car cover, tools, jack and spare wheel.

A pristine example selling at only
R 2 649 990

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LIKE KIM KARDASHIAN AFTER A VISIT TO THE PIE SHOP!

HERE’S HOW…………. WHY!

BRAVO, BRAVO, SCUDERIA FERRARI!!!

FIORANO, NOPE, NOT THE CAR, NOT THE TOWN, THE TEST TRACK!

FERRARI’S NAMED AFTER PLACES

AMERICA/SUPERAMERICA

CALIFORNIA

EUROPA

FIORANO

NAMED AFTER ITALY

LE MANS

MARANELLO

MEXICO

MODENA

PORTOFINO

MONZA

ROMA

NAMED AFTER VENICE

“Factories are made of people, machines and buildings.Ferrari, above all, is made of people.”

The F1-75.

THE ‘SECRET’ FIRST FERRARI

WELCOME TO 2022

FERRARI ICONS: 250 GT LUSSO

THE FERRIS CLINIC IS NOW OPEN FOR 2022, ANDTHE DOCTOR IS READY TO HELP!

The changes ……………

18 inch wheels:

A complete aerodynamic overhaul:

Formula 1 in 2022 will be Safer, but heavier:

A pristine example selling at onlyR 2 649 990

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FIORANO,
NOPE, NOT THE CAR, NOT THE TOWN,
THE TEST TRACK!

“Factories are made of people, machines and buildings.
Ferrari, above all, is made of people.”

THE FERRIS CLINIC IS NOW OPEN FOR 2022, AND
THE DOCTOR IS READY TO HELP!

A pristine example selling at only
R 2 649 990