Newsletter 67 – FERRARI 308 GT4 DINO Icon or Imposter?

By Dee MunroApril 6, 2024Comments Off

This is about a much misunderstood car, the Ferrari Dino 308 GT4.
For years, many people have said that this is not a real Ferrari. They’ve said that because of issues with the badge, because of the engine and, most notably perhaps, because of the way it looks!
Is that justified at all?
We don’t think so………………

The differences of opinion started, mainly because the cars were not badged as Ferrari’s, as homage to Enzo’s son Dino, as was the case with the 246, this put a lot of customers off.
Consequently, they turned out to be a difficult sell and Ferrari sent all the dealers Ferrari badging. As a result, many of the cars available today have mixed badging, some parts Dino, some parts Ferrari, and in some cases, cars after 1975, are being passed of as “Dino’s” when they are just Gt4’s.
So, the Dino thing has become a bit of a curiosity, which, If anything, it adds to it’s appeal!
The most controversial part though is that the design was done by Bertone. It was actually Marcelo Gandini, who also penned the Lamborghini Countach and the Lancia Stratos, and indeed you can absolutely see echoes of the Stratos all over this car.

The 308 gt4 was launched at the 1973 Paris motor show and for Ferrari it was actually a car of many firsts. It was the first time they used a designer other than Pininfarina, it was Ferrari’s first v8, and it was one of only two mid-engine, 2+2 (The Mondial being the only other), so its in the rare Ferrari category.

The gt4 is longer than the original Dino (246), by 21cm and by having the engine transverse, with the gearbox underneath, meant that the space for the rear seats was easily attainable.
This really set the trend for small, mid-engine Ferraris that followed and made the gt4 a significant car.
At the time, people said “it doesn’t look like a Ferrari, it’s a wedge shape, it’s too much like a Lamborghini”, “It was done by a Lamborghini designer”, “It’s a junior Ferrari”, “It doesn’t have a v12”, and so it was kind of pillory.
The 246 also only had a six cylinder rather than a 12 but, probably because of its beauty, it was somewhat immune from all the criticism.

Another controversial thing about the gt4 was the looks, very wedge shaped, but when you consider it’s a 2+2 and what they had to work with, its fantastic. The quintessential 70’s sports car shape.
The gt4’s was really designed as gt car, and when you get to the inside, you find it airy with plenty of space and all-round good vision from all the windows.
There is surprisingly good space in the back seats too, mainly because, in the driving seat you are sitting quite far forward and you can literally only just see the very start of the bonnet which, makes you feel like you’re sort of on top of it and quite in command of the way it’s going to turn.
The pedals are offset to the center, but it doesn’t feel unnatural at all, it sort of pivots you a little bit towards the center line of the car, which works pretty well.
The gt4 has a lot of structural rigidity and it turns with a natural feel, it doesn’t load up in the corners, and is perfectly balanced. So, once you’re running, although it’s not assisted, the steering is really quite delicate.
The gear box is smooth and, of course, has the famous gated shifter which as now become iconic.

The dash layout is amazing, the way it sort of wraps around, all the instrumentation, everything you need is in front of you. A few switches are set out of your eye line, but they are the de-mister, choke and ventilation controls. In terms of lay-out, it is ergonomically miles ahead of a 308 or 328.

For a car from the 70’s, the gt4 has a pretty respectable 0-100 time of just under 7 seconds and a top speed of 240kmh
Is this a real Ferrari? …………………………. Absolutely, its as Ferrari as they come, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!!

1975
Ferrari 308 Dino gt4
52,000Km’s
Rosso Corsa / Black Interior
P.O.A.
AVAILABLE NOW

Enquiries: PAUL – 082 851 3300

Cryptocurrency is coming on in leaps and bounds.

Whether it’s a car, plane, watch, house, whiskey collection, it matters not!
You can buy anything using your cryptocurrency.

We facilitate the purchase because 99.9% of retail outlets don’t accept crypto, no problem, we’ll get it done for you!
We have spent the last year optimizing our system to ensure it is
A) 100% safe
B) 100% Legitimate

Contact: Tommy 082 929 2227

If you would like to explore the numerous possibilities and advantages of using your crypto power!!

Our Luxury Vehicle Warranty, offers extended cover for luxury and classic cars, regardless of make or model, up to 30 years and under 120 000km.

We have the perfect classic car extended warranty and protection plan for you, so you always have a choice of terms and coverage that meets your needs, at an affordable price, for one or two years.
Currently we are the only car dealership in South Africa that offers this warranty, and if you are a buyer of a luxury car, it can be the safety net that encourages you to take that leap. Even if you already have a vehicle, its not too late to get that peace of mind.
Making a big purchase is a huge deal, you want to make sure you are investing in a quality product.
A Warranty Agreement can be a vote of confidence that benefits the buyer/owner.
Under our warranty you will be covered for the most vital components on your vehicle including towing should you find yourself stranded.
We also offer additional benefits such as Car Hire & Overnight Accommodation.

Contact Ferris Cars 082 851 3300

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Newsletter 66 – FERRARI ICONS : 360 Challenge Stradale

By Dee MunroFebruary 26, 2024Comments Off

360 Challenge Stradale
(One of the greatest Ferrari’s ever?)

This is the 360 Challenge Stradale, one of Ferrari’s absolute best mid-engined V8, “race cars for the road”

This car could not be more different than the standard360 Modena. The Stradale is the one to have, it’s more purposeful, it’s got a stunning stance, its a lot more useable than you might think, but its still a full-on race car with just enough comfort for you to be able to enjoy driving it on the road.

This is a 2004 car, so that’s 20 years old and yet it’s still one of the absolute best Ferrari’s you can buy.

Like the F40, this car has no carpets no real luxuries of any kind, you can see the welds in the floor of the interior, its lightweight race engineering at its finest. Weighing in at 1,400kg’s its 3.6L Naturally Aspirated V8 chucks out 425 hp @ 8,500 rpm and Torque of 275 lb-ft @ 4,750 rpm.

All this gives this stallion is a top speed of 280kmh and a zero to 100 time of just on 4 seconds, so its pretty light on its feet!

On the open highway you can feel every single bump and undulation in the road, the steering is just perfect, it’s so light and there is so much feedback.

The fact that the steering wheel is not festooned in any way with any controls is refreshing, its just a tool for turning the car, like it should be.

Feedback from the steering wheel tells you everything you need to know about the surface you’re on, how much grip you’ve got how hard you can push. Although hugely supple, there is little suspension travel, keeping the car planted in almost every situation.

There is no finer noise than a V8 Ferrari powerhouse, it’s like a symphony, one of the all-time great Ferrari engines, one of the top three exhaust notes and engine sounds in the world.

So, what makes it so special?

Visually, from the outside it’s a lot meaner and more purposeful than the 360 Modena, it sits slightly more forward and lower at the front than the rear.

The wheels fill the arches far more effectively.

There are carbon-fibre door mirrors, ceramic brakes as standard (as used on the Enzo), which explains why they’re so fantastically good at stopping the car.

This is a track racer, not an outright speed machine.

There are many Ferrari’s that are much faster than this, but the Challenge Stradale is all about handling and it’s all about the corners, its all about the smile it puts on your face.

Driving it is an event, there’s drama, it talks to you, it wants you to play, it wants you to have fun and it rewards you like no other!

Of the 1288 cars produced, just over 200 of these cars were right-hand-drive making it quite a rare car.

Even though it doesn’t have a V12, or the presence and stance of something like an Enzo or an F40, it still has the power to turn heads. It’s also one of those cars that attracts real motoring and Ferrari connoisseurs, and a lot of serious collectors favour the Challenge Stradale ………. no surprise there!!

2004

Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

33,000 Km’s

Rosso Corsa

P.O.A.

AVAILABLE NOW

Enquiries: PAUL – 082 851 3300

Crypto currency is coming on in leaps and bounds.

Whether it’s a car, plane, watch, house,whiskey collection, it matters not!

You can buy anything using your crypto currency.

We facilitate the purchase because 99.9% of retail outlets don’t accept crypto, no problem, we’ll get it done for you!

We have spent the last year optimizing our system to ensure it is

A) 100% safe

B) 100% Legitimate

Contact: Tommy 082 929 2227

If you would like to explore the numerous possibilities and advantages of using your crypto power!!

Our Luxury Vehicle Warranty, offers extended cover for luxury and classic cars, regardless of make or model, up to 30 years and under 120 000 km.

Own your classic car with confidence. We offer a perfect protection plan and extended warranty, tailored to your needs and budget. Choose from flexible terms and coverage options, ensuring peace of mind for one or two years.

Currently we are the only car dealership in South Africa that offers this warranty, and if you are a buyer of a luxury car, it can be the safety net that encourages you to take that leap. Even if you already have a vehicle, its not too late to get that peace of mind.

Making a big investment is a huge deal, you want to make sure you are purchasing a top class product. A Warranty Agreement can be a vote of confidence that benefits the buyer/owner. Under our warranty you will be covered for the most vital components on your vehicle including towing should you find yourself stranded.

We also offer additional benefits such as Car Hire & Overnight Accommodation.

Contact Ferris Cars 082 851 3300

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Newsletter 63 – FERRARI ICONS 288 GTO

By Dee MunroSeptember 4, 2023Comments Off

There is a mystique that Ferrari cars have always had, ever since the very first Ferrari badged machine rolled out of the workshops in 1947, and that mystique has grown over the years so that today, there is a veritable feeding frenzy to buy just about every Ferrari model ever made. The Ferrari 250 GTO, that first saw the light of day in 1962, has gone down in motorsport history as one of the most exciting cars ever to compete. Only rarely, since that introduction, has Ferrari chosen to allocate those precious, sacred letters to another car from another era.

The 1985 GTO was designed at Pininfarina by Leonardo Fioravanti and built in Scaglietti’s workshops. It’s come to be known as the 288 GTO, even though it left the factory as just a plain GTO.

Its DNA really goes way back into the 1960s when the Dino 206 aluminum bodied streetcar begat the 2.4 litre Dino 246, steel bodied car and when more power was required, that was replaced by the 3 litre V8 engines, the 308. The final iteration of this series was the Ferrari 328, with a 3.2 litre engine, replete with four valve heads, fuel injection and all had transverse engines.

The 288 GTO was specifically designed for group B racing. Group B cars, with engines limited to four litres or the turbocharged equivalent, 1.4 times smaller, had already proven themselves as winners in the WRC, and therefore lent themselves very easily to a racing series. Boost was to be unlimited and exotic materials encouraged.

The group B racing series never got off the ground, so the bulk of the production of these 288 GTOs was destined for use on the road. Ferrari did make 5 Evolutione versions of this car that only weighed 2,000 pounds, that’s 550 pounds lighter than the road going version. With 650 horsepower and a top speed of 225 miles an hour, that must be an absolute beast.

To homologate the 288 GTO, Ferrari had to build at least 200 examples, so that’s the number they made, no more, no less. The big turbocharged V8 is nicely tucked away in the middle of the car, mounted to a 5-speed manual gearbox, and the all-important intercoolers, neatly packaged on either side of the engine block. The GTO has an exceptional balance to weight ratio.

All of this gives the GTO a wheelbase which is 4 inches longer than the 308, a car which the 288 resembles greatly. Fioravanti needed to bulk up the wheel arches and wings to accommodate the much larger wheels. There’s also a nod to the original GTO, he put in some tasty touches like the lip spoiler, the megaphone exhausts, and the three iconic vents in the rear wings, ostensibly to cool the brakes, just like the original GTO used.

This, in many ways really is the ultimate grown-up dino, because it is still a smallish car, and with its 400 odd horsepower, you can still chuck it around.

The 288 GTO was the first production car to go through the 300 Kmph barrier. It has a top speed of 305 Mph and weighs in at 2550Lbs, that’s 500 Lbs lighter than a Ferrari 308. With fiberglass aluminum, Kevlar, and carbon fibre in abundance, it’s hardly surprising it was going to make, without any doubt, one of the greatest and most desirable creations from the Maranello factory.

The GTO was the very last supercar that Ferrari made before Enzo passed away (the F40 had been approved by him but not yet built), at the age of 90, and that reason alone makes this car very special and sought-after today.

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Newsletter 62 – FERRARI KC23

By Dee MunroAugust 23, 2023Comments Off

FERRARI KC23

This Ferrari isn’t a concept. Nor is it a production car. It is a completely one-off commission. The KC23 is a track-bred supercar with a devilish duality.

Its sleek, aerodynamic body can be configured in two ways, transforming from an elegant angel to a menacing devil. This one-of-a-kind creation was born from the minds of Ferrari’s Centro Stile and one of the prancing horse’s most dedicated collectors.

With its innovative design and proven race car architecture, the KC23 is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.

FERRARI KC23 Under the skin is the heart and soul of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020.

The 488 GT3 is a highly successful racing car that has won over 530 races and 119 championships. It is a natural choice for the basis of a track-only Ferrari, as its V8 twin-turbo engine, chassis, and suspension are all designed for maximum performance.

The KC23 is a one-off car that has been built exclusively for non-competitive track use, as opposed to road use.

But at standstill, the aerodynamic and cooling tricks hide themselves away. The Ferrari KC23 is a radical one-off car that is untethered from homologation constraints. It has a sleek, monolithic beauty, as if it were sculpted from a single block of metal.

When the engine is started, the car’s visual stance is transformed using custom kinematics to reveal its huge air intakes and active aerodynamics. This transition is almost organic, changing its physicality and mood from elegantly styled evening wear to total punk rock onslaught in the quest of downforce.

The KC23 was designed to be an instant classic, holding its own against the rarest and most iconic silhouettes in Ferrari’s back catalogue.

To achieve this, every one of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020’s lines was redesigned, including the glass surfaces and light clusters. Just like LaFerrari has butterfly doors that open up vertically, the KC23 has also got doors like this to boast about.

The KC23 is a car that is both beautiful and functional. It is a work of art that is also capable of delivering incredible performance on the track. It is a glimpse into the future of Ferrari design, and it is sure to be a collector’s item for years to come.

The headlights and rear lights have been redesigned. The headlights are inspired by the 499P endurance racer, which recently won the Le Mans 24 Hours. The rear lights are inspired by the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo single-seater concept.

The paintwork is also distinctive. It is a specially-developed four-layer aluminum livery called Gold Mercury. The liquid metal in the paint gives it an amazing luminous gleam when the sun shines on it. It looks like a real, living, breathing being. The color also changes depending on where you are standing and the light. It’s as captivating as the machine itself.

The cabin has been kept as pared-back as the race car, with the exception of door panels and a dashboard finish on the passenger side. The button-covered steering yoke and panel of rocker switches are pure endurance racing. The custom-made Alcantara bucket seats in the KC23 Ferrari SP car complement both the focused interior and urbane exterior.

This very unique and special car is hardly ever shown in public, but the owner is keen to share his collaboration with the whole world.

The first public appearance of the KC23 will be made at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from the dates of July 13-16, and will then be going on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from August 1 to October 2.

This is sure to inspire many Ferrari owners and lovers with its sleek design and luxurious interior. For one visionary customer, this dream car became a reality.

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Newsletter 59 – FERRARI SF-23

By Dee MunroFebruary 27, 2023Comments Off

The Ferrari SF-23

Ferrari’s 2023 Formula 1 Challenger may look like a natural development of the previous year’s fast but underperforming car, but the team describes it as a complete redesign. There are major aerodynamic and mechanical changes to improve performance and achieve the characteristics the team needs.

The new car is designed around more vertical downforce, adapting further to the new rules that came in last year, and also suspension changes that have been made to improve the aero and give the team more set-up options.

It’s impossible, at this stage, to say if Ferrari have achieved its objectives, but given the speed of last year’s car an improved version of its visually distinctive concept, combined with a reliable power unit package, it could be enough to make Ferrari a genuine Championship contender.

The Ferrari sf-23 follows the same aerodynamic template of the 2022 car, rather than going with the trend of others in copying Red Bull’s design. The radiator intake and the undercut at the front corner of the side pod have been optimized but have not significantly changed.

Ferrari has compacted the side pod under the radiator inlets and extended the upper shoulder, moving some of the radiator area upwards and rearwards to create that space.

All of that coupled with the vortex shedding front Wing slot Gap separators, suggests they are trying to feed the inlets more aggressively than before.

The radiator rearrangement is not so extensive however, as to require the rear exit cooling cannons, seen on Red Bull last year and many others this year.

The side pod front corner undercuts are a bit more aesthetically pleasing than last year. It’s not quite as vertical, which will be more sympathetic to airflow direction changes.

The SF-23 also retains a distinctive scallop shape of the top surface of the side pods. The top surface shape is not quite as dramatic as last year, the exit louvers just beyond the top section of the radiator will improve the efficiency of the cooling in this area.

The front suspension is a pushrod configuration, where the wishbone pickups mount to the chassis. There’s a small amount of anti-lift to help support the front of the car and reduce the ride height change, under braking loads. The steering track rod is low down Infront of, but slightly higher than the forward leg of the lower front Wishbone.

What also stands out is the amount of unpainted carbon fibre on a few of the surfaces, to save a few crucial grams of weight. That shows the 798-kilo minimum weight limit is still very difficult to hit.

Given last year’s engine problems, new Ferrari team principal Frederick Vasseur has declared reliability to be the top priority for 2023, above even strategic improvements and gains on tyre management.

Ferrari already had potentially the most potent engine in F1 last year. If its reliability problems have been solved it will finally be able to make the most of that performance, with an improved version of a concept that proved stunningly fast last year and better reliability, Ferrari could be a formidable team in 2023, that’s why there’s a real sense of optimism at Ferrari

If you enjoyed this article read our Formula 1 rant here.

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Buy a car with Cryptocurrency

By Dee MunroFebruary 8, 2023Comments Off

Buy a car with Cryptocurrency

The future is here! We live in a world that is digital and automated. Development in this sector shows no signs of slowing down, in fact, it is growing at a record pace. People are talking to automated bots more than their partners, demonstrated recently when Open AI’s ChatGPT registered 1 million users in 5 days, a feat that took Netflix, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram months to achieve. Savvy tech entrepreneurs understand the power of networks and the universal power of blockchain technology, and the term Bitcoin is amongst the top 100 Google searches for 2022.

We have all heard of “cryptocurrency” or “crypto” by now. Be it on the news, around the braai, or in a conversation with your local barista. If you have not, where have you been hiding? It is said that there is not one industry that Blockchain technology will not completely disrupt, or at least dramatically expand and enhance.
But, what is it? What problems will it solve? What are some of the real use cases, and how can it be used in the real world?
Can you realistically use it as a means of exchange? Perhaps even buy a car with cryptocurrency or some other tangible asset, and if so, what is the process?

Cryptocurrency is a term used to describe a form of “digital currency”. It relies on a combination of technologies for it to operate i.e. as a means of exchange, a reward, or store of value across the digital world.
Another word that gets thrown around is “decentralized”, meaning no central authorities like governments and banks can control cryptocurrency. Each cryptocurrency is built on its own peer-to-peer (P2P) network which means that the computers on the network follow a list of protocols on which transactions are validated and stored on a distributed ledger (the official term for this is the blockchain).
This allows people to have total control of their money with zero involvement from centralized authorities. It makes cryptocurrency borderless and permissionless. In certain countries, cryptocurrency is now considered a financial asset that is allowed to be held as an alternative investment.

This begs the question of a use case for crypto. Can you use crypto in the real world? The answer is yes, you can! Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto’s whitepaper for the cryptocurrency describes it as:

“…electronic cash that would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution.”

If we can translate that, it would mean:

“Allowing digital transactions using digital money around the world with another person without the need for a bank.”

Now that you can transact digitally using a digital currency, how do you do it? It’s as easy as downloading and registering a free crypto wallet on trading platforms such as Altcoin Trader, Luno or VALR, available on the App Store or Play Store. You will then need to sign up and follow a KYC/FICA process which will require you to send through some documentation. The next step would be to deposit any fiat value into your wallet. It can be done by electronic bank transfer or credit card payment. Once the funds reflect in your wallet, follow the instructions provided to purchase the amount of cryptocurrency you would like. This “crypto” will then be stored securely in your wallet.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now part of the cool kids’ crypto club and have digital money to spend.

So how can we use this in the real world? As mass adoption of the technology occurs, many online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores now accept payments in crypto through payment service gateways and providers for their goods and services. This allows you to purchase anything from your weekly groceries, to space travel tickets and even the latest and greatest PC gaming computers. NEWS Flash, you can now even use it to buy tangible assets, like luxury watches, boats, cars and even property.

Luxury cars are a great example of how to spend your crypto profits in the real world. Buying a “Lambo” with crypto has become an internet meme across forums and social media.
In 2017, American Entrepreneur Peter Saddington became the first person ever to buy a $200,000 2015 Lamborghini Huracan for 45 bitcoins. Saddington stated that he bought the 45 bitcoins for $115 back in 2011. Ever since then, articles have been published across the internet about crypto holders using their profits to buy luxury cars.

But it is possible to buy a car with cryptocurrency in South Africa?

Ferris Cars are proud to be the first South African car dealership to publicly and directly accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for a car.
In April 2021, Ferris Cars sold a 2012 Red Ferrari California for 2.08 bitcoins and has since helped numerous fintech-savvy crypto holders buy cars with digital currency.

Ferris Cars provide a facility that enables a crypto holder to purchase any physical asset through their crypto payment portal. The facility is FIC sanctioned, safe, secure and includes no transaction fees.
Ferris Cars currently accept BTC, USDT, xZAR, or any altcoin on the Ethereum blockchain.

The payment facility to buy a car with cryptocurrency includes a 3-step process.

Identify your dream car at Ferris Cars, or any other dealership or private seller.
Request a written quotation/OTP from the salesperson. Email this quotation/OTP to info@ferriscars.com along with your invoicing details.
Go to www.ferriscars.com/cryptopayments. Identify the cryptocurrency that you want to use. Speak to a Ferris Cars representative to verify the correct ZAR transaction value. Send the equivalent cryptocurrency value to the wallet address provided.

Once the payment is verified on the blockchain, take delivery and drive away in your next car, bought with crypto.

This facility allows you to purchase any vehicle or luxury asset in South Africa, or even from anywhere in the world as long as the correct commercial documentation is in place. From boats, planes, cars, bakkies and just about any tangible assets from any dealership, broker or private seller.Ferris Cars have been successful at helping numerous fintech-savvy investors and crypto holders to buy a car with cryptocurrency.

With more and more businesses accepting crypto for goods and services, there is more confidence in digital currency. The future is here, and it consists of a digital and decentralized world where potential is only limited by your imagination.

monkeys

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Newsletter 56: FERRARI RED BOOKS

By Dee MunroJanuary 18, 2023Comments Off

FERRARI RED BOOKS,
WHY DO THEY EXIST AND WHERE CAN I FIND THEM?

So, you’ve found a Ferrari. But wait, how do you know that this particular car is the real deal? How can you tell what the history is without someone telling you or you doing hours of research? These are challenging questions to address.

You’ll have to go back to the source, Ferrari, and it’s not cheap, like anything with a prancing horse on it.

Ferrari can certify that your vehicle and all of its elements fit the original specifications from the time it left the factory. And if it does, they will issue you a ‘Certificate of Authenticity,’ also known as ‘The Red Book.’

Ferrari first used the Red Book process in 2016. And they have a dedicated division called the Classiche that is in charge of providing it. This division operates through a global network of centers based at various Ferrari dealerships worldwide.

A professional committee in Maranello inspects your car and decides whether it deserves to gain the prestigious certification. If it fails, they can organise for your automobile to be fully restored to its original factory default settings. Specialist engineers will send your car through a time machine and return it to the day it rolled off the assembly line.If necessary, they will disassemble the car and replace all non-authentic parts. And if the components are no longer in existence, they can re-manufacture them for you.

If necessary, they will disassemble the car and replace all non-authentic parts. And if the components are no longer in existence, they can re-manufacture them for you.

According to Ferrari, “the goal of any restoration is to keep as much of the version of the car and its parts as possible, even if this is usually not the best cost-effective alternative.”

Since the procedure began, Ferrari has rebuilt over 120 cars and certified roughly 5,000. According to Italian reports, there is a long waitlist for what is most likely an incredibly expensive service.

They’ve also implemented a passport system, in which they’ll re-inspect your vehicle regularly to guarantee that the certification remains relevant.

As you can imagine, only a limited number of Ferrari vehicles have ever been issued with the Red Book. If you’re in the market to purchase a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, you’ll soon learn that the Red Book is just as important as a panel tool.

Why?

Owning a Ferrari is quite the accomplishment, and because classic Ferrari purchasers are parting with eye-watering amounts of money, which may reach seven figures, for an old Italian supercar, they need it to be just perfect, if not flawless.

Top-tier purchasers want total peace of mind, the finest, and are prepared to pay for it. Excellence always has a cost.

So, someday, if you want to sell that gorgeous classic car in your driveway for premium prices, you may need to make a significant investment. Alternatively, you might simply enjoy it for exactly what it is: a high-performance car worthy of driving.

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Newsletter 54: FERRARI ICONS – F50

By Dee MunroSeptember 27, 2022Comments Off

With Ferrari’s F40 regarded as one of the most iconic cars ever made, it often overshadows its anniversary successor, the F50, despite the latter being a much rarer machine, with just 349 made, against the F40s 1315, and an F50 is worth about three times as much!

Both the F40 and F50 are of course anniversary models, with the F40 coming exactly 40 years after the first Ferrari badged car was built in 1947, whilst the F50 jumped the gun by a couple of years. Not that a couple of years matter when you start to soak up the detail of a car created to give a lucky owner as close an experience to driving a grand prix car as is possible to get.
The big difference to the F40 is, whilst that has all the huff and puff and whoosh and wheeze of a turbocharged engine, the F50 has got the rapturous harmony of a glorious, naturally aspirated V12.

It sounds fantastic and is the same 65 degree, V12 block that powered the 3.5 ltr ferrari 641 Formula 1 Grand Prix car, in which Alain Prost took five wins and Nigel Mansell took one, back in 1990.
The engine was then stretched to 4 ltrs for use in their 333 sports prototype and then stretched even further, to 4.7 ltrs for the F50, pumping out a full 520 horsepower, albeit 230 less than the very high revving formula 1 engine, it will still launch you to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds, and whisk you effortlessly to 202 mph.
Model Year
Ferrari said they wanted to give the driver the full grand prix experience, so they created a carbon monocoque. They literally bolted the V12 to the back of the chassis, the same as an F1 car.
The engine is a stressed member of the whole construction, and the rear suspension hangs out on the back of the gearbox. Doing that, of course, means there is very little insulation from all the vibrations of the engine coming through the chassis, and that’s part of the unique sensation of the F50. You not only hear the engine, but you also feel it through your body.
Once you start winding it up, the sensation just gets greater and greater, to the point where you start to imagine you are Alain Prost!

The only thing that doesn’t give the same experience as Prost’s 641, is the gearbox.
The F50 doesn’t have the flappy paddles, they were in the early segment development when the F50 was built and it was a bit too complicated to fit them, which most owners are delighted with, because instead, there’s the classic gated ferrari gearshift, leaving the steering wheel completely uncluttered, no paddles, no switches, nothing but a neat round steering wheel.
The F50’s not quite so simple on the outside, with ducts and intakes appearing across the carbon fibre body work, along with that iconic wing moulded into the rear corners of the car.

The styling created a lot of debate when it first came out. It looks great from some angles but not so great from others, Clarkson even going so far as to call it ugly, which is a bit harsh.

The F50 weighs in at a quite high 1,397Kg’s, and with 42% of that weight on the front wheels and 58% on the rear, unlike the perfect 50 50 split so many people talk about, Ferrari made a definite decision with the balance. After all, you need slightly more weight on the rear to get all the available power on the road.
Handling wise, the F40 is very much the rough and tough racing car, ready to dance to whatever tune you play, with instant oversteer available on tap to put a smile on your face.
In contrast, the F50 has a much more smooth and refined approach, the power curve is consistent throughout the rev range, and it has a mild understeer, so some thought is required before you pitch it into the corners. All of this ads to the uniqueness of this car, it’s a true drivers car!
The secret to this being a sensational car is mostly in the steering. It has the most amazingly well sorted weight. At slow speed, it’s quite heavy, trying to just do a three-point turn, but as soon as you’re over about 10mph, it just comes alive in your hands, guiding you into a corner, kissing the apex, and then firing you out the other side.

Ferrari intended to use the F50 to go racing, and produce three F50 GT prototypes, but the regulations changed, and they cancelled the program.

So, while the F50 never actually got to be a racing car, it really is the closest you’ll ever get to driving a Grand Prix car on the road!

You can read about another great Ferrari Icon here.

We are actively looking to buy stock.We are also keen to consign the right caliber of stock.

We specialise in Ferrari but all high end, luxury, sports and super cars welcome.

Contact Paul 082 851 3300

paul@ferriscars.com

info@ferriscars.com

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Newsletter 53: FERRARI FORMULA 1 – A RANT!

By Dee MunroSeptember 7, 2022Comments Off

Formula one is about to resume racing after the summer break, and you know what that means……… Ferrari have not been able to F*&#K anything up for at least four weeks. But at least they went out on a big one at the Hungarian grand prix, the final race before the break.

If they were going to keep their championship hopes alive, they needed Charles Leclerc to win and something to go wrong for Max Verstappen, and that’s exactly what they got……… almost!

Ferrari lined up second and third on the grid, behind George Russell. Max Verstappen was down in tenth, after a problem in qualifying and by lap thirty nine, Leclerc had overtaken Russell for the lead of the race, pulled a gap on the field and was the fastest man on track. Finally Ferrari were going to take some points away from Max Verstappen………………………but wait……………………………..

Max Verstappen comes home in first place, from tenth on the grid, then Sainz, then Perez, ahead of Leclerc in sixth!

How is that even possible????

Yet again, Charles was in the lead of the race, and it was ruined. But why was it ruined? Well, to find out we’re going to play a game of who wants to be an Italian disgrace?

First question, for zero dollars……..Wow, how many of you guessed it? ……………………. It’s B, of course its B, its always B!!

Yes, once again Ferrari made a complete arse of the strategy. We’ve seen them do it a thousand times………………. and that’s just this season.

So, who are the people who make these stupid decisions?

Firstly, there’s this man: Mattia Binotto – He’s the Team Principle.

(Also know in Italy as “€50,000 Dead or Alive”)

Then there’s this guy: Riccardo Adami – Carlos race engineer

He’s the man that tells Carlos Sainz, “Everything looks fine on the data”, while Carlos is busy burning to death!

Then we have this man: Xavier Marcos – Charles race engineer

He’s the guy that tells Charles, in Monaco, to “Stay out, Stay out” as Charles is busy driving down the pit lane!

Last but not least, there’s this dude: Inaki Rueda – Chief Strategist

He’s the first ever blind, deaf and schizophrenic person to work in Formula 1

Even with this team of crack engineers Ferrari has ended up NINETY SEVEN points behind Red Bull.

The Ferrari pit wall has become more of a meme than a team this season, thanks to some of their questionable strategy Decisions.

We all know the details by now, missed pit stops and bad tyre selection, coupled with an engine that would prefer to destroy itself than see the checkered flag more than twice.

Ferrari’s season is a story of disappointment and missed Opportunity.

So how are they, and more importantly, are they going to resolve the situation?

It’s fair to say that this season is almost certainly lost. Red Bull would have to have some major disasters in the second half and don’t forget, Mercedes is on a resurgence.

Ferrari are not going to win another championship until someone gets in there and slaps everyone around a bit!

@Jeremy Clarkson

“As abuse is no longer allowed when we speak about F1, I’m forced to say Ferrari’s strategists are brilliant”

Rant over!

RECENTLY SPOTTED IN MARANELLO.

Purosangue – Ferrari’s new FUV, spotted outside the factory two weeks ago. Eagle eyed will notice that this is actually a camouflaged Maserati Levante. The Maserati is used as a test mule for the Purosangue’s V12, so, despite the camouflage, the Purosangue won’t actually look anything like this!

Roma Spider – Despite Ferrari denying that they would be producing a spider version, this one was spotted, at 4 o’clock in the morning, testing on the streets outside the factory and another spotted at the back of the factory during the day!

The new Ferrari LMP1 – Testing at Fiorano.

As we know, Ferrari will be entering the Le Man’s series next year, as a works team. The new car has been spotted quite frequently zipping around Ferrari’s bespoke test track.

As always, we are looking for stock to buy or consign.

We specialise in Ferrari but all, high end, luxury, sports and supercars welcome.

Contact Paul 082 851 3300

paul@ferriscars.com

info@ferriscars.com

News

Newsletter 46: THE FERRARI NUMBERING SYSTEM

By Dee MunroApril 12, 2022Comments 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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1975 Ferrari 308 Dino gt4 52,000Km’s Rosso Corsa / Black Interior P.O.A. AVAILABLE NOW

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Rant over!

RECENTLY SPOTTED IN MARANELLO.

HERE’S HOW…………. WHY!

1975
Ferrari 308 Dino gt4
52,000Km’s
Rosso Corsa / Black Interior
P.O.A.
AVAILABLE NOW

360 Challenge Stradale
(One of the greatest Ferrari’s ever?)

FERRARI RED BOOKS,
WHY DO THEY EXIST AND WHERE CAN I FIND THEM?