COOL CLASSIC CAR SPOTTERS POST!!! Vol 2
Discussion
4rephill said:
Ever owned one? 
Ever at least driven one?
Or is the basis of your evaluation that the 348 is not a "real" Ferrari based purely on second hand information from magazines and internet articles? (My monies on this one being the correct answer!).
These guys know a thing or two about Ferrari's, and they seem to have no problem accepting the 348 as a "real" Ferrari:
http://www.evo.co.uk/ferrari/458/12164/ferrari-458...
Here's some of what they had to say about the 348:
".......As we gather pace like the rolling stone, however, I forget all about the gearshift, because the simple, unairbagged, Momo Corse wheel is coming alive in my hands. It literally starts wriggling around, talking excitedly about all the bumps in the road and sometimes making a bigger gesture as a camber attracts its attention. Despite the lack of assistance and the wheel’s relatively small diameter, it’s not heavy in any way, there’s just perfect weight and no slack to add to the constant communication. The 348, if I’m honest, was probably the car I was least excited about driving, assuming it would just be a poorer, slower first stab at the 355. But now I’m excited because it’s instantly obvious this car has some of the best steering, possibly the best, that I have ever sat behind."
".....But the reassuring thing is that the 458’s astounding pace and wizardry don’t diminish the other cars here. There are similarities and differences from first to last but each has its own distinct personality and you could find multiple perfectly rational and perfectly irrational reasons for being excited by any one of them. For example, my highlight was probably the 348’s steering, and that’s not something I’d expected at the beginning of the day. The point is that they all do justice to the small rectangular badge they share on their noses. And that’s a huge relief to the small boy in me."
So your opinion is that the 348 isn't a "real" Ferrari, and EVO magazines opinion is that it is a "real" Ferrari, and worthy to wear the badge. Out of the two opinions, and having actually owned a 348, I know who's opinion I'd go with - And it's not the guy trying to look clever on the internet!
The 348 and Mondial are the cheapest way into Ferrari ownership and there's a reason why....!Ever at least driven one?
Or is the basis of your evaluation that the 348 is not a "real" Ferrari based purely on second hand information from magazines and internet articles? (My monies on this one being the correct answer!).
These guys know a thing or two about Ferrari's, and they seem to have no problem accepting the 348 as a "real" Ferrari:
http://www.evo.co.uk/ferrari/458/12164/ferrari-458...
Here's some of what they had to say about the 348:
".......As we gather pace like the rolling stone, however, I forget all about the gearshift, because the simple, unairbagged, Momo Corse wheel is coming alive in my hands. It literally starts wriggling around, talking excitedly about all the bumps in the road and sometimes making a bigger gesture as a camber attracts its attention. Despite the lack of assistance and the wheel’s relatively small diameter, it’s not heavy in any way, there’s just perfect weight and no slack to add to the constant communication. The 348, if I’m honest, was probably the car I was least excited about driving, assuming it would just be a poorer, slower first stab at the 355. But now I’m excited because it’s instantly obvious this car has some of the best steering, possibly the best, that I have ever sat behind."
".....But the reassuring thing is that the 458’s astounding pace and wizardry don’t diminish the other cars here. There are similarities and differences from first to last but each has its own distinct personality and you could find multiple perfectly rational and perfectly irrational reasons for being excited by any one of them. For example, my highlight was probably the 348’s steering, and that’s not something I’d expected at the beginning of the day. The point is that they all do justice to the small rectangular badge they share on their noses. And that’s a huge relief to the small boy in me."
So your opinion is that the 348 isn't a "real" Ferrari, and EVO magazines opinion is that it is a "real" Ferrari, and worthy to wear the badge. Out of the two opinions, and having actually owned a 348, I know who's opinion I'd go with - And it's not the guy trying to look clever on the internet!
I have owned a 246, 328, Mondial and a Testarossa, with the exception of the Dino, they were relatively new as well - marriage and kids saved me from an F40, but this was when a decent one was £120k. Nice to see you being protective over the 348, but for a lot of people it was a disappointment.
Here you go, daughters first car, 20 year old Z3....... its the BMW everyone seems to hate, wont defend it - she bought it for the colour :-)
Here you go, daughters first car, 20 year old Z3....... its the BMW everyone seems to hate, wont defend it - she bought it for the colour :-)
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/SauJ9D5U.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/r5UdfJ4J" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/r5UdfJ4J.jpg)
Presume she's on PH already ?Pericoloso said:
SAAB anorak observation,the front grille etc is wrong on that 96 ,that's an earlier front end on it than an M reg would have had........
True, but its much better looking front end that the later square head lamp grille/bumper setup, so I can understand why someone doing a restoration or repair involving major panel replacement might choose to fit the earlier style front end.Been in LA for the last few weeks, and catching up with my wife's family who are car mad. Firstly, here was a wonderful replica of a Porsche Spyder 550...looked great in the california sun.
We had a dinner at an uncle’s house where he has a nice garage, him and his two brothers love everything European, originally being from Lebanon. Between them they have a few Ferrari's including a Dino, two S1 E-Type's, the last manual Vantage v12 in the US, and a collection of Porsches, all one owner and where possible EU spec. This one uncle in particular is the Porsche enthusiast, with no less than 5 in total, including an amazing Irish Green 356 (in the back of the picture below).
But there is a better story in the picture, on the back wall there is a picture of said uncle and his blue 911R back in Lebanon, him complete with moustache. Now the story goes, that when the civil war in Lebanon started in the early 70's militants came and stole this car. They (militants/army/rebels/whoever) had threatened the family the car was used as a massive bargaining chip, and with that he handed over one of the two sets of keys. A year later he saw the car at a petrol station, and hurried home to get the second set of keys to try and take the car back. The family were all but relocated to LA out of Lebanon at the time, it was just him and one brother left to close down the family businesses. Upon returning to the station, he went to the car...and found two rocket launchers in the passenger seat, and a whole host of ammunition. With that he said its not worth it and place the second set on the roof and walked away...never to see the car again. Would be worth quite a bit now...but a very interesting story from the horse’s mouth. I am sure some details have been added, but it sure put a lot into perspective and the way that you dust yourself off and rebuild and try and find a way to fill the 911R shaped void - with the 356, GT3RS, 993, SC Targa etc...
Sorry for rambling on, just thought it would be a different story to tell
We had a dinner at an uncle’s house where he has a nice garage, him and his two brothers love everything European, originally being from Lebanon. Between them they have a few Ferrari's including a Dino, two S1 E-Type's, the last manual Vantage v12 in the US, and a collection of Porsches, all one owner and where possible EU spec. This one uncle in particular is the Porsche enthusiast, with no less than 5 in total, including an amazing Irish Green 356 (in the back of the picture below).
But there is a better story in the picture, on the back wall there is a picture of said uncle and his blue 911R back in Lebanon, him complete with moustache. Now the story goes, that when the civil war in Lebanon started in the early 70's militants came and stole this car. They (militants/army/rebels/whoever) had threatened the family the car was used as a massive bargaining chip, and with that he handed over one of the two sets of keys. A year later he saw the car at a petrol station, and hurried home to get the second set of keys to try and take the car back. The family were all but relocated to LA out of Lebanon at the time, it was just him and one brother left to close down the family businesses. Upon returning to the station, he went to the car...and found two rocket launchers in the passenger seat, and a whole host of ammunition. With that he said its not worth it and place the second set on the roof and walked away...never to see the car again. Would be worth quite a bit now...but a very interesting story from the horse’s mouth. I am sure some details have been added, but it sure put a lot into perspective and the way that you dust yourself off and rebuild and try and find a way to fill the 911R shaped void - with the 356, GT3RS, 993, SC Targa etc...
Sorry for rambling on, just thought it would be a different story to tell
vpr said:
wtdoom said:
Dapster said:
Martin350 said:
And a 288 GTO
Now that is a spot! First car into my lottery win garage. Nice original UK reg as well. According to MOT Check, it's done 6,900 km in 33 years and only 100 in the last 2. What a waste 
The Dorchester on Park Lane? Never short of fancy car or 2 there.
Edited by Dapster on Sunday 15th April 03:37
aeropilot said:
True, but its much better looking front end that the later square head lamp grille/bumper setup, so I can understand why someone doing a restoration or repair involving major panel replacement might choose to fit the earlier style front end.
True,the rectangular lights go with a horrible plastic grill and then a few years later rubber bumpers went onto these.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff