Satan's barge - 1983 Ferrari 400i
Discussion
Rumdoodle said:
I was probably getting a little over 20mpg in that. The thirst of the V12 does make me think a bit more about how I want to use it. The Merc was perfect for those roads, and so versatile. It really was a "drive anywhere" classic. I think the Ferrari would get a bit tiresome on narrow, bumpy roads and the fuel consumption would seem like an annoyance without sufficient reward, whereas it is amazing for long distance, fast cruising. I finally understand the cliche of a "continent crushing GT car". The longest driving days on the French trip were five or six hours on the autoroute, and I was getting out at the end of the day feeling better than when I started. It is a supremely comfortable car to drive, and as a passenger there is heaps of space to comport oneself however one wishes. The Mercedes was pretty effortless, but one of the outstanding things about the Ferrari is the comfort level. The sole intrusion on refinement is the noise. At certain revs, which happen to be at the upper and lower parameters of respectable motorway speeds on the flat, it needs raised voices to hold a conversation. If there is any wind noise, which I doubt, it can't be heard over the resonance (if that's the right word) of the exhausts. But, it's no criticism of my passenger to say that conversation can wait, while the Colombo V12 does its thing.
I can see what you mean about your Ferrari being designed as a continent crushing GT car, but probably not ideally suited to the NC500 roads! I did it in my BMW Z4M Coupe and it was the opposite! Not ideally suited to the long slog North with coil-overs fitted, but great once I got there.
It's just great to see your car getting used as the designers intended.
Now with new HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor bearings, the engine is running smooth as silk again. Collected it this evening from the workshop where it sat among a glittering array of Boxers, Countachs and similar delights, trundled home through a rush hour downpour and brimmed the tank. Leaving at midnight for Scotland, which should take about seven hours including fuel stops, arriving for a greasy spoon at daybreak.
Rumdoodle said:
Now with new HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor bearings, the engine is running smooth as silk again. Collected it this evening from the workshop where it sat among a glittering array of Boxers, Countachs and similar delights, trundled home through a rush hour downpour and brimmed the tank. Leaving at midnight for Scotland, which should take about seven hours including fuel stops, arriving for a greasy spoon at daybreak.
Sounds perfect!Stupid question.. how good are the headlights?
BrettMRC said:
Sounds perfect!
Stupid question.. how good are the headlights?
Not a stupid question all. I generally try and avoid driving at night, partly because it's boring and partly because I find it quite hard work in older cars where the lights seem so much dimmer than anything else on the road. But, they're OK, and I figured that in the middle of the night with minimal traffic and mostly on motorways, it won't be too wearing. The drive this evening in heavy rain with lots of oncoming traffic was a bit too much like hard work. Maybe it's my age as much as the car's!Stupid question.. how good are the headlights?
Rumdoodle said:
Not a stupid question all. I generally try and avoid driving at night, partly because it's boring and partly because I find it quite hard work in older cars where the lights seem so much dimmer than anything else on the road. But, they're OK, and I figured that in the middle of the night with minimal traffic and mostly on motorways, it won't be too wearing. The drive this evening in heavy rain with lots of oncoming traffic was a bit too much like hard work. Maybe it's my age as much as the car's!
That's what I was wondering - in isolation the older lighting systems seem fine, especially once you adjust. However they seem to get almost nullified by modern LED systems...almost leaves you groping in the dark! 
At least a lot of the route should have lighting anyway?
BrettMRC said:
That's what I was wondering - in isolation the older lighting systems seem fine, especially once you adjust. However they seem to get almost nullified by modern LED systems...almost leaves you groping in the dark!
At least a lot of the route should have lighting anyway?
Honestly, on low beam it's like they're not even switched on. My return journey will be in daylight, which is good because there is some nice scenery. No option but to drive through the night on this occasion, but all I'm thinking about is the noise. It's going to be superb.At least a lot of the route should have lighting anyway?
Rumdoodle said:
BrettMRC said:
That's what I was wondering - in isolation the older lighting systems seem fine, especially once you adjust. However they seem to get almost nullified by modern LED systems...almost leaves you groping in the dark!
At least a lot of the route should have lighting anyway?
Honestly, on low beam it's like they're not even switched on. My return journey will be in daylight, which is good because there is some nice scenery. No option but to drive through the night on this occasion, but all I'm thinking about is the noise. It's going to be superb.At least a lot of the route should have lighting anyway?
Well done! I once drove overnight from Wiltshire to Oban for a 7am ferry and it still rates as one of the least pleasant driving experiences I've ever done. The last part I recall as a blur of sheer drops, sudden bends and impending doom as I really struggled to stay awake with no radio and a sleeping passenger. The folly of youth!
Thank you for for sharing your tales. I've just caught up with the whole thread. Your 12mpg puts my 18mpg to Norway and back in my Bristol this summer into perspective. I've always loved this shape of Ferrari - the Pinin 4-door show car is the ultimate Ferrari for me.
Thank you for for sharing your tales. I've just caught up with the whole thread. Your 12mpg puts my 18mpg to Norway and back in my Bristol this summer into perspective. I've always loved this shape of Ferrari - the Pinin 4-door show car is the ultimate Ferrari for me.
tog said:
Well done! I once drove overnight from Wiltshire to Oban for a 7am ferry and it still rates as one of the least pleasant driving experiences I've ever done. The last part I recall as a blur of sheer drops, sudden bends and impending doom as I really struggled to stay awake with no radio and a sleeping passenger. The folly of youth!
Thank you for for sharing your tales. I've just caught up with the whole thread. Your 12mpg puts my 18mpg to Norway and back in my Bristol this summer into perspective. I've always loved this shape of Ferrari - the Pinin 4-door show car is the ultimate Ferrari for me.
Been there too - there's some pretty hairy stuff on that road from those who need to get their ferry!Thank you for for sharing your tales. I've just caught up with the whole thread. Your 12mpg puts my 18mpg to Norway and back in my Bristol this summer into perspective. I've always loved this shape of Ferrari - the Pinin 4-door show car is the ultimate Ferrari for me.
tog said:
Well done! I once drove overnight from Wiltshire to Oban for a 7am ferry and it still rates as one of the least pleasant driving experiences I've ever done. The last part I recall as a blur of sheer drops, sudden bends and impending doom as I really struggled to stay awake with no radio and a sleeping passenger. The folly of youth!
Thank you for for sharing your tales. I've just caught up with the whole thread. Your 12mpg puts my 18mpg to Norway and back in my Bristol this summer into perspective. I've always loved this shape of Ferrari - the Pinin 4-door show car is the ultimate Ferrari for me.
I had similar during Uni driving from London to Wiltshire then Stirling — arriving at around 6am and absolutely knackered! 998cc on a rainy, blustery M6 is hard work!Thank you for for sharing your tales. I've just caught up with the whole thread. Your 12mpg puts my 18mpg to Norway and back in my Bristol this summer into perspective. I've always loved this shape of Ferrari - the Pinin 4-door show car is the ultimate Ferrari for me.
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