ROAD TESTED: A green lights look at the Ferrari world; Part 1

A smell of exhaust, the feeling of a tightly detailed leather seat in a touring 2+2 or even just the sound of a tuned idling boxer, Dino or GTO engine and you'll know exactly what you are in for. With over 60 years of road and race tested experience, Ferrari has hoisted itself into the elite of European car making which has forged forward with 15 F1 World Championships and into the garages of the few and affluent.

For most people a car is something that gets you from point A to point B, and in light of the current economy, I fall quietly into that same category. But I am also one of few that have the opportunity to be around and involved in the Ferrari world on a daily basis. This isn't a fluff piece full of arrogance and a pompous undertone, but more of an observation on this world where life's gears are being shifted, people's livelihood are left in the dust and the rich are always riding off in the distance at the end of the day.

I take you on a day long journey to San Fransisco starting in beautiful Monterey, Ca on a Wednesday morning, let's say ten after ten. It's a trip for the business which includes selling parts, word of mouth gorilla-type advertising and the dishing of the latest Ferrari chat, bullshit and praising. Trust me there was plenty of the latter in which I sat, listened and learned some of the smaller details of this blood sweating, year consuming, ego driven elitist realm of Ferrari Automobili's.

What draws me into this life, which I have seemingly blasted quickly in my post, are the cars themselves. Nestled in garages and huts unknown to the common man, these fine pieces of Italian design sit and wait to be unleashed on the fresh asphalt, patiently waiting for that one week a year, or that perfect day on the coast, where it's owner's will show it off in brilliant fashion. Cars that take years to be fixed or restored in order for them to even get the top down on say, a touring 308 GTS, just long enough to breath the air.

Today I ran into an absolute jewel in Redwood City, Ca inside a mechanics shop located on the opposite side of the street of your everyday neighborhood. We show up to deliver some exhausts for a car known simply as a "Daytona," but little did we know what we would stumble across. A 1949 Touring Barchetta 166MM (pictured above) which happens to be one of the rarest rides displaying the prancing horse. Not only that, but a Ferrari that is documented as a cup winner at the famous race at Le Mans. It sits, content, with just breath-taking detail and stories never told of drives that car has taken, I'm sure. The man who babysits this beast was north of 80 and had done every bit of fine detailed restoration needed. His presences indicated a life long journey of oil in his veins, hands as good as tools and a heart stronger than an engine. It was nice to talk and get some background on someone who has survived this business long enough to enjoy it once again. It was interesting on my part to see the end of the line, as I start to draw my line in the road.

Next we ventured a few blocks away to another shop, and a longtime friend of my boss. Tony is a 5th generation shop owner and has been infatuated with the Cavallino (Italian for the famous horse logo) ever since he first saw one in his grandfather's lift 40 years prior. As I saw it, Tony was right in the middle of Ferrari lifeline, now seemingly enjoying the fruits of his labors. He works for himself as the sole employee, so he has the luxury of doing as much work as he wants. On the other end of the the spectrum, we visited the service department of Ferrari of Silicon Valley and the feel could not have been anymore upside down. Guys starving for work who are limited on what they can work on in the first place. Nothing but new models are what they are trained for which makes since given the fact that everyone must be on warranty which meant not even a second glance at a classic. This is typical in the auto industry as a whole, but when you are in such an expensive and tightly run corporation like Ferrari, things get really touchy when 360's and F430's aren't rolling into the parking lot on a consistent basis. No one is recession proof people!

I did, however, get a personal tour of the newest addition to the Ferrari family, the 2009 Ferrari California, as it was glowing on the showroom floor. Innovation, class and a take on the original 250 California Spyder was present on a car that hits home and even signifies something with my career in Ferrari. Maybe it's just me, but check this car out:

Little did I know that this would be the jump off point of an amazing day full of fast cars, fast talking car nuts and even faster women.

This is just the first part of a day that truly changed my professional life in this interesting industry. Check back next week as I continue this adventure full of wild people and stories ending with a party at the Ferrari of SF, and a insiders look at a dinner you would kill to be at...

Thanks for reading!

Ride the Wave,
Steve in Seaside