1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder

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Search as I might, I have never found any Ferrari design that did not set my heart racing. Beginning from their first cars in 1947, to the newly released FF,2+2 V12 4 Wheel drive, Ferrari, freed from the need to produce an auto at an affordable price, has pushed the boundaries of speed and handling. Ferrari’s new California Gran Turismo with it’s mid-front 8-cylinder engine: has a Max speed of 193 mph, hit 62mph in under 4 seconds.


Throughout their history, each of the Ferrari models both road cars as well as the cars they sent into competition, have made use of what was at that time, the “State of the art technology.” This willingness to utilize the “Latest and Best” has kept them on top.

While I marvel at the performance data of their newest offerings, I still have a great fondness for their classic cars of the 60s.



One such example is the Ferrari 250, a sports car built by Ferrari begaining in 1953. The car was in production till 1964 and was the most successful of their early line-up being replaced by the 275 and later the 330.

One think that is clear, obviously I’m not the only one to find these vintage models so desirable. RM Auctions joined with Sotheby’s to sell a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, and set a new world record for the most expensive auto ever to be sold at auction. The fact that the car was at one time owned by the actor,James Coburn (In Like Flint), could have had a slight “Bump-up” from its pedigree, but the staggering final bid of $10,894,400 defines this as one of the most beautiful, desirable vehicles ever built.


Speaking of which, remember the Ferrari California in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Well the House used in the movie is located in Highland Park, Illinois. This house does in fact have that garage cantilevered over the ravine from which the car crashes; well that house is up for sale.
The asking price for the home is 1.6 million, clearly that house will sell for less than the value of The Ferrari 250 GT California, that in movie legend was destroyed as the result of an ill-conceived attempt to "Reverse-out" the miles racked up after 3 teens day on the town.

Is my son insured to drive my Ferrari

Is true Christmas is the season of giving, and is also true that during this season your children deserves special attention, but still... This is what might happen when you borrow your Ferrari to your child. And we have two examples to make you think twice.

The first accident happened in Newport Beach, CA on Christmas Eve. The father (in his 90’s) gave his son (in his 70’s) a brand new Ferrari F430. The grandson was driving the car with his cousin in the passenger seat when the car lost control and crossed over onto oncoming traffic. The Ferrari crashed head on into a tow truck. The passenger was killed instantly, the driver was in critical condition.
The other accident happened in Romania and involved a Ferrari F430 Spider. The kid driving the car lost control and crashed into an oncoming car. He was unhurt.

Why dads shouldn't borrow their Ferrari to sons originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 28 December 2009 09:52 EST.

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BMW 850i and 850CSi 1989-1999

2009 Ferrari 599 California

Ferrari had built it’s reputation building autos for the racetrack. As any designer of racecars will tell you, weight is your enemy. The idea is to build cars that are light but stiff. The lighter the car; the greater the ratio of horsepower to weight. But if the car is going to remain “True” through the curves, the body needs substantial rigidity.

The story goes that in the 1950s when the West Coast Ferrari distributor, Johnny von Neumann, asked the designers at Ferrari to build a special Ferrari convertible for America, Enzo was at first reluctant. In fact he was quoted as saying,
"Convertibles are for playboys. Hardtops are for serious drivers."

Enzo Ferrari realized that any convertible is inherently less rigid, because of the removal of the hard top. What might surprise many, is that in an attempt to deal with the “Missing roof structure” a builder must strengthen various part of the body, resulting in convertibles actually out weighing their Hard top sibling.

While Ferrari might have had some reluctance to tamper with her hardtop designs; he was more reluctant to miss out on a new revenue source. Ferrari built von Neumann his convertible for the American market and called it the "California" since Enzo seemed convinced California was loaded with movie stars and wealthy playboys.

The New for 2009 599 is an attempt to create a new Spider harking back to the original California. At the risk of being called a “Playboy” mark me down as an admirer.

California Specifications

Engine Type = 4,300 cc /V8
Displacement cu in (cc) 262.4 cu in. 4300.7 cc.
32 valves. 4 valves per cylinder.
Horsepower 460.00 BHP (338.6 KW) @ 7500.00 RPM
HP/Liter 107.0 BHP / Liter
Transmission = 7-speed dual clutch/ Semi-Automatic

Performance
Speed 0 to 100 km/h less than 4.0 seconds
Base Price: 2009 Ferrari 599 California –
Rumored to be just under $200,000

I assume these will fly-off the showroom floors, after all, It's only the worst ressesion since the great depression.

Larry writes for Urban Insurance Agency
If you have a question, please contact us at 1-800-680-0707.

Ferrari party at Palwaukee airport

Alan Craine and Laura C. Dantuma attending the Ferrari party at Palwaukee airport

Ferrari’s 2+2 Flag-Ship car.

By Ferrari’s standards this is a big car With a wheel base of 2949 mm (116.1 in) and an over all length of 4902 mm (193.0 in), this is the longest car they have produced. As such it has some enthusiasts calling this something other tan a true or classic Ferrari. For many, just the Idea of a back seat, strikes them as out of character. The manufacture describes it differently. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, named for the Modenese designer who mastered the automotive aluminum form, is designed to be the world's finest 2+2 seat sport coupe. In the long-standing tradition of Gran Turismo Ferraris, the goal is accomplished through high tech, avant-garde design. Styling is by Pininfarina, which advances the sports coupe paradigm while paying homage to the famed Ferrari 375MM Coupe commissioned in 1954 for Ingrid Bergman by Roberto Rossellini.Built entirely of aluminum, which provides extremely high structural rigidity while significantly reducing weight, the 612 Scaglietti is a new breed of 2+2 sports cars. Compared with the outgoing 456M, the new 612 Scaglietti weighs 132 pounds less, providing superior handling and road-holding capabilities. A car clearly in a league of its own, the 612 can carry four passengers in comfort and still achieve speeds and cornering forces most sports cars can only dream of

The asking price for this 2 + 2 comes in at a mere $250,509 dollars US.
But of course as with any Ferrari, the base price is just a starting point.

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Enzo Car Crash

Ferrari Enzo

Of all of the nameplates, none have occupied as many subconscious minds as Ferrari. It is as if their red is just a bit redder, the chrome one step brighter. There is something sexual about a Ferrari, while driven mainly by men, the auto possess a feminine quality. It is just too beautiful not to conjure up images of woman. Men just aren’t that pretty.

Ferrari Enzo

The Ferrari Enzo, is the top-of-the-line offering from the over the top company that is Ferrari. This is a limited production, $1,000,000.00 state of the art driving machine. For those of us who are not CEOs of fortune 500 companies, one would think the Million-dollar price tag would be sufficient to limit production, in truth there is a waiting list for them.

The Enzo is simply the closest any car company has ever come to putting a Formula 1 racecar onto city streets. The car is powered by a V12 660 bhp engine, which redlines at 8,200rpm. This power plant is coupled with a 6 speed gearbox and then set into a 3,000 pound car. With more than 4 ½ horsepower per pound, it is little wonder the Enzo is capable of 0-62 mph in just 3.65 seconds and a top speed of 225 mph. At this price-point, buyers can afford to be a bit “Picky;” so the Ferrari factory invites buyers to have the cockpit of their car tailored to their specific needs. In addition to color there is a choice of four width fittings for both the cushion and backrest of the leather trimmed multi-adjustable Sparco seats. The cabin can literally be built to fit your body like a tailor made suit.

Considering all of the care and expense that goes into creating on a these beauties, it is little wonder that so many Ferrari lovers were so upset when a drunk Mr. Erikssen, a 44 year old former executive of Gizmondo, totaled A 2003 Ferrari Enzo crashed at 6:08 AM on February 21, 2006 in Malibu In a testament to the structural integrity of the carhe walked away from this 130 mph wreck with one small scratch.

What a waste.

Larry Lubell Urban Insurance Agency
Posted in Dream cars

About this page

There are “practical” cars that you need,
Then there are the “Fun” cars that you want.
For many a car is just a “Tool” a means of getting from point “A” to point “B”. An auto should be efficient and practical. There is an undeniable wisdom to that point of view. In fact I find it quite admirable. I however, am not one of those people.

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