Modern Garage in Far East

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, JYank, 48RON54, Dennis. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner; I had been reading the threads on the so many great garages here, I didn't notice the posts on mine. My garage is often a mess, too, but the fact that there are few things sitting outside cabinets makes cleaning up a little easier.

We were working on my old Lotus the other day. We're been bringing it back to street trim after retirement from vintage racing. 37 years with me now! It has been quite enjoyable working on it in the workshop. Good luck with your own projects.

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

New Car

I had not updated this thread for a long while. The thing about a minimalist garage is that it is clear when it is done and that anything new may take away more than it adds. Consequently, there was nothing to report, except that the garage has worked very well. It functions beautifully as a place to keep and work on cars, and occasionally to have coffee with a few close car friends. I even nap there sometimes!

The cars remain the same, except that the Porsche GT3 is gone. It was an extremely competent car, and I loved its simplicity and no-nonsense, utilitarian appeal. But there is something in Italian design that appeals strongly to me, and earlier this year I thought I should place an order for a new car.

There is a long production queue, but luckily the car was completed in September and I was able to pick it up the other Sunday. A nice Christmas present and addition to the garage. I do not know if the spacing beyween the lift posts will accommodate it!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Andy

 

[jimmie jam]

First of all Andy, A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Secondly, that photograph is a major "teaser", shame on you . We need a full 3/4 shot to fully digest this machine in you beautiful garage....

 

[vagabondmidget]

458?

 

[madoc1]

happy holidays, and yes, we need more pics and info. that engine is beautiful!

 

[dhubbard422]

Looks like a wonderful addition to your garage. Happy Holidays!

 

[gospeedv8]

The perfect car in the perfect colour. Congratulations!

And merry christmas ...

 

[kerryt1]

Nice choice, looks like a 458...perhaps a Speciale?

 

[abstamaria]

Order

Thank you, Jimmie, all. I sold my Porsche GT3 earlier this year and, as a change, thought I should get an Italian car. In deference to my advancing age, I thought too that I should get a car more in the “GT” rather than the "street-racer" mode. Therefore I chose the “Italia” rather than the rawer, more performance-oriented Speciale.

I placed an order in March with the local dealer, which as some of you know involves sitting down in front of a large screen and watching the car evolve as colors and options are chosen. I wanted yellow – giallo Modena – with a black roof; the Italia’s shape was to me reminiscent of the classic Pininfarina designs, and I thought the color combination complemented its curves. One gets several photos with the order sheet; this is a side view as generated by the “configurator.” It was my first view of what the car would look like.

Andy

 

[Brian R]

That is stunning. What a way to start the New Year! Glad to see you are enjoying the garage and thanks for posting. Happy new year from the other side of the world.
Brian

 

[alberto]

Re: Order

Thank you, Jimmie, all. I sold my Porsche GT3 earlier this year and, as a change, thought I should get an Italian car. In deference to my advancing age, I thought too that I should get a car more in the “GT” rather the "street-racer" mode. Therefore I chose the “Italia” rather than the rawer, more performance-oriented Speciale.

I placed an order in March with the local dealer, which as some of you know involves sitting down in front of a large screen and watching the car evolve as colors and options are chosen. I wanted yellow – giallo Modena – with a black roof; the Italia’s shape was to me reminiscent of the classic Pininfarina designs, and I thought the color combination complemented its curves. One gets several photos with the order sheet; this is a side view as generated by the “configurator.” It was my first view of what the car would look like.

Andy

Congratulations. It's a beautiful car that will look great with your other vehicles and that beautiful garage of yours. I've always dreamed of ordering a new Ferrari, and the cherry would be to go to the factory to see it built, and drive it out of the factory. By the way, if your only concession to "advancing age" is to "settle" for the Italia, rather than the Speciale, then you are doing just great. Enjoy it in good health.

Alberto

 

[abstamaria]

Italia vs Speciale

Thanks, Brian, Alberto. I’m glad you agree with the car.

When I first saw the Speciale, the details – the fins, scoops, vents, fins – appealed to the boy-racer in me. A decade earlier, it is the model I would have wanted. However, I took several photographs, including this one of a white Speciale, and asked non-car friends which model they found lovelier. All chose the Italia as the more beautiful car. I agree with that and probably just needed the reassurance. Here is a detail of my car, so you can compare.

Andres

 

[jimmie jam]

Andy, the yellow IS the perfect compliment for the shape...particularly with the dark top and wheels. How much do you think you will be driving the car? Are you going to film it? I'm compelled to park mine during the summer "wet" months here in S.F.

 

[abstamaria]

Thanks, Jimmie. The traffic pretty much confines driving to weekends, so with the other cars and my other interests, the 458 might take time to build up miles. However, one can drive all year long, assuming no storms, so there is no need to lay up the cars. No, I don't intend to film it; I'd like to polish and wax it once in a while.

Yours is an Italia, too? I didn't think you were in SF. I know from your thread you have homes elsewhere.

Andres

 

[ODIS]

Nice! Congratulations! Another car that will provide much enjoyment.

Happy Holidays.

Ody.

 

[tinbender 66]

Beautiful piece of rolling art Andres! Congratulations!

 

[abstamaria]

Italia

Thanks, Ody, Paul. I'm quite excited about the new car as it is so different from my old ones. I am just getting used to the electronic controls.

Best wishes,

Andres

 

[abstamaria]

Ordering a Ferrari

There is a long queue at the Maranello factory, and some U.S. dealers require the buyer to have a Ferrari before they would put his name on the list, or so I'm told. That was not the case here where I live, but I knew that the wait would be long, as the factory was prioritising the Speciale and would shut down for vacation in August.

Six months from my order, however, I received an email from the factory saying they had photos of "my" Ferrari on the production line. One of the photos was the chassis in grey primer. Another showed the car at the start of assembly.

Quite interesting. I didn't know Ferrari did that, but at least I knew they were working on the car.

Andres

 

[abstamaria]

Ordering a Ferrari

Almost immediately after, the factory then advised that the car was completed, ready for testing. The gap between grey primer and finished car probably was less than two weeks.

"Don't mind the green tape," they said, "we just anted to protect the finish."

It looked very good in the photo, so I was pleased with my color choice. I wasn't too sure how it would come out; that was the first time I saw the car in the flesh, albeit in a photo.

Andres

 

[alberto]

There's a steady stream of Ferrari's coming out of the factory onto the Maranello roads with sundry tape and plastic protectors on them, as they physically test every car.

I've always wondered if the pictures they give you are of your actual car, or are archive photos and they insert a picture of your VIN in the mix. Regardless, it's too cool.

 

[abstamaria]

They're the actual cars, Alberto. They've set up cameras at specific points in the line and a computer takes the shots. The atelier program results in too many differences between cars, such as special paints, stripes, wheels, caliper color etc. Apparently, Ferrari only began taking photos this year, so I was quite lucky .

l live on an island in the Pacific, so I knew it would be several weeks before I took delivery. Still, it was nice to know the can was done.

Best,

Andres

 

[markviii]

Andres, your new car is pretty spectacular! I never would have thought that color would be a good choice (not really my favorite), but it looks good in this case. And having the appropriate garage set-up for maintenance, etc., makes owning our special cars even more enjoyable, doesn't it? We find ourselves more likely to actually drive them, rather than waiting until we can fix them to get them out on the road. These cars are meant to be driven!

Enjoy a Happy New Year!

Chris

 

[ChrisOne]

Awesome car,
the color mix is perfect!

@ plus!

Chris

 

[abstamaria]

Cockpit

Many thanks, Chris and Chris. I am happy you agree with the color combination. For the interior, I specified a light grey with yellow stitching, plus yellow stripes down the middle (to match the one on my back).

I was told later that that was an unusual choice, especially for a yellow car. I also worried about the yellow stripes, thinking that may be over the top, but knew that any change in the specification would delay delivery.

When the car arrived two weeks ago, the first thing I looked at was the interior. Here it is. It came out all right, I think, but you may disagree!

Andres

 

[Jimbo..]

That is a lovely car, Andres. Nice choices all around. I live about a block away from the local Ferrari /Maserati dealership and these things are even more gorgeous in person.

 

[abstamaria]

Home

Thanks, Jimbo.

The car arrived in the islands two months after it was completed and ready for delivery two weeks later. The owner's manual is available online, and reading it carefully is advisable - and necessary - for anyone not used to modern cars. All the controls are electronic and look and are located differently from the normal car's.

I picked the car up a Sunday morning and drove it home (I couldn't find the horn button on the way).

It's a larger car than the GT3, but looks good in the garage, so we're happy. A nice Christmas present.

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Drive

I've taken the 458 out twice since I took delivery. It is an exhilarating, very quick car. The manual suggests 5,000 RPM for the first 500 (or is it 1,000) miles, but it accelerates so quickly I've exceeded that. The first LED light on the top rim of the steering wheel lights up at 5,500 RPM, and I've seen two blink on, going through the gears.

Here is a phone photo filling up (it doesn't have a cap; once the cover is flipped up, one just sticks the nozzle in) and in front of the house.

Best,

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Garage

Back on topic, and I apologise for the digression (the 458 is the only new thing in the garage), the Italia is in the space next to the work area. The older cars occupy the spaces next to it in the man in parking section.

Now we are full up!

My best wishes to all for the New Year.

Andy

 

[dubber]

Beautiful new addition to the garage. Love that two tone look you created with the 458.

 

[Hostyle]

Great addition to the fleet and nice to see one that isn't the default red. Enjoy the beast!

 

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, Dubber, Hostyle. It's a very different car from the others I have, even from the Porsche GT3. It is quite exciting in that regard. I do not Know if it will fit on the lift, as it is quite wide.

Let me wish you and all here a Happy New Year. May 2015 and the years that will follow find us happy in an garages!

Andy

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Hello Andres!

Great new addition to the collection. I must say that I much prefer the Italia to your earlier GT3 although I might be slightly biased.

I was at the factory in Maranello in early September, and I might have seen the birth of your car.

Happy new year my friend and enjoy your beautiful Cavallino in the best of health!

Regards,

Anders

 

[Hugo L.]

Great car.

 

[abstamaria]

Thanks, Anders, Hugo.

Anders, yes indeed, you were in Maranello just as my car was being made. What serendipity!

Andres

 

[markviii]

Andy,
Interesting shot of the car in front of your house - matching perfectly to your "yard art". Fits right into the minimalist theme; any kind of red would have been over-kill. And the stripe on the seats coordinated with the seat belts looks better than solid grey.

Happy New Year!

Chris

 

[shopnut]

Happy New Year Andy and congratulations on the new arrival! The yellow is sweet on that car, but you know I'm somewhat partial to yellow things .

Enjoy the upcoming year!

 

[RickP]

Re: Cockpit

When the car arrived two weeks ago, the first thing I looked at was the interior. Here it is. It came out all right, I think, but you may disagree!

Absolutely gorgeous Italia interior - your color choices are perfect.

I just discovered your thread last week and have slowly made my way through all 52 pages. I'm speechless - you have an absolutely beautiful home and garage. After the first 10 pages, I knew I really liked you and your sense of style. Then after 35 pages, I realized you and I were both students in Ithaca (although I was there in the 80s). When you first moved there, my family lived just northeast of there on Skaneateles Lake (a smaller version of Cayuga Lake). Small world. If you ever visit Washington, DC, please get in touch with me as it would be great to meet and talk cars for a while.

I was wondering about the picture of your 748R - was that picture taken in your current garage before it was rearranged? I didn't recognize those exact cam covers on the wall.

 

[abstamaria]

Thanks, Chris. I'm happy you like the color choices. The sculpture in front of the house is a gift from the architect's father, himself a known modernist architect. He gave it as a gift on condition we would never move it from where he placed it or paint it another color. He turned to art in his older years; that piece is part of his Origami series.

It's quite a coincidence it is yellow, too.

Best regards,

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Thanks, SHopnut! I am a constant visitor at your garage, getting ideas from you!

If I were asked what my favorite color is, I would probably not say "yellow." Yet yellow seems a constant theme. Even the trees around the house have yellow flowers.

Last year, when we got a new boat, the theme was yellow with grey. You can see it on the boat's name - Plus Ultra. That means "more beyond."

I was just reminded the Ferrari is that theme, too.

Best wishes,

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Cam Covers

Thanks, . That’s very kind of you, and I appreciate the invitation.

Yes, I was in Ithaca ahead of you. We lived on Eddy Street, which was a bridge and a short walk away from my college. That is a such a lovely part of the world.

The wall and the Lotus cam covers are still there, leftover from the gragae before we renovated. I added Dino V6 cam covers on the adjoining space, as you can see here.

Best wishes for the New Year,

Andy