Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Upscaling

[Rui Gigante (rui.gigante]

> I began to think about the scale of sports cars.  And specifically, I 
> compared the two kinds of sports cars that I enjoy: Ferraris and >LBCs 
> (Little British Cars).  I have said before that the 'thrill factor' of 
> motoring is scale dependent, thus the connection to the previous >tutorial on 
> sampling.  One might argue that the same 'thrill-factor' achieved at 90mph in 
> a Ferrari on an open winding highway, might be >found in a 40mph run in an 
> LBC on a twisty country road.  See the scale thing?  And I think this might 
> just explain why I enjoy driving >LBCs and don't drive my Ferraris much at 
> all.  I can thrash an LBC to its absolute limits and rarely exceed the speed 
> limit!  I can break >the speed limit in 1st gear in either of my F-cars!  The 
> translation is that because of the laws, I have to grossly under-use my 
> F-cars >thereby depriving me of the 'thrill-factor'.
>

That is sooo true, Rick ! I think exactly the same thing every time I
take my MGA for a ride. The fun factor at much lower speeds is great.
And I have to add that thoughts of broken cam belts, bent valves and
other natural disasters do NOT cross my mind :-)



> Notice how appearance, sound, pride, etc., have not figured into this 
> argument; only 'thrill-factor' induced by spirited driving.  Would I >rather 
> have a Ferrari than an MG?  Obviously yes.  But given a twisty little country 
> road, I can tell you which one I would rather drive, >and it isn't Italian.

Oh yes, absolutely!
Don't get me wrong, I love my 328 and plan to keep it forever if the
economy allows. After all, I've dreamed about it for 29 years, and it
puts a smile on my face every time I get home and look at it, every
time I start it and everytime I drive it!
But it does have a usage/maintenance hours ratio < 1 so far ...



> PS: Posts like this are the reason we just can't wait for the F1 season to 
> start! :-)

How I understand you ...

Rui