Ferrari Mailing List: Re: New Stable Addition!

[Doug and Terri Anderson (dnt]

Ah ah ah - - - I’m with you now – we are back to the Aston

 

Um, a few previous posts ago Clyde took a left turn (without using his turn signals) by saying he’s going after a 575.  I followed.  Then asked him if manual or automatic - - thinking 575.  My comments were aimed at the 575 & those have a few, a very few, factory manuals.

 

But we’re now back to the Aston & those I know precious little about – except for their stunning carriage stance and balance.  Quite a head turner, quite an acquisition Charles.

 

Onward guys, and thanks for the Aston lesson Fellippe and Charles.

 

DOUG

Whose now at the age he is almost, nearly almost, thinking he’d like the car to shift for itself.  But, um, not quite 412 stuff with a GM tranny, you know. Heh heh.

 

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From: Charles Perry [mailto:charles [at] carolina-sound.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 4:06 AM
To: Doug and Terri Anderson
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: RE: [Ferrari] New Stable Addition!

 

Fellippe's right - they were all paddles from the factory, although when the Ultimate Edition (last 40 units of production) was released in 2007, Aston Works Services did release the manual conversion kit. The conversion could be done at the factory or off site. They would only let Works Services do the conversions as it involved some cutting on the carbon fiber tub which is delicate work.

 

The only manual ones I found in the US were converted by Works Services at a place in NY called Autosport Designs (http://www.autosportdesigns.com/). They seem to specialize in Jags and Astons, especially older ones. The problem is they only converted the early Vanquishes (04 and earlier) - to my knowledge I have never seen a manual 'S' version in the US.

 

I have read a number of reviews on the conversion. One owner loves his but many say that the conversion feels like an after thought (especially the shifter linkage, which is a cable). The throws are long and your hand can contact the dash on 1-3-5 shifts since the spacing is so close to the center console. Many say that the paddle fits the character of the car better. The shift mechanism is the identical Magnetti Marelli system used on the Ferrari 360 - just attached to a Tremec box instead of a Graziano to handle the V12 torque.

 

I'll let you know my opinions shortly... :-)

 

-- charles

 

From: Doug and Terri Anderson [mailto:dnt [at] dock.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 1:59 AM
To: Charles Perry
Cc: 'The FerrariList'
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] New Stable Addition!

 

Hmmmmm – tho I have only seen a few, I believe about 5% were manual.  But for all intents and purposes – all paddles – manuals are a premium and seem to stay with original and long time Ferrari owner blood.  They knew what they were doing and are taking their car with them when they go where elephants go to die.  Drat

DOUG

 

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From: Fellippe Galletta [mailto:fellippe.galletta [at] gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 2:54 PM
To: DOUG
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] New Stable Addition!

 

 

On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 7:34 AM, Doug and Terri Anderson <dnt [at] dock.net> wrote:

Automatic or are you going to search out a manual?

DOUG

 

This car only came in paddles....

The real question is if our boy is gonna go crazy and have it converted to manual. Given the eternal nature of his ownership and the good price he got it at, it's a possibility.

A little steep though, but maybe down the road it can be a nice way to re-fall in love with the car. :)

FG