Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferraris, was Porsches

[Les Thompson (les21]

This post and the 'do you remember' posts reminded me of my first contact with the group.  

Wasn't through the list, but on Steve Cook's Ferrari site/blog back in 1996. Wrote about my experiences on the way down PCH to SoCal after picking my 308GT4 up in the Bay area. Yes, took the crooked road rather than straight drive down I-5. Other than the test drive, it was my first drive in a Ferrari and needless to say very memorable.

Think I saved a copy, if I can find it I'll post to the list.

Les Thompson

-----Original Message----- From: Rick Lindsay Sent: Mar 21, 2014 6:35 AM To: Les Thompson Cc: The FerrariList Subject: [Ferrari] Ferraris, was Porsches 

Hello Friends, 

I just wrote a note to Francis because his drive home reminded me of my purchase experience. Francis had written... 

I chose a not exactly direct route home with some nice twisty bits but kept on getting slow cars in front of me so had to slow to a crawl to give me some space to enjoy myself. No doubt we've all done that 

After rereading my note I decided to share it with you. Here are my words to Francis: 

I have to ask; How did you sleep last night, Francis? When I bought my 308GTB in January 1997, it was understandably cold. I had flown into Philadelphia on an afternoon flight and Phil Tegtmeier met me at the airport. He took me to a hotel near where the car was stored, and handed me the car's books and records. His advice was to study the Owner's Manual in preparation for the next days' drive. 

I tried to sleep but excitement kept waking me up. I read the service history and studied the manual at least a dozen times. ( Remember, I'm a scientist. ) At some point I fell asleep,  probably because of shear exhaustion. 

Phil picked me up the next morning, as planned. It was cold. On the way to the car he told me that owners of 308s often do not use the choke for cold starts but rather, feather the throttle a little manually, until the engine will idle on its own. He also reminded me that Webers have accelerator pumps so a couple of presses on the throttle before starting a cold engine makes for an easier start - and less cranking time on the starter and battery. 

Phil put me in the warmed-up car and asked if I knew how the heater controls worked.  I said I did and was ready to go. A few moments later I was rolling away thinking, "I'm driving a Ferrari. I'm driving MY Ferrari!" 

That day I drove southwest for 10 hours. I drove in almost-sunshine on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (where an 18-wheeler merged almost on top of me.), and through SNOW as I crossed the Appalachian Mountains. I crossed the Ohio River on Interstate 64 between West Virginia and Kentucky. I also noticed the speed limit drop from 70 to 55 so I lifted as I crossed the bridge. The Ohio River is technically in Kentucky so the state line is on the W.Va. end of the bridge. The blue lights came on as I left the bridge. I should have braked rather than just lifting as it was an obvious speed trap. Yes, got a speeding ticket; my last and one of only two I have received in 48 years of driving! A couple of hours later I arrived at my parents' home in northern Kentucky, where I spent the night. 

Early the next cold morning I went out and started the car. Ignoring the advice, I set the choke for a modest warm-up idle and went back in to complete packing. Not long thereafter I went back out to load my little bag in the boot only to find the car 'idling' at almost 3000 rpm. Of course, as the engine warmed and loosened up, the throttle setting by the choke was way high. I learned a little more that day about the voices of experience. 

My mom, now long gone, was a teacher and artist. She loved all things artistic. That cold morning I left Kentucky she came out to the car to say goodbye. It was the first she had seen the car, since I had arrived late. She quietly walked around the car and gently touched the gentle curves of the wings, the steeply raked windscreen and the folds into the NACA duct then said, "That's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." 

Twelve hours later I arrived home in Tulsa still thinking about the long, enjoyable drive. That changed just a little as I pulled in the driveway. Next door lived about the most beautiful 19-year-old girl on planet earth. Just as I pulled in she came over, leaned in the window just a little too close, and in her low throaty voice purred, "Your car is hot." I knew it was time to go inside and hug my wife! 

That was 17 years ago and I obviously remember it like it was yesterday. Parents are now gone, the girl next door is now a super-model in New York City, Nancy and I now live in Texas, but the 308GTB is still "the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." 

-rick

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm