Ferrari Mailing List: Re: The "Ferrari List"

[Peter Rychel (dino308gt4]

Dennis, no shame in your blue-collar roots... I've taken a similar path in life and wouldn't have it any other way.

I am a welder/fabricator and a heavy-duty mechanic in a Canada-wide company specializing in the servicing and manufacturing of tanker trucks and trailers. We work on aircraft refuelers, regular tanker trucks and trailers, propane tanks, chemical haulers... Anything that holds a dangerous liquid, we're your guys!

With the price of oil dropping like a stone over the last couple of months, it hasn't been easy, but we have a few contracts on the go, so we'll scrape by. For now.

I bought a 308 GT4 15 years ago. Back then, they were junk cars and it was cheaper than a Toyota (yes, there is such a thing as a cheap Ferrari! Sort-of...)! This was no exception, the car needed work, but with my skills and many help from the 'List and other sites, the car is better than new now.

Peter

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From: Ferrari <ferrari-bounces+dino308gt4=hotmail.com [at] ferrarilist.com> on behalf of Dennis Burleson <d_burles [at] bellsouth.net>
Sent: December 24, 2015 9:40 PM
To: PeterGT4
Cc: The FerrariList
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] The "Ferrari List"

 

Gentlemen:

I think I inadvertently found the Ferrari List about 2005, as I was actively searching for an "affordable Ferrari." I initially thought that the Ferrari List was just that; a list of Ferrari cars for sale. Little did I realize the caliber of people involved with the list or the wealth of knowledge that I would gain over the past 10 or so years.

I have always remained reticent to introducing myself to the list, and have basically maintained my status as a "lurker." This is mainly because the people who post here are far and above my socioeconomic status or my level of education and professional expertise.

So, to celebrate the season and the longevity of the list, please allow me to formally introduce myself.

My name is Dennis C. Burleson, a native of Rutherford County in the Piedmont of western North Carolina. I have lived in the same place for the entirety of my nearly 60 years of life. I attended Wofford College for two years (1974-76) before dropping out to pursue a career as an automotive mechanic. I spent 30 years as a mechanic, working in independent garages, being self employed, and working as a line technician in various dealerships. I eventually tired of the constant struggle between advancing technology and the art of trying to satisfy customers. After making a career change a few years ago, I was forced to take early retirement due to an on-the-job injury. That's when the childhood dream of owning a Ferrari took precedence. After 20 years of chasing Ferrari cars in magazine ads and online searches, I finally found "an affordable Ferrari."

I have a 1985 308 Qv. I bought it cheap, as it was maintenance deferred, devoid of documentation, tool and jack kits, books, and all the other stuff that Ferrari owners seem to value. In 2013, I scraped up enough funds to remove the engine and try to do a thorough service to get the car back to a sufficient state of repair. Along the way, the Ferrari List members always supplied me with information, or sources of information, that have helped me complete this project. Paul Bennett provided me with wiring schematics, Clyde provided me with his lucid, no holds barred, acrimonious opinions of Ferrari cars in general. Many others, whom I have found to be consummate, articulate, and highly educated world travelers and Ferrari connoisseurs, have shown me and taught me many things about Ferrari and the world which I have never seen nor experienced. To all of you, I tip my hat. I have gained an inordinate amount of knowledge and information that I would have never been exposed to had I not stumbled onto "the list."

My sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you that post, and continue to post on Ferrari List. Your insight, experience, world travel, opinions, and personal experiences have deeply enriched my life. To you gentlemen, I say, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

Sincerely,

Dennis C. Burleson 

PS: There's no such thing as a cheap Ferrari.