Ferrari Mailing List: Re: The "Ferrari List"

[Charles Perry (charles]

"Welcome"Dennis, insomuch as it's applicable a decade later!  Always love these stories.  :-)

 

I joined the list sometime in 1996. I bought my TR in 1997 and spent about a year researching it first. Would never have done that without the expertise and good advice from this list, and almost all of my best friends and travel are somehow related. No doubt Listmaster Cook has done us all a great service over the years.

 

And I do still have a few List shirts. Some t-shirts from events (Hallett, 308s in 08, etc) and I think even one of the golf shirts as well.

 

Happy Holidays, all and best wishes for 2016!

 

-- charles

 

 

 

From: Ferrari [mailto:ferrari-bounces+charles=carolina-sound.com [at] ferrarilist.com] On Behalf Of Dennis Burleson
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2015 12:40 AM
To: Charles Perry
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.