[Llarry]

The 1966-67 Ferrari 365 California was built in a series of just 14 cars; it is considered by some to be the last of the Super America/Superfast line of the 1960s. It used the same 4.4 liter V-12 engine as the 365 GTC, 365 GTS and 365 GT 2+2 with 320 hp. The overall lines of the car are great, but the taillights seem a bit odd.

[Llarry]

The Ferrari F40 was the first of the "anniversary" models celebrating decades of Ferrari cars. It was loosely based on the 1983 288GTO and had the same wheelbase and the same basic 2.9 liter turbo V-8. Introduced in 1987 on Ferrari's 40th anniversary, it was upgraded substantially from the 288GTO. Power was up to 477 hp at 7000 rpm and torque increased to 424 ft-lbs.

The F40 was an instant hit and commanded a premium from those wanting to buy one. 1,311 cars were built; 213 came to the USA.

[Llarry]

Ferrari got a bit ahead of themselves for the 50th anniversary model Ferrari -- due in 1997. The F50 made its debut in 1995 and was produced in a series of 349 cars, of which 55 were destined for the USA. Like the F40 years earlier, it was a bit bare-bones with minimal comfort equipment but very light weight (2710 pounds) and powered by a competition-derived 4.7 liter naturally aspirated V-12. The F50 was rated at 513 hp at 8000 rpm and 347 ft-lbs of torque at 6500 rpm. I've never heard an F50 at redline but can imagine that it is a quasi-religious experience for an auto enthusiast.

[Llarry]

To follow the F50, Ferrari introduced the Enzo in 2002. Invitations to order the car were sent to F40 and F50 owners stating that only 399 cars would be built. In the end, 498 cars were built, causing some customers unhappiness at the lack of exclusivity of their cars.

These special cars seemed to come more frequently from Ferrari; my theory is that they were making a very handsome profit on the special models.

In any event, the Enzo was quite spectacular, with a curb weight of just 3,009 pounds, the Enzo's 6 liter V-12 delivered 651 hp. It also featured 19-inch wheels and tires: 245/35R-19 in front and 345/35R-19 in the rear. The Enzo was also the first Ferrari to come equipped with carbon-ceramic brake rotors -- which have since spread to the entire range.

[murderspice]

Originally Posted by Llarry

It also appears to me that Ferrari has stopped offering a front engine V-12 GT car; the only V-12 in the lineup is the Purosangue FUV with its 6.5 V-12. I would not be surprised to see Ferrari offer a V-8 version of the Purosangue in the future.

This brings my survey of Ferrari up to date. There are a few special models that I have not addressed yet, so I am not completely done.

Hot off the presses: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/fir...rpm-v12-engine

Edit:

[Llarry]

In 2013, Ferrari presented their latest hyper-performance/hyper-expensive supercar, somewhat pretentiously named LaFerrari (as if there would never be a more advanced Ferrari...)

The powerplant for LaFerrari is somewhat complex: a 789 hp 6.3 liter V-12, an electric motor and a KERS. The latter stores energy during deceleration in electric form and then uses it during acceleration. The total power output is 950 hp and 664 ft-lbs of torque from all systems.

With a curb weight of 3495 pounds, the performance is phenomenal.

The price in Euros for this car was over 1,000,000. A series of 500 berlinettas was built first in 2013-2015, followed by 210 LaFerrari Aperta models with targa top in 2016-2018. Front wheels and tires are 19 inches, while the rears are 20 inches.

[Llarry]

A collection of early Ferraris:

1) 166 Inter bodied by Farina (not to be confused with Pinin Farina)

2) 1951 195 Inter bodied by Ghia (rear view)

3) 1950 195 Inter also bodied by Ghia

4) 212 Export cabriolet bodied by Vignale

5) 212 Inter cabriolet bodied by Pinin Farina

Unless something new comes my way, this concludes my postings on Ferrari road cars.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Llarry

Unless something new comes my way, this concludes my postings on Ferrari road cars.

D'oh! After that, I realized that I had skipped the current "base" Ferrari -- the Roma -- available as a berlinetta and as a soft top spider.

The Roma shares most engineering features with the Portofino-M: a 3.9 liter turbo V-8 of 612 hp installed in a wheelbase of 105.1 inches. Ferrari terms the accommodation as "2+" which is hardly suitable for use as a 2+2: The rear area is suited as a package shelf, like the Portofino and California before it.

[Buug959]

RL

[Llarry]

floridaorange's excellent 300SL Gullwing coupe photos in this thread reminded me of my admiration for the sibling 300SL Roadster. Just 1,400 Gullwings were produced from 1954 to 1957 and then Mercedes-Benz switched to roadster production. From 1957 to 1963, 1,858 300SL roadsters were built. There were minor differences between the two body styles -- the coupe had plaid cloth upholstery, for example. The roadster got disc brakes in 1961.

In the linked Wikipedia article, note that any color other than metallic silver was extra-cost -- the Germans were serious about their national racing colors!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_300SL

[Llarry]

Here's a story about the prickly Enzo Ferrari meeting his match in a lady customer from Brentwood, California. Willametta Day, known as Willy, was a woman used to getting her way and in 1954 decided that she wanted a Ferrari 375MM spider. She placed an order with Ferrari dealer Ernie McAfee for a 375MM with left hand drive, windshield and windshield wipers and stipulated that the car would be red with tan upholstery.

At the factory, when Enzo Ferrari learned that the car would be street-driven by a lady customer, he directed that the car be painted yellow with green leather. Upon arrival in California, Willy Day was shocked to learn that the car had RHD (all competition Ferraris had RHD) and was the wrong colors and first thought to refuse the car. McAfee suggested that before unwinding the deal, she drive it for the weekend. When Willy brought it back, she was converted and agreed to keep the car, which was delivered to her summer place in Pebble Beach. The 375MM had straight pipes -- no mufflers at all -- McAfee contrived to fit minimal mufflers after multiple police complaints.

In the 1970s, the car was restored and was found to have a larger 375 Plus 5.0 V-12 rather than the normal 4.5 liter unit. As of 1990, the car had fewer than 16,000 km on the odometer. Willy Day passed away in 1985, but the car stayed in the family.

And a note on the Mille Miglia cars: 37 250MMs were built in 1953 (among the first Ferrari 250s) and then 26 375MMs were built in 1953-54. Virtually all had racing records -- except Willy's.

[Pauly Wauly]

[Pauly Wauly]

[Pauly Wauly]