Cool Pic Thread - Vehicles

[Llarry]

In 1984, Ferrari replaced the 512BBi with the new Testarossa, which featured a 50 mm (or two inch) wheelbase stretch and dramatic new styling. At introduction, the Testarossa was the world's fastest production car (see R&T road test). Furthermore, Ferrari decided to federalize the car and make it available in the USA, which created quite a buzz.

The TR, like the Berlinetta Boxers before it, was available in coupe form accommodating two. But Ferrari built several open versions for special customers and the aftermarket added more spiders.

Initially, the car came with Michelin TRX metric tires but shortly was converted to inch sizes.

Like the front-engine V-12 2+2s, the Testarossa evolved over a period of years in three iterations:
-- Testarossa 1984-1991 with 380 hp (7,177 built)
-- 512TR 1991-94 with 422 hp (2,280 built)
-- F512M 1994-1996 with 434 hp (501 built)

[Lady Jane]

A completely restored 1953 Corvette prototype in Bermuda Green. Going on the auction block for a cool $1.5-$2 millions.

[floridaorange]

^Love that interior - so cool!

[Llarry]

A couple of years before the last Testarossas came off the line, Ferrari debuted a new front engine V-12 2+2 car: the 456GT. As with the 412i before it, the new 456 was available with either manual (now 6-speed) or automatic transmissions. The engine was now 5.5 liters (456 cc per cylinder x 12) and the output rose to a respectable 436 hp. The wheelbase was actually reduced in this model. I will admit to some personal prejudice as I think the 456 is particularly beautiful.

From 1993 to 1997, 1,951 456GTs were sold. Interestingly, the manual-automatic mix changed and now the manuals outsold the autos almost four to one.

In 1998, a 456M was introduced; for once there was no increase in power, but a carbon fiber hood was introduced, and a host of smaller changes were made. Over 1,300 cars were sold from 1998 to 2003.

[Llarry]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so your opinion may differ from mine, but the 456's replacement is to my eye the best-looking Ferrari of all. The 612 Scaglietti was introduced in 2003 and was the second Ferrari -- the first being the V-8-powered 360 Modena -- to use an all-aluminum unit body. The 612 is also large: 193 inches in length. Despite the considerable increase in size, it is also slightly lighter than the 456.

The 612 is powered by a 5.75-liter V-12 engine of 533 hp. At introduction, a traditional 6-speed gated manual transmission was standard with an automatic optional (at something over $12,000!) but of the 3,025 612s built from 2003 to 2010, only about 200 were equipped with manual -- and only for the first few years of production. Since the gearbox for both was the same -- essentially similar to BMW's sequential manual gearbox -- it was possible to change an "automatic" model back to manual and a number of cars have had this done. The market speaks, and the market says that manual cars are far more valuable than autos.

As far as beauty goes, I'll let you make your own decision.

In 2011, the 612 Scaglietti was replaced by the FF, a very differently-styled car with AWD. I will cover that in the future.

[Llarry]

The last naturally aspirated mid-engine V-8 Ferrari was the 458 Italia, introduced in 2009 as the third generation of all-aluminum V-8s. (Yes, I know I'm skipping about quite a bit here.)

The 458 saw the engine enlarged to 4.5 liters, from which it got 562 hp -- at 9,000 rpm! It was also the first generation to have standard 20-inch tires -- 245/35R-20 front and 285/30R-20 rear.

I've been unsuccessful in determining exactly how many 458s were built during the 2009-2015 production period, but feel safe in estimating that more than 20,000 were sold. Member ///MPhatic may have more precise information, as I know he's a fan of the 458 Italia.

In addition to the standard berlinetta and spider models, a number of Speciale and Speciale A (A for Aperta or open) were produced.

[murderspice]

458 or f355 are what Ferraris are supposed to look like.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Llarry

The last naturally aspirated mid-engine V-8 Ferrari was the 458 Italia, introduced in 2009 as the third generation of all-aluminum V-8s.

My favorite. Base car in silver or blue for me. So dreamy.

[Llarry]

In 2011 Ferrari replaced the 612 Scaglietti 2+2 with an innovative AWD Ferrari 2+2 shooting brake, the FF. The FF had the longest wheelbase of any car yet at 2,990 mm (117.7 inches). It was powered by a 6.3-liter V-12 putting out 651 hp. The styling by Pininfarina was very different and controversial in some quarters. 20-inch wheels and tires were standard.

After five years, the FF's styling was tweaked a bit in-house by Ferrari and rebadged as the GTC4Lusso. Power output rose to 681 hp.

A year later, a turbo V-8 version was offered as the GTC4Lusso T. It deleted standard AWD, which became an option and the 3.9 turbo V-8 put out 610 hp. Torque output was greater than that of the V-12.

Those cars ceased production in 2020; my theory is that Ferrari wanted to stop producing 2+2 cars to make way for the forthcoming SUV.

[Llarry]

The Wayback Machine just sent me a 1955 Ferrari, so let me share...

In 1955, Ferrari was still not a series producer of cars; they were hand-building chassis that were then fitted by others with bodies and trim.

34 250 Europa GTs were made in 1955-56; I believe this is one of them that was repainted from blue to gray with photos taken before and after. Or perhaps this is two of the 34 cars. In any event, the famous 3-liter Ferrari V-12 is present, though only providing 220 hp in this early version. The other juicy tidbit is that the new price in 1955 was US$13,895, which I assume would buy 8-10 new Fords or Chevys.

Note, too, that Ferrari made 20 250 Europas in 1953-54. No GT in the designation and those were on a longer wheelbase and had less power -- 200 hp. The significance was that they were the first Ferrari 250s to be made for sale. (No photos)

[Llarry]

Having featured the 1955 250 Europa GT, let me go back to the very first roadgoing 3-liter Ferrari, which was the 1953-54 250 Europa. Just 20 of these were built and photos are rare, but I've found a couple.

Unlike the 1955-56 250 Europa GT, which rode on a 2600mm (102.4-inch) wheelbase, the 1953-54 250s had a long 2800 mm (110.2 inch) wheelbase. The 3-liter V-12 was rated at just 200 hp.

The two photos are of a Vignale-bodied car and a Pininfarina-bodied car.

[Llarry]

In 2008 Ferrari introduced an entirely new line: A front-engine V-8-powered convertible hardtop called the California. The California had tiny rear seats that were basically unfit for actual human beings and a very small trunk due to the powered hardtop mechanism. Power came from a 4.3-liter V-8 with an output of 453 hp. Since the car was relatively heavy (4,125 pounds) the performance was not up to the normal Ferrari standards, but the car still made glorious noises.

The California became the entry-level Ferrari at just under US$200,000, if memory serves. As usual, pricey options could drive the price much higher. Just like other more pedestrian automobiles, the relatively inexpensive California became Ferrari's best seller.

In 2015, Ferrari gave the car a refresh. Styling was tweaked but most importantly, the naturally aspirated 453 hp V-8 was replaced by a turbo 3.9 with a substantial increase in both horsepower and torque. The California T boasted 552 hp and made the "cheap Ferrari" a bit more Ferrari-like. (While the large 612 Scaglietti continued to be my favorite from the styling standpoint, I decided that a California T would be just the ticket if I won lotto. Alas, no winning ticket for me. )

In 2018, Ferrari again gave the car a performance and styling refresh. The new model was renamed Portofino (and I had a new favorite!) The Portofino featured a horsepower increase to 590 and standard 20" wheels and tires. By now the price was edging towards a quarter-million plus options.

Just three years later, Ferrari again freshened the car with the new Portofino-M and the 3.9 liter's output rose to 612 hp. In 2023, production of the Portofino ceased and the retractable hardtop became history, being replaced by a soft top. (Sound familiar, 3/4 series owners?) The new car was named Roma and was introduced as a coupe version and then added a spider variant. I'll cover that separately.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Llarry

After five years, the FF's styling was tweaked a bit in-house by Ferrari and rebadged as the GTC4Lusso. Power output rose to 681 hp.

To the best of my knowledge, the attached GTC4Lusso cabriolet conversion was a photoshop job only. But wow -- what a good looking convertible!

[Lady Jane]

ENOUGH FERRARIS...!!!

Okay, okay...Maybe one more.

1951 Ferrari 340 America Berlinetta Superleggera by Carrozziria Touring.

The Ferrari 340 America debuted on 23 April 1951 at the Mille Miglia with
drivers Luigi Viloresi and Piero Cassani in a Vignale Coupé. The name
"America" was aimed at the new emerging target market in the USA.
A total of 10 cars of the Ferrari 340 America were built by Vignale, 8
cars by Touring and 4 cars by Ghia. This results in a
total of 22 vehicles. Of the 8 cars built by Touring, only 2 were
in the closed version shown here.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

ENOUGH FERRARIS...!!!

Okay, okay...Maybe one more.

1951 Ferrari 340 America Berlinetta Superleggera by Carrozziria Touring.

No more Ferraris? But I was just thinking about doing the Super Americas...

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Llarry

No more Ferraris? But I was just thinking about doing the Super Americas...

Okay you big baby., go ahead.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Okay you big baby., go ahead.

1948 Ferrari Super America Wagon

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Llarry

1948 Ferrari Super America Wagon

Or possibly 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe -- it's hard to tell the difference between the two.

[Pauly Wauly]

Lotus Evora GT

[Llarry]

From 1956 to 1966, Ferrari built several series of larger cars to customer order only. Not just any customer could order one of these cars; you had to have a relationship with Ferrari or be royalty to get in the door.

The 410SA Super America was the initial offering, and 32 were built from 1956 to 1959. Early cars had long wheelbases, while later cars were more compact. The 410SAs were all powered by a 5-liter V-12 engine rated at 340 hp. Despite the power, they were not the quickest of Ferrari's offerings, as various models of the 250GT were far lighter. All the Super Americas were large, heavy cars emphasizing luxury as well as performance.

In 1960, the 400SA replaced the 410. The 400SA featured a smaller 4-liter engine rated by Ferrari at 340 hp (but one wonders...) Basically the 400SA was a similar car to the popular 250GT 2+2 but with a larger engine and more luxurious trim. Again, all cars were made to order and varied in many details. 36 400SAs were built by 1963, including several cabriolets. Most of the cabrios featured chrome rocker panels. (Note that the attached data panel is for a car that has aftermarket modifications to the engine.)

In 1964, the 5-liter V-12 returned in the 500 Superfast. Now the big V-12 was rated at 400 hp. The 500SF chassis was based on the 330GT 2+2. 37 cars were built before production ceased in 1966.

[m630]

To me a ferrari is a mid engine V8, I luv all the hyper cars, GTs and classics but the midenginee cars from the 70s thru now are what I think of as a true italian sportscar.
The modern recreation of the historic 250LM design mixed with the Enzo gave us my fav, the F430. Its a perfect blend between modern and analog and timeless design, wrapped in fine italian leather

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by m630

To me a ferrari is a mid engine V8, I luv all the hyper cars, GTs and classics but the midenginee cars from the 70s thru now are what I think of as a true italian sportscar.
The modern recreation of the historic 250LM design mixed with the Enzo gave us my fav, the F430. Its a perfect blend between modern and analog and timeless design, wrapped in fine italian leather

The 430 is gorgeous. Thanks for the photos.

Here are some numbers for the 430:
-- Engine 4.3 V-8 of 483 HP
-- Production period 2004-2009
-- Number built unknown but in excess of 20,000 cars
-- In the last two years of production, a special model, the 430 Scuderia, was sold with 503 hp in both coupe and spider bodies.