mixit Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 This is long, but hopefully worth a few minutes to read. After digging through some pics for the “First Drive” thread I came across these and thought I’d tell you a story about a Car nut, a wealthy man and his Ferrari. This happened about 9 / 10 years ago and the memory of this blokes trust and generosity is still with me today. I’d owned my own shop for around 3 years and built up a good selection of regular customers, some of whom have become mates and still are today. On this particular day I had a visit from Mike, ( one of these mates ). He was pretty excited and couldn’t wait to tell me he’d been asked by one of his mates to go with him to collect his new car and to drive his other car back to his house. He then proceeded to explain that “Dave” ( his mate ) had been told by the accountants to spend some money before the end of the financial year, or risk letting the tax man get a hold of it. He had purchased a brand new Ferrari F355 and collection day was just a few days away. I virtually pleaded to tag along and after a phone call Dave said there’d be room for 3 as we were going to collect it in his Lotus Carlton ! Bare in mind I had never met this bloke. The day arrived and Mike and I travelled to Dave’s house in Mikes Jag. When we got there the Carlton was sitting in the garage but no sign of Dave. He arrived a few minutes later in his Toyota Land Cruiser and wearing his scruffy work gear. We shook hands and said a few words before Dave pulled down the door on the garage and said “right, lets go, we’re late”, shutting the Carlton away and ripping the pi555 out of Mike for parking his Jag in the way. We were obviously going in the Land Cruiser. During the journey we were talking about the collection and I was going on and on about how I loved the look of the 355 etc, etc, etc. Must have come across as a right nutter! We arrived at Lancaster’s of Colchester late morning and were greeted by the salesman. Dave went inside while Mike and I walked around the host of Ferrari’s and Porsche’s, salivating. One good thing about the folk at Lancaster’s is their lack of snobbery. Dave said he’d done the deal one day as he was driving through from a job. He was wearing Jeans and some very muddy boots, they treated him like a genuine customer from the moment he’d walked into the dealership. A rare thing. After the paperwork the salesman opened the doors and Mike and I got our first proper look at the car. It had the obligatory Moet on the passenger seat and as the salesman started it to drive out of the showroom he blipped the throttle, making the glorious V8 bark. It made the receptionist jump. ( you’d think she would be used to it ). Dave was so pleased I’d taken my camera as in our rush he’d forgotten his own. Just after this shot, Mike ( in the background ) jumped in the passenger seat and said he was sure I wouldn’t mind following in the Land Cruiser and with a grin chucked me the keys. This is where I wished we’d bought the Lotus and also where I realised that Dave must have thought it through before we set off…. Him – Ferrari, Mike – Lotus Carlton, - Wooded area to drive through with a touch of red mist. Hmmmm. Can’t blame him opting for the Toyota really. We set off for the 30 or so miles home. Once out of Colchester, Dave “opened the taps” and that was the last I saw of them until a few miles later when Mike phoned me to say they were in a Little Chef just before Thetford. They were waiting in the car as I arrived and were trying to work out how to get the roof on. We went in and Dave asked the waitress if we could have a seat near the window. I spent the next 20 minutes and a quick burger and chips, gazing out of the window at the yellow beast, sitting in a Little Chef car park, FFS ! As we left the Little Chef, Dave tipped the waitress £100 quid in cash! Mike said later that he was on such a high he just didn’t think about it and said it was typical of his generosity and giving nature. Up to then I thought he was just being flash. As we approached the cars, Dave asked if I would like a ride and after much persuasion NOT and about 100th of a second, I was fumbling for the passenger door handle ( not easy ). We set off and in no time we were through Thetford and heading for Kings Lynn, all the time I was gibbering and spouting on about “remembering this for a very long time, etc, etc. As Dave was clacking through the box and really pushing the car through the bends we were overtaking where I would have not ever considered possible. The thing was like a missile and sounded fantastic! Just as we got into Thetford Woods, Dave pulled over to let Mike catch up in the Cruiser. He got out and came round to the passenger window, looked me in the eye and said. “I think you really do need to drive this thing, don’t you”. 1 very happy, very nervous mixit.. Chins n all. To this day, I still find it hard to believe that this bloke, who I’d only met about 3 hours before, was letting me drive his brand new £98k Ferrari ! Up to then the most powerful car I had driven was a 3.0 Capri. I’ve split this, as it’s getting big………To be continued ……… See below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Hmm. Well, it's been 50 minutes since you posted the first bit. It will be a long post! Some interesting roads around West Norfolk... nice place to be testing a Ferrari Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 What is this? Is it one of those TV serial thingies where we've seen the first episode, announced 'to be continued', and you'll show the second in 3 weeks at a time when none of us will be watching....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted February 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Don't worry MrMe. This isn't another "stringalong" episode of Lost. I'm just pushed for time at the mo. Soon, soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenjaminTDI Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Come on, I want to read the second part of the story... You are as bad as the lost producers!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted February 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Sorry Guys..... Don't get too excited, I don't get to pick up Claudia Schiffer or anything Heres part 2 ( cut down a bit ) The one thing that sticks in my mind about the whole drive was just how easy the 355 was to drive. I quickly found the perfect position for the seat and contrary to what I’d always imagined, the gear change was an absolute joy to use. It more or less fell into each gear and I didn’t crunch the gate once. As we travelled through the woods I had missed a couple of opportunities to overtake a stream of about 5 cars. Dave was leaning across by now and pleading with me to just drop to 2nd and floor it. I was filled with such trepidation but as soon as the road opened out, I did as he said and the car just lurched forward and we were past in no time, the glorious sound of the wailing V8 filling the air and bouncing off the trees… Feckin Awesome! ! All the while I was driving, Dave was egging me on, telling me to just enjoy the experience. He said he was enjoying it almost as much seeing me almost weeping with joy, as he enjoyed the collection itself. I drove for about 6-7 miles before we got caught in traffic and Mike caught us up in the Land Cruiser. We pulled over again and Mike got to drive the last few miles to Dave’s house ( in traffic ). He has since driven it a few times. When we arrived at Dave’s, I was almost speechless. I couldn’t thank him enough. I took these photos, got a look at the Lotus Carlton ( pics somewhere ) and bid him goodbye. I’ve not seen him since as he emigrated to Oz a few years later. Not sure what he drives now. What a top bloke. I still see Mike now and again. We try very hard not to mention it now though as it’s a well worn tale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 ...the 355 remains my favourite Ferrari (bar the F40). It's something I've looked at, then opted against, then looked at again, then opted against, but one day I know my love of the car will get the better of me. Other than the 250 GTO, which nudges it by a fraction IMO, it's still the most beautiful Ferrari ever made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted February 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 MrMe As I think wev'e discussed before. The 355 was something I foolishly expected to be able to save for. My petrolhead cravings got the better of me pretty quickly though and I soon bought the GTi. Like you, I still crave one and keep telling myself "One day". A few years after the above encounter, my wife treated me to a Supercar experience at Sneterton circuit. I got to drive a 355 round there for about 4 laps. Also an Esprit V8 / 911 / and a Viper. The Fezza was just a dream drive and again even though it was a left hooker, just felt so "right".... I love em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] The Fezza was just a dream drive and again even though it was a left hooker, just felt so "right".... I love em. [/ QUOTE ] LHD isn't a problem on a circuit. It can actually be an advantage depending on the track in question . What did you think of the Viper? I didn't like the feeling of the pedals; it felt like you were just kicking a piece of upturned matt to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v15ben Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 That was the first Ferrari I ever went out in, well it was a Red one. The sound was mesmeric as it came flying down the road towards me. I was standing in a pub beer garden when the owner came to collect me, everyone in the pub turned and loads of people came to look at it! Still the best looking recent Ferrari for me and I will have one sometime in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccombie_5 Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Fantastic story Mixit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixit Posted February 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] What did you think of the Viper? I didn't like the feeling of the pedals; it felt like you were just kicking a piece of upturned matt to me! [/ QUOTE ] Throughout the whole day the Viper was an intimidating force. I was surprised at how small it was when seen in the flesh. Whilst out in the Ferrari I witnessed 2 other drivers spinning the Vipers. After my session in the 355, my instructor suggested I took a completely different approach to driving the Viper, and to treat it with the utmost respect. The most memorable thing about the Viper was just how far back you seem to be from the front of the car. You seem to literally sit almost on the rear axle. You’re right about the pedals, they had very little feel. As for driving it… Too lumpy and not enough revs for your speed for my taste. I remember the braking points on the main straight at Snetterton and was amazed just how far back the braking marker cone for the Viper was compared to the one for the Esprit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayerbloke Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 I came quite close to spinning the Viper. I was on the wrong line for the corner because I was overtaking someone and had to dial some opposite lock in PQD! My biggest problem with the Viper was I couldn't get comfortable in it; seat wouldn't go far enough forward for my liking. Not a bad car once you get going though . Quite race-car like in terms of the noise/lack of refinement. Don't think I'd want to drive one everyday on the roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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