Tag Archives: ferrari

RML Short Wheelbase Pays Tribute to Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB

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There are a lot of folks in the world who would love to own a Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. The problem is that only 176 examples were built. These cars do not come up for sale very often and when they do, the prices are well into the $5-8 million range.

Have you ever wondered what a modernized version of this legendary GT racer might look like? Well, UK-based RML Group has done just that. They have created the RML Short Wheelbase, a 21st-century version of the famous high performance road car.

Inspired by the 250 SWB, the RML Short Wheelbase is a bespoke, ultra-low volume car executed to the highest possible standards. The car is limited to 30 units worldwide, each one finished to the customer’s precise requirements, and priced at $1.35 million pounds plus taxes.

So what do you get for your money? You get a car with a 485 bhp Ferrari V12 engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with open gated transmission, for pure driving enjoyment.

This magnificent engine is packaged in a carbon fiber body that blends classic form with contemporary function. Though it has the look of a vintage racer, it does not require a specialized mechanic to adjust the carburetors every year.

The car features ample leg and headroom even for 2m (6 ft) occupants. A hidden navigation system, air conditioning, and modern stereo with smartphone connectivity and Apple CarPlay are also standard on the RML Short Wheelbase.

I saw this gorgeous blue car on display outside the Portola Hotel during Monterey Car Week 2022. It looked absolutely stunning under the cloudy Monterey skies. It is amazing how a few small changes like flush mounted glass, deleting the split chrome bumpers, and current lighting and wheels can really modernize a car.

For the lucky few who will own one of these cars, they get to enjoy an amazing car that is a capable driver as well as a piece of art. Without having driven it, I think that this car is more comfortable, more reliable, and also more affordable than the real 250 GT it is based on. That makes it a winner to me.

1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4: The Harrah Hot Rod

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The Ferrari GTB/4 (unofficially “Daytona”) is a special car, with 1,284 units built between 1968 and 1973. The car was featured in the first two seasons of the 80s hit TV show Miami Vice (though a replica car was used for filming, not a real Ferrari). I have developed an appreciation for the 1970s Ferraris, the 365 GTB/4 and GTC/4 over many years of going to car shows. This specimen was on display at the inaugural Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance in October 2019.

While the modifications to this 1971 GTB/4 and the “Rame Metallizzato” color may upset the tifosi, it is a unique car due to its provenance and history. From the placard next to the vehicle:

This 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” was previously owned by the renowned car collector and casino owner Bill Harrah. Shortly after being built by the factory, this soon-to-be legendary car was delivered to Mr. Harrah’s dealership, Modern Classic Motors. Mr. Harrah had owned many great models of Ferrari, and his personal cars were frequently equipped with his own special touches.

Upon receiving this Daytona as his personal car, the car was fitted with competition-style nine-inch rear wheels, fender flares, and an upgraded engine. The automobile was originally built with a beige leather interior, Nero seat inserts, and pop-up headlights. The refined Daytona was later passed down to another owner in 2012, who oversaw the Daytona’s suspension and front end rebuild by Ferrari of Scottsdale, as well as a fresh rebuild of the matching-numbers engine.

Accompanied with its stunning features and history, this car is the victor in a legendary race for the ages, whirlybird vs. Ferrari. When a Sikorsky helicopter salesman suggested he buy a helicopter to commute between his two casinos, Mr. Harrah nonchalantly replied if the helicopter could beat his Ferrari from Reno to Lake Tahoe, he would buy one. The Ferrari won the race of course, averaging 146 mph along the way.

Barrett-Jackson 2022: 1981 Ferrari 400i Custom Limousine

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The bread and butter of every Barrett-Jackson auction event is American cars from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. This is what the company specializes in and what their target demographic wants to buy.

Walking through row after row of white tents in Scottsdale, I passed by hundreds of Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes, Chevelles, Novas, Firebirds, and Dodge Chargers and Challengers for sale. But every once in a while an oddball car would be tucked in among the American muscle cars.

In this case, the 1981 Ferrari 400i Stretch Limousine is a truly rare and weird car. Rare because the Ferrari 400 (and its fuel-injected successor, the 400i) were never officially sold in the United States, and weird because Ferrari vehicles are not a popular choice for limousine conversions.
Any 400i vehicles in the U.S. today are grey market imports that were ordered from Europe and federalized to meet U.S. DOT regulations. With 1,305 examples of the 400i produced between 1979 and 1985, it is a safe bet that the number of these cars in America is “not very many.”

So you can be forgiven for never having heard of the Ferrari 400i in America. Its three-box styling and pop-up headlights are typical of the period. A non-stretched version of the 400i made an appearance in the 1988 movie “Rain Man” starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.
Power comes from a 4.8-liter V12 engine producing 310-315 horsepower, depending on the year. The car was among the first Ferrari vehicles to be offered with an automatic transmission, starting in 1976. The vinyl top and the wheels are not earning this car any style points, in my own opinion.

This 1981 Ferrari limo sold for $52,800 (including buyer’s premium) at the auction. While it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing or tasteful example of Ferrari automobiles, you can bet that you will be turning some heads at Cars and Coffee as you roll in with this one-of-one car.

Ferrari 70th Anniversary Celebration Comes to Pebble Beach

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If you were to ask a room full of automotive enthusiasts which car company is the most famous in the world, you can bet that Ferrari would be at or near the top of the list. No other manufacturer has produced quite the same number of iconic sports and racing cars as Ferrari. The company is celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year, with events planned all over the world.

From Edinbrugh and Belfast to China and Singapore, Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary is truly a global celebration of motoring. I was fortunate enough to attend the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours in Monterey, Californa, where Ferrari had assembled an amazing collection of 70 automobiles in honor of their big anniversary. Here is a selection of photos I took at the Monterey event that I wanted to share with you.

 

There’s two of these motherfuckers.

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I shit you not. There’s two of these things sitting in garages asking for princely sums of money. If you forgot (because I tend to post so infrequently) you can find the article HERE where I said you’d never see another of these again. Boy, was I wrong.

You can also find a bunch of old dudes disliking it’s striking similarity to their own 80’s Magnum PI mobiles right HERE. They’re probably bent out of shape because back in the day the Ferrari regularly got worked on by even the lowliest of small block chevy mills, like the crossfire 350 in this 1984 Corvette. I KID, I KID. But seriously, guys, yes the Stiletto is uglier than a Ferrari. Continue reading →

Finally For Sale, The 86 Testarossa I Spotted Last Year (Craigslist)

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While browsing Craigslist for Corvettes under $12,000 (there are quite a few C5’s) I happened to stumble across an old acquaintance.  It’s the oddball Testarossa inspired Corvette (or maybe Pontiac Grand Am?) that I spotted rolling around the streets about a year ago.  I never thought I would see it again, but here it is in all of it’s glory for only $5500.  If you’re looking to get into the Ferrari game this is a cheap start. Continue reading →