Wally Wyss on the new Ferrari California Spyder.
Is Wyss on the money? Let us hear your opinion..
First the preview….it was spectacular. Though Ferrari called the showing of the car at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica in mid September the “World Premiere†I understand that there was a preview at Monterey in August.
But no matter.
The showing in Santa Monica was very dramatic with first a movie-like visual presentation of the last 50 years of history (even including Martin Luther King) along with side view paintings of Ferraris that were bult in each era.
Then a short presentation on Ferraris in movies and when you look at those old film clips you remember how you fell in love with Brigette Bardot and the Ferrari California at the same time (it’s OK, you can admit you don’t lust for Brigette anymore…)
Then a Michael Mann (remember Miami Vice?) short film showing two new California spyders being driven in a way the CHP would highly disapprove of on some road up in North California, sometimes only inches apart. But if you have any love of cars, this was designed to get your senses aroused!
The Car Itself
Ah, yes, the appetizers were good but the
car, well, my judgements might be a bit harsh for those who are die-hard Ferraristi, do or die. Let’s look at different areas:
The Front: The grille is strong, traditional Ferrari, the most satisifying “retro†detail.
The Hood Scoop. Too small, would rather they had a scoop out of the hood in front of the scoop like on the Ferrari that the last Thunderbird copied.
The Side: The least attractive part of the car. The side vent is way too small, reminds one of something on a BMW, and why couldn’t they have brought back the mesh one with a chrome surround used on some real California Spyders back in the Sixties? Plus the side sculpturing is way overwrought, more of the cursed “Bangle influence.â€
The Rear. If they were trying to be retro, they didn’t go very far back with those Enzo taillights, though only one per side. Would have preferred GTB/2 NART spyder type large circular flat lamps in the rear valance. And weren’t those Peek-a-Boo taillights used on the ’61 Chevy?
The new Ferrari is a bit narrow compared to the original Calfornia Spyders. A bit tall, All in all more like what we expect will be the next evolution of the BMW Z4 (Z5?) than a Ferrari, despite all the Ferrari design cues.
The Hardtop. Yes there is a retractible hardtop. We didn’t check if there is any trunkroom when it is retracted. No, with the top up , it does not resemble any previous Ferrari.
Summing Up: The new Ferrari, for sales purposes, had to be front engined, because, let’s be real, mid-engined cars have nada for trunk room and it’s about time the oft used phrase “grand touring†got some real meaning in a car that you can use for touring. I think it’s unfortunate that they didn’t go for a stronger body shape rather than a so-so shape with all sorts of filigrees that say “Yes, it’s a Ferrariâ€. If they had had the right body shape, even with no detailing (no headlights, taillights, etc.) the car would have said “Ferrari†by the boldness of the shape alone. This one doesn’t.
Testosterone Treatments
It can be done, by maybe making an evolution two years from now; say a “Comp†model with a Monza quick fill cap, delete the hardtop (for Comp only though it would be highway legal), about 200 lbs. shaved off through carbon fiber, up to 550 hp. etc. etc.
In short, they can “man it up†and make a car that doesn’t look like they were trying to capture more of the femme market, which could be the kiss of death for a car whose appeal has always been “women love men who drive Ferraris.â€
The Author: Author of two Ferrari books and consultant to several automakers, he is now an artist depicting Ferraris among his favorite sports cars.
See VT Store for More of Wyss’ art, click here.
I like Ferraris and have owned a number of them through the years, including a 1960 250GT Spyder California. I have to agree with much of what Wally has to say about the design of the new Ferrari California.
Many of us were hoping for a modern rendition of the early 250GT Spyder California, a great open sports car. It looks like what we got is more along the lines of the 60’s 365 California, a long wheelbase boulevard cruiser of questionable design merit.
When is Ferrari going to build a basic sports car again? The last one issued was the 355 built 1994-99. They are a absolute joy to drive and I love my 355 Spider Fiorano. To me that car is much more reminiscent of the 250GT SWB Spyder California than the new California.
The road Ferraris built since the 355 are great cars and good performers, but they are big GT cars rather than guts-level sports cars. I don’t need jump seats and room for golf clubs. I have nothing against those who do, but please, Ferrari, remember your roots and give us back a true Ferrari sports car.
Share the point.
Could it be that they lack the right people now in Maranello ?
I remember times not so far when the word “Marketing Department” was unknown there.
Today along the floors of beautiful new premises crowded by smart and important looking young fellows you have difficulties to find someone not involved in marketing, leave alone had they ever driven any car at speeds above hundred miles.
Same if you go to Maserati, where technical stuff is a minority already…
For the most part I have been infatuated with Ferrari design. In this case I take an exception! This is a bastardization of a Japanese front end paired with a Bavarian rear end. The styling line doesn’t flow well. It’s not Ferrari.
Sorry guys, this looks like a “Chinese Knock off.” I agree totally with Al Stolarun……..
RWH/KMH
I’ve been a fan for 45 years, and have even gotten to own a few, and drive a few more.
This appears to be the first expensive Japanese car.
wrong wrong wrong,and wrong again.while agreeing with the proverb of the old lady and the cow.”everybody to there own taste” i can’t help thinking these opinions hold somthing of the “why the hell did they do away with the hole for the engine crank” school of thought.”sculpture over wrought”come on.crack me a break old man.her general shape is somwhat like the pinin designs of the early 90’s.just advanced.not retrogressed as some would seem to think as a requirment.she’ big real and she’s fantastic.
First of all how would a person that goes by the name of WALLY WYSS from Detroit know the first thing about a hand made Italian car? The answer is he does not and never well because the people from Detroit are not tuned into the finer details of taste and design unless it’s as simple as a Ford or a more potent Shelby which they could never handle anyway. And where did he learn to spell overwrought, a big word for such a small mind.
The California was designed for the market, the people that actually buy these works of art with their hard earned cash, not individuals that have to beg a higher up or owner to even ride in the car much less actually drive it. We have driven our 2010 for over a year now and have never heard a negative remark about the California except from a Ferrari tech. that remarked on the cup holder in a not positive way.
This California has been on the track with the 458 and the 599 and had no problem keeping pace with either.
This California has been up and down the state and Arizona and had has hundreds if not thousand of pictures take of her, with positive remarks like” I’ve never seen such a beautiful Ferrari”
I think the Scudera is more Wally’s taste a stripped down “sports car” without any comforts or interior styling. I suggest Wally go home to Detroit and give up writing about things that he knows nothing about and try to learn about the better things in life before it’s too late to rebuild his Karmann Ghia and drive a “real Sports Car”.
Gents,
From my POV, the new CA Spyder is a robot built car for girls compared to my 1959 250 LWB CA Spyder.
Peace,
Paul