Mike will wear red and black but if you want him to wear a Prancing Horse, well...
By Wallace Wyss
To Sedona in an e-Bay Ferrari
In my experience both here and abroad, the Ferrari world is a sea of pristine well-cared for finely-fettled cars, whose owners seem to hover near them at every car show, dreadfully fearful some interloper will touch their car.
Then there’s my high school friend, Mike, a retiree from the Phoenix area.
His 1979 Ferrari GTB has seen better days. The paint is a bit rough (Mike claims that he had seen worse paint jobs, but they were done with a brush), the leather seats have popped their seams so there’s sponge rubber showing, there’s a piece of fiberglass hanging down somewhere at the back, the engine is dirt covered, the air conditioning compressor is missing, the tires don’t quite fit.
But, to his mind, it’s perfect. Why? Because he drives it.
When I visited him on a recent weekend, we looked up the cultural events, found some plein air painters were going to be slinging paint up in Sedona so we saddled up the Ferrari and headed out.
We tooled along at an estimated 75 mph (the speedometer is at least 10 mph off) and enjoyed the ride.
More interesting was the reactions of people everywhere we went. People wanted to sit in it (he encouraged it) people wanted to take a picture of it. People continually asked if it was a kit car or “the real thing.” Mike patiently explained the car’s history and showed its features.
Sedona is nice just about anywhere you look; the Ferrari is nice from about 20 feet away.
Now Mike does go as far as wearing a red shirt with his black pants, but figures “If Ferrari wants me to wear a logo on my shirt, they’ll have to give it to me.”
He’s not a Ferrari clubber. The car was an impulse purchase, partly due to his wife. Mike had had a Harley touring bike for several years. At one point, she was planning to buy a Harley of her own. Then she fell off a roof (it’s a long story), but suffice to say her plans for her own Harley were tabled.
So their daughter said: “You don’t need two Harleys. You should get a sports car.”
When his wife told him that, Mike got on the computer right away, thinking maybe a Jaguar. But then his wife said something few wives say: “I always wanted a Ferrari.”
He agreed and found one that night on eBay, in Memphis TN, a mere 1425 miles distant. It seemed like a bargain so they bid on it and won. They flew there, picked it up, and drove it to their native state, Michigan, to visit. The gearbox packed up along the way.
Cow skulls anyone? Put turquoise on them and they become collectable.
That cost a significant fraction of the purchase price of the car to fix. Then when they reached Texas on the way home the engine started missing badly. The car was transported by truck to Arizona, and stored in the back yard for a time. Fortunately a neighbor was a mechanic so they got somewhat of a deal on a complete engine rebuild, but suffice to say that the cosmetically imperfect Ferrari used up the budget on getting revived so there is no money left to make it showroom new.
Which suits him just fine.
It is a shock for this writer, who long ago bought a 1979 308GTS brand spanking new, to see a Ferrari 308 in this state of well worn decrepitude, but after all, 32 years have passed since it was built and it has grown old like everything else built 32 years ago.
It is now just an old car.
But it’s still a Ferrari.
And when I think of those I know who own newer Ferraris who are scared to take them to Monterey, scared of a door ding, scared to get them wet, scared to put miles on them, I think, “Hey, life’s passing, enjoy it while you can.”
Although in the town there's way too many tourists to let it all hang out in a sports car, there are so many fascinating little places to stop you don't want to go fast and miss something. This was once a nice cottage in Sedona you could rent. Now it's part of a park
Looking back on the little 300-mile jaunt, I have to say I enjoyed it more in the company of an owner who is not so paranoid of a ding, dent or road chip than I did similar jaunts with owners whose paranoia hung like a cloud over the whole event.
Welcome to reality. Not usual for Ferraris who've had too much fun in the sun.
Mike’s attitude was not one I see often in California, but I was glad to encounter it because it shows another side of the exotic car world—those who are able to enjoy their car without having to conform to everyone else’s view of The Way It Should Be.
Thanks, Mike, I hope you can visit me in California, go to a Ferrari event…and horrify the purists ….
Wallace Wyss is editing his noir mystery thriller about a Ferrari detective. It will be offered as an e-book soon.
I agree completely with any geezer who drives a beater sports car. It is for fun, not concours. My own twenty-five year old Alfa is covered in dog hair since the dog likes being in the car and I like having her there. And my wife doesn’t mind the dog hair.
Wonderful! Just throw some sheepskin seatcovers and cocoa mats in it,change the synthetic oil regularly, and check the fuel filters…then you can just drive and drive and drive. I’m curious whether the gearbox failure was because of low/no lubricant, though. Of course I’d put in a set of Pulstar plugs and drop some Fitch Fuel Catalysts in the tank…but that’s just me.
Terrific to see a well used orgional ferrari. TIDE ferrari racing is looking for two 308’s to set up for vintage racing.[SVRA,HSR,scca]LIKE the 308 we sponsored in the rally series with LeMans co driver Jean Andruet.with the prize monies we used from 81 LeMANS 5th O.A. first in IMSA class [TIDE-ch Pozzi Ferrari France BBLM #31589 we purchased in Oct.1980 & hired pozzi ferrari frace to run car at LeMans1981] Please contact TIDE ferrari racing P.O.BOX 3115 Palm Beach,Fl.33480; email pbtideyachts@aol.com We truly enjoy your PUBLICATION.Thanks, thomas I. davis,jr.TIDE Cell [561] 389 3555. google tom davis tide ferrari racing for additional info.
Great story and it should be read by all Ferrari owners as a reminder of the purpose of sports cars. I have been through quite a few Corvettes and Porsche’s, but Ferrari’s have been so much associated with the gold chain crowd that I have stayed away. Oh and they can be even more expensive than Porsche’s when they break. But my hat is off to Mike!
Bravo for Mike! A car is meant to be driven. Those prestine exemples we see at various shows ar all fine and dandy, but to me they are like wax figures in a wax museum… dead! Bonne route!
It is good to see a Ferrari being used for what it was designed for: to be driven with spirit. Well done!
now thats a great story.enjoyed it to no end.
I love it! I photograph and write about vintage racing events for Victory Lane Magazine. A number of years ago I interviewed a fellow who had the third 166 barchetta eve made. He found it in an old vending machine warehouse somewhere on the East Coast. Minus the head and one brake shoe the car was as complete and original as anyone would want… including its original paint. The car was driven in vintage races, hill climbs and down to the local ice cream parlor for cone on the weekends… ya gotta admire that kind of thinking.
There’s nothing better than enjoying the car in the way it was designed to be enjoyed… by driving it. If you can piss off the “gold neck chain” nose in the air cognoscenti… it’s even better!
Mike is a man after my own heart, many people baby these cars and some relative or the next owner has no love and beats it to pieces. Cars are made to enjoy, drive it, door dings and road nicks can be fixed. I want a Ferrari too, I would rather buy the rough one and have fun bringing it back, I need another commute car.
Tom
In a world of artificial perfection, where even “authentic” old cars are restored to significantly better than new, it is awesome to read about a person, and a car, who carries just the “right” amount of patina, and wears it proudly… no heavily licensed prancing horse-brand logo required!
I think it is great, he is really enjoying his car and using it!
I agree totally with the beater concept. Once you let go of your ego a whole world
of nifty driving opens up.
Good for you! I see far too many Ferrari owners are so terrified, they won’t drive the car for fear it might get damaged or that the value will be reduced because they put 10 more miles on the car. If you bought it for it’s investment value, and the joy of viewing a piece of art, buy a Picasso. Cars were built to be driven. I have a 37 year old Alfa spider, mine is covered in dog hair, just like Dick Bevins, but my dog loves it and the joy of driving this car far out weighs what anyone else thinks when they see it.
Where there’s a Ferrari, there’s Toly. Glad to see you are at least able to punch in keyboard data. A very good sign indeed for not only you, but the rest of the automotive world as we fellow car nuts know it. I totally agree with your way of making this an enjoyable driver. I can just feel those sheepskins.
Mike, when your done with GTB, I’ll take it as is. It’ll be my daily driver.
I’m not kidding.
8dayweek@gmx.com
Fills my heart with joy when I see a potent car exercising in the way it was conceived and executed. Makes me a little nervous to see how far off-point so many of the products of inspired invention are used.
On the Ortega Highway a few years back:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2222506794_62430dacc6_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/2221715639_b6ae406b29_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2221715727_5a4d5a7124_o.jpg
Great elevation of spirits to see Toly out and about, as well.
Cheers!
An interesting article, some of which I tend to agree with however, surely a car as great as this deserves a little more TLC. My Morgan gets driven regularly but I stll like it to look as good as poss. Its all down to pride in ones appearance !!
Nice to see a Ferraristi with the attitude of an Alfista. Enjoy the drive, it is all about seat time.
Great Story!
I had a ’85 308 GTSI and drove the heck out of it for 4 years- was my daily driver and never had any problem.
Jiffy-lube did the oil changes at minimal cost, I brought the filters.
Then sold the car for exactly what I had bought it for, 30.000 miles later!
One of the few cars I did not loose my shirt on!
There is no such thing as a “beater Ferrari”…. a pair of Gucci loafers are still Gucci whether worn or still in the box. Forza (fill in the blank)…..get well Toly, I never met you but you need to get better.
Love it! I bought a 275/GTB.4 brand new, watched them build it and picked it up at the Factory! Drove it every day as it WAS my daily driver. The o.e. Michelins were actually great in the snow! Much to the horror of the gang at a Detroit Ferrari club meet I drove to from Cleveland. They wondered what idiot was driving his car in THAT kind of weather. Wonderful car, I enjoyed EVERY ONE of the 80,000 plus miles I put on it! Wish I had it back…. wish even more I could AFFORD to have it back!
Toly, stay well and keep on enjoying the ride! A Ferrari is about the only thing I never saw you drive to Monterey and race – and it was great fun for all of us.
A RESPONSE FROM THE AUTHOR
It is heartening to see the support for Mike. I thought there would be more of the
“shame on you for owning a Ferrari and keeping it so shabby, yadda yadda.” variety. The sad truth is he bought a car that was maintained properly and when it broke, that used up all the money for the cosmetics. However, I can see owning a Ferrari other than some place like SoCal is a whole different experience- when we were on the trip many people seeing it saw it as their first Ferrari and didn’t notice its shape. Also what the one forumite wrote about “A Gucci is still a Gucci” is true–I have a pair of battered Italian shoes, maybe Ferragamos, and despite needing a little polish they are very well constructed, probably because Italians were making fine shoes when Americans were still fighting their way West in conestogas….
Totally great stuff! I knew a guy that did the same in an old 365 GT 2+2. Kids and a golden retriever in the back. I use to drive an Alfa Romeo Giulietta spyder 300 plus miles a week commuting which even then drove the Alfa club crazy. Glad you are doing better Toly. I raced against you in the mid-70’s in my Sprite. Well that’s not true – I followed you on the track as I fell further back at ever growing distances. I think in one race you may have lapped me 4 times! One fast son of a gun. The only time I think I was ever in front of you that whole weekend was in the line at the port-a-pottie. Hang in there!
The 308 is a beautiful car, mechanically and visually. So drive it, – don’t pay any attention to people who think it should look perfect because it’s a Ferrari. And listen to Toly, get those sheepskin seat covers! (And can’t wait to hear about Toly’s computerized leg!)
Hi Mike,
Good for you – thanks for your story – might encourage a few folks to move the trash bin and lawn mower and get “out there” with their “exotic” All Blah blah blahs are “meant to be driven” hauling the kids to practice or stuff for a “tailgate” or Saturday cars n’ coffee Nothing makes my commute better than seeing something special coming or going on my route — Mike I wish you many more year/miles and smiless enjoying your 306GTB sam slosilveralfa#173
There’s certainly nothing better than flooring the throttle on your own sport’s car, I own no Ferrari, but driving old machinery the way they are supposed to be driven is a definitely thumbs up! Drive it, even if it isn’t perfect, once you get behind the wheel, every second is unique and perfect! Keep those miles ticking! and keep the 308 eating up tarmac! There’s no fun in a Garage Queen 🙁 it can be beautiful, but if it isn’t driven.. it’s dead!
The SLEEPER must AWAKEN!
I certainly understand this point of view! About ten years ago, I fell into a rough early 80’s Alfa Spider for a pittance since the owner had to move across country and couldn’t keep the car. After years of parking my pristine cars out in the hinterlands to avoid dings and spending weekend after weekend keeping them clean, there was no point in doing these things with the Alfa’s oxidized paint, rust in all the normal places, torn seats, and cracked dash. But the top kept out the rain (so unlike the top on my pristine Jensen), and the car burbled its way around town happily. It was liberating! That car became the favorite and was the go-to vehicle for anything fun. I even parked in the closest spot to the store I could find (what daring!). That specific car had to be sold during a cross-country move, but I recently found another Alfa of the same ilk that has become my favorite. I heartily suggest such a car to any sports-car fan.
Great piece. When everything is said and done A Ferrari is just another car to be driven, no matter how much mystique it might have attached to it. Good for Mike, he didn’t go over the top on it, just maintains it mechanically without much regard for appearance – in other words, allowing it to grow old gracefully.
Somewhere between this type of ownership and the pristine ones, there must some balanced approach to managing a car needs. I wonder about the safety of using tires that do not match on a performance car. I wonder about the condition of safety items if this owner does not have the resources to maintain the vehicle. And I wonder about the safety of others sharing the road with this car. If so far so good, then it must be OK. But in the back of my mind I keep wondering about any unmaintained car.
I cannot agree with all the ones who supported the author’s friend Mike in the way he maintains his car. It is a shame and disrespectfull of these marvelous pieces of engineering. He should take care of the car, clean it, use the right tires and so on. Doesnt he take a shower and wash his teeth everyday : Why would he do this to his car ? Ok to use it daily, ok to drive it all the way. But take good care of it. I really dont like this kind of romanticism: for me he is just unkind to the car, is not very clean and lazy. Not to mentio that he did even know how to buy it, just went for a car without looking for its state before. I dont like this types, they are only cool for journos looking for something to write down and to ilude all with a lifestyle that is only lacking care. Bye…
Comments from the owner:
I never intended to upset any other Ferrarista, I just wanted a fun car to drive. My wife and I use all of our antiques, too. Life is too short to store stuff away. To Raymond and Oswaldo Pepe: The car gets washed and waxed regularly. The interior gets cleaned. The important stuff – not cosmetic – engine, transmission, running gear, brakes are regularly maintained by a highly skilled mechanic. The car is not a hazzard on the road. I am not a complete fool. As to the tires: the proper Michelins are no longer made by Michelin, but by Coker, and are $500 each. I wish I could afford them, but the Michelins I have on the car are quite adequate, if not original. The advantage of owning a less than perfect car is that I can use it without worrying that a door-ding will reduce it value, since it already has door dings. Besides it brings smiles to little kids (and their dads) faces when I let them climb in, and take their pictures.
To Oswaldo: As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ll take it as is when Mike’s done with it & drive’er back to Toronto. Would be a great road trip…. Coming? I’ll even go as far as vacuum the passenger seat for you. Are you in..eh?
Mike, no need to apologize.
I’m biased, but when the day comes, and it will, for someone to ‘inherit’ the car, I feel they should drive it as is for a bit, then bring it back close to original (a new beginning). Let’s say the 308 is then 50 years old. I’m convinced that cars, especially the good ones, have pride. Then drive it carefully, show it at either fun or serious concours for a year or two, then simply drive it…
This is awesome. Not everyone can own, wants to own or afford a 100 point car. Take a decent car and just enjoy it to the fullest. Let the purists choke on the high dollar wine.
I own 308 #41695, one of two pre-production 308qv’s made. And I drive the snot out of it. I’ve always heard ferrari’s were expensive to repair, but I work on my own and it’s not really that bad. I’ve owned a couple of porsche’s and with the exception of a few select parts, the maint. is about the same. I used to be afraid of how I drove my cars and then my mechanic once told me “it’s a ferrari, one of the most raced brands. You’re not man enough to really hurt that car!” I agree. Drive and enjoy them!!
Great story Wally. It is also great to hear from Toly. I admire Mike for keeping the Ferrari active and safe. In one old guy’s opinion, it is like a guy who paints his Bugatti a non original color. IT’S HIS CAR!! When the cars were originally sold with bespoke coachbuilt bodies, THE OWNER selected HIS OR HER colors and details. The next guy can do with it as he wants, but Mike is taking all the pleasure that little 308 was meant to deliver—Good for him. Thanks to Wally for our introduction to a genuine driving enthusiast. Sorry about Mike’s wife’s departure from life with motorcycles, but the replacement seems to be working.
Good work Mike. Enjoy the thing. Whatever that means to you. Thats what it’s for. 35 year old seats SHOULD look like that. I know plenty of people who use their Ferrari’s regularly – and have the car “touched up” once a year. PAH!
Cars are like people – they should be allowed to grow old gracefully. I’d prefer to see a great looking lady in her 40’s than one the same age who has become obsessed with plastic surgery in a quest to look 18 again….
I enjoyed the Wally Wyss story about the regularly driven 308 Ferrari, but let me present another side. I bought myself a 250 GTE Ferrari in 1979 which I still own and drive at least once a week all year ’round. Ferraris are fun to drive and letting them sit is the worst thing that can happen to them. However, I try to maintain my GTE in top notch condition both cosmetically and mechanically. Heck, half the fun of owning a Ferrari is messing around with it — keeping it running strong and looking good. I don’t know why a regularly driven Ferrari has to look shabby. Mine doesn’t.