Friday, March 1, 2013

Ferrari Sales and Service Bay Area - History of the Ferrari 275 GTB - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael







 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During the late sixties, Ferraris road-oriented berlinettas split in terms of design from their race cars. After the 250 short wheelbase berlinetta, the dual purpose road / race Ferrari seemed gone. This new distinction motivated Ferrari to manufacture more civil road cars having impressive specification. The first example of this new trend was the 275 GTB.

The 275 GTB/GTS was debuted in October 1964 at the Paris Salon. It was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scagliettie. The 275 GTB was based on the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusson and the 250 GTO. The GTS version drew styling from the 330 GT 2+2. Production continued through 1966.
The fastback Berlinetta coupe was the GTB series. This version was meant for driving on the road and at the track. The Open Spyder was the GTS series designed to replace the 250 California. This version was more comfortable and more suited for touring. Around 200 examples of the GTS were created during its two year production.

Being light, powerful and strikingly beautiful, the 275 was a very successful car for Ferrari. It sold well, with around 1000 examples made, and, as an afterthought, scored victories in endurance racing after the 250 LM was denied homologation.

By moving the transmission to rear of the car, better weight distribution was achieved. The engine used was a Colombo-derived V-12 engine that produced 260 horsepower in the GTS and 280 horsepower in the GTB. With the GTB version, an option was given to the buyer to purchase the vehicle with three or six Weber carburetors.

In 1965, Ferrari created three examples of the 275 GTB for the purpose of endurance motor sport racing. The vehicles were dubbed the 275 GTB/C and outfitted with a light-weight aluminum body, air vents for the brakes, six carburetors, and a 320 horsepower engine, and a few other minor mechanical modifications.

In 1966 the 275 GTB was re-introduced with a four-cam version of the V12. Six Webber carburetors aided in delivering around 300 horsepower. To cope with the new power, the GTB/4 was given wider tires and a ZF limited-slip differential. The 4 in the name GTB/4 represented the twin camshafts per cylinder bank totaling four. This was the first quad-cam road-going Ferrari ever created. It was easily distinguished by its bulge in the hood. During its production run lasting until 1968, around 320 examples of the 275 GTB/4 were created.

The 275 P and P2 were purpose built to Capture the World Championship and in the process beat Ford. The 275 P was powered by a 3.3-liter powerplant; a 4 and 4.4 liter version were also used. These mid-engined, open-topped cars were comprised of many of the same components as the road-going versions.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2006
 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Ferrari Sales and Service Bay Area - Road Test: Ferrari 430 Scuderia - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael



Road Test Ferrari 430 Scuderia

We finally managed to achieve what the Italian smugs at Ferrari have long tried to prevent! This is our first and surely not our last road test of a red shiny prancing horse. And for those wondering, yes it is the faster, lighter, and more compelling version of the F430, the 430 Scuderia. Available to our disposal for one single day somewhere in Germany, the Scuderia delivered everything that the 430-series had to offer in a track-biased and powerful package.

Built to showcase the company’s F1 racing technology in a street car, the Scuderia followed in the footsteps of the 355 Challenge and the 360 Challenge Stradale when it was introduced at the IAA car show in 2007. Considered as the final hoorah of the 430 series, the Italians released a 16M Spider version in 2009 to commemorate Ferrari’s 16th victory in the Formula 1 Constructor’s World Championship 2008.

Based upon the ‘normal’ 430, the track-biased sports car is 100kg lighter than its standard brother. The weight is shed using an aggressive race-bred body kit including a Lexan – instead of glass – rear window, titanium springs, titanium lug bolts, carbon fiber bay liners and air boxes plus lightweight front and rear bumpers. The vehicle rides on 19 inch magnesium wheels shod in Pirelli P Zero Corsa. Carbon ceramic composite brakes are the main stopping tool. On the inside, the Italians fitted a minimalistic cabin without any carpeting nor floor mats and different lightweight race seats.

Road Test Ferrari 430 Scuderia 02

On a technical level, quicker gear shifts, special settings on the Manettino switch and an increase of 20hp up to 510hp complements the Scuderia’s performance. The 4.3 liter flat-plane-crankshaft V8 delivers its power linear throughout the rev band while being accompanied by a torque of 470Nm. The increase in power over the F430 was realized by new pistons and hand-polished intake manifolds, a slightly higher compression ratio (up from 11.3:1 to 11.9:1) and an exhaust sys­tem that breathes more freely and sounds absolutely brilliant.

The powerplant is linked to a flappy-pedal F1 shifter featuring 150ms shift intervals, which are cut to just 60ms if you have at least 5,000rpm on the dial and the throttle pressed more than halfway down. The automated manual Superfast2 gearbox is controlled via column-mounted pedals visible behind the ergonomically-shaped carbon steering wheel, which holds shift lights and the famous Manettino switch. This rotary button lets you to change the parameters for the engine, gearshift, E-diff and traction and stability controls.

The magic switch has a total of five settings. Compared to the F430, the ICE setting had been removed in favor of the CT setting which only deactivates the traction control, while leaving the stability control engaged. We started our journey in Sport mode, which is the best setting for every-day on-the-road use. Engage the Soft suspension mode and you travel with comfort in a track-biased sports car.

Sport was left behind quickly after several minutes behind the wheel of the 430. The RACE setting offered us more engagement, improved shifts, maximum performance and better stability while speeding on the famous autobahn and local German country roads. Via the CT setting we would have entered the territory of track superstars, but we decided differently in local traffic. With the CST setting, the traction and stability controls are switched off to allow maximum freedom and driving control on the racetrack. In this case there are no electronic devices to control the vehicle’s stability, except for the E-Diff.

Finding your way inside the Ferrari goes with ease. The Scuderia driver’s seat feels quite comfortable for a trackcar and communicates precisely what a driver wants to feel. While our body was strapped inside the carbon fiber racing seat, our ears were entertained by the screaming exhaust which opens its full arsenal of tunes above 3,500rpm. Our hands controlled the light steering precisely through the country bends. The steering felt surprisingly nimble up to a point you start to ask yourself how well Porsche’s are capable of moving you around corners. Yes, it is no match to a GT 911, but it comes pretty close!

Road Test Ferrari 430 Scuderia 03

The Scuderia is clearly a trackday weapon with its superb handling balance, great grip, intoxicating soundtrack and amazing brakes. The Formula 1-inspired Italian sports car revs all the way up to 8,500rpm where it plays its best cards. The F1 gearbox was an amazing piece of kit at its introduction and still leaves its mark in the sports car segment. The whole package excels in combining a raw and pure driving experience.

On the road, the ride is outstandingly composed if you opt for the softer shock settings. The 430 takes you to and from the track with great ease. At the track the quality of the interaction between machine, butt and cerebrum must be fabulous well controlled. Add these to the freedom of the Manettino drive settings and beginners, experienced drivers and trackday lunatics have a wonderful track toy at their disposal. One which shares the complete Italian thrill of driving and racing.

source: www.gtspirit.com

http://www.sfmotorsports.com

Monday, February 25, 2013

Ferrari Service and Sales San Francisco - 6th and Last Ferrari 365P by Rivitography - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael







One of the first designs ever put into productiong by famed automotive designer Sergio Pininfarina was the Ferrari 365P.
The Ferrari 365P was a radical design for its day, as it was intended to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In non-race spec, the mid-mounted V12 produced a reported 380 horsepower. Information about the car is difficult to come by, but this car is currently owned by car collector Peter Sachs. As noted by Rivitography, the white circle located on the outside of the driver door (seen pictured) used to hold the number 37. The number was a designation used to historic racing, and not a continuation of numbering used during the cars earlier race history.

According to Barchetta.cc the Ferrari 365P – chassis number 581 – finished 1st in the 12 hours of Reims back in 1965 and 7th in the 24 Hours of Le Mans the same year. Following both impressive results, the car had a rather unfortunate string of DNF’s from late 1965 to 1967, in which the car failed to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona.
Only 6 examples of the Ferrari 365P were built. Check out the picture by Rivitography for a closer look at this ultra-rare Ferrari.

source: www.gtspirit.com


http://www.sfmotorsports.com

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Ferrari Service and Sales San Francisco - Details the Legacy of the Ferrari Testarossa - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael


Video: Petrolicious Details the Legacy of the Ferrari Testarossa


The Ferrari Testarossa not only holds the title as being one of the most iconic Ferrari’s ever produced, but it’s also one of the most revered supercars ever produced and in the latest episode of Petrolicious, this time narrated and hosted by Joe Ventura, we get a clear look into the prestige of the Testarossa while also helping to form a clearer image of “the Testarossa presence”.
Although it may not seem to be the case, Ventura makes the point that the Ferrari Testarossa is a truly practical supercar and even though it can’t carry a family full of children, it’s more than capable of being parallel parked like any other car on the market, despite its wide body.
 
What makes the Testarossa one of a very small dying breed is the fact that it features a true gated- manual transmission, something which is becoming rarer and rarer by the year. The only car that jumps to mind with a similar setup is the now defunct Lamborghini Gallardo.
If you’ve always been a fan of the Ferrari Testarossa and want a better look into its legacy, be sure to check out this video!
 
 
 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Ferrari Service and Sales Bay Area - This Drag Race Between A Ferrari F50 And An F1 Car Has A Surprising Result - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael









 Welcome to Sunday Matinee where we highlight classic car reviews or other longer videos I find on YouTube. Kick back and enjoy this blast from the past.

Conventional wisdom is that the Ferrari F50 is nowhere near as great or as loved as its predecessor, the F40. That's kind of a shame, if you ask me. The F50 isn't as good looking as the F40, and it does without that car's two turbochargers, but it's extremely special in its own right. Keep in mind that since only about 350 F50s were ever made, it's even more rare than the F40.

It was also fast as hell and a lot of fun to drive. I don't know that from personal experience, unfortunately, but Jeremy Clarkson's account in this 1995 episode of Top Gear is good enough for me. 

And there's a surprising twist at the end -- Clarkson feels confident enough in the F50's abilities to pit it against a Formula One car in a drag race. Guess what? The F50 gets its ass kicked. But that's not the surprise. The surprise is that it was fairly close with the F1 car up to about 160 mph. Not bad. Maybe the F50 deserves more respect than it gets. 

 


By Patrick George

http://www.sfmotorsports.com

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Ferrari Service and Sales San Francisco - Ferrari's F150 Hypercar Might be 950 Horsepower - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael

 This could be the most accurate Ferrari F70 render yet
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remember when we found out that the McLaren P1 would have 903 horsepower a couple of hours ago? Well, it sounds like the Ferrari F150 will have 950 horsepower. Maranello is getting ready to kick some ass and possibly take some names.

At least 950 is the rumored number from an insider that claims to have knowledge of the car. To break that down, it would be 800 horsepower from the melifluous/orgasmic V12 as well as an extra 150 horsepower from two electric motors, one of which is supposedly inside the double clutch gearbox. Sounds like a very trick setup. Or my Italian translating skills need some work.

Acceleration figures are said to be staggering, with 0 to 60 times of less than three seconds and a 0 to 125 time of 7.3 seconds. 

The F150 is also said to be very compact, about the same size as the 458 Italia. The price isn't compact. Rumored MSRP is €1.2 million. That's $1.6 million. That's more than I make in a week!


By Travis Okulski

 

http://www.sfmotorsports.com




Friday, February 15, 2013

Ferrari Sales and Service Bay Area - Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta - San Francisco Motorsports San Rafael


2008 Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta


Zagato's 550 GTZ is one of the secret Ferraris that was made from the prying eyes of the press and Ferrari themselves. We first broke the story in 2007 when the Quail Motorsports Gathering had an advertisement for one in their program catalog. Since then, Zagato has denied the existence of the model despite including it in their latest book Zagato Milano 1919-2009: The Official Book.

Zagato and Ferrari's successful relationship started with the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Zagato Panoramica and continued sporadically throughout Ferrari's lengthy history. The most famous example is the Ferrari 250 GT Zagato (GTZ) which helped Camillo Luglio become the Italian sports car champion twice over. We hope one day the relationship between Zagato and Ferrari reaches a similar level.

The new model pays tribute to the old by joining the exclusive group of Ferraris that are custom-built. Like Ferrari's early competition cars, the 575 GTZ has an all-aluminum body and is strictly a two seat affair.

Unlike the five Coupés Zagato made on the 575M Maranello platform, Zagato had to start with the much more exclusive Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina. These had the required chassis strength and provided a basis for the 550 GTZ.


Zagato only built five Coupés and three Barchettas. They first featured a silver example with red interior in their Official Book. A second car in Grigio Silverstone with Sabbia interior appeared at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a display model for the Bonhams Auction. This second car was listed as a 2000 model year, which is probably the date the original Barchetta car left the factory. It also appears to be delivered new to England with the British plates WOF19 and has side markers in the front fender vents. Bonhams described it as “one of only five examples of the car bodied by the famous Italian carrozeria Zagato and the only Right Hand Drive example.”

We can only speculate as to why Zagato has tried to remove all traces of the 550 GTZ online. Our best guess is that this model was made without authorization from Ferrari who forbid custom bodies after the P4/5 was completed in 2006.
source: http://www.supercars.net/cars/3881.html
by Richard Owen
photos by supercars.net

http://www.sfmotorsports.com