Automotive News

Ferrari can do many things other car companies cannot, including building a machine that links past with present and that tries, however successfully, to be the fastest car to the market and back. The Ferrari California, premiering in 2008, takes its name from a 50-year-old classic while introducing some modern-day developments. It’s the first Ferrari to sport a retractable hardtop, to rock a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, and the first to wield a front-engine V8. It’s also got something called backseats, which seems like a cute concept for a Ferrari — a “2+” is the technical term. And as a result of this transmission it presents at least one last: The last Ferrari to offer a manual gearbox. It’s a natural classic, all good looks and serious performance, and it’s got a foot in the present and the past.

The California is a “2+,” a two-door with what we’ll all agree to call two ass-holders in what we’ll all agree to call the “backseat.” Which puts it in the class of “grand tourer,” a fine distinction for a car that really does look like it just wants to get on the road and stay there. The eight cylinders get you to 60 from a standstill in just under four seconds, well on its way to 193 mph, an impressive speed that is the result of long hours in a wind tunnel.

Its link to the past is right there in the name — the California is so named for the 250 GTs that awed a 20th-century world in the late ’50s. It ended its life by sailing out a window, a scene which horrified the Ferrari cognoscenti in audiences across America — who may still have unnecessary nightmares, as the car in that film was a replica. (The car in the movie was a replica, not an actual 250, because if it had been, Ferrari enthusiasts would have burned down Hollywood had Hughes actually destroyed one of the rare beauties.)

To give you an idea just how valuable: In 2008 a 250GT sold at auction for more than $10.8 million. Million. Dollars. So, yeah. Replica. But anyway yes the new California gets its name from those cars of yore, and while it’s sure a fine product from those Italian fellows, it seems to have gotten a lot of gossip about being a “nice” car.

But in the canon of Ferrari’s aggressively powerful cars, the California has already gotten a bit of a rep for being nice. And this is partly in the design — a car that can do many things well, and most of them better than almost every other car on the road. Very fast but in a controlled way. And while the front end brings to mind, say, a dignified Aston-Martin, the rear gets a lot of grief for being a bit too big.

But Ferrari was serious when it decided to build a car that could perform but could also fit a small child (say, the child of your mistress) in the back seat. A little something for everyone, it seems. Everyone who has $230,000 and a wish to take your best normal-sized friend and your best small friends for an exhilarating trip.

Learn more about Charles Granere. Stop by Charles Granere’s site where you can find out all about Charles Granere‘s hobbies.

categories: ferrari california,ferrari,super cars,sports cars,cars

Ferrari can do many things other car companies cannot, including building a machine that links past with present and that tries, however successfully, to be the fastest car to the market and back. A retractable hardtop. It’s the first Ferrari to sport a retractable hardtop, to rock a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, and the first to wield a front-engine V8. It’s also got something called backseats, which seems like a cute concept for a Ferrari — a “2+” is the technical term. The $230,000 auto is called a “grand tourer” I suppose for this reason, though you’d better find some small friends or very young children if you want to do any grand touring without major leg circulation issues. Anyway who wants to deal with complaints from the backseat?

This is a Ferrari after all, and it makes no apologies for conceding a few extra seats. Oh, and you’re of course invited to come along.

Speaking of flying, you probably remember the California’s ancestors from a movie called “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The mythic car in that film was a (say it with me now) 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. It ended its life by sailing out a window, a scene which horrified the Ferrari cognoscenti in audiences across America — who may still have unnecessary nightmares, as the car in that film was a replica. (The car in the movie was a replica, not an actual 250, because if it had been, Ferrari enthusiasts would have burned down Hollywood had Hughes actually destroyed one of the rare beauties.)

So the new series, which could just as easily have been called the “Utah” or the “Connecticut,” adopts the name of that 50-year-old classic and lays in all the new gadgetry of this, the modern era. But anyway yes the new California gets its name from those cars of yore, and while it’s sure a fine product from those Italian fellows, it seems to have gotten a lot of gossip about being a “nice” car.

Pretty but not exotic, and with a rear end that offends some, it’s clear that the new California has a mellow side that its cousins do not. And this is partly in the design — a car that can do many things well, and most of them better than almost every other car on the road. So while it’s a bit peculiar for a Ferrari, it’s still a breathtaking machine when compared to, gosh, anything with a backseat. Just make sure you call shotgun at least once. And while the front end brings to mind, say, a dignified Aston-Martin, the rear gets a lot of grief for being a bit too big.

But Ferrari was serious when it decided to build a car that could perform but could also fit a small child (say, the child of your mistress) in the back seat. A little something for everyone, it seems. Everyone who has $230,000 and a wish to take your best normal-sized friend and your best small friends for an exhilarating trip.

Looking for info on Charles Granere, then visit www.Granere.com and learn more about Charles Granere hobbies and interests.

categories: ferrari california,ferrari,super cars,sports cars,cars

Ferrari can do many things other car companies cannot, including building a machine that links past with present and that tries, however successfully, to be the fastest car to the market and back. A retractable hardtop. A front-engine V8. It’s also got something called backseats, which seems like a cute concept for a Ferrari — a “2+” is the technical term. And as a result of this transmission it presents at least one last: The last Ferrari to offer a manual gearbox. Anyway who wants to deal with complaints from the backseat?

The California is a “2+,” a two-door with what we’ll all agree to call two ass-holders in what we’ll all agree to call the “backseat.” Which puts it in the class of “grand tourer,” a fine distinction for a car that really does look like it just wants to get on the road and stay there. Oh, and you’re of course invited to come along.

Speaking of flying, you probably remember the California’s ancestors from a movie called “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The mythic car in that film was a (say it with me now) 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. It ended its life by sailing out a window, a scene which horrified the Ferrari cognoscenti in audiences across America — who may still have unnecessary nightmares, as the car in that film was a replica. There were fewer than a hundred 250GTs made, and as a result they were valuable cars.

So the new series, which could just as easily have been called the “Utah” or the “Connecticut,” adopts the name of that 50-year-old classic and lays in all the new gadgetry of this, the modern era. But anyway yes the new California gets its name from those cars of yore, and while it’s sure a fine product from those Italian fellows, it seems to have gotten a lot of gossip about being a “nice” car.

But in the canon of Ferrari’s aggressively powerful cars, the California has already gotten a bit of a rep for being nice. And this is partly in the design — a car that can do many things well, and most of them better than almost every other car on the road. So while it’s a bit peculiar for a Ferrari, it’s still a breathtaking machine when compared to, gosh, anything with a backseat. Just make sure you call shotgun at least once. And while the front end brings to mind, say, a dignified Aston-Martin, the rear gets a lot of grief for being a bit too big.

But Ferrari was serious when it decided to build a car that could perform but could also fit a small child (say, the child of your mistress) in the back seat. A little something for everyone, it seems. Everyone who has $230,000 and a wish to take your best normal-sized friend and your best small friends for an exhilarating trip.

Want to find out more about Phil Granere, then visit Phil Granere’s site for more Phil Granere current content.

The Ferrari California offered a number of firsts upon its debut in 2008. A retractable hardtop. It’s the first Ferrari to sport a retractable hardtop, to rock a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, and the first to wield a front-engine V8. It’s also got something called backseats, which seems like a cute concept for a Ferrari — a “2+” is the technical term. The $230,000 auto is called a “grand tourer” I suppose for this reason, though you’d better find some small friends or very young children if you want to do any grand touring without major leg circulation issues. It’s a natural classic, all good looks and serious performance, and it’s got a foot in the present and the past.

This is a Ferrari after all, and it makes no apologies for conceding a few extra seats. Oh, and you’re of course invited to come along.

Speaking of flying, you probably remember the California’s ancestors from a movie called “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The mythic car in that film was a (say it with me now) 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. It ended its life by sailing out a window, a scene which horrified the Ferrari cognoscenti in audiences across America — who may still have unnecessary nightmares, as the car in that film was a replica. (The car in the movie was a replica, not an actual 250, because if it had been, Ferrari enthusiasts would have burned down Hollywood had Hughes actually destroyed one of the rare beauties.)

To give you an idea just how valuable: In 2008 a 250GT sold at auction for more than $10.8 million. Million. Dollars. So, yeah. Replica. But anyway yes the new California gets its name from those cars of yore, and while it’s sure a fine product from those Italian fellows, it seems to have gotten a lot of gossip about being a “nice” car.

But in the canon of Ferrari’s aggressively powerful cars, the California has already gotten a bit of a rep for being nice. It’s lovely, but not shockingly so. Very fast but in a controlled way. And while the front end brings to mind, say, a dignified Aston-Martin, the rear gets a lot of grief for being a bit too big.

But Ferrari was serious when it decided to build a car that could perform but could also fit a small child (say, the child of your mistress) in the back seat. A little something for everyone, it seems. Everyone who has $230,000 and a wish to take your best normal-sized friend and your best small friends for an exhilarating trip.

Want to find out more about Charles Philip Granere, then visit Charles Philip Granere’s site for more Charles Philip Granere current content.

Sports cars are fantastic are they not? But the conception of sports cars for the public has not been around since the start of the modern car industry. In fact, the idea of modern sports cars is pretty new. It was the Italian manufacturer, Enzo Ferrari, who conceived of of the idea and created the first sports car for the public in 1929.

Enzo Ferrari was the trail-blazer of the modern sports car sector, but it soon caught on as rich men all around the world sought to own a special, fast car, to set himself above the general public, who still cannot afford new modern sports cars.

Ferrari’s modern sports cars are famous all over the world. People are spellbound by the designs of Ferrari’s sports cars and racing cars. Ferrari has been in Formula One racing since it began and they are the most well-liked racing team of all time. The Ferrari team has included such famous names as Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascai, who rapidly became popular heroes.

The flagship of the Ferrari sports cars is the F430, which is a two-seater coupe. It is continuously being improved and re-engineered. In fact, it has recently undergone a major revamp and now it is the most sought after modern sports car of the year. It is not only exceptionally beautiful, but it has great performance statistics as well. The price tag is very affordable for a car of this class. However, at $160,000 plus, most people could not afford a new set of tyres for it.

The most recent Ferrari is the Superamerica hardtop convertible, which sells for $300,000. It became instantly sought after when it appeared in Ferrari showrooms across America. It has a fearsomely powerful V12 engine, which produces unbelievable performance. The engine is based on their Formula One racing cars and comes with gear changing paddles on the steering wheel.

The roof of the Superamerica is striking and practical. It is made from electro chromic glass and carbon fibre and can be taken off to convert the Superamerica from a stylish coupe into a flash open top sports car in a matter of minutes. The drop-top Superamerica is one of the most beautiful modern sports cars on the planet.

Ferrari bought another leading sports car company, Maserati, in 1997. Since then Maserati’s output from their production lines and the recognition of its cars has grown rapidly. The public just cannot get enough of Maserati’s modern sports cars like the Quattroporte at $95,000 and the Spyder GT convertible, which costs a very reasonable $83,000.

There are other manufacturers of modern sports cars such as Dodge with it’s Viper, Chevrolet with its Corvette, Lamborghini and the Murcielago and Porche with its Boxter and $440,000 Carrera.

If you cannot afford any of these modern sports cars, you could purchase a kit car. With a kit car you can remove the shell of a relatively cheap sports car, like a Boxter, and replace it with an exact replica body of say a Lamborghini Murcielago in fibre glass.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article writes on quite a few subjects, but is at present involved with the Lambo Kit Car. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Lambo Kit Car.

Retractable Hardtop

The Ferrari California offered a number of firsts upon its debut in 2008. A retractible hardtop. A front-engine V8. A dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, for those seamless gear changes. And as a result of this transmission it presents at least one last: The last Ferrari to offer a manual gearbox. It’s a natural classic, all good looks and serious performance, and it’s got a foot in the present and the past.

The California is a “2+,” a two-door with what we’ll all agree to call two ass-holders in what we’ll all agree to call the “backseat.” Which puts it in the class of “grand tourer,” a fine distinction for a car that really does look like it just wants to get on the road and stay there. Oh, and you’re of course invited to come along.

A Backseat, Um OK

Its link to the past is right there in the name — the California is so named for the 250 GTs that awed a 20th-century world in the late ’50s. You’ll remember the most famous dignitary of the 250 series as the car in the 1986 John Hughes classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” That was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California, one of few than a hundred cars (as noted by Cameron). (The car in the movie was a replica, not an actual 250, because if it had been, Ferrari enthusiasts would have burned down Hollywood had Hughes actually destroyed one of the rare beauties.)

So the new series, which could just as easily have been called the “Utah” or the “Connecticut,” adopts the name of that 50-year-old classic and lays in all the new gadgetry of this, the modern era. Performance is turn-of-the-century, too: zero to 60 in a shade under four seconds, a top speed of 193 mph, and due to long hours in a wind tunnel, the most aerodynamic car Ferrari’s ever built.

I Wouldn’t Call it Nice, It’s Aggressive

But anyway yes the new California gets its name from those cars of yore, and while it’s sure a fine product from those Italian fellows, it seems to have gotten a lot of gossip about being a “nice” car. Pretty but not exotic, and with a rear end that offends some, it’s clear that the new California has a mellow side that its cousins do not.

But Ferrari was serious when it decided to build a car that could perform but could also fit a small child (say, the child of your mistress) in the back seat. A little something for everyone, it seems. Everyone who has $230,000 and a wish to take your best normal-sized friend and your best small friends for an exhilarating trip.

Want to find out more about Mark Cella, then visit Mark Cella’s site on for a variety of humor and serious topics Mark Cella.

Ferrari F430 – Wow

The great thing about when Ferrari offers a number of different versions of a given series is that you’re choosing your own kind of Best. Look at the F430. This car was in production five years, 2004-2009, and spawned a host of flavors, and I’d say even now, after all the stats and numbers are in, which one is actually the best comes down to delightful decisions like: Do you like having the wind in your hair? and Do you want to go faster than just fast?

The F430 has settled comfortably into what will most likely be a very respectable legacy. It succeeded the 360 and, in time, had to step aside to make way for the 458 Italia, in the manner of all great families. But during its reign it did many fine things. It carried its V8 with pride. It spawned a convertible Spider version as well as a coupe. It preserved the DNA of its bloodline — tail lights and intakes all bearing the design marks of Ferraris of yore. It was true to its roots.

Ferrari F430 – Scuderia

And when it had to face other royal families — the Porches and the Lamborghinis — it adapted, too. The 430 Scuderia appeared on the scene, a lighter, faster supercar which pushed the top speeds up to nearly 200 mph. It proved to be enough to keep the family proud.

And it fulfilled its duties well. Even when the convertible had to add weight and adjust balance to store the roof, still it runs nearly as fast as the hardtop. And the computer takes care of a lot for you, after you choose which setting you want on one of the F430′s newest adaptations — the manettino control knob, mounted on the steering wheel. Even after you’ve chosen your model, still you get different flavors.

Ferrari F430 – Mid Engine

But it’s the classic stuff that still tastes best. The rear mid-engine, thundering under glass right behind your head as you take it up to really close to 200 mph, it’s as refined and capable as ever — no matter where you switch the knob to. It’s all familiar to Ferrari and Ferrari’s people, and that’s what makes the taste of the new stuff sweeter. It’s evolution.

We’re still always talking about a new variety of Best though — let’s be honest. There are people for whom the 360 and the 430 and the 458 are all very different, and comparisons are maybe inexcusable. But the point is that the primary purpose of a royal family, like that of any organism, is to make sure there’s a next generation. You’re around so that you can pass that DNA on, take the tail lights and vents and hold them until its time to give them up. And so it makes it all the more important to enjoy the machine you’ve got, while it speeds toward its succession.

Learn more about Mark Cella. Stop by Mark Cella’s site where you can find out all about Mark Cella and his work.

Ferrari F430 Best or Bester!

On a pretty regular basis, Ferrari makes its new Best Car Ever. Right now there’s maybe some debate over which one this is, but one of the candidates is the F430. It’s been around since 2004 since it can be properly called “venerable,” even if the coming of the 458 Italia has in some ways outshone the 430.

Rest assured it is the Best Car Ever. It followed the 360, considered still by many the Best Car Ever too. Really it’s all in what you want. The F430 is a beautiful machine, almost friendly-looking in a way that the 458 Italia really isn’t. The F430 carries a lot of DNA from previous Best Car Evers. The tail lights and vents, the racing profile of its low front-end. The V8! The fact that it comes in a variety of flavors, convertible and coupe, fast and faster. Best and bester.

Ferrari F430 Race or Sport

It’s a matter of taste and choice, which you won’t necessarily get with some of Ferraris more exotic exotics. Your basic F430 will run 0-60 in four seconds and reach top speeds of 193 mph or more. “More” if your F430 of choice is the Scuderia, which is lighter and faster and meant to run against the really super supercars. At some point, as you see, adjectives start becoming meaningless.

Suffice to say the F430 takes care of a lot of the thinking for you, so you can sit back and drive. From steering to brakes to engine and handling, you’ve got choices, but once they’re made (“race” or “sport?”), leave it to the car. If you choose the Spider convertible, bear in mind that because there’s no roof, the frame is reinforced with strengthening bars and so on, and all the weight scotches its handling a touch. Still, it’s nearly as fast as the hardtop.

Ferrari F430 Spider or Hardtop

The engine sits behind the driver, under glass. It’s a refined way to drive, a loud vibrating ham of a motor that roars behind your head and can be seen to vibrate as you take it up to speed. All these wonderful qualities can be broadly defined as “familiar.” From the 360 to the F430 and on to the really excellent 458, you’re always talking about the Best Car ever.

There’s always something new under the sun. It’s always fast, often red, and sometimes has no top. Its name changes, and it improves, but it’s always the Best. It’s evolution we’re talking about here, and to ask which is the best of the Best Ferrari is to ask which animal is the best. You sort of have to pick the one you like, because it’s here now. But always moving.

Learn more about Mark Cella. Stop by Mark Cella’s site where you can find out all about Mark Cella and other Ferrari info.

categories: ferrari f430,ferrari,exotic cars,race cars,sports cars,automobiles

Mark A Cella and the Ferrari 250 Grand Touring Sport Coupe

The precursor to the Berlinetta, which means “Sport Coupe,” was the Ferrari 250 GTO. Indeed the GTO was built on the strength of Ferrari’s record producing V12 GT racers. GTO equates to “Gran Turismo Omologato,” Italian for “Grand Touring Homologated,” while homologated means “Official Agreement”. The 250 is the cubic centimeter displacement of each cylinder in the engine.

Mark A Cella’s Official Agreement is the 250 is all Race

The car was built by Ferrari from 1953 to 1964 becoming Ferrari’s most successful line of cars to date. It was the first Ferrari to receive four disc brakes. Versions of it were the first four seater. Having a lightweight V12, 260-275bhp, 4 gear trans., competition engine launched its success at winning so many races recounting in detail would be endless, so here’s a few:

1960 Le Mans 24 hr race, it took 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, while Chevy and Aston Martin were far behind. It won three repeat 5500 km Tour de Frances, while taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 1960 event. That season driver Sterling Moss lapped the entire field at Goodwood to take the second consecutive win. SWB won all over in England, Monza Italy, Spa, Nurbrgring, and Monthlery.

Weighing only 2,314 pounds gives the Ferraris 250 SWB Competizione a great power to weight ratio. Maximum speed was a little over 150 mph, and 0-60 was 6.2. Excellent numbers for 1960′s.

Mark A Cella Votes it One of the Greatest Ferraris Ever

Enthusiasts envied the fact that owners of this car could show up, unpack and race in the same unmodified car, occasionally changing tires. The only thing necessary was to paste on numbers. The competition models were lighter and had 30-40 more horsepower, regardless of which one you were in other manufacturers didn’t stand a chance.

Sports Car Intl placed it as their 7th Top Sports Car of the 60′s. Motor Trend voted it 5th on their top ten Greatest Ferraris of all time and Mark Cella rated it first place on his list of top Muscle Cars of the 60′s. It leads over his 67 Corvette Sting Ray and 3rd place 68 Chevrolet Camaro.

Learn more about Mark A Cella. Stop by Mark Cella’s site where you can find out all about Mark A Cella and his work.

categories: ferrari 250 swb berlinetta,ferrari,exotic cars,sports cars,automobiles

Mark Anthony Cella and the Ferrari 250 Grand Touring Sport Coupe

Building on the successful history of the V12 GT racing engines that made the GTOs so substantial, brought the 250 Berlinetta sport coupe about. GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato in Italian, and in English means Grand Touring Homologated. Homologated means Official Agreement. So, the GTO was Officially Agreed to be a Grand Touring car. Anyway, the 250 simply is the measurement in cubic centimeters of each of the cylinders.

Mark Anthony Cella Officially Agrees This Car is all About Racing

The SWB was built from 1953 to 1964 and really put Ferrari in the limelight. It became Ferrari’s most successful car line of that time. It was their first all wheel disc brake vehicle. One model was their first four seater. Its V12 engine weighed about half as much as the competition’s. The higher tuned ones hammered up to 280bhp at 7,000 rpm. They had a four speed manual tranny, all of which exploded the car to more victories then I can list, here’s just a few:

In the 1960 season it took 1st-4th place in the Le Mans 24 hour race, leaving it’s nearest rivals to eat dust. It took 1st-3rd in its third consecutive victory of the 5500 km Tour de France. Later that season for a second consecutive win at Goodwood, driver Sterling Moss took a victory by lapping the entire field. Then it won all over the rest of the season.

The Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione weighed in at only 2,314 lbs., giving it a very high power to weight ratio. Top speed was approximately 152 mph, and 0-60 was done it 6.2 sec. Great numbers for this era.

Mark Anthony Cella Officially Agrees One of the Greatest Ferraris of all Time

Owners of this car back in the day could drive it to the track and race it with very minor modifications if they chose. Of course they’d have to slap on their numbers. The competizione models were built for strictly racing so were even lighter with up to 40 more horsepower and a shorter wheelbase making them faster in curves. Nothing could compete to either version.

Out of the ten Greatest Ferraris of all time, Motor Trend ranked this one 5th. Sports Car International placed it at 7 Top Sports Cars of the 60′s. Mark A Cella gave it first place of his 1960′s Muscle Car Picks, second is the 67 Corvette Sting Ray and third being the cherished 1968 Chevy Camaro.

Check out the latest of Mark Anthony Cella Ferraris, and visit www.Mark-Cella.com to read adventures of Mark Anthony Cella.

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