Driving with the Ferrari P4/5

[zjpj83]

What an experience. This is a truly outstanding car. Jim and Pininfarina have really made something special.

I am beat but will try to post more pics tomorrow.

 

[mchughp2]

absolutely stunning. I've never seen a car so unique and appealing, and yet at the same time, tasteful. It definetly has the passione. I wouldn't care if people said it's not a realy ferrari, because it looks so good.

 

[VMan]

Originally Posted by mchughp2

I've never seen a car so unique

That's because it is the only one in existance.

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

What an experience. This is a truly outstanding car. Jim and Pininfarina have really made something special.

I can't seem to recall the gentleman's name. He lived in Monte Sereno at the time. So, a coastal lad (Santa Cruz) like myself wasn't acquainted with people that lived over the hill. However, in 1966 he brought his P4 to the Concours d'Elegance at Del Monte Lodge. I am not sure if the car was ex-David Piper or ex-Scuderia Filipinetti.

The Lodge is no longer "Del Monte" and today's spectator crowds make the current PS3 land rushes look tame. Your photo brings back the memory of that respectful, quiet, crowd-free day even though I've seen "countless" P4s in the flesh without spectator crowds since then. While this new version may lack the exposed rivets and relatively crude finish of the older Prova cars, it is nonetheless every bit as virile.

Be still, my heart!
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[Huntsman]

Perhaps an odd question, but doesn't such a collaboration cause Ferrari a little chagrin? I know Pininfarina has done custom vehicles before, but from all accounts Ferrari has especial concerns about it's clientele.

But what do I know -- I've only ever seen four Ferraris. Only one of them was moving. And it was on a truck.

Regards,
Huntsman

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Perhaps an odd question, but doesn't such a collaboration cause Ferrari a little chagrin? I know Pininfarina has done custom vehicles before, but from all accounts Ferrari has especial concerns about it's clientele.

But what do I know -- I've only ever seen four Ferraris. Only one of them was moving. And it was on a truck.

Regards,
Huntsman
Yes. Ferrari is very surprised at the amount of press the car has gotten, and Ferrari is inundated with questions from dealers - How could this have happened, and why can't we sell this car? But from what I gather, Ferrari is working with all involved to keep everyone happy, and to work it to their advantage... We will see. And we will see the extent to which this car will influence future designs, which may be a bit sportier than their current designs (I hope so).

 

[zjpj83]

More to come later

 

[Huntsman]

You (plural) must have absolutely frozen traffic. Thanks for the answer above -- with the right spin, no press is bad press, eh?

~ Huntsman

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Perhaps an odd question, but doesn't such a collaboration cause Ferrari a little chagrin? I know Pininfarina has done custom vehicles before, but from all accounts Ferrari has especial concerns about it's clientele.

The cynic in me says Ferrari controlled the car, the client, and Pininfarina from the outset of what is a minor PR coup for the marque. Even if the gentleman delivered an Enzo donor directly to Pininfarina, they would not have built the car without Ferrari's consent.

Since Ferrari's long and difficult climb from near bankruptcy in the 1960s, they have established themselves (with FIAT's help) as an entity to be reckoned with. Gone are the musty references to minor victories and wishful thinking of romantic enthusiasts. Ferrari now bestows a cachet and money like no other marque.

Everyone wins with this project! I am delighted to see the results.

Originally Posted by zjpj83

Yes. Ferrari is very surprised at the amount of press the car has gotten, and Ferrari is inundated with questions from dealers

You might reconsider Ferrari being so "very surprised".

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[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by Full Canvas

The cynic in me says Ferrari controlled the car, the client, and Pininfarina from the outset of what is a minor PR coup for the marque. Even if the gentleman delivered an Enzo donor directly to Pininfarina, they would not have built the car without Ferrari's consent.

Since Ferrari's long and difficult climb from near bankruptcy in the 1960s, they have established themselves (with FIAT's help) as an entity to be reckoned with. Gone are the musty references to minor victories and wishful thinking of romantic enthusiasts. Ferrari now bestows a cachet and money like no other marque.

Everyone wins with this project! I am delighted to see the results.



You might reconsider Ferrari being so "very surprised".

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Nope. Not true. The car was already designed before Ferrari saw it. Ferrari had nothing to do with its design, development, etc. Once they saw the already completed full size design study, only with Pininfarina badges on at the time, Ferrari said that Jim could put Ferrari badges on it. It didn't even have Ferrari badges on until Ferrari decided it wanted to take at least some credit for the project.

 

[zjpj83]

Ford Mk IV being taken apart

 

[zjpj83]

Ferrari 002C

300SL

P4/5

 

[zjpj83]

It's a Duesy

 

[zjpj83]

 

[zjpj83]