Some modern content, but wait until the end for the really good classic content.
Last weekend I was part of a small group from my camera club to visit the local Ferrari dealership. We had free reign to photograph throughout the showrooms and workshop, although we were accompanied. For the photography people I also got the chance to borrow a fish eye lens (Canon EF 8-15mm f4L, it's a full 180o although on a crop sensor, 50D, it's not quite).
Initially we started in the main showroom, full of 458's, a FF and various Maserati's.
458_italia by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
This was nice, but had a very 70s feel pleated interior in cream...
california by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
Then into the first of the
F40 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
F40_tail by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
and as we all like a good wheel, note the centre lock nut
F40_wheel by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
We then moved to a second area that had the by now familiar line up of Ferrari's and Maserati's but also a white Lamborghini Gallardo convertible, two McLaren MP4-12C's, an Aston (DB9?), a Ford GT, and some others...
This is where I got to play with the fish eye lens, and sit in the Gallardo.
McLaren-Aston by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
The McLaren was fantastic, the paintwork and the wheels looked great.
McLaren_MP4-12C by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
Ford GT
ford_GT by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
ford_GT_background by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
and a wheel...
ford_gt_wheel by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
there were also two 458 Challenge (non street legal racers, with centre lock wheels, cages, bonnet pins etc)
458_challenge by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
more fish-eye fun, a 458 spider
458_spider by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
and a BMW Z8 (as in James Bond)
BMW_Z8 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
a BMW M3 with carbon grille (he said it wasn't a CSL but it did have the carbon fibre roof). The Cobra is an Autokraft version, interior spoiled by a modern steering wheel.
BMW_M3_grill by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
tucked away behind a locked glass door, ~£2M worth of Ferrari 275...
ferrari_275 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
We then went down stairs to the workshop, which incidentally was immaculate, the first car as we walked in was a very pretty silver Dino.
ferrari_dino by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
a restoration project, note oak leaf in airbox, not sure what model it was, mid engined and 2 seats with knock off wheels.
boxer_engine by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
There was a beautiful Dubonet Red Aston Martin DB5, a couple of old 911's, another F40, frustratingly the (front) bonnet was up and the engine cover closed, and a F50 (worth more than the F40 I was surprised to find out as it's rarer).
F50_front by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
F50 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
There was also a Mondial being worked on, as well as a GTC (I think),
ferrari_mondial by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
And finally I lifted the corner of a car cover to expose this... (my favourite image of the day). Another 275 or is it a 250, whatever it's worth a lot!
ferrari_peek-a-boo by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
A great opportunity to look at some out of reach cars up close. It was great to see the mix of old and new in the workshop. At the end of the day got to play at being Alan Sugar and sat in a Rolls Royce Phantom, best noise of the day goes to the AMG Estate that was brought into the workshop from the front, even better than a blipped Aston V12.
I did go away with a surprising longing for this, Maserati GT (they had competition specced ones as well, with roll cage and superb alacantra interior).
maserati_1 by Country Photo (UK), on Flickr
