Something For The Weekend?
Think of all those fun weekends sorting out the oil leak, or repairing rust. Nice! Well, today I’m driving a Ferrari F355 and it cost me just £5000.
On top of that, next weekend I might take the E-Type out for the day. What am I going on about? I’m now a member of Parc Ferme.
Established in 2003, Parc Ferme is one of the oldest car clubs around, because of that fact I’m happy to put my money with them.
In exchange for £4450 and a £500 joining fee I now have 1250 points to play with and a fleet of lovely cars to spend them on. Latest fleet additions include a Maserati Quattroporte and this fabulous Ferrari F355 you see here.
On top of that there is a stunning 246 GT Dino, Healey 3000 Mk1, Frogeye, Porsche 993 Cabriolet, Bentley Turbo R and a Ferrari 328, to name a few. When Philip Moir called to say that the 355 had arrived I didn’t need telling twice; a quick drive up to the head office at Egham and there she is, one of my all time favourite shapes, too.
In Spider form there is no escaping that glorious howling V8. With a few days of good weather planned I book the 355 for a few days’ indulgence. Driving back through Surrey surburbs, I’m getting lots of admiring glances; more than that, though, this car feels so special to drive. The classic alloy gear shift, the fantastic driving position and that noise! Some car sounds I tire off, but not this, it sends chills down my spine. I don’t even mind getting stuck in the Friday evening traffic.
Knowing that I just have a precious few days with the car I use any excuse for a drive, so hours later I’m out again; this time taking the other half out for dinner. To somewhere with a nice view over the car park! With dinner a success, a brisk drive home in the cooling air really gives that amazing V8 a chance to breathe and, in return, supplying one the finest audio tracks on the road.
Saturday morning and with no plans I just go for a nice drive around Goodwood. In the space of just ten minutes I see another two Ferrari F355s, and an Aston AMV8 tries me for a race. Not today, though; the sun’s out, the roof’s down and I’m just enjoying being at one with the car. When you are totally relaxed with a Ferrari you become one purposeful unit.
While not as demanding to drive as, say, a Testarossa it is still hugely rewarding to drive around the back roads of Goodwood. Not wanting to overdo it, iI put the Ferrari 355 to bed for the night and cook up some homemade pizzas in its honour. Sunday arrives and it’s an early start to pick up a local photographer and head down to Bosham to get some shots while the light is good.
The deserted roads beautifully lit by the spring sun, it’s another chance to stretch the Ferrari’s legs. The engine is amazing and I won’t harp on about it but in Spider form the chassis doesn’t feel quite as tight as you would hope. It’s the same for any Spider and in standard guise the F355 is a great car, but then you don’t buy a Spider to drive hard.
Oh no, it’s all about fun, put your foot down bring a smile to your face then drive to your favourite pub to have a spot of lunch and sit outside and admire the car. While I’m sad to drop it back off at Parc Ferme, I know I still have plenty of toys to play with, all gleaming, serviced and fully taxed and insured. It’s going to be a good summer!
Source: Road Magazine