[hecubus185]

Hi everyone, my name is Jon and I'm from Wyomissing, PA...right outside of Reading and about 50 miles from Philadelphia. I turn 26 next week and I've been car enthusiast my entire life.


My passion for Ferrari's certainly began while growing up in the small town of Rovigo, Italy. In 1996 my father brought my brother and I to the Ferrari museum in Maranello and then later to the Motor Show in Bologna. In Bologna there were a few 355's racing around the track for demonstration purposes. I remember thinking that they were the coolest car I had ever seen and I couldn't imagine anything ever surpassing them. After a few laps one of the drivers spun out right in front of the stands. As his car sat there motionless and the crowd was quiet, he stuck his hand out of the window and waved to everyone before laying down some rubber and turning in a few more laps. I distinctly remember the loud cheering and the camera flashes...it was a great day for an 11 year old.


Fast forward 10 years and my excitement for Ferrari's has never left. I've been an semi active reader of FL for a few years, but never felt opinionated enough to join or post anything. On a side note, you guys should be extremely proud of the information and content you've amassed. FL has an exceptional wealth of information.


Why join now? Well about 9 months ago I was finally in a position to buy a recreational vehicle/project car. Although not a Ferrari, my 1961 Triumph TR3A has proved to be a great collector car to start with. While rebuilding the suspension over the past few weeks, my father and I got to talking about the future of the car. Long story short, I think I've convinced him to go 50/50 with me on a 355 GTS or a 360 Spider in about two years...or once I can save my portion of it. It will be sad to see the TR3 go, but I imagine I'll quickly forget about it once I have a prancing horse in my garage. My father and I only live about a mile apart, so I think “sharing” the car will work out well. Also, in the past my father has been the owner of a few *gulp* garage queens (sorry! I know you guys don't want to hear that)...so I think I'll be one putting on most of the mileage.


Anyway, sorry for the long post. Thanks again to everyone who's contributed to this site, it's great. Oh and I know how much you guys love photo's...so I'll try to add a few of my Triumph

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Welcome to FL, Jon. We (at least I) enjoy a long self intro as such and a great one indeed. Sounds like a grreat thing to look forward to there. Feel free and do not be hindered in anyways to post and make comments or ask things. People are very sociable here, Ferrari or not. It is the passion for cars that keep us here. Looking forward to your inputs. Nice British car there. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Barry]

Hi Jon. Welcome to F Life and glad to hear you've made the jump from lurker to poster! Your idea of sharing a Ferrari with your father sounds wonderful and will no doubt give you both huge enjoyment and the perfect excuse to spend time together.

Hopefully F Life can assist you in the search for the right car when the time comes. In the meantime don't be shy with the posts.

Ps. Nice intro. Love the Triumph. Looks like a lot of fun!

[Night Life]

Jon another Paisano Tell me what does Jon stand for in Italian

I am from Abruzzo, Chieti to be precise

Love your Triumph great choice in auto, she is a beaut.

[mk e]

I had a '65 and '66 Austin Healey 3000...so I feel you pain


I'm down in Elverson, about 15 miles from reading.

[wetpet]

welcome. nice car, enjoy it.

[hecubus185]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Night Life - Sono Americano, pero abitavo in Italia per 3 anni. Dopo scuola media, sono tornato agli Stati Uniti. L'Italia e meraviglioso...spero di tornare un giorno.

mk e - 3000's are very cool...but I've never been able to get up close and experience one. I bought my TR3 in non running condition. I figured it would be a quick fix...which was very ignorant on my part having never fixed a car before. It's turned out to be a great learning experience, but not one I wish to go through again. You guys say it all the time on FL, it's better to spend the more money up front on a good car rather than buying the cheapest one and risking always having trouble. I'm just glad I learned that lesson on an inexpensive car.

Do you go to or participate in any car events in the Reading area?

[Granucci]

Hey Jon!

Welcome, and great first post!! That TR will be loads of fun [fixing ]. Had a couple experiences with those and, well, you'll know. BUT great era for any sports car. Not a bad choice at all: Classic metal is getting worth the keeping, but, might be time with limited resources to move to your true dream.

BTW: Make sure to research the 355's, and download the buyer's guide on this site: Great info.

GET the best example you can and especially in terms of mechanicals. Some are easier to fix and not a deal breaker, but some might be worth asking about before purchase.
Lot of knowledge here, so I'd be sure to ask after searching our forums.

As for your father's garage queen penchant: GREAT...means you might be putting all the wear on it.

Also, guessing you are going for the stick or are you looking into the F1.
rik

[hecubus185]

Hi Rik,

I figure that if I have an incredibly unreliable Triumph for a few years, no matter the Ferrari I get in the future, it will seem like the most dependable vehicle ever

I bought the Ferrari Life buyers guide book and have read through it a few times, so I feel like I know what I'm getting into with the 355's and the 360's. I've also spent a ton of time reading the things that owners have said on this site. That being said, I wouldn't purchase anything before running it past everyone here.

I'm definitely looking for a stick shift car. I've driven two F1 cars in the past, a 2005 Maserati Quattroporte which had the DuoSelect transmission and a 2002 Ferrari 575. I wanted to love the DuoSelect transmission so badly...but I didn't. In fact, I hated it. The 575 was amazing at high speeds, simply fantastic. However, for cruising around at slower speeds I think I would have preferred a stick. It was light years better then the DuoSelect though...

[mk e]

Originally Posted by hecubus185

mk e - 3000's are very cool...but I've never been able to get up close and experience one. I bought my TR3 in non running condition. I figured it would be a quick fix...which was very ignorant on my part having never fixed a car before. It's turned out to be a great learning experience, but not one I wish to go through again. You guys say it all the time on FL, it's better to spend the more money up front on a good car rather than buying the cheapest one and risking always having trouble. I'm just glad I learned that lesson on an inexpensive car.

Do you go to or participate in any car events in the Reading area?

The A-Hs were inexpensive when I had them.....under $500 each

My car doesn't run.....
http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/te...rsion-v12.html

....someday though.

[Night Life]

Originally Posted by hecubus185

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

Night Life - Sono Americano, pero abitavo in Italia per 3 anni. Dopo scuola media, sono tornato agli Stati Uniti. L'Italia e meraviglioso...spero di tornare un giorno.

?

Scusi pardonami, credevo to fossi Italiano

Yes it is spectacular , I hope you do return some day my friend, as do I.

[hecubus185]

Originally Posted by mk e

The A-Hs were inexpensive when I had them.....under $500 each

My car doesn't run.....
http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/te...rsion-v12.html

....someday though.

Wow, who would have thought I lived less than 25 miles from Dr. Ferrari Frankenstien That's an incredible project that you're undertaking, I'll certainly be watching that thread to follow your progress.

Once you've got it on the road, I'll watch out for you on I-176...

[mk e]

Originally Posted by hecubus185

Wow, who would have thought I lived less than 25 miles from Dr. Ferrari Frankenstien That's an incredible project that you're undertaking, I'll certainly be watching that thread to follow your progress.

Once you've got it on the road, I'll watch out for you on I-176...

Feel free to stop by and help me finish it