[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Jimmy, I fully understand and respect that you are not able to join fled 2!
Enjoy your beauty !

This has been a tormenting decision for me. What an opportunity to have a chance to join in a drive thru European roads. I checked the hotels mentioned, routes proposed, twisted my brain to figure out the best possible way to rendevous. And to have the chance to meet Mr. Massini in person ! Hmmmmmmmm ... Even if I cannot make this FLED2, I'll partake somehow and somewhere in the near future. Thanx 212Export. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Jimmy, My hand is improving, thanks for asking.

Glad we have this wonderful site so all of us can share some of your joy. I am sure I can speak for all of us when I say we are looking forward to hearing how living with the 275 is.

Glad to hear your hand is coming along well. Thanx for all your efforts, Andrew. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Redhead Seeker

Jimmy; Did you really "DRILL" holes in that Masterpiece to attach the license plate???...SACRILEGE!!!

As stated earlier, the holes were done by the previous owner. Japanese law requires license plate in the front. By the way, Redhead Seeker, have you mentioned somewhere regarding your deTomaso Pantera ? I am sure we would all love to hear and see pics of your Pantera. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Jimmy, My hand is improving, thanks for asking.

Glad we have this wonderful site so all of us can share some of your joy. I am sure I can speak for all of us when I say we are looking forward to hearing how living with the 275 is.

Oh yes, definitively. Jimmy it will be interesting for many of us to have your even more detailed comparison between the 275 GTB and the Daytona and Boxer !

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

I was able to drive my 275GTB a bit today. Mind you, it was just for commuting to work, to and from Tokyo of around 80km consisting of half streets and half tollways. With a little anxiety/anticipation, I turned the ignition key and the car came alive. Idling was stable at around 600rpm and after warming up for few minutes, I was ready to go. After twenty minutes or so of stop & go street driving, I realized that when go from 1st gear start, I needed to rev north of 2000rpm. Otherwise, the car would likely to stall. In other words, you must rev much higher than other cars to perform properly and make this girl happy. It is as if she's begging for more of everything. By now, the car has warmed up and rpm idling was at 900rpm, sitting pretty at red lights. Whether it be streets or tollways, slow or fast, the overall "feel" of the car is one of "lightness", agility, and wish to go faster. Response is direct, even to the slightest change in foot pressure in both directions. In every shifting up the gears, you can feel the car lunge forward as if it is sprinting. Soon, I took her on to the tollways (speed limit of 80km/hr). Gears' shifting was somewhat firm, but exact and mechanical. With every shift up, the car lunged forward and the feedback was direct. I did not have any opportunites to "open" her up. The max I pushed was merely 4000rpm. At 4000rpm/5th gear, the speedometer was pointing around 150km/hr. (The red line is 7500rpm). Very difficult to describe the sound, but it was something like,...kwohhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Compared to my Daytona, this note was higher and lighter. Daytona's sound is a bit more macho and deep. Difference between light weight and heavy weight, as in boxing, I suppose. The overall weight distribution (balance) of 275 seemed better than Daytona. Steering felt "lighter" vs. Daytona, but still very responsive,...possibly because 275 is lighter. In short, I believe I saw a glimpse of why people rave this car. Quite different in character to the ultimate, last in line Daytona. To be continued. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Boxer]

It sounds like the beginning of a long love story......

I am very happy for you (and a bit jealous)

The 275 GTB just ooozes cool.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Boxer

It sounds like the beginning of a long love story......

I am very happy for you (and a bit jealous)

The 275 GTB just ooozes cool.

Thank You, Boxer. Considering myself to be just an average driver and being this much impressed, just imagine...what this 275 can do for a skilled driver like yourself !!! As for the sound north of 4000rpm must be like experiencing live orchestra versus just listening to an ipod music. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Beautiful description Jimmy, many thanks for sharing. The car looks just gorgeous sideways at the street. Enjoy...and we are waiting for further impressions!

[JazzyO]

Another great report Jimmy! She's gorgeous.


Onno

[Louis355]

Oefff, what a beauty!!!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Thank You, Boxer. Considering myself to be just an average driver and being this much impressed, just imagine...what this 275 can do for a skilled driver like yourself !!! As for the sound north of 4000rpm must be like experiencing live orchestra versus just listening to an ipod music. w/ smiles Jimmy

Jimmy, I am tempted to fly over to Japan just to have the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Jimmy, I am tempted to fly over to Japan just to have the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat.

Now there's a thought!

Should we organise to come over for some tea later in the year, if I'm not being too forward?


Onno

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Jimmy, I am tempted to fly over to Japan just to have the opportunity to sit in the passenger seat.

Actually, that idea did cross my mind, but did not bring it up, Boxer. It would be just, plain wonderful if you or anyone else (212 Export, Onno, Andrew, et al) do make it out here for a visit and spin. Of course, you'll be in the driver's seat and I'll guide you along the way. Altho I have never participated nor showed much interest but here in Japan they do have hisotric drives, Mil Miglia and other drives now and then. The more major events are few days affair covering something like over 500km thru backroads. Anyways, I do extend my invitation for FL members for a visit and driving the cars. Something to think about. w/ smiles Jimmy

[David Lee]

First it was the Dino and now this, come on Jimmy looks like we have to go to serenas for some lovely beef and crab legs then go for a drive and have coffee afterwards. Congrates

Cheers
D

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Actually, that idea did cross my mind, but did not bring it up, Boxer. It would be just, plain wonderful if you or anyone else (212 Export, Onno, Andrew, et al) do make it out here for a visit and spin. Of course, you'll be in the driver's seat and I'll guide you along the way. Altho I have never participated nor showed much interest but here in Japan they do have hisotric drives, Mil Miglia and other drives now and then. The more major events are few days affair covering something like over 500km thru backroads. Anyways, I do extend my invitation for FL members for a visit and driving the cars. Something to think about. w/ smiles Jimmy

Jimmy, Very much appreciate the wonderful invitation. I have to go to California later this year and might just take the long way around and stop off in Japan.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Jimmy, Very much appreciate the wonderful invitation.

+1, Jimmy. Need to give this some serious thought, always wanted to go to Japan.


Onno

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Individually or collectively, you're all most welcomed to come for a visit. I don't know how much of a host I can be, but I'll do the best. Needless to say, you'll be invited to be in the driver's seat. Sometimes, it is more fun to be a passenger. Something to look forward to, or at least think about. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Well, I took Daytona to work today and covered the same route as 275. Even tho 275 was the predecessor to the final, front V12 Daytona, the two cars are very different in personalities and traits, similar to a situation where two brothers from same mother end up with different characteristics. Daytona is larger, heavier, more powerful with broader torque range than the 275. Overall design and impression are unmistakingly different. If 275 were to be like a well trained track and field athlete, then Daytona is the same athlete, except with viagra or steroid shots. She can be downright scary, if you have the nerve and courage to test her. Front windshield is much more sloped than 275 contributing to the compartment spaciousness. Everything is more grandeur, yet still sporty and spartan. Overall appearance is sharp and angular, giving the impression of motion in stassis. Too often, people judge prematurely that Daytona's overall lines are too sharp, edgy and angular. However, upon close and careful examinations, you would notice how subtle and sensuous the lines and curvatures are. It is a masterpiece by the designer, who interpreted the era of Daytona's conception. If Daytona predecessors were to be the women of Rembrandt paintings, then Daytona is the interpretation of modern day women's sensuality. Okay, back to basics,...fire up and upon warming few minutes, the idling stabilizes at 900rpm. Slow, gentle start from 1st gear can be accomplished at around 1400rpm without any nervousness or jittery behaviour as in the 275, which was much more jittery and required north of 2000rpm. With Daytona, you can drive the streets all day in 3rd and the big toque band helps. Shifting up the gears seemed to require less effort and skills than 275. Moving up the gears, you feel the immense, potential power beneath the hood, waiting to be unleashed. She comes alive when you go north of 4000rpm. Suddenly, as if all of your body muscles have warmed up, you're ready for a real workout. The all too heavy clutch and steering in the streets, which give Daytona the "macho" label car, become normal in speed. This is a true GT car in essence. Unfortunately, with the max speed limit of 80km/hr here in Japan,...that moment is only momentary at best. Instead, I'd downshift to 3rd and keep the rpm north of 4000 to enjoy that "whaaaaaalllllling" music to your soul. Do I like Daytona ? Yes. Do I like 275 ? Yes. That's my problem. To be continued. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by David Lee

First it was the Dino and now this, come on Jimmy looks like we have to go to serenas for some lovely beef and crab legs then go for a drive and have coffee afterwards. Congrates

Cheers
D

David, let me know when you're in Tokyo and not too busy enjoying gourmet meals. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

+1, Jimmy. Need to give this some serious thought, always wanted to go to Japan.


Onno

That'll be great. As mentioned earlier and also in another thread, invitation is open, Onno (and to other FL members). I'll be honored if you'll take the driver's seat at the time. w/ smiles Jimmy