[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Jimmy, you are a Tresurer of hidden pearls !! What is going on there far away in Japan.....?! Fantastic cars, fantastic looks. Jimmy, you ahould move to Europe. At least for the 3 summer months.

212Export: I don't think you should tempt me doing that. You would regret because I'll be "bugging" you and the rest. Seriously, I am "afraid" to visit Europe because somewhere in the back of my mind, I know I would enter a realm of no return, changing my values and perspectives. No need to reinterate the obvious, but have a wonderful and exciting PASSION driven FLED II. I'll dream and be there in spirit at least. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Thought I would add the interior pic of the aformentioned Porsche Turbo S Flatnose. Can't say enough of this car. Prior to buying this car back in 2003, I owned a yellow 964 Turbo 3.6 which was a wild monster, which I really wanted and finally acquired. Within a year, this exclusive Turbo S came along and I decided to get rid of that one (sad). Quick overview of this Turbo S Flatnose: 385 HP; 18 in Speedline chrome wheels (special for this model); only 10 of these were made for imports to Japan market (ROW were around 150 and were somewhat different in looks); customized engine parts and exhausts; specs' quite impressive. A single turbo w/ immense power. Interior is "advante garde", spartan and serious. Seats are the same as 964 RS's Recaro seats. (Sorry if you're not too interested in Porsches). w/ smiles Jimmy PS. Sorry, couldn't upload pics of interior shots due to over the limit byte sizes.

[212Export]

Very beautiful. I see that already some years back you had a sense for "yellow" !

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Very beautiful. I see that already some years back you had a sense for "yellow" !

There's more, 212Export. I believe you may have seen this before, but here's a 1958 Abarth 750 GT Zagato (double bubble). Yet another yellow. I bought this because I fell in love with the design and got interested in Abarth cars at the time. She may be one of the most F.U.N. car in the group, and she's a mere 85 HP ! w/ smiles Jimmy

[JazzyO]

Love that Abarth. She must be quite rare. Any idea how many built, Jimmy?


Onno

[212Export]

Jimmy...this is absolutely fantastic. This is what Carlos Abarth intention was all about, take a 750 ccm engine and make 85 Horesepower from it. Fantastic and this in '58 !! The carburator (one of the main ingredients of Abarth knowledge) takes almost half of the engine size. Beautiful. Yellow looks great on that car and the double bubble is best classic style. This car must very valuable. We have one private collector here in Switzerland which seems to have one of if not the most compleat private Abarth collection on earth. They are very frequently showed and used, especially on Swiss mountain races where cars starts in 2 minute stints from each other. Great to see this Abarth perform. A treasure Jimmy ! Thanks for sharing it. Your automotive profoundness seems endless.....

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 212Export

Swiss mountain races

I thought racing was against the law in Switzerland, 212 (and in fact was told this by a very stern policeman giving me a lecture just two weeks ago)? Can you explain?


Onno

[Boxer]

Sounds like Hill Climbs are still allowed.

[212Export]

Jimmy, you are correct, track races are forbidden in Switzerland since the horrible crash in Le Mans 1955.
Nevertheless so called "Berg-Rennen" (Hill climb races, as Boxer correctly mentioned) are aloud under certain cirumstances. Drivers drive against the watch/time one after the other in 2 to 5 minute stints, depending on the lengths of the climb.
But actually theses races are almost not organized anymore, but there are some "fun and show" races organized in the same manner, whereas time is not really a important matter but more so showing and especially hearing those old, wonderful engines.
One of those very famous Hill-climb shows is Ollon-Villars, a retrorace which, to my understanding takes place every three years.

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Well, seems like you can always go south to Italy for these activities, no ? This Abarth is indeed retooled specifically for hillclimb fun. The motor is not original (too average). Fiat A112 motor was transplanted and gear ratios were redone for hillclimb use. It is loud, rancourous, lot of fun car, even for streets. The only disadvantage may be the close gear ratios which is not suitable for cruising use. This car is an all alloy body (about 800kg ???) and underwent full restorations in Australia, where I acquired from three years ago. Glad you guys like it (even for the looks alone). Thanx w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Well, I did it again today, ...that is, stalled the 275 as I tried to start out. This occured because I drove the Daytona first for thirty minutes or so and then I tried to start the 275. My legs and muscles were still used to the Daytona's clutch/axle and boom ... I stalled. This shows how different the two cars are. 275's clutch/axle meet is much, much more "close and fast" than Daytona. When you start from idling in first gear and step on axle casually, the rpm needle shoots right up to 4000 rpm and north without hesitation or effort. Just amazing direct, response. Don't get me wrong, Daytona's response is just as wonderful and direct. Daytona reacts to every slight touch to the axle pedal, and the response is immediate and you can feel every changes as you alter the right foot pressures. This is literally even to the slightest change ! Oh well, I suppose my learning curve is still in the beginning stage. Thanx for reading. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

The difference in clutch response seems realy amazing on your 2 cars. I have no mechanical background nor knowledge but can the clutch pedal move and the gripping level of the clutch (i.e. with what pedal distance the clutch is finally biting) be regulated and adapted/changed mechanically?

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by 212Export

The difference in clutch response seems realy amazing on your 2 cars. I have no mechanical background nor knowledge but can the clutch pedal move and the gripping level of the clutch (i.e. with what pedal distance the clutch is finally biting) be regulated and adapted/changed mechanically?

275 is indeed quite different in set up compared to the other Ferraris where I did not experience this new revelations. With the 275, as soon as I begin to release the left foot ever so slightly (clutch) and unless I give a lot of gas (stepping in deeper than other Ferraris) and rev the tach to north of 2000 rpm immediately and simultaneously, the car stalls ! This is not the typical seesaw. Instead it is less with your left foot and more than usual with your right foot. If you do it properly as the car wishes, then she immediately lunges forward similar to a sprinting action and when you lay your eyes on the tach, the needle is already at 4000 rpm and going north. All of the said takes place in a very short span of time. Meanwhile, with other Ferraris that I know, the seesaw effect is much more normal and there seems to be more room for play. 275 demands higher concentration and skills in mastering the clutch & axel. Maybe this quality is what makes 275 a more race oriented Ferrari. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

Love that Abarth. She must be quite rare. Any idea how many built, Jimmy?


Onno

Onno, honestly I do not know how many were built. However, at the time, quite a few were built. Nevertheless, after more than 50 years, not many did survive the time and abuse. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Dino944]

Hi Jimmy,

Great photos of your other cars. I love your Flatnose Turbo. You guys definitely got a better looking version than we got here in the USA. Our Flatnose 3.6s had headlamps similar to those found on the 928 or 968. Your car has a much cleaner and more attractive front end with the classic pop up headlamps as were used on the earlier 930S 3.3 Turbos. I love Ferraris but have tremendous respect for Porsches as they are such great performers and most can be used easily as daily drivers if one chooses to do so. I hope you have been enjoying the 275. I never get tired of looking at your photos. Also its quite interesting how it takes a bit of effort getting used to the difference in clutch feel between the 275 and the Daytona.

I've been away for a while but I did think of you while I was away. Here are 2 pix that I took at a local car show.

Best regards,
Dino

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Dino944

Hi Jimmy,

Great photos of your other cars. I love your Flatnose Turbo. You guys definitely got a better looking version than we got here in the USA. Our Flatnose 3.6s had headlamps similar to those found on the 928 or 968. Your car has a much cleaner and more attractive front end with the classic pop up headlamps as were used on the earlier 930S 3.3 Turbos. I love Ferraris but have tremendous respect for Porsches as they are such great performers and most can be used easily as daily drivers if one chooses to do so. I hope you have been enjoying the 275. I never get tired of looking at your photos. Also its quite interesting how it takes a bit of effort getting used to the difference in clutch feel between the 275 and the Daytona.

I've been away for a while but I did think of you while I was away. Here are 2 pix that I took at a local car show.

Best regards,
Dino

Dino: Thanx a bunch for your kind words. Just like you, I do like many makes other than Ferrari too. I know what you are referring to w. respect to the exlcusives for the US. Not too keen on the front looks. Beatuiful shots of a 275 shortnose and an Abarth. Was that an event in the East Coast or was that Carmel/ Monterey event ? Thanx again, Dino. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Dino944]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS

Dino: Thanx a bunch for your kind words. Just like you, I do like many makes other than Ferrari too. I know what you are referring to w. respect to the exlcusives for the US. Not too keen on the front looks. Beatuiful shots of a 275 shortnose and an Abarth. Was that an event in the East Coast or was that Carmel/ Monterey event ? Thanx again, Dino. w/ smiles Jimmy

Hi Jimmy,

The event where I took the photos was on the East Coast in Newport, Rhode Island. They had several nice Ferraris at the event, a 250 Lusso, a grigio 246GTS Dino, 3365GTC/4 and few Masers, like the one off car based on a Maserati Mexico, although it actually looks a bit like a Mistral. I have enclosed a photo of it. There actually seem to be more 275GTBs in the North East than I would have thought. A few weeks ago when I was at the shop where I take my 328 they had 3 275GTBs in for service. One of which is an original 6 carb car.

Best regards,
Dino

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Originally Posted by Dino944

Hi Jimmy,

The event where I took the photos was on the East Coast in Newport, Rhode Island. They had several nice Ferraris at the event, a 250 Lusso, a grigio 246GTS Dino, 3365GTC/4 and few Masers, like the one off car based on a Maserati Mexico, although it actually looks a bit like a Mistral. I have enclosed a photo of it. There actually seem to be more 275GTBs in the North East than I would have thought. A few weeks ago when I was at the shop where I take my 328 they had 3 275GTBs in for service. One of which is an original 6 carb car.

Best regards,
Dino

Thanx for the clarifications, Dino. Lovely shots and looks like a nice, casual event. Needless to say, great cars too. I just love to see these classic cars on lawn setting instead of concrete/ tarmac. The "green carpet" is so fitting for these cars. Thanx again. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Got to take out my Daytona to/from work today. Did not go terribly fast but instead, played with shifts and rpms. Kept changing shifts and rpms combinations. Fell in love all over again. w/ smiles Jimmy

[Dino944]

Seems like the 275 and Daytona are getting the majority of your fun driving. Is the Dino getting any road time these days? I hate to picture it covered in dust with the tires getting flat. Just kidding. Glad to hear you got in some road time with the Daytona.

Best regards,
Dino