[Vitalone]

Inspired by fantastic recent driving reports by Barry, Boxer and 212Export, here is my report of a great drive this past Saturday.

Last time I was in town, over three weeks ago, we took a drive to my specialist to meet up with Onno and 550JM. A good 100km drive towards the south east. Above 4000rpm I noticed an occasional hesitation. Appointment booked at 9h30 this past Saturday to check the timing and look at the carbs after the specialist drove the car and said not electrics and not serious.

Fast forward to this past Saturday. Alarm went off at 06h30. Still night outside. Wake up by re-reading the December edition of Classic Cars, an article comparing the 246 gt with the 308 GTB and asking if the former is three times the car at three times the price. They conclude that the Dino is prettier and rarer. They say not to worry that the GTB is vitually mass-produced, it is the better drive. Suitably inspired, onto the bicycle for the half an hour cycle in the dark to the garage. Once awake it is magic to cycle across a slumbering city somewhere in the grey between night and day with no shadows on the ground, few cars about and no cyclists to be seen.

Open the garage and the Michalone never fails to take my breath away. So low, so wide and so beautiful, pictures do not do her justice. Fire her up in the pre-sun gloom and wait a few minutes to get fluids moving. She tells me when she is ready by settling into a smooth idle. Off we go. It rained last night and I am conscious of those wide 335 tyres at the back and the cold temperatures. We progress cautiously. The ride is lumpy on the cold tyres. As we near Utrecht, the sun appears below the low clouds. A glorious orange light adding to the warm cabin. She fits like a glove. Up to operating temperature and we settle into an easy cruise, keeping it below 4000rpm. At this rate and all is fine, perhaps I am being too sensitive. As we go the clouds lift with more and more blue sky appearing. With occassional showers. Michalone secure and planted despite wide tyres, cold air and wet road under the showers.

After a capuccino and catch up with the brilliant and personable specialist, he and mechanic whip off the airbox cover while I alternate between bothering them with my hovering and admiring the many Ferrari jewels in the workshop. Including the first Daytona that is being rebuilt (275 front, Daytona rear and unique single cam, three valve motor).

An hour later and the Michalone is purring. Timing was checked and some dirt found in two of the carburettor jets. Revs jump eagerly at the touch of the throttle. Time for the 100km drive home. In the sun under watery blue sky. A quiet bit of highway, up to operating temperature and we go to 7000rpm through the gears lifting off at 6000rpm in fifth. The gobble of the carbs at 3000rpm moves to an urgent wail of sound toward 5000rpm before the F1 Cosworth-scream soundtrack plays from 6000rpm onwards. Smoothly and effortlessly. We settle into a fast cruise of 4500rpm. Sweet!

Into garage and check oil level in dry sump oil tank while motor idles. All systems good. This car talks to me, telling me when she is ready to go, when something is not quite right like that dirt in the jets, and when she is enjoying herself. Which is most of the time. Particularly when we drive fast on the open road lost in the views framed by the steeply racked windscreen and spearing front wings, together with the music from that magnificent V8 heart.

[champagne612]

Thanks for sharing ... well written.

Kodak moments are very helpful

[tazandjan]

David- Sounds like a great drive. Are you running air and fuel filters? Just wondered how the groad got into the carb jets.

[Vitalone]

Indeed Taz, am running standard airbox with new air filter plus fuel filter. Noticed a small amount of grit plus part of a leaf (!) in the airbox. Seems those four Webers act like a vacumn cleaner hoovering up debris through the air filter! Note to self not to drive too close to small animals.

[Boxer]

Vitalone, Outstanding write up. I think you might have missed your true calling as a auto journalist.

Did you get any pictures of the Daytona prototype?

[Barry]

Poetic, David. I almost felt like I was there in the passenger seat...

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Vitalone, Outstanding write up. I think you might have missed your true calling as a auto journalist.

Did you get any pictures of the Daytona prototype?

You are too kind Sir! I am inspired by the Ferrari magic when I drive the beautiful GTB and write about it afterwards.

Unfortunately did not take camera and so missed a few Kodak moments. Will take pics early next year of the missing link inter Daytona and 275.

[212Export]

...lifting off the accelerator pedal at 6' rpm's in fifth.........!. A woderful write up, David. Thank you very much for sharing it. Hardly imaginable for me that this car will not longer be with you in the future. To many rememberings also from my side I guess...

[212Export]

David, I was aware about the different Daytona prototypes but just know learned from you, that one of them (the one you have seen, chassis No. 10287) has a 3 valve engine.

Found a interesting report from Mike Sheehan from the August 1996 edition of the Ferrari Market letter reagrding those prototypes. As it was easily accessible by "googeling", I guess its no problem to give a link to it here:

FERRARI'S DAYTONA PROTOTYPES

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

I did not realize we have had so many poets here at FL !!! Pure pleasure to read and to be immersed in the evocative emotions. Thank You, David. w/ smiles Jimmy

[212Export]

Here a black/white picture of the car you've seen (from Gerald Roush's book "Ferrari Daytona")

[Vitalone]

Thank you for your kind words Gentlemen. But for the call of the 365 GT4/BB, the Michalone would stay with me. Each month I buy lottery tickets, so maybe that way I can enjoy both!

Indeed 10287, the first Daytona, is being restored at my specialist. Interestingly it also has the unusual flat headlight covers referred to in Sheehan's article when talking about the second Daytona. It is fascinating to examine this beauty up close in naked state.

[212Export]

Originally Posted by Vitalone

Thank you for your kind words Gentlemen. But for the call of the 365 GT4/BB, the Michalone would stay with me. Each month I buy lottery tickets, so maybe that way I can enjoy both!

Indeed 10287, the first Daytona, is being restored at my specialist. Interestingly it also has the unusual flat headlight covers referred to in Sheehan's article when talking about the second Daytona. It is fascinating to examine this beauty up close in naked state.

In Sheehans report (15years old) that prototype was in Swiss ownership. Obviously it has changed to the Netherlands ?!

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by 212Export

In Sheehans report (15years old) that prototype was in Swiss ownership. Obviously it has changed to the Netherlands ?!

I am not sure about the ownership of this beauty, just fascinated by all the unique details. Another good excuse to enjoy the 200km round trip down to my specialist in addition to his good company and great coffee!

[elentinos]

Nice story, thanks for sharing. It made me want to jump in mine and take it for a spin.