Tag Archives: California

Tee, Targa or TT – Ferrari California T

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The T in the new 2+2 Ferrari California T, launched earlier this year, stands for neither the golf tee, nor Targa top but for turbocharged which further investigation leads to the fact that the California T is in fact powered by a twin turbocharged motor, a technology last used by Ferrari on the F40.

Ferrari California T, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The new 552hp Califonia T biturbo motor has a smaller 3.9 litre / 235 cui motor that produces 70 hp more than the original normally aspirated California V8, is 15% more fuel efficient, but still in the Rolls Royce league, and produces 15% less emissions.

Ferrari California T, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The convertible hard top has new subtlety more aggressive panels from Pinninfarina all round and some interior features derived from the F12berlinetta.

Ferrari California T, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The California T is the first Ferrari to be fitted with the iOS 7.1 operating system compatible Apple CarPlay meaning ones Apple devices can be operated by Ferrari’s native control systems.

Ferrari California T, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The 552hp twin turbo motor will push the California t from rest to 62.5mph in 3.6 seconds and on to a quoted top speed of 196 mph.

Thanks for joining me on this “Tee, Targa or TT” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another 500 Formula Three car. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Floating Power – Plymouth PA Rumble Seat Sport Roadster

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In July 1931 Chrysler announced a new Plymouth model for 1932 the PA which apart from dimensions like the 109″ wheel base and 196 cui 4 cylinder motor size shared little with the Model U which it replaced.

Plymouth PA, California,

Despite being Chryslers budget brand the PA model featured a flying lady sculpture adorning the radiator, the item was designed by Herbert V. Henderson and manufactured exclusively for Plymouth by the Jarvis Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Plymouth PA, California,

One significant difference between the Model U and PA was the “Floating Power” mountings for the latter which were developed by Owen Skelton to minimise the inherent vibrations caused by a 4 cylinder motor. Owen found that by using rubber and affixing the mountings along the motors center of gravity axis which slopes from front to rear he could significantly improve the comfort for occupants of a vehicle.

Plymouth PA, California,

Within months of being patented Floating Power was adopted by all Plymouth and Chrysler models and would remain a feature of MOPAR vehicles over the next 28 years.

Plymouth PA, California,

Production of the PA came to an end in July 1932 with 106,896 examples including a variety of 2 and 4 seat body styles.

Plymouth PA, California,

Floating Power and a commitment by former Ford employee, now head of the Plymouth brand Fred L. Rockelman to give his customers more car for their money helped Plymouth reach No:3 in the sales charts replacing Buick in 1931, a position it would only relinquish in 1954 when Buick recaptured 3rd spot.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing these photographs, of a 1931 rumble seat “sport” roadster,which he took in a California car park in 2012.

Thanks for joining me on this “Floating Power” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for another edition of Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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730hp Grand Tourer – Ferrari F12berlinetta

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In 2012 Ferrari announced it’s new Pininfarina styled 730hp F12berlinetta would replace the 612hp Ferrari 599 which had been in production since 2006.

Ferrari F12berlinetta, Autosport International

The 730hp V12 motor is a tuned version of that seen in the 650hp Ferrari FF first seen in 2011 as is the 7 speed dual-clutch automated semi-automatic transmission which can also be found in the California, 458 Italia and LaFerrari models.

Ferrari F12berlinetta, Autosport International

The F12berlinetta’s alloy chassis developed with Scaglietti is said to be stiffer and and lighter than that of the 599 which it replaces, the center of gravity has also been lowered and the finished car has a 46% front, 54% rear weight distribution.

Ferrari F12berlinetta, Autosport International

Among the interesting novelties fitted to the F12berlinetta are active brake cooling ducts which open only when the brakes are hot, this feature reduces the cars overall aerodynamic drag during the course of a journey. The cars drag coefficient is said to be 0.299.

Ferrari F12berlinetta, Autosport International

When lapping the Ferrari Fiorano test circuit the F12berlinetta is said to be 3.5 seconds faster than the 599 GTB, and two seconds faster than the Enzo, 458 Italia and 430 Scuderia.

Thanks for joining me on this “730hp Grand Tourer” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Ivory to Burgundy – Ferrari 365 California #9127

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A couple of years ago I looked at the Ferrari 365 California Spyder chassis #9985 which was residing in the Blackhawk Museum, thanks once again to Geoffrey Horton today’s post features another of the 14 365 California Spyders this one the second of the 14 built, chassis #9127 which was the second one to be built in August 1966.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

#9127 was originally painted Ivory with a light blue interior and sold in 1967 by US Ferrari dealer Chinetti to a Marquis de Cuevas, not the same as George de Cuevas who ran the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas until he died in 1961.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

In 1968 Chinetti bought the car back and sold it, now painted blue, to self made insurance broker Burt Borman in California where it remained for the next 37 years.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

By 1975 the had been repainted it’s current burgundy and fitted with a tan interior.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

During the 1990’s the Borman’s entered the car in several Councours events including Pebble Beach in 1994.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

On June 28th 2005 #9127 was one of 29 Ferraris offered for sale at the much hyped Sotheby’s Auction held in the Ferrari Logistics Building at the Fiorano circuit in Maranello, Italy.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

Future Force India owner Vijay Mallya purchased #9127 at Maranello, surprisingly it was one of only 9 of the 29 cars offered that actually changed hands.

Ferrari 365 California Spyder, Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

The car is seen here at last years Marin Sanoma Concours d’Elegance where it was entered by Robert Park of Sausalito, CA where it won second place in the 12 Cylinder Ferrari up to 1985 class.

My thanks to Geoffrey for sharing his photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Ivory to Burgundy” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a supercharged Buckler. Don’t forget to come back now.

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Ferrari Friday – 9th Danville Concours d’Elegance

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Geoffrey Horton attended this years 9th Danville Concours d’Elegance last month and kindly shared today’s collection of Ferrari photographs.

Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Pride of place belonged to this Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder PF Series I chassis #0408 MD which featured on this blog some time ago.

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, Danville Concours d'Elegance

I still have not established if the Ferrari 250 GT Lusso chassis #4237 like the one above is actually missing or not, if anyone has any information about #4237 please do not hesitate to chime in below.

Ferrari F355 Spyder, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Moving forward a couple of decades the Ferrari F355 was fitted with a Japanese starter motor in an attempt to bring the marque up to compete with and beat the Honda NSX on price, reliability and handling when it was launched in 1994.

Ferrari F360 Spyder, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Ferrari’s 20th convertible the 360 Spider was launched in 2000, former Ferrari Formula One Team technical director Ross Brawn had one as his company car.

Ferrari California, Danville Concours d'Elegance

The Ferrari California, launched in 2008, was originally designed as a Maserati but sold only as a Ferrari to recoup the development costs

Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, Danville Concours d'Elegance

If stealth is your rocks your boat I guess matt black is the way to go, but I’m not sure I could ever get used to it, matt black to me looks like the new primer, something unfinished or a work in progress which is I am sure the last thing I’d think of in the event I ever bought a Ferrari 458 Italia Coupé.

Ferrari F12berlinetta, Danville Concours d'Elegance

Despite being launched last year to replace the Ferrari 599, I still have not come across a Ferrari F12berlinetta like the one above, I must get round to making an appointment with my local stockist.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s photographs more of which will appear in next Wednesday’s blog.

Thanks for joining me on this “Ferrari Friday” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll resume this month’s 50th Anniversary celebration of the Porsche 911. Don’t forget to come back now !

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8 Inches Shorter – Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB #2891 GT

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Sharing the same chassis as the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, the short wheel base (SWB) Ferrari 250 California Spyder was a fraction under 8 inches shorter than the original Long Wheel Base Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder of which 49 examples had been built 1957 and 1960.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

Of the 55 SWB California Spyder bodies designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti 37 had faired in headlights.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

First seen at Geneva Motor Show in 1960 the California Spyder was powered by a 276hp version of the 3 litre / 183 cui V12 motor designed by Gioacchino Colombo.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

Along with the additional power the SWB California was fitted with hydraulic disc brakes in place of the drum brakes of originally fitted to the older long wheel base model.

Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

At the time of writing it is not known who first purchased chassis #2891 in 1961, but it’s three known subsequent owners all lived in Europe, so this car appears to have never seen the California sunshine for which it was built.

Thanks for joining me on this “8 Inches Shorter” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll for the start of GALPOT’S 50th Anniversary of the Porsche 911 celebration. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Vote Johnny – ’29 Ford Model A Pick Up

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A couple of weeks I befriended one of Gary L Wales neighbours Johnny Martinez on Facebook, turns out Johnny like Gary is accustomed to winning the odd motor show prize.

Ford Model A, Johnny Martinez

Johnny built his ’29 Ford Model A pick up from a TCI chassis with a Currie rear end, small block Chevrolet motor and 4 speed transmission with overdrive 20 years ago.

Ford Model A, Johnny Martinez

The immaculate small block is “kickin’ about 385 hp”.

Ford Model A, Johnny Martinez

Johnny’s Ford is equipped with disc brakes and the steering uses a Chevrolet Vega steering box.

Ford Model A, Johnny Martinez

Notice below that the door only has two hinges, that’s because Johnny lowered the roof three inches and dispensed with the top hinge.

Ford Model A, Johnny Martinez

Over the last 28 months Johnny’s ’29 Ford has won 27 awards below Johnny is seen with the Big Red Machine Bike and Car Show award he won in 2011. Here is a link to a clip from the show which comes with a parental advisory on the sound track.

Ford Model A, Johnny Martinez

Johnny is prepping his hot pick up for this years Grand National Roadster Show “The Grand Daddy of Them All” held in Panoma next weekend. Meantime you can vote for Johnnies pick up in the Gold Eagle “Cool Ride Of The Month” contest which has seen Johnny running neck and neck for the lead for over a week now.

CLICK ON THIS LINK and click “John’s 1929 Ford Model A” to vote, your daily participation until the end of the month will be much appreciated.

My thanks to Johnny for sharing his photo’s and story and wishing him the best of British at the Grand National Roadster Show and in the Gold Eagle “Cool Ride Of The Month” competitions.

Thanks for joining me on this “Vote Johnny” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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