Exactly my response! Yes. I often take a minute or two to explain either the car and let them see it, or if they ask what I do or how I earned it, some general business concepts. For those people I am probably the only Ferrari owner they have talked to, and I also feel an obligation to be a good brand ambassador.
Since 1985 everyone in this business has always ever referred to them as "250 GTO or 288 GTO". Because the factory named both the same.
Tell them yes, the dealer thre in the swag when I bought my car. Or just wear a Porsche hat and answer no I don't own a Porsche
I have some two dozen USN ball caps, and I typically wear one when I drive the F car. Often, I am told "thank you for your service" that mandates I say that I am not a veteran, but have walked the decks of eight BBs and four CVs. This generally starts a great conversation. We do talk about the car... a bit.
I wear company swag all the time. I have lots of it... but usually only one thing at a time... maybe a Ferrari polo and a hat if its really hot out. or cold... I have an F-1 team jacket so I wear it and usually just regular clothes... I think one thing at a time looks good. I have seem some folks who are decked out heat to toe... and if you like it - great. if someone asks me if I have a Ferrari I say "yes" then ask if they are in to Ferrari's too... what their favorite is etc. I don't think its rude at all. I also get some folks asking me if I like Ferrari's when I'm at Barnes and Nobel looking at car mags... (usually looking at Enzo or one of the F-1 mags )
The Ferrari Client relationship is a bit perverse. I too feel obligated to be a "good Ferrari owner" ... but Ferrari does not really care that much about its clients ( or used to....) long waiting lists etc... our Local dealer treats me like gold... for no good reason ... but FNA and Ferrari in Italy... could care less..... I've always found it odd ... a little like a abusive relationship, but I keep coming back!
Which never, ever happens. If they determine I'm a likely owner based on some other reason (seeing me near the car, the keychain, etc) - then I say "Yes, I do."
I say yes in public but no at work. In public, I enjoy talking with others that share the Ferrari passion, either for the beautiful cars and/or F1 racing. At work, I lie because I have told people in the past and it got around, including upper management, and I felt (true or not) it was a factor in the size of the raise I got each year. I need more money, like everyone else, so I act poor at work. Owning a 328 is nothing like owning a new 488.
Nobody really asks me, but if they do, I tell them I used to own one, and that my dad had several over the years. Nothing to be shy about. Let the excitement show!
Although I appreciate the difference in a 328 versus a 488, both have a Ferrari logo and that's sufficient to evoke a certain disdain among the so inclined -- ownership is restricted to rich people. It is not fair, as many of us can relate how it took years to build a career that allowed the purchase of a used vehicle and the cash flow to maintain it. There are times when humility is an entirely proper course of action particularly if it helps to minimize a wanton act of destruction like someone running a key down the side of your vehicle.
Reminds me of one more work story. We had a vendor that sold us on a decision system that according to the salesperson would do everything including give you a blowjob. Needless to say, it didn’t. We had a meeting with them to tell them we were discontinuing the POC, and would be going with a competitor. Their VP of sales was on site in a conference room with me and my boss. We had about a half dozen of the vendor staff dialed in on a conference call. I made a comment along the lines of “You sold us a Ferrari, but you delivered a Chevette.” She asked “Well do you really want a Ferrari?” I looked at her, paused and said “Yes. Yes I do.” My boss burst out laughing and said to the people dialed in on the phone “Just for the record, Paul is sitting here in the room with us wearing one of his Ferrari Club Of America shirts.”
You are kinda homeless right now......though when it’s done it will be awesome. Can’t wait to come over and watch movies!