512 BBi Resto

Concorso and the whole Pebble weekend was a blast.

The car came straight from the shop to the golf course, and driving it up the fairway on Thursday afternoon the day before the event was the first time I had actually been behind the wheel since Sept of 05. (Steve one of the builders had test driven it, I was a passenger - so that was the first time). Somehow it seemed kind of fitting. A lot of emotions and strange feelings. Such a different experience then buying a car and driving it, and who would have thought off roading would be it's maiden voyage.

As I rolled up to where they assigned me a space, one of the coordinators sarcastically said, "Nice that you found the time to wax it". He was right; it was kind of a wreck. I know Steve and Vic at the shop burned the midnight oil before the truck came for it and probably didn't get around to a full detail. The greatest guy in a beautiful 400 who was parked near me opened his trunk and seemed to have the better part of the entire Griot's Garage Catalog in there. He graciously offered up the whole works, and I had the best couple of hours polishing everything as the sun was setting, a cool breeze was coming in - all on the fairway of a beautiful golf course. I'm one of those guys that thinks polishing a car is therapeutic.

Friday morning the day of the event, I was running late. Traffic was not good and by the time I finally got there, the car was surrounded. My neighbor in the 400 said a TV crew had come by looking for the owner so I guess I missed my big opportunity. When I lifted up the bonnets, even more people came by, which seemed to be the case for most of the day.

I wasn't sure at the time when I registered for Concorso (quite some time ago - as I wanted it to be a goal to have it completed by then) if I would have it judged or not, so I signed up for it. I kind of forgot all about it until I watched the judges look over a beautiful carbed BB now sitting next to mine, I looked for my keys as I thought about what to do and realized - yep I had left them back at my hotel. I told my astonished partner and girlfriend Shar that I was going to bail and go get them and that I'd be back as soon as I could. With the traffic - almost 2 hours. She called me many, many times on my cell as she tried to answer numerous questions and tried to deal with 4 anxious and confused judges. She said they wanted to know I whated them to do? She said they were very confused by the car and they kept going back and forth between the 2 Boxers looking at various parts but absolutely had no idea what to make of mine. I asked her to hold them off until I returned which she did. They were very nice and said they thought the car was amazing but obviously they couldn't judge it as it would score very low. I agreed. They did come back several times however both as a group and as individuals to look at various things on it, and to continue to apoligise for the situation.

Shar in the meantime made a lot of new friends. As I'm a little shy she gets out there and talks to anybody and everybody. One guy told her he had brought 5 different people back to see it as he'd never seen anything like it. Another guy and his father said they had a rather large collection and would love this in there’s as it's so much fun to look at and draws so much attention. I realized that to the non-Ferrarista (most people) it shows pretty cool. Kind of like a hot rod / Ferrari creation. The engine and engine bay are like a jewel box full of interesting and colorful things.

So many great people and so many great cars. At one point they pulled up a new 599 and parked it next to mine. Amazing car.
Where is everybody getting all the dough??? I think there was enough net worth on that golf course to easily compete with any third world nation. Geno had his fabulous orange Lambo spyder there with his even more fabulous wife. As I was talking to the two, Jay Leno came by and I snapped a picture for Geno of the three of them, Surreal.

After the show, Shar and I drove down the coast on Hwy 1 for quite awhile and I finally got to really drive it. OMG. It was everything I had hoped for and more - and again what a great place to finally drive it - along the coast of Northern Ca on a perfect day (no fog and really warm). The AC works so well I had to turn it down, and the interior of the car never even got remotely hot or warm even - anywhere. All the thought and time we put into insulating was worth it IMO.

We drove it around Carmel throughout the weekend and it was really a pleasure to drive. It attracted attention and a conversation or two wherever we went. Every time we parked it there would be people around it when we returned. No small feat when everywhere you turn there’s at least a 360.

When it finally went back into the truck late Sunday, I was actually sad to see it go. I'm still out in Ca. and it’s headed straight back to the shop. Yes I'm putting the other steering wheel back on (even though this one is so comfortable), and the new wheels should be ready.
We need to dial in the suspension a little, and adjust the brakes.

All in all - amazing weekend with amazing people.

I'll post some shots of the new wheels when I return to Chicago.

I'm thinking very seriously about all the generous offers - and I probably officially qualify as my own favorite charity these days - especially after that weekend!!