Has anyone considered taking delivery of their Ferrari at the factory and driving around Italy? I'm thinking about it, but I'm a little concerned about theft and general security. Any relevant experiences? Insurance is also a concern, but I'm sure that can be resolved. We'd probably go north-- we're considering staying in Bologna and then doing various small excursions. Also, any experience on renting an apartment over there for a month or so? The idea of taking delivery at the factory just seems too cool to pass up!
I read a story someplace about someone who did just that, it was very cool. I'll try and find it and let you know. I'll just have to remember where I saw it?
It was a lot of fun driving a rental car there, IMO it would be a lot less fun driving my own Ferrari. Narrow roads, crazy drivers ect.
That's definitely part of my concern. How about the Autostrada, or whatever it's called? I don't see myself using the car in town much, mostly for inter-city driving on the highway.
Don, I was told that due to the theft of so many cars in the past that you have to take delivery here in the US if you are a US customer. People would go over with forge documents and pick up new cars. They were never seen again. Also if you buy from a US dealer the cars has be to DOT and EPA apporved and stamped off once they hit the US. Your dealer is then resposible to check the car in and make sure everything works propoerly and report to Ferrari the car arrived and checks out. I think it would be impossible to get all that waived to get your car there? Maybe not? Mike PS: you getting that 612 you have been talking about???
I am thinking about a 612. RTGT says that European delivery is no problem from a technical point of view, and there is a process in place. They even think the car can be directly shipped here or to LA rather than to New Jersey once we're done in Europe. However... I am still concerned about theft and security-- and the narrow roads!
Check out this old thread-- it's the only one I've found with useful info. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90390&highlight=%22european+delivery%22
Don, If you're trying to make us all jealous..... It's working!!! But if it were me I would say go for it!! This is one of those once in a lifetime type deals man!!! GO FOR IT!!! The streets in Maranello and for that in Modena are not that narrow. Florence and part of Rome different story but I don't think it will be as bad as you think. I haven't spent any time in Bologna so I'm not sure there. But man you could go north and a tad west spend some time in Tuscany (ok some narrow roads there) head further north to Milan then cross over in to France and spend some time on the French Rivera, roll around Monaco stay in Nice for a bit. Then head back to Italy or where ever you need to ship her home. I don't know if theft is too big of a problem and if you stayed at hotels you have a chance to use their parking garages.. My only concern would be parking at restaurants or the crazy mopeds in traffic. But a few dings would be worth the experience. Just my two cents. Sonny.....
hmmmm, wierd? RTGT told me that in the 80's and 90's cars were stolen by fraud upon delivery and they have to come to the US first etc etc?
That's probably true, and theft is certainly a problem over there. That said, plenty of people (mostly Europeans) pick up their cars at the factory, so it's definitely possible. Or maybe they really want to sell a 612!
Don, Tony C rented a "villa" (everything is called a villa) last Sept and would be a good person to contact. I took my '79 AM Vantage on the QE2 in '80 and drove it all through UK and France with no problems but that was 27yrs ago.
Thanks for the tip! Was your Vantage LHD? I think driving an LHD car in the UK would be more than I could handle-- I have enough trouble driving RHD cars over there!
No direct Ferrari experience, but have done European delivery of an M3 and headed directly for Italy. Autostradas are great--they do more than build great engines in Italy--I found the roads to be excellent. Having said that, the large cities are crazy, and the tiny towns (think anything charming in Tuscany) have tiny roads, but then again they are tiny towns. Protected parking when you are "out and about" is a bit of a challenge, but good parking at hotels (pre-researched, of course) is fine. Roads around Maranello are no problem.
Have RTGT check with their FNA sales rep. I know you can take delivery of a car at the Factory, but your dealer has to work it out with FNA. I'm pretty sure the car does have to go to New Jersey first when it enters the country. But definitely have RTGT check with FNA that's the only way to know for sure.
Don It was LHD and took some getting used to. But after hitting the curb a few times it was OK.Got pulled over in Southhampton by a cop who thought I may have been drinking. I assured him hitting the curb was due to their insisting that I drive on the left! Sonny-I was 18 yrs old then.
Hi, donv. First let me answer your question: Yes. Do the drive. By way of background, my two close buddies and I were registered participants in Italy's 2004 Mille Miglia -- it was a challenging experience. Our car was a 1935 AmilCar, which we flew out to qualify. It was a 3-day and night race starting from Brescia down to Rome and back up to Brescia. The Poliza escorted all of us, which was about 330 racers from all over the world -- we finished at 133. One driver got killed that year. Our car was Number 17; the Piloti was Dr. Ed Godshalk, and the Co-Piloti was Dan d'Almeida. We all got commerative Mille Milgia watches that has our car number on it, which, to us, is like a Super Bowl Ring. The Italians treat the Mille Miglia in the same fashion as we treat the Super Bowl, NBA Championships, and World Series. I followed the cars, on the Mille Miglia race course in our support van that had extra car parts and our two mechanics. It was an amazing drive and experience -- Stirling Moss's Mercedes Benz zipped by us, and that was the height of my experience -- that car has such amazing history. We are planning to participate in the 2008 or 2009 Mille Milgia with a Bugatti, which Ed is working on right now. I might take on the Piloti or Co-Piloti spot on this run. I will be posting the pictures on my website, shortly. I recommend you do the drive; and, if you have a pedigree car that has Mille Miglia history, then I recommend you participate in the Mille Milglia. The strength in our team was our ability to practice up in Oregon coast and extreme attention to details and time management at each Check Point throughout the race course. Bologna is my favorite town -- Florence, as well. Good luck and keep me posted. Check 6. /s/ Alfonso Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
