Ferrari of Austin - Here it comes!

Trust me... we aren't complaining, we are very happy about it!

 

James, do you have any photos of the old repair garage at Classic Ferrari? Now that was a tight fit.

 

Somewhere on a disc. I will try to look it up and post it here. I believe there is an old thread on here somewhere that I posted from several discs. It could be under Anotherdunnedeal or Audiguy. Classic Ferrari became Ferrari of Dallas after Giuseppe Risi bought it. Steve Smith and Mike Luongo were the two techs and Danny Piott was the parts manager. Danny is still at Boardwalk Ferrari. Mike went to Lamborghini and then on from there. Steve Smith immigrated north to wrench on a Challenge Team..........

 

Is there an anticipated grand-opening celebration and/or party (w/ invite-RSVP)?

Thanks, in-advance.

 

I for one am really looking forward to a Ferrari dealer here in Austin. I wonder who is behind the business - any rumors? As a Maserati Merak owner (car under restoration) I hope Maserati will follow. The ex Auto Strada location is great, I used to go in there fairly regularly to look at the latest Lotus cars. Austin now has Aston Martin, Bentley, Lotus, Ferrari - wow who would have thought it 10 years ago.

 

Risi has it AFAIK. Barrett has sold/services many of the cars in Austin so it makes perfect sense someone else got it.

 

Roger Beasley Maserati will be a reality for the Austin area. Likewise for Roger Beasley Fisker.

It's also plausible to see some Rolls Royce presence perhaps around, w/ their new forthcoming Ghost sedan offering. Perhaps a BMW dealer principal would get dibs on that or even a satellite-store from Houston/Dallas w/ a showroom here in Austin?

Just talking out-loud, as seeing Aston Martin come to Austin was truly (pleasantly) surprising!

 

I stopped by the new dealership this weekend to check it out. The guys that are opening it up (Kev and Mario) let me in and showed me around. It's a beautiful facility and it has a lot more room that I remembered. The shop area is large and nicely redone. Kev mentioned that he plans to have it open by Christmas.
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Cool! Any word on what kind of cars they want to toss out on the showroom first?

 

I stopped by today I saw a Nero F430 coupe, a Argento Nurburgring F430 Spider & a dark red 599 GTB. It actually looks just like my friend Wayne's Rosso Fiorano 599. I saw a few employees but they didn't look open yet so I didn't try to go in. I also noticed a very large poster mounted on the wall of what I think was a silver California. There was so much glare on the window I could tell for sure. It looks like they might just be days away from opening. I'll go back on Monday & check it out.

 

Keep us posted - would love to see the facility!!

 

This really pushes me back towards F-cars as my fave. May have to park the Lambo and get a 430...

 

Wow might go by there tonight just to peer in the windows.

 

I stopped by earlier today and talked to Kev. They aren't open yet but they are more than happy to show around any potential customers. All the legal paperwork is taken care of so the cars are currently for sale if anyone is interested. They just don't have all of their display items and boutique set up yet. They just put in some real nice red leather couches and a big LCD TV on the wall. It looks like it might make a good place to have a small F1 viewing party.

They now have a nice blue & Cuoio California. I just took a couple of quick photos with my Blackberry.
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BTW, he said he thought the California is Azzurro. I told him it wasn't and I thought it's TDF. I think they should hire me.

 

The black F430 coupe is a 6 speed manual car with a challenge grill. It looks brand new.

The 599 GTB is also a 6 speed manual & it has solid tan Daytona seats.

The Argento Nurburgring F430 Spider has an all black interior with white or silver stitching & lots of carbon fiber. I noticed that it has the front & rear parking sensors.

The California is TDF, I believe. It has Cuoio interior with the rear seat option. Shields & front parking sensors.

 

I guess I am going to have to stop by soon to see how accessible things are in there... I bet they ARE NOT very wheelchair friendly...

 

James, come by the week after Christmas and I'll give you the GRANDE TOUR!

Beau Rice

 

A real Ferrari dealer, WOW! Austin will soon be a real city. You guys are drooling on the computer screen. Maybe you can buy a real model of a real Ferrari. Sorry, but you all sound like teenagers ogling through a toy store window. Maybe........

 

I agree Mike...they SHOULD hire you!!!

 

The California is sold, the happy new owner was picking it up when I dropped for a quick peak around lunchtime.

Kev was very nice and hospitable, apparently it's a soft open with the official opening still in the works. The black 430 6 speed would make a very nice Christmas present... only 3000 miles!

 

I stopped by late in the day yesterday and just missed the Cali! Dang it! I REALLY wanted to see that car! I have not seen one in person yet.

There was a guy in there who drove up in a highly modified new Camaro (HPE 600 or something like that, it was supercharged) and was talking to Kev about an Enzo...had a pretty GF with him...would be cool to see another Enzo in Austin. I think we were over due on a dealership...any town with 3 Enzo's deserves their own dealer!

James

 

I spent some time there today. Looking forward to their grand opening. Yes, the blue California's gone, but there's already a red one sitting on the floor awaiting a new home.

James

 

I met Beau today. Seems like a solid, experienced professional. He's in sales at Ferrari of Austin.

Mario is involved on the service side.

Kev is the Manager of the dealership, and has done a wonderful job of building his team. What else would one expect but class and dignity from Mr. Risi and Ferrari?

 

I stopped by there today (in Austin for a day on the way to Houston for Xmas), very nice little store, even if it was still a work in progress. There was a silver 430 spider on the floor that is right up my alley!

best wishes on their success