Modern Classic Ferraris

Well, of course, "Modern Classic" is an oxymoron, but since many people have been thinking "investment" and "car" in the same light, that has led many collectors down this path.

 

I would think the Ferrari 550 Maranello is a "modern classic".

Built from 1997 to 2001, they are classic in their front-engine V12 design and only came with stick-shift 6-speed transmissions.

They have a minimal amount of electronics and CPU's in them compared to the Ferraris made after them.

Their body design is an evolutionary one based on the 275 GTB and 265 GTB/4 Daytona coupes.
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Given the exponential rate with which technology moves forward, it takes less time for things to become "antiquated" as days go by. In the context of cars, I think antiquated can in fact be desirable (compared to computers, for example). So cars don't have to be 30 years old to mature.

In a niche like Ferrari where demand is savvy, informed, and passionate, "antiquated" can be a good thing - cleanly identifying with the past instead of the present, and doing it elegantly. I think the 550 is a perfect example. It's literally a modern iteration of several revered classics, but it isn't modern. It's graceful and timeless. Cars like that, to me, certainly prove the "modern classic" theory.

It has to do with pedigree, history, and ultimately the final execution. Not with investment, however the former often begets the latter.

550 and 996 GT2 both come to mind.

-Joe

 

I believe the term "Modern Classic" to root itself in the point where desirability is transitioning into being weighted more heavily by an appreciation for the nostalgia element of the car itself. Both the physical and cultural characteristics. It is distinctly different than simply "Cars I like that are new-ish".

The cars currently in the midst of or coming out of the transition from old/used Ferraris, to being more coveted specifically and primarily for their nostalgic attributes and what they represent towards a specific period in time (versus their relative price points as entry-level used Ferraris, or being denigrated for performance comparisons/obsolescence against metrics of the current models)... Testarossas/512TR, 308/328, 348, F355, 550/575.

Some, like the 308/328 are exiting, to be firmly 'classics', and others like 550/575s are just entering, as the class of cars graduating into/out of the categorization falls in the mid-80s to mid-90s bracket, IMO.

Additionally, there are those that have always garnered a high level of attention and desire, but the manner in which they are appreciated deepens and evolves, with again a more nostalgic element... F40, F50.
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To me, 550s don't really convey the essence of what most ppl think of as Ferrari by being front engine, grand touring type cars.
I'll vote for F40/50, Enzo, TR, CS.

 

Matt (itsablurr) nailed it. I do think the term has legitimate meaning, and for good reason. In a time where cars are becoming increasingly homogenus, more complicated, and less evocative, there is room for such a descriptor for cars that are too young for "classic" status, but still offer some of the original Ferrari attributes that are missing from the current video-games-on-wheels.

 

It's a sign of age, I guess, but for me a Ferrari has a V12 in front and 2 seats behind - the pinup car of my youth was a 500 Superfast and that has conditioned how I feel about Ferraris ever since. So a 550 is EXACTLY what a Ferrari ought to be.

 

Yes, there is such a thing as a "modern classic". No it is not an oxymoron. A classic is not a function of age, but of quality in design and execution. Some cars can be classics even when new and others will never be classics, however old.

A 550 is a fine example of a modern classic.

 

I'd vote the TR as an Enzo-era modern classic. Then again, I may be biased..




Sent by itsy bitsy electrons

 

You're probably right. The first Ferrari I ever saw as a kid was on Magnum Pi.
The Testarossa was my "poster car" along with the countach.
I remember when Ferris Bueller came out, and thinking of Cameron's dads car "wtf kind of Ferrari is that??"
Now I'm in my 40's and still learning about the different models, but of course, more heavily influenced by everything that came after the 308.

 

They're all future classics in my opinion. I doubt any Ferrari will ever go to the crusher just because it's old.

The young teenagers of today will likely still be lusting over current supercars in 20+ years from now when they're likely to be more attainable for them.

 

Learn about the history. The underpinning of Ferrari's mythos is front engine V12. But for me its 2 seaters.

 

I vote F430, first modern chain driven engine and a couple of models old,,

 

Agree 100%.

I would say a lot of "modern" Ferraris will eventually be considered classics. 10, 20 years down the road, 599 GTOs, F12 TDFs, etc. will be viewed as legendary, as the special edition NA V12 road cars. 360 CS, 430 Scud, Speciale will be the final NA V8 special cars, 355 may be considered a classic too. I would say many of those are already "modern classics."

 

IMO, 'modern classic' is different than 'future classic', which is different than 'retro-inspired' or otherwise following a classic formula in contemporary application/packaging.

 

I vote 550, it checks all the boxes.

 

Yes and no! Cause and effect. Investment is not a criterion in judging what is or is not a classic, modern or otherwise. BUT, if a car is recognised to be a classic, then it is likely to be in demand and this has the usual demand / supply effect on its price in the market (which still may not mean that it is a good investment).

It will be very interesting to hear what your panel concludes - please let us know the outcome.

This, for me at least, is a modern classic, even though it is still in production and is not a good investment (though it may be at some time in the future), although it is not in the same league as a 550:
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I would say a 430 Scuderia would be a future classic. Car's lines are very beautiful and the last model that designed by Pininfarina, under the guidance of Frank Stephenson (later McLaren designer).

One of the most beautiful Ferraris ever produced (F430 platform in general).

 

I dunno. In my limited experience, the cars that end up being classic, are the same ones that were popular when they were modern. Compare a SWB to a Lusso, for example, or a 275 to a 330, or a F40 to a 328. But when looking at modern Ferraris, it's hard to tell. For example, will a F355 end up being more of a classic than a 550? Who knows?

 

Agree, but I'm thinking the 16M will be even more special.

It is the last cloth-top convertible for Ferrari, true?

So, it is a 430 Scud but in spider form.

Here's a picture off the web of one.
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BTW, I have long thought the F360 was Ferrari's 911. It was the first modern Ferrari, and, if you remember, sales went through the roof. Ferrari would be half the company it is today if it hadn't introduced the F360. Based on that, I would nominate the Challenge Stradale as a modern classic.

 

Front engine V12 with beautiful lines, breathtaking performance...F12.

V8 thriller with arguably one of the most beautiful designs of all V8s ever, breathtaking performance, scream of the last NA V8....Speciale.

550 is a great runner up as is the 360 CS.