The basement of Ferrari North America headquarters in Sylvan NJ | FerrariChat
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The basement of Ferrari North America headquarters in Sylvan NJ

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by TeamF1Jr, Nov 4, 2014.

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  1. TeamF1Jr

    TeamF1Jr Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    2,396
    #1 TeamF1Jr, Nov 4, 2014
    A few questions on the FNA facility in NJ. I recall there being a thread on the basement level of Ferrari North America headquarters many, many years ago but can't seem to find it anymore, perhaps it was in the old FerrariChat website. I know it's closed off to anyone that isn't an employee there, but I vaguely remember someone posting photos or at least was given a very rare tour of it at one time. Are there any photos or memories out there?

    In the age of the internet today allowing us to see everything everywhere, nothing is as special as it once was, but going back to the early 90s, the basement at FNA seemed to have a aire of mystery about it as it seemed to house rare race and production vehicles, perhaps models on temporary loan from Museo Ferrari in Maranello. I assume they still house the annual rotation of media vehicles there (for magazine reviews). I always assumed that the cars in the glass lobby were media cars often with thousands of miles on them and not delivery mile only showroom cars on temporary display before being wisked away to an authorized dealer.

    In addition, did they in the past (or still do) have factory mechanics capable of working on all models including production, GT and F1 in the basement garage? Do our Ferrari dealer mechanics go there for training sometimes? I assume they do service on the media vehicles there too or perhaps they just send them to the nearest dealer if they stopped having techs there.

    Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #2 Rifledriver, Nov 4, 2014
    There is no basement per se. The building is built on a hill and the bottom floor is at grade level in the back and 3rd floor is at grade level on Sylvan ave.

    The US parts warehouse is floor 1. The training area, car storage area, shops and after sale division (SAT) offices are floor 2. Management offices, meeting rooms and a show room is on floor 3.

    There is no secret storage of interesting cars. The service department is for the sole purpose of trying to get the cars in good enough shape to ship to the dealers. The condition that they leave the factory is really not always acceptable. They do also repair the very few press cars and have been known to do a limited number of other jobs but it is not really all that impressive a service facility. They had a couple of pretty good hard working people with limited resources trying to keep up with the tidal wave of cars. Last I was there pre shipment service on Maserati was done by a contractor at the port. Only Ferrari's went to Sylvan ave. Not sure if that is still the case.

    The training center consisted of an empty room with an overhead projector and some folding chairs.
     
  3. haisoodewa

    haisoodewa Karting

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    #3 haisoodewa, Nov 4, 2014
    [​IMG][​IMG]

    I saw some pretty cool stuff there. Plenty of new cars, but also what you see in the pics, a (the?) baby blue 599 Aperta, and a little bit more. Didn't feel like a hidden mystery place, but it did have some very cool cars going through it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. JasonSpidey

    JasonSpidey Karting

    Nov 8, 2010
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    #4 JasonSpidey, Nov 4, 2014
    I stopped in there in August of 2013 to pick up a Maserati press car. Jeff Ehoodin (Maserati's PR guy at the time) brought me downstairs to show me the GranTurismo I'd be borrowing, and he gave me the nickel tour while I was down there.

    Most notable thing I recall: The first LaFerrari in America sitting under a car cover, being prepped for Pebble. Almost ruined my pants when I saw that thing.

    But it's a cool spot. Basically just a big underground garage, but with (at least when I was there) about two dozen new and notable Ferraris lying around. I think there was a mid-aughts F1 car, too.
     
  5. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    #5 vrsurgeon, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. TeamF1Jr

    TeamF1Jr Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
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    #6 TeamF1Jr, Nov 4, 2014
    Thanks for the follow-ups so far.
     
  7. clockem

    clockem Formula 3

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    #7 clockem, Nov 4, 2014
    You missed the logo on the spaceship!!
     
  8. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 134282, Nov 5, 2014
    This is news to me. There was no LaFerrari officially presented at Pebble. There was a gray one running around, already with the private owner, but that car was delivered through Denver. Do you have any additional information on this car that was in the basement?
     
  9. TeamF1Jr

    TeamF1Jr Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
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    #9 TeamF1Jr, Nov 5, 2014
    Not sure if this is the car or not that is being referenced, but I just found a photo of a LaFerrari from January 14th 2014 on Ferrari USA's instagram account. However, because this is Ferrari USA's instagram account can we assume this photo was taken in the FNA basement, I'm not sure, if someone can confirm that is in fact the FNA basement, then you have your answer. Note prototype rims too. See link.

    Instagram
     
  10. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    #10 vrsurgeon, Nov 5, 2014
    Microsoft paint wouldn't let me rotate it appropriately.. :(
     
  11. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #11 Rifledriver, Nov 5, 2014
    And here I thought it was because you couldn't identify the fender. Wouldn't want to put it on the wrong place and blow your credibility. Besides that doesn't look like a racing saucer to me and we all know the badges only properly go on the comp models.
     
  12. Bryanp

    Bryanp F1 Rookie

    Aug 13, 2002
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    #12 Bryanp, Nov 5, 2014
    probably not a works saucer . . . FNA is going old school w/ the shields; maybe a NART sticker on the "back"?
     
  13. rmani

    rmani F1 Veteran
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    #13 rmani, Nov 5, 2014
    can a regular owner ever go see what's down there or i assume one must have a connection internally?
     

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