A small Ferrari meet and drive in Houston - 7/28/04
 

Yesterday I met up with two guys from the Ferrari chat site. We started off at 290W and headed out to some country roads out there on the West side of Houston.

First I looked in my garage to see which Ferrari I need to bring to the meet. It was a tough decision and I took a good ten minutes to pick up the right one - The Enzo got the nod at the last minute :D

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/3945/DSCN3706-2.th.jpg

That settled then I ambled over to the meeting point. I saw the 1984 308 QV first - it had a T-Top

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/8775/DSCN3696-2.th.jpg

- note my Enzo on roof of my S4 - it was in the Space shuttle transporter mode :lol:

Some more pics of the QV
http://img68.exs.cx/img68/8522/DSCN3693.th.jpg

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/2710/DSCN3692.th.jpg

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/6618/DSCN3695.th.jpg

An engine bay snap ... 240 bhp in a real light chassis ...
http://img68.exs.cx/img68/5901/DSCN3694.th.jpg

And finally the other guy turned up ... in a late 70s 308 GTB - with carbs - had similar power to the newer fuel injected car.

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/8250/DSCN3698.th.jpg

the two together ... beautiful aren't they
http://img68.exs.cx/img68/1879/DSCN3699.th.jpg

And then we went for the drive - this was my view for the most part - they are really fast 20 year old cars... :D

http://img68.exs.cx/img68/5408/DSCN3702.th.jpg

About the drive ...

I was really impressed with the speed of those two F-cars. On acceleration they were on par with me. I could keep up with them by changing up at 6000 rpm or so. They cornered very well - I could sense my car fidgeting a little in the bends at the speeds they were going at. But they didn't walk away too far from me. We were going through a lot of tight corners 15 mph, 20 mph at much higher speeds

It was their braking that impressed me the most .. they were able to stop really well and gained quite a few feet on me. There was this section where we went from 90mph and had slow down into a 15 mph corner. My brake pedal was on the floor and I wasn't really getting much feel or confidence from it. I thereafter took it easy on the brakes and used a lot more engine braking to slow down.

Keep in mind that these are 20+ year old cars costing around $25-30K they are cool deal. I know servicing is expensive, but if you drive these cars regularly you should be fine. They have about 240 bhp and are pretty light. If anyone is looking for a weekend/occassional car this needs to be on your list.

I need to eventually do something about my brakes - maybe better lines and fluid for starters.

It was a memorable day and I have been gratefully invited to their driving day list - so next time I was told that a F355 and another 308 is likely to show up. I can't wait....

Cool story.

I plan on getting a 308. :D As my first real car. You know when I get a proper job.

Giddy up Alex ... We waiting for pictures

Nice - a mid week run.

Send me PM next time.. ;)

10-4 ... It was a spur of the moment thing on Ferrarichat...

Great experience for sure! If the next one will already see the amount of Ferrari to by multiplied by two, in a couple of months you will probably attend a 100+ Ferrari drive :D

I hope the list grows at the same pace as my scale models... :D

BTW, I am planning to go to a Italian Car exhibition near Dallas in September - big crowds are expected so ...

I didn't know you go for the weekday adventures.. :)

I didnt do shit till I got on JW and met a bunch of car loonies ...

hey thats cool, 2 nice ferraris and u could hang on with them, it bet that v8 sounds great, did get a ride in one?
and in the west of houston... isnt that knida where tomball is...

Not really - Tomball is consiered close in north west.

They probably headed out about 60 miles or so to the far north west - up towards Austin (general direction).

and the vids :D
who us?

Like I said I could hang with them on the straights but the tight corners were murder on my heavy car. Lcucky for me it was a 308 and not the 355 or Z06 - I would have been left behind ....

As for the engine sound - it is nice but actually quite muted compared to say the F355 or F360 for example. I could not hear it too much over the wind noise at say 90 mph...

RC's car on the other hand I think I can hear when I am a block away :lol:

I am not really sure of the route we took but I remember we exited 290 at FM 2920 and went East. Then went south on some backroads and ended back at 290 near Cypress Rosehill. I wish I could tell you more but it was the first time I have been that far on 290 and we were going a little fast for me to catch all the road signs...

RC might certainly know that side of town better and he could perhaps piece together the route

Tell me more about this exhibition I want to come home from school so I can go to it...whats the date and where exactly is it?!?

Full info here www.italiancarfest.com

I am pretty sure I am going unless something turns up at the last minute. Hope to meet up with you there if possible... :D