Auto Dissection #003 FERRARI CALIFORNIA!

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Nice. So, the response to last week’s AD was excellent. But, before we get to this week’s Dissection, the WINNING NAME goes to Stephanie Holden’s “INDIAN SUMMER.” Although MINIbee’s “Aztec Fire” was an excellent name as well. Congrats, Stephanie! You’ll be contacted for you prize!

Everyone’s entry was great, but a name has to really evoke an emotion which is why car companies spend a great deal of time and money doing it. And some, even after all that, come out lame. So take your time and THINK.

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ONWARD! This week’s contest goes like this for the above prize. (2) 1/43rd scale gems found in Geneva. A Mini Cabriolet and a Smart4Four. Question…?

If you had your own EXOTIC CAR COMPANY, 1) What would it be called. 2) Where would it be located? 3) What one word would evoke your design philosophy? Rememeber, don’t just haul off and answer this one. Be CREATIVE!

Now, the FERRARI CALIFORNIA.

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I will keep this week’s AD short, as I’m still dealing with a broken hand. (Had a fight with a fridge and lost!)

This elegante piece of machinery is one of the most controversial Ferraris in years. And although there are many elements to it that say Ferrari, there are several that don’t. Design cues shared by the Honda S2000 for example. But as a car company, the challenge is to maintain brand recognition AND move outside the box. And this gem does exactly that. The cues I like include the side scalloping, unique overall proportion, peaked roof and big brother recessed tail lights.

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A clean design,… that is a bit anti-ferrari. Almost as if it were some other company trying their take at designing one of these beasts. Although safely…

I always like to see the same car in a metallic and solid. The light plays differently. And surface changes say a lot. The red front 3/4 looks as if a couch has been set into the body with the way the hip curls up. (Although, I don’t much care for the simple unresolved front end treatment.) Like the original, but too safe.

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Edgy in some ways, too simple in others, the FERRARI CALIFORNIA succeeds in bringing back a legend …safely. I like it…. kinda.

If there’s a Dissection you’d like to see, email info@fireballed.com!

And here’s your treat for reading the full Dissection! 007!!!!!!!

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(3) Comments|Posted in Blog

Comments:

  1. pbraun says:

    Thanks! I needed that!

  2. Flywheel says:

    1)Frist a name : Golden Coast Supercars LTD.
    2) Location : Santa Monica,Cailf.
    3) Tour de Force , would best decribe my design
    philosophy.
    Now on to the 2009 California Ferrari
    the Happy looking front grill is appealing to the eye. As we view the rear of this car we can
    that it’s over padded, an is another departure away from the styling efforts of pervious
    Ferrari’s. Notice that the Tail lights could have intergrated more gracefully into the body. The Stacked exhaust add to the over ornamentation of
    this car. looking at the sides we see the transition from front to rear is not blended harmoniously into rest of car. So it the
    impressive technical effort, that makes us look
    twice, at the new technical advancements on this
    California edition. A new 7 spd. dual clutch
    sequential shift gear box, New V8 engine w/460HP,
    mounted, for the frist time ever, in a front mid
    position on a Ferrari. Also breaking away from
    the traditional double wishbone suspension to a
    new multilink set up . Also it sports the
    F1 Trac Traction control System , which came on
    the 599 GTB Fiorano. Only available in a power
    folding top made of Aluminum, just like the
    Chassis and Bodywork . All thats missing is the
    rollbar.

  3. you always know how to rock my world. Thank you.

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