by Michael Schratter
You never saw it coming but there just may be a classic Ferrari for you in 2009. And no moustache, hairy chest, or floral Hawaiian shirt is needed for you to play Magnum P.I. this time around.
What a car. What an ego trip.
The 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB Berlinetta I drove courtesy of www.affinityauto.com might not have been red in colour, but it certainly had the unquestionable Ferrari appeal.
The whole driving experience was larger than life.
The last time I got such a “drop your jaw, point and stare” response from passersbys was when I ran with some frat boys through UBC campus – pants down, family jewels shrinking in the autumn air, shouting “We’re going streaking, we’re going streeaaakiiiiin!” And though I don’t remember much of that experience, I am absolutely positive that the gawking then was not the same as the gawking of awe I bathed in when in the Ferrari (HERE).
I mean really, when was the last time you’ve come out to your parked car and had admirers begging you not to drive away so that they could continue to ogle and gape? Seriously, no joke! This 22 year old sex machine has buckets of curb appeal, and as long as you’ve got the keys in your pocket, apparently so do you.
What car. What a ride.
With a 0-60 in under 6 seconds and a 260km/hr top speed, the Pininfarina designed classic is a testament to Ferrari’s technological legacy. Two decades may have passed, but the Berlinetta can still hold its own quite nicely among today’s sport cars. But stat comparisons aside, where the Ferrari outshines its contemporary counterparts is in its visceral, all encompassing, give me 100% of your attention driving experience.
This is an Italian stallion that requires a little manhandling. There is no power steering or power brakes to offer aid as you rocket forward with the 270bhp V-8 engine screaming behind your head. With all of your senses alert and engaged in the exhilaration, it’s as if every bit of acceleration and lateral cornering is felt raw. The experience is primal and your body responds with adrenalin accordingly. The Berlinetta takes you back to a time when man and machine played with Einsteinian physics without the help of computer assists and fly-by-wire safety nets. It’s a driving experience that is arguably no longer available in today’s machines.
What a car. Why you should own it.
$50-60 grand and you are in. But then the question of insurance and maintenance comes up, and you might wonder if you can really afford it? You can. And here is how:
To qualify for collector plates, your vehicle must be at least 25 years old and in good condition. Basically a car maintained or restored to a condition that ICBC considers to be of collectible value. Other than safety improvements, it is important that your vehicle’s components and condition be consistent with the manufacturer’s original specifications.
But to get a car to qualify is not as arduous or as complicated as you might think. All you have to do is submit a bit of paper work with a dozen or so photographs of the car in question. In short, you have to jump through a few hoops.
The beauty of the thing is how affordable insuring a vehicle becomes once it is designated a collector vehicle. A comprehensive insurance package that includes fire, theft, vandalism etc. will cost you approximately $300 per year. Yes, you read that right, 300 loonies for a year’s worth of driving!
There are a few catches, but no biggies if you ask me. Your collector vehicle can be driven as much or as little as you want, but it is not to be driven (legally) to work or to school. And with that said, you have to have a second vehicle insured in your name. This primary vehicle can be anything. A scooter that you insure but drive only on an occasional sunny weekend qualifies.
So let’s take the conversation back to the 1987 Ferrari 328 GTB Berlinetta. In less than 3 years the car qualifies for collector vehicle status. Considering the beautiful condition of the car, acquiring collector’s status is just a matter of taking a few pictures and completing a bit of paperwork. After that, all you need is a garage spot and the patience to perhaps hold off on driving the car in the winter.
At $50,000 your new Ferrari is now done with its depreciating. Get the collector’s status and take care of it and you’ve got yourself an appreciating investment. And with the affordability of collector vehicle insurance, who gives a rat’s hiney if your annual tune up sets you back a grand? Your aging Ferrari gem will be an investment that can stroke your ego a lot better than the $50,000 you parked in a condo downpayment last year. Remember, the investment in which Bob Rennie promised you that prices were only going to go up and up?
Last I checked the Berlinetta at affinity auto was sold; but no worries, they are always acquiring new stock. And in the meantime check out the 1983 Ferrari 308 GTB offered for $55,900 HERE.
Or for that matter, check out the dozens of other exhilarating potential Ferrari investments at www.ebaymotors.com
Now you’re driving the retro Ferrari with the 80′s music blaring. Go ahead, shrug your eyebrows up and down twice and call yourself Tom. I dare ya.
Tags: affinity auto, Ferrari