360 Spider....even better in person

I was lucky enough to see several 360 Spiders being built / test driven, when I toured the Ferrari Factory last fall and I was also able to see one at the 2000 Paris Auto Show. I believe that the first U.S. 360 Spiders are already on their way over here and some might have arrived. If you guys think the 360 Modena looks cool, wait until you see the 360 Spider in person. It is such a beautiful car and the roof mechanism is amazing. I think that the Spider version looks even better that the Modena, if that is possible. The lines on the Spider are done so well and it all just kinda flows together nicely. The flat glass engine cover is also pretty sweet. The 360 Spider is definately the most advanced convertible sportscar ever built. I believe it is worth the $185,000 price tag and the 3-4 year wait!

How did you manage to get hooked up with a Ferrari factory tour?

Maybe I'll see it at the NY show.

After I finished my masters degree, I decided to take a trip over to Europe. I have been a huge fan of Ferrari for as long as I can remember, so I knew that I wanted to at least visit Maranello. I happen to have a friend that works at one of the Ferrari dealers up in Chicago and he filled out all the forms for a factory tour and sent them in. Two weeks later I got a fed-ex letter from Ferrari of North America with my tour date and info! I was really lucky to get a tour, since you usually have to own a Ferrari to get a tour. Anyway, I flew into Milan and then took a train down to Modena. One of the days I was in Modena I took a bus to Maranello and spent the day there. I toured the factory, went to the gallery, and looked at the test track. I was lucky enough to see the Ferrari test driver (Luca something) taking one of the F1 cars around the test track. All in all it was a very memorable trip and I recommend trying to go to Maranello if you are a big Ferrari fan.

how did you get to take that tour

That is awesome. I want to go to Stuttgart and see basiaclly the same things expect "Porsche" instead of Ferrari! You should have tried to go to St. Agata Bolognese, that's where they build Lamborghinis!

I think the Porsche tour is fairly easy to do and so is the BMW tour. I was also going to do those tours during my trip through Europe, but I was in Germany at the same time Ocktoberfest was going on, so I went to that instead. I think you would still have to pre-book your Porsche and BMW tours through your local dealer, but unlike Ferrari you don't actually have to own one to get the tour. No, I don't own a Ferrari, I just had a friend and one of the dealerships, so that is how I got my Ferrari tour. I will be back in Europe this May and I think I might go and see the Ferrari factory again and maybe wander over to the Lamborghini factory as well. If you ever get a chance to see the Ferrari factory, it is most definately worth the trip.

say i wanted to get a jb at a ferrari dealership... i wouldnt hafta own a ferrari for that one would I? Just like a regular job, just impress the boss and make him think you know alot... right?

The Ferrari F1 test driver is called Luca Badoer.. i cant believe you went on a tour of the factory and saw the F1 car at play!!
lucky guy!!! i'd give a limb for that!!
cheers
jay

Man you're sooooo lucky :D
i've never seen the spider in person... but had a nice ride in the Modena

When i went to Italy i wanted to go to the factory so bad but my dad didn't wanna go that far..... we were in Rome most of the time, but i still saw a few nice Ferraris drivin around :)