No windshield. No roof. No problem.
The new limited-edition Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2, priced at around $1.85 million, made appearances at the Paris Auto Show this week. The Italian sports car manufacturer said that all 499 of the retro-racers sold out before the car even hit the market.
The ’50s-inspired topless machines, available in both a single or two-seater options, are part of a special edition range called “Icona” – a series of vehicles inspired by legendary Ferrari Sports cars of the past.
The carbon-fiber, 810-horsepower speedster carries a 12-cylinder engine and will be capable of sprinting to 124 miles per hour in under 8 seconds, according to the company. It has a max speed of 186 miles per hour.
But Ferrari owners of older models say that you don’t have to pay over a million bucks to enjoy the luxury supercar experience.
“I paid less for my Ferrari than most soccer moms pay for their SUV. You don’t have to be rich. You just have to be savvy,” said Daniel Hurlbert, a 38-year-old owner of a 2005 Ferrari F430.
The Austin, Texas, resident bought his used automobile two years ago. He started a YouTube channel called Normal Guy Supercar to offer tutorials on how to maintain the sports car and moderates a Facebook group for verified Ferrari owners.
His Youtube channel has over 11,000 subscribers.
So, what does it feel like to own a Ferrari?
“When you’re in the Ferrari you’re always being watched. A lot of people are giving you a thumbs up. It’s a pretty emotional experience,” said Hurlbert. “The whole ownership experience is incomparable.”
He said he attends “fun” Ferrari events where he meets other owners and enthusiasts, but that there are downsides to owning such an eye-catching car.
“People assume you’re either rich or a jerk,” Hurlbert said. “But having met tons of them, most are just regular car people,” he said. “Owning a Ferrari,” he continued, “it’s a natural progression. You’re going to take the opportunity if you have it. It’s the pinnacle of cars. It’s the ultimate car.”
He said he also encounters an occasional heckler.
The self-proclaimed “car guy from the Midwest” said one of the biggest challenges was convincing his wife that purchasing a Ferrari was a good idea.
“It’s been 2 years, and I think she’s just now coming around to the idea,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt that the YouTube channel now covers most of the costs.”
The Kalamazoo, Michigan, native said that cars were ultimately responsible for bringing he and his wife together.
“When we were young a common thing kids would do was going cruising. You’d meet friends, hang out in a parking lot and perhaps occasionally do some street racing. We had a mutual friend that introduced us while we were out cruising,” he said.
“She met me because of cars. I guess the Ferrari was just a magnitude higher,” Hurlbert said.
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