Inside the Ferrari factory

91S2 · 11-09-2006, 06:10 PM

Thanks...Sounds like Tivo... can't miss Rutgers vs. Louisville

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Great CGI - set on the DVR.

dd74 · 11-09-2006, 08:44 PM

Gonna' check it out 10 PST.

BRPORSCHE · 11-09-2006, 08:44 PM

ok what channel is this? I am dying to see it. Even if i have to stay awake!

dd74 · 11-09-2006, 10:04 PM

Nice. Very nice. But I still like my old 911 more.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I watched it and it was pretty cool. But I can't help but wonder why their cars are such maint. nightmares when they seem to be so meticulous and have such rigorous QC.

Steve Carlton · 11-10-2006, 05:11 PM

I see it replaying on the National Geographic Channel on the 12th, 15th, 18th, 19th, and 20th. Thanks for the heads-up!

dd74 · 11-10-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee
I watched it and it was pretty cool. But I can't help but wonder why their cars are such maint. nightmares when they seem to be so meticulous and have such rigorous QC.

The program stated the Ferraris once were maintenance nightmares, but have refined over the years to be as reliable as most other cars.

Wrecked944 · 11-11-2006, 06:25 AM

Thanks for the tip! I caught it on tivo. Great show. I am genuinely impressed - especially after hearing all of the horror stories about F-car quality problems in the past.

I was especially interested in the part where they cast their own engine blocks. Does Porsche do this? And I was amazed that they made an individual mold for each and every motor and then shaped them by hand. Is it standard in the automotive industry to make a new mold for every engine block or is this something specific to Ferrari?

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I saw the show last night and thought it was great. I liked the plants in the engine assembly room to provide the proper humidity. Interesting to compare to the Porsche factory that I got to see this past summer.

Sand casting is a common process. I do not believe that Porsche casts their own blocks, but has closely linked suppliers. KS Aluminium Technologie AG, supplies the castings for the Boxter, 911 and Cayenne motors (Google is my friend).

speeder · speeder's Garage

They are not for poor people, (or people who have to worry about maintenance), but they are one of the highest forms of art and have intrinsic value. Nothing against Porsches, but normal production 911s are not in the same league.

That said, they are strong cars. Any other inference is pure ignorance, IMO.

Bill Douglas · 11-11-2006, 02:04 PM

I'm talking about 10 years ago, but my uncle had a two Ferraris and found it a nightmare to get parts. The local dealer here would say "sorry can't get one until next year" My uncle Pete would try a number of avenues then end up calling the factory. They were such a bunch of amatures and would say "sorry, none in stock, but we can get you one next year". Pete would ask why and they would explain that Nicko makes that part but he's away on vacation right now, and Costa used to make them but he's busy making up some mufflers for the f40 or something...

porsche930dude · porsche930dude's Garage

I saw the show. It was pretty good but a little drawn out. Still im looking forward to seeing the porsche factory. Unless its not "ultimate" enough. In which case i damn the show to an untimely death. just kidding. I couldnt imagine owning a ferrari 10-15 years ago without the internet trying to hunt down parts. I dont even bother going to local auto parts stores for my porsche parts because i know they wont have anything available and its an 82 sc

joefrantz · 11-12-2006, 04:48 PM

I just saw the show. It was particularly interesting for me, since I spent a day at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello about a month ago.

Among the exhibits were a complete 599, plus a drive line and a bare chasis (pics below). Being a 50's/60's car fan, I don't pay much attention to new cars of any type, but I was really fascinated with the 599 tub.

It's all aluminaum box tubing etc. except the areas where there are there are precision mount points. In these areas there are very impressive looking castings welded in. These were visible in the TV show, but much more so in these pictures.

Again, maybe this is common in newer cars, but this was the first time I'd seen it, and thought it was pretty slick.

butt ugly dash, though.

MotoSook · 06:14 PM

Nice pictures, Joe.

I just watched the show on our Tivo. Great show. The lady of the house and the older boy watched it with me and both were intrigued. They were especially wowed during the engine portions of the show. I don't think I'd have any resistance to buying a Ferrari at our house....but the check book would resist.

I loved the paint system. Powdercoated primer and a ceramic clear coat! WOW!