Hello everyone,

this time, I took on the task of filling the Newsletter with content myself — simply because it has been a truly terrible month, the consequences of which one can only speculate upon.

Admittedly, looking back at the past, it took some people a while to warm up to the testarossa following its debut in Paris. Likewise, the Mondial — along with the four-seaters ranging from the 365 to the 412, and the 456 — did not immediately trigger storms of jubilation; to this day, they command a smaller circle of admirers than many of the design masterpieces to emerge from Maranello.

Certainly, we have been lamenting for quite some time now. For me personally, the F8 was the last visually successful Ferrari; the 296 models already felt like a compromise. The F80 and 849 appear to have sprung from a modular kit — an approach that the "old guard" holds in scant regard. Yes, the Purosangue may well be the sales department’s darling, but in reality, it has nothing left to do with the brand itself. Of course, we no longer operate under Enzo’s original mandate — that road cars exist solely to finance racing — but even the mere concept of five seats, four doors, and an SUV would have driven the great founder to absolute madness.

And now comes the ultimate indignity: the Luce! In the past, criticism of new model launches was often merely the opinion of a few; however, what spread across the web last Monday could well be what the magnificent Luca Cordero di Montezemolo once termed "damage to the brand" — something that former Industry Minister Carlo Calenda denounced as an "aesthetic and technical insult," while levelling massive criticism at John Elkann.

A dealer friend of ours had actually prepared us well in advance for what was coming; he described the interior, for instance, as something of "icy coldness, devoid of any emotion." Another remarked prior to the presentation: "You are going to be shocked."

Are we? Perhaps. Do we foresee damage to the brand? Most likely, yes. Or perhaps the clever young marketing woman was simply right when she asked: "Guys, what is it you actually want? This car opens up entirely new customer segments for the Factory; people who wouldn't normally buy a Ferrari."

But let’s not complain; we have a standing inventory of 300,000 Ferraris that we can passionately document — work that will keep us busy for years to come, no matter what the future holds.

Things "out in the field" weren't exactly great, either. We attended Peter Auto’s Spa Classic at Spa-Francorchamps and were dismayed by how few competition cars were on site that truly deserved the label "Classic." With the exception of the 512 BB LM #34445, none of them were originals — even the 275 GTB turned out to be a replica built on a GTE chassis. Furthermore, visitors had either arrived without their "Prancing Horses," or perhaps these types of events simply aren't drawing the crowds they used to — we’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation.

Now, on to day-to-day operations: 1,885 entries were processed, including 1,360 new entries — plus six new 499 Ps. Regarding the series of 50 "not assigned" chassis numbers mentioned last time: strangely enough, 15 of those numbers have since been linked to actual cars... specifically, the *Lusso* models. The total now stands at 36 units, plus four that have so far retained their "F244" designation, as well as the two F244 prototypes built upon GTC/4 Lusso VINs. Consequently, the current VINs have already crossed the 340,000 mark — a range that now includes several models destined to become the "Evo" upgrade variants of the 296 Challenge.

According to reports from Italy, the Factory has been securing new model names at an almost inflationary rate: F80 Targa, F80 Roadster, F80XX, and FXX80. The "XX" suffix suggests that the exclusive XX Programme for client-drivers is about to welcome some new additions alongside the existing FXX and FXX K models.

And regarding the 12 cilindri—there is already a minor sensation to report! Under the designation F167 T M, there actually appears to be a small series of manual-transmission models! Other confirmed names reportedly include the 12 cilindri MM, 12 cilindri MM Aperta, and 12 cilindri GTO.

The "little ones" are set to receive the 296 CS and 296 Challenge Stradale options. Will any of these ever actually see the road? We remain curious.

Do you remember the banker in *Asterix in Switzerland*? At one point, utterly exasperated, he says: "All I want is some peace and quiet around my accounts..." Right now, I’d quite like a bit more peace and quiet around the Ferraris...

Until next time,

yours,

Matthias Urban

Chief Editor