Studying the Classics
Pretty much all luxury automakers offer track experiences bundled with their latest performance cars, but Ferrari’s Corso Pilota Classiche program instructs owners on how to get the most out of older Prancing Horse breeds.
Here are a few tips we picked up around the track.
Get Your Mind Right Classic Ferraris may have looked fast on your childhood poster, but their pace pales in comparison to modern cars. (It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many people want to hammer their 250 GT like an 812 Superfast.) Vintage exotics require patience when shifting, cornering, and stopping; learning to heel-and-toe will improve the car’s rear-end stability under simultaneous braking and downshifting while matching engine revs between gears—and since a little mechanical sympathy goes a long way, the ability to double-clutch is another key skill when dealing with older unsynchronized manual transmissions.
Love What Makes Your Steed Unique Vintage machines are engineered with far more variability than massproduced late-model cars, which means that not only are their driving characteristics quirkier and harder to predict, but two seemingly identical examples can drive differently thanks to manufacturing variances or vagaries in alignment and tuning. And
be sure to take the time to understand how to work with your vehicle’s weight distribution: A mid-engined 1989 Ferrari Testarossa, with 60 percent of its weight at the back, will be more apt to spin than a front-engined 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 with 50:50 dispersal. Only by modifying your tactics to work around your car’s distinct characteristics will you learn to bring it to a full gallop.
Live (and Listen) on the Edge From slower-revving engines to taller tire sidewalls, older exotics offer narrower performance envelopes, but ones that are more easily explored than in contemporary supercars. As you approach your vehicle’s limits, you’ll find a world of feedback and communication, from chattering tires to a dancing steering wheel, and much of the joy of piloting a classic at speed is learning to tune into that symphony of sounds and sensations. Plus, it might save your bacon—as one Corso Pilota Classiche instructor put it, “The only thing that will protect you from your mistakes is your bond with the car.” These machines
mostly lack the electronic aids that today’s drivers take for granted—push too hard or ignore what the car is trying to tell you, and you’re flirting with an extremely expensive repair bill (at best).
Learn How to Stable Properly Classic exotics aren’t built as robustly as their modern counterparts; from cooling systems to braking capabilities, technology has come a long way since the days of carburetors and crash boxes. Vital fluids, such as those for the clutch and brake as well as the manual-gearbox oil, should be replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. When storing an older car for a long stretch, keep the gas tank filled to minimize water buildup but add a stabilizer to prevent fuel breakdown.
Exercise Frequently Yes, they’re finicky and relatively fragile, but remember: These machines were built to be driven. Don’t be afraid to take yours out and give the speedometer a twirl. It’s actually the best way to ensure greater reliability in the long run—not to mention the most fun.