Out On The Town!

Last May when we were in Germany, we stumbled upon this Ferrari California, parked in front of a pub just down the street from our hotel in central Cologne. I've messed with the lighting in this image extensively, hopefully creating a scene that captures the mystery and cachet that is Ferrari.

Click on my image to make it bigger. Incidentally, Google translate says "Brauereiausschank" means "Brew."

Confession Time
The modern California is a very nice looking high performance car! But I must admit I much prefer the looks of the original car. Here's a link to a short video showing James from the British TV show called "Top Gear" describing and driving what had formerly been James Coburn's car... James drives a California! 
The ORIGINAL Ferrari "California" came out in 1957. Officially known as the Ferrari 250 GT LWB (long wheelbase) California Spyder. Only fifty of these cars were made. In January 2014, one of them sold at auction for a measly $8,800,000.00 US.
In 1959, Ferrari again had designer Scaglietti pen a new SWB (short wheelbase) GT Spyder California – about fifty-five were built. Incidentally a fibreglass replica of a 1961 250 GT Spyder was featured in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
In case you didn't know, in Italian, "Spyder" means a two-seat convertible car.

The NEW Ferrari California
This car was launched at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. It represents many firsts for Ferrari: the first front-engined V8, first with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, first with a folding metal roof, the first with a multi-link rear suspension and direct gasoline fuel injection.
This car is considered the entry level Ferrari. Prices in Canada start at about $250,000.00 and go up from there. This is probably the only Ferrari model that could be used as a real car. Trunk space is 340 litres with the top up – that drops to 240 with it down. The car can be ordered as a two-seater with a space behind the seats for luggage etc., OR as a two + two: meaning two short children can sit comfortably in back, or one adult sitting side-saddle. Another plus, this is the only Ferrari model with a ride height high enough to negotiate most speed bumps without scraping the front spoiler.

In keeping with the "real car" description, the car in my image was just parked on the street. I watched with great trepidation as another car parallel parked in front of it, missing its nose by fractions of an inch.

Just for fun I've included my original photo this digital painting was based on.