from Classic to Modern
THE CAR
The DB4 sports car was launched at the 1958 London Motor Show as the two door Series 1.
Following its popularity, the lighter DB4 GT was launched in 1960, at the same venue, with a view to its appearance in the track.
This involved, primarily, reducing the DB4's wheelbase by 5 inches, and using thinner, lighter 18-gauge aluminium body panels, which subsequently reduced the curb weight to 1270 kg.
However, when it came to track performance, the DB4 GT fell well short of its stablemate, the DBR1, which won the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hour race.
Consequently, Aston Martin then decided to approach the renowned Italian styling house of Zagato, which specialised in lightweight body construction.
The intention was to create a racer, based on the DB4 GT, that would be serious competition for the Ferrari 250 GT which was, at that time, in an unassailable position in the World Sportcar Championship.
Following agreement, the first chassis were shipped to Zagato in 1960 with the goal of producing 25 units of the new sports car, which was to be designated the DB4 GT Zagato.
The Ferrari 355 - A close look at this classic sports car's performance, technical data, features, comparing rivals, history, used prices
from Classic to Modern
THE CAR
The Ferrari F355 sports car, introduced in 1994, was the successor to the 348 Series.
Styled by Pininfarina, there was an emphasis on smooth lines, whilst embodying a fastback style.
It was offered as the two seater Berlinetta coupe, the GTS with a Targa-style top, and the Spyder convertible.
At launch, the Berlinetta was priced at $130,000, whilst the other two variants both had a price tag of $137,000.
It used a steel monocoque chassis and tubular engine sub-frame, coil spring independent suspension all round with gas-filled shock absorbers that were activated electronically, and anti-roll bars.
The driver was able to control the firmness of the ride by choosing the appropriate damper setting of Comfort or Sport.
In terms of aerodynamics, this sports car was fitted with a complete body under tray that prevented lift when driven hard.
Interestingly, the leather covered seats were positioned such that the driver was close to the car's central position. It had:
Up rated vacuum powered vented disc brakes all round and linked to ABS
Power assisted steering
Limited slip differential
Electrically adjusted driver seats
18 inch magnesium alloy wheels
Body was constructed of steel and aluminium
From launch up to 1997, they were fitted with a manual six speed gearbox which was the only one at that time.
In 1997, all three sports cars were then designated the Ferrari 355, with the letter "F" having been dropped.
Also that year, and for the first time, they were fitted with a Formula One-style paddle gear shift, positioned behind the steering wheel, and linked to the six speed manual gearbox, and with no clutch pedal.
This addition increased the selling price by $6,000, and allowed gear changes to be performed in a matter of milliseconds, and left the driver's attention centred on the road, and not distracted by manual gear changes.
With the introduction of the 355 sports car Series, there was a change in the nomenclature, with the first two letters referring to the engine's capacity, and the third figure indicating the number of valves.
This change was meant to emphasise the introduction of the five valves per cylinder in the 355.
By the time production ended in 1999, a combined total of 11,273 units of all the variants had been built.
THE ENGINE
To cruise the roads on a smart, classy and luxurious sports car is a dream for most people. A luxurious ride in a sports car makes for a breathtaking experience that is absolutely unforgettable. Even when it is not possible for people to purchase a sports car due to their immense high price, people do not cease to be fascinated about riding one. It is therefore an excellent idea to hire a sports car to experience the magic of riding one while saving a great deal of money.
Let us discuss in this article why it is such a wise idea to hire these luxurious, high-end cars as opposed to purchasing:
No matter how strongly you are fascinated by a car ride, it might be absolutely impossible for you avail one owing to their exorbitantly high price. It is at this point that car rental companies step in. They help you to enjoy the luxurious ride in car even without paying the exorbitant price.
A sports car is not usually appropriate as a family car. It is most unlikely for people to drive around in a car with their family, especially if they are residing in a city. It is always more convenient to purchase a more family-friendly car for driving on a regular basis, and take a car on rent in order to fulfill your dream of driving one.
When you purchase a car, you have to bear the expenses of maintaining and repairing them as required. Instead, when you hire them, it is the responsibility of the car rental companies to take care of the maintenance and repairing that's necessary for proper functioning of the cars. This definitely saves you a great deal of money and hassle.
Sometimes you might just want to enjoy the exhilarating experience of riding a car without putting in the effort of driving it. Reputed car rental companies often provide you with trained and experienced chauffeurs to let you enjoy an absolutely relaxing, luxurious and hassle-free ride that's simply unforgettable.
It is however important to choose a reliable car rental company in order to avail the most efficient services. Here are some of the important factors that you must consider:
Vehicles: The most important thing that you must consider if you are looking to hire a car is that the rental company you choose must be able to provide you with a wide range of sports cars that are in superb working condition. The vehicles also must be appropriately insured and provided with the necessary documents to avoid the chances for any kind of legal problems.
Experience and Reputation: You must choose a company that has sufficient experience in the field to ensure that they can understand your requirements and cater to them efficiently. They must also be reputed to provide efficient and reliable services to their customers.
Deals and Discounts: Various deals and discounts are provided by car rental companies. It is advisable to make a comparison between the various companies to choose the best deal for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment