The Lighter Side of Owning a Ferrari
The life and times of a Ferrari mechanics wife By Kris Helms

"Let me start off by stating the fact that a “garage” is NOT a place to park your car, but a place where “problem” Ferraris reside while being sorted out, after the normal workday ends. In the early years of our marriage, there were many long, late evenings spent in the garage at home working on cars that presented problems, which required quiet quality time, away from the hustle bustle of the shop. My apprenticeship started by simply watching and holding a light while the diagnostics were preformed. Eventually my job progressed from light holder, to parts washer (with no increase in pay, as Dave convinced me that this was quality time together!). I was now getting an education in the workings of a Ferrari! Hands on at last!

This education led to actual employment. At the time, Dave was the GM of an independent Ferrari repair and restoration shop in Minneapolis. One must understand the job description of “GM” in a small shop. The duty list was all-inclusive, with everything from janitor to accountant; yet find the time to repair all of the cars in the shop. He needed help, and who better than his loyal apprentice (read, wife) to fill the position. The promise of a high paid career went completely out the window, and I soon found myself jealous of what our kids were making flipping burgers at the local McDonalds.

It was several weeks into my new job before I discovered that the large pile of post-it notes in Dave’s office actually had a desk beneath it! One of his customers worked for 3M, and was the world distributor for post-it notes, and each time his car was in, the trunk was full of a re supply of the darn things. He would carry a full pack in his pocket, and post the things were ever he happened to have an idea worth jotting down, latter asking, “where is that one note that I left on the alignment machine? RIGHT!
Soon I had the daunting task of organizing the office under control, and Dave was actually spending the better part of his day (and nights at times) doing what he does best, fixing Ferraris.
It was about this time that the owner of the shop, Dr. Bob Bodin, thought that I had so much extra time on my hands that he suggested that I organize a summers worth of FCA events, including concours shows, fun rallies and race track events. Now I too forgot what an 8-hour workday was all about. Those of you that have organized these events know exactly what I am talking about, as it takes untold hours of work before it comes together. Surely there had to be a salary raise in site, as I was not yet making enough money to be required to file a tax return!! Yet the promise of travel to far distant and exotic places kept being dangled in front of me. I just didn’t realize at the time that Dave and Bob meant racetracks all over the country! I have now seen them all, and even had the opportunity to drive Ferraris on a number of them. A very memorable track event was at the Monterey Historic Races held at Laguna Secca back in the mid 80’s. This time Bob’s wife came with us and the two of us did our best (at the begging of our husbands) to remain conservative on our shopping spree to Carmel. I don’t think to this day neither Bob nor Dave ever had a clue what kind of dent we put in the checkbook. This event was also memorable as it was the first time that I met Bob and Joan Donner, Peter Sachs, Tony and Lulu Wang and a host of many other wonderful folks. It was times like this that made all of the long hours a little less of a nail biting experience. BUT, where is my raise?
The Antarctic weather of Minnesota finally drove us to a move to Denver, and led to Dave’s employment at Ferrari of Denver in the mid 90’s. House shopping in Colorado proved to be the same as all of the houses in Minnesota we had, it was the size of the garage that determined if it was worth taking a look at. A house in Parker, with a good-sized barn met all of our requirements. BUT, why is it that my first garage that I can actually park a car in is the barn, and it is 100 yards from the house?!
In the end, the trip to Italy (remember the promise of far away and exotic places?) finally came, when Dave had to go to the factory for 360 Modena training.
It has now been 25 years that we have been associated with Ferraris’, and we have made an untold number of good friends that share our interest. Thanks to all of our friends that have made this journey such a wonderful time."

Image Source: http://selvedgeyard.com/2011/05/08/scuderia-ferrari-from-silverstone-to-monaco-life-magazine-may-1956/

Text source: http://fcarmr.com/A%20ferrari%20machanics%20wife.htm

Truck your Duesenberg (for fun and profit)

All go in Maastricht: InterClassics & TopMobiel show celebrates 100 years of Maserati, 09 January 2014.
At last, there’s an end to the holiday inertia with the first European trade show of the year: from 17-19 January 2014, the annual InterClassics & TopMobiel takes place in Maastricht in Holland, celebrating, among many other things, 100 years of Maserati...
In honour of this important landmark for the Trident marque, a highlight of TopMobiel will be a display of 30 Maserati models to illustrate the illustrious brand’s long history. There will also be a special exhibition entitled ‘Pre War Race Legends’, which aims to showcase the ‘forefathers of Formula 1’. And yet another display will present the exotic film career of the Ford Mustang – with such exhibits as the legendary Pony Car from the 60s movie ‘Bullitt’.

Having absorbed the flavour of the show’s themes, visitors can then meet their automotive dreams in person, thanks to the traders and exhibitors bringing a wide range of classic cars, motorcycles and collectibles.

Photo: InterClassics & TopMobiel

1970s Lincoln-Mercury dealership.

“Mobile Geological Laboratory concept built by General Motors and delivered to the USGS Center of Astrogeology at Flagstaff, Arizona”

Sons of Anarchy star, Charlie Hunnam was spotted filling up his Harley Davidson in Los Angeles this weekend. I guess Hunnam is just like his on-screen character, Jax. Minus the whole outlaw motorcycle club thing of course.

Soccer star, Gareth Bale is worth A LOT of money -- and by a lot, I mean somewhere over $100 million. Bale recently transferred to Real Madrid where he'll be playing now for the next six years at least. Bale was spotted driving around in his Audi Q7 which I'm guessing is new now that he's playing for Real Madrid. However, Bale is no stranger when it comes to Audi's, he's been driving around in a white Audi R8 for quite a while now too.

Belmont Car Show, September 11, 2013

Tuner group meets at V-Style.

Wind mill wing 83.5m and 30 ton, on the way from denmark to Scotland.

Serious dragster and note the engine setback.

Late 1930s Buick or Packard.

Dub wagon with serious power. But what would the DMV say?

Maserati in downtown??

Motoring cat aboard 1933 Ford. Available in prints and cards from http://fineartamerica.com/featured/motoring-cat-fox-photos.html

Rome's Council of Ministers.

Bugatti Type 57SC by photographer Pavel Novitiski.

The Maserati-powered Citroen SM contained numerous technical features and with it complexity.

How the driver was fortunate enough to survive this freak accident is beyond us. Apparently the crash occurred in Washington State, where this lucky driver fell asleep behind the wheel of his Chevy Suburban and ended up colliding head first into the guard rail. It immediately penetrated the passenger side of the SUV, through the motor, passenger seat, and out the rear window.

Somehow it didn’t even touch the driver – not even a scratch. He was cited with careless driving, but we’re sure he learned a big enough lesson waking up and seeing 90 feet of guard rail through his car. What a story to tell your grandchildren huh? Drive through a guard rail and live to tell the story. Make sure to check out the rear photo of the accident – it really puts it into perspective just how bizarre this was.

David Bowie with Amilcar or AC.

Nasty accident and I doubt many in the passenger car survived.

While Wolfgang von Trips’ confidence dwindled, Phil Hill was hitting his stride with wins in Buenos Aires and Sebring, the latter with brakes so worn that they would hardly have stopped a bicycle. Ferrari was known for innovation, but he was conservative by nature and slow to abandon the fragile and ineffective drum brakes for the newer disc technology developed in England. On the straights Hill continuously pumped the brakes with his left foot, hoping to keep the brake shoes near the wheel drums without boiling the brake fluid or tearing the brake lining. From... https://www.facebook.com/thelimitbook

August 1942. "Detroit, Michigan. Chrysler Corporation Dodge truck plant. Dodge ambulances are here, lined up for delivery to the Army." Photo by Arthur Siegel for the Office of War Information. From Shorpys.

Mater is Radiator Springs’ resident hide-and-seek champion!

Follow more of Lightning and Mater’s adventures in Cars Magazine: http://di.sn/iAb

Jay Leno and his Type 37 Bugatti at Pebble Beach.

VW Bugs on the docks.

USPS commemorative stamp celebrating the Indy 500.

Space age version of a rolling workshop with the Mrs. at the helm.

Oldsmobile showroom, Washington DC early twenties, colorized print from Shorpy's.

Seams to me this was a nice sunny day in Indianapolis, so I tried to make this as sunny as possible.

We know this much, it's 1941!

Early advertisement for Chrysler, wonderful graphics.

So evocative of the era, love the colors and style.

Buick dash.l

The new Plaistow Engine 8 just arrived from Lakes Region Fire Apparatus. Engine 8 is a 2013 HME Spectra Custom Rescue Pumper Chassis that was built specifically to meet Plaistow's needs. This project has been in the works for over 2 years. Photo by: FF Bruce Gusler

Gold Rush Rally. This looks like a wicked good time!

The port of Portland, Oregon 1965.

Just another day at the office for Ken Block in his Ford Focus Rally Car.

1932 auto show at New York's Waldorf Astoria or possibly the Drake in Chicago. Need help identifying the cars!

Time to move to a warmer climate.

Late thirties Packard barn finds.

Santa is a Mopar guy in case you were wondering.

Few engines of the post war era made history like the twin-cam six from Jaguar. It displaced 3.4 litres and about 180HP in stock form. Serving as the basis for the company's 1950 MKVII sedan (I mean saloon!), the stunning powerplant made history in the the newly introduced XK120 sports car the same year.

A roadster with Duvall style Vee windshield.

Old school rods set to ZZ Top's "I Got to Get Paid." Freekin sick visuals!

Indian concept by Vasilatos Ianis.

1967 Suburban in its natural setting. Nothing tows or hauls like a Sub.

1960s Corvette winter scene.

"Please Do Not Sit on the Art"

Early automotive artists often depicted a wide range of animals in their compositions, domestic and otherwise. This young pup completes the ensembles with duster and googles.

A history of James Bond 007 vehicles. Post on the refrigerator and screen saver!

This classic archive footage from a car travels east along Wilshire, starting near Canon Dr. You can see the former Warner Bros. Theater marquee (and later on its tower), formerly at 9404 Wilshire, on the left, and behind it on the left, the extant Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Compare the beginning to this LA Public Library photo.

The shot continues east on Wilshire, to Robertson, where it makes a mild turn. You can see corner building, during the turn, at this LA Public Library photo.

I'm not sure of the gauges are early SW flying wing and what's the car in the background? Yeah right.

New York Times Square 1911.

Jimmy Hoffa riding in a Caddy 1968.

Ferrari Daytona storming the white line.

Use your iPhone to take better car shots with the Olloclip. It is a compact, lightweight adapter that fits securely over the corner of your iPhone 4 or 4s where the rear camera is, and includes fisheye, wide-angle, and macro lenses. Higher quality iPhone lenses are available, but the price alone makes Olloclip a must-have accessory. $69.99.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to get truly professional OEM high-quality automotive photography then take a gander at these photos. This massive gallery was posted on AMG’s “Private Lounge” forum.

Fstoppers.com films Blair Bunting Photographing the brand new Lamborghini Aventador in the studio.

On the set of sixties TV series Rt. 66.

Historic F1 images.