Drivin' my Ferrari

Ever since I was a child, I have always had a fascination with cars. This was anything from my dad’s Ford (an accountant’s car) to the transporter trucks used to carry them. The top of the dream car list was without a doubt a Ferrari. A low, Italian sports car capable of incredible speed, and accompanied by jaw dropping good looks.

Every Sunday watching Top Gear, I’d grow jealous of the trio in their fancy cars bombing it down the roads, racing each other. So when I was strolling down the Champs Ellysees last week and I saw a Ferrari California for rent, I knew what I had to do.

Myself, Kevin and Brian all chipped in, and with the two lads in the back seat, off we drove. In a foreign capital city, on the wrong side of the road, in a low down sports car, I was petrified. Yet I was having the time of my life. The feel of everything, the comfort of the seats and the view over the bonnet were just phenomenal.

From a designer’s point of view, the entire car was impeccable. Everything was in a place, finished to the highest detail. The windscreen wiper stalk was brushed aluminium and in itself a work of art, the wheel was smooth and comfortable to the touch, and the bucket seats cushioned my behind like the greatest recliner. The style and standard of everything was something that I had never witnessed before, with the Ferrari logo smeared across everything in a subtle but reminding way. With its low slung front hugging the front wheels, long bonnet, and big chrome alloy wheels, it was a bedroom poster of a car. Flanked by four massive exhausts, it was stunning.

Now, from a student’s perspective, it was mental. The foot to the floor acceleration left me speechless simply muttering “Oh God” “Sweet Jesus” and several other explicit words that I don’t wish to repeat. The car was unbelievable, the scenery from it was just awesome. Seeing the Eiffel Tower over the bonnet of a Ferrari… It was something that I had never thought I would ever see.

The highlight of the journey was the two tunnels alongside the Seine. Driving pedal to the metal, through them, hearing the powerful V8 and the 490 horses at full pelt, was something that riddled me speechless again, and a great memory. From start to finish I drove the Italian super car for little over 45 minutes, but it felt like 5. I guess it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun.

As you can hear from my girlish screams and high pitch yelps, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! (Please excuse the portrait orientation of view.)