Just when you thought only modern Ferraris were for the track. Now, the Maranello-based exotic carmaker wants to bring you to their Fiorano test track in Modena to toss around some old school versions. Ferrari Classiche Academy has been created to teach drivers how to helm a vehicle with pure skill and no driver aids. Stability control? Traction control? Those are for sissies. The press release even states Classiche is to learn “techniques used to drive cars produced before electronics had entered the automotive world,” and therein lies the challenge. Cars like the venerable 308 series (Magnum, P.I.-style) and the oft-maligned, but still good, Mondial are part of the course, and they have been meticulously maintained for optimum performance. And yes, they all have mechanical gearboxes (manual transmissions). You’ll get serious education in the classroom, as well as track time with an instructor. The caveat is the fact that you have to be a current Ferrari owner, and the course costs $11K. Such is the price of learning a lost art in one of the Prancing Horse’s classics.
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Huckberry’s Essential Holiday Gift Guide
Unzip your coat and have some mulled wine on the house—you’ve arrived at your final gifting destination: The Holiday Gift Guide. It’s like your friendly neighborhood one-stop holiday shop, except instead of balsa wood ornaments, ours is packed with thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. Future heirlooms, small-but-significant stocking stuffers, and gear for getting out there (or staying in)—are all right here. There’s no music playing in the background though, so you’ll just have to hum Bing Crosby while you click around instead.
