Gordon Murrarys analysis of the Ferrari 599 GTB

[Matt Wadlinger]

The July 2006 issue of Road and Track is a must read for the Ferrari fan.
They have an article on the new 599GTB, the FXX development, and this surprise. A design analysis by Gordon Murry (designer of the McLaren F1) of the new 599 GTB

I scanned the 4 pages of that article:

http://public.fotki.com/CADguy/reference_photos/ferrari/misc/scan.html
http://public.fotki.com/CADguy/reference_photos/ferrari/misc/scan0001.html
http://public.fotki.com/CADguy/reference_photos/ferrari/misc/scan0002.html
http://public.fotki.com/CADguy/reference_photos/ferrari/misc/scan0003.html

If you are having trouble reading it, click "Get original uploaded photo" under the thumbnail to see a larger version.

[Dino Scuderia]

Gordon makes me want to puke.

[Zoom Zoom]

Gordon makes me want to puke.

Well get his damned finger out of your throat :eek: :D

I may have to pick up that issue; I've dropped R&T and C&D are next to go, and then I'll be 100% internet and no more car magazines to clutter up the house. I agree w/about 75% of his assessments, but I think he's being a bit too easy on the car (like he's been paid to say only good stuff, but most all car magazines fall victim to the cheerleading for ad revenue game) and totally glosses over the elements of it that remind one of a '90's Supra. I totally agree w/his comments on the taillights, which are an element I really like. Personally I look forward to the day I can study the car up close, and hopefully get a good view of one on the road in it's element. Until then it's like most Ferraris where pictures just don't do the car any justice.

[Pauley Sty Reen]

Maybe its just me and maybe I'll be banished from this forum for it, but I cant get excited about this design. The 465, 550, 575, and this 599 all look like the same car with air scoops resized and moved around. I have not seen any of these cars in 1:1 and maybe that would make a difference, but I feel like my model of the 550 covers all these models. Am I too Porschefried? or just dont know good car design?

[Zoom Zoom]

Maybe its just me and maybe I'll be banished from this forum for it, but I cant get excited about this design. The 465, 550, 575, and this 599 all look like the same car with air scoops resized and moved around. I have not seen any of these cars in 1:1 and maybe that would make a difference, but I feel like my model of the 550 covers all these models. Am I too Porschefried? or just dont know good car design?

It's only that you are a Porsche nut and not a Ferrari nut. Honestly the same things can be said about Porsches; they all have a family lineage that is evident in every model, and when a new model comes out they don't radically change it. There isn't a huge difference between the 964, the 993, 996, and 997. The Boxster is very similar, the Cayman looks like it should, but none of them stray far enough from the others to be truly unique. Even the Carrera GT is unmistakably Porsche; if you get rid of the goofy roll hoops/engine cover and put the GT1 lid on it you'd think it was around for a decade. We won't talk about the bloated truck that is the Cayenne which manages to look worse than it's VW cousin...:rolleyes:

The 550/575 are the same body, just w/some detail tweaks when they upped the displacement for the 575 refresh. The 456 is a bit bland, being a 4 seater, the Scaglietti is a lot different but it's a ponderous and slightly bland beast in person. 550's look especially good in person, most Ferraris look better in person. I hope the same can be said about the 599. Most of the "blame" on Ferrari design these days is the fact that they're getting a bit strange with the details, and we are quick to slash them for having a Japanese guy in charge and feel that influence is counter to good European design; whether it's true or not. If they keep selling, if they keep having waiting lists, then I guess they're doing something right. Just wait until you see the 612 P4-5. That'll shake loose some very vintage and good Ferrari vibes while still looking quite modern. It's the kind of direction Ferrari needs.

[slammd454SS]

i dunno, call me old fashioned but i was never considered a porsche or ferrari nut, actually i have have never built either one....if i bought it, most likely it was used strictly as a parts box regimen to a miata or some kind of ford. I am more of a fan of Lamborghini and the like just cuz they dont stick with "RED" or the same body styles. The only Ferrari that i'd ever own * if i could afford it* would be the F355 just cuz it is ITS own style.

[Pauley Sty Reen]

I must be a Porsche nut then. Certainly, the Porsche design evolves rather than comes from a new direction. And no, we wont mention the 'bloated truck' (God why did they do that? - rhetorical question). I'm anxious to see the four seater they are working on, but given their recent direction (except the Cayman) I have my doubts it will be worth the wait.

Somebody kit the Cayman, please.

[Dino Scuderia]

I must be a Porsche nut then. Certainly, the Porsche design evolves rather than comes from a new direction. And no, we wont mention the 'bloated truck' (God why did they do that? - rhetorical question). I'm anxious to see the four seater they are working on, but given their recent direction (except the Cayman) I have my doubts it will be worth the wait.

Somebody kit the Cayman, please.

Fujimi is kitting the Cayman!

[Zoom Zoom]

I must be a Porsche nut then. Certainly, the Porsche design evolves rather than comes from a new direction. And no, we wont mention the 'bloated truck' (God why did they do that? - rhetorical question). I'm anxious to see the four seater they are working on, but given their recent direction (except the Cayman) I have my doubts it will be worth the wait.

Somebody kit the Cayman, please.

Fujimi is doing the Cayman and the 599 GTB; they showed preliminary shape models at the recent Shizuoka hobby show. They'll probably be out this fall sometime. I'm sure if they do the Cayman they'll also do the Boxster. I'd hope this signals a return to some modern Porsches. The US is getting the new GT3 RS, and I want a kit of it!

Considering how good cars like the Mercedes CLS and Aston Martin Rapide look, Porsche better make sure the Panamera is equally sexy w/none of the "needs Midol" look inherent in the Cayenne :rolleyes:

I'm getting my Porsche modeling fix this weekend and next; I'm finishing the body details on my Monogram '77 Martini 924; hope to get foiled side window trim and decals on tonight and the kit finished this weekend; I have to make some Martini stripes for the headrests and monkey around with doing light blue piping on the front seats. Next weekend is the 24 hour build of my Monogram 904 in red w/white stripe and #35 meatballs. They're both simple kits but look good w/basic paint detailing.

[Zoom Zoom]

Fujimi is kitting the Cayman!

Who cares.

:D