Ah Marty, you had to go and bring up the 275 GTB.
I always get a little weak in the knees whenever I see one - which isn't too often any more, now that they're mostly owned by investment bankers and spend their days parked in climate-controlled warehouses where they are free to gracefully appreciate.
It was the ship of the line Ferrari when I was first learning about sporting machinery (which meant MG's and Triumphs in my neighborhood). We used to dress up in sport coats and ties to try to fool the Ferrari salesmen that we were serious potential owners when we drove up to the dealership in my buddy's Plymouth Valiant. It wasn't until quite a few years later that I fully appreciated the humor of the situation.
Stan is, of course, right in his careful analysis of the numbers. The Ferrari V12 must finish near the bottom in any accounting of horsepower per dollar. It is one of the most absurd devices ever invented for a logical person to own.
But, we're talking cars here. Who said anything about logic or practicality or even common sense?
Skip Barber is one of those rare guys who managed to make a living out of racing cars over a long career - quite a nice living, as it turns out. Today, he could drive practically any car for fun that he wants. He could drive practically any Ferrari that he wants.
Turn up the sound and listen to why he drives a 275 GTB: