Ferrari Goes One To One For Your "Custom" Car

By Lyndon Conrad Bell

Lyndon Conrad Bell

Contributing Writer

LATEST ARTICLE
Demanding Unobtanium: Cars We Want, But Can't Have
Believe it or not, there was a time when Mitsubishi's Evo and Subaru's WRX were not available on... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 142ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 0COMMENTS POSTED

2009 Ferrari California

Enlarge Photo

A Ferrari is already pretty trick--but it can get tricker.

Because you know, uh, a Ferrari isn't exclusive enough, the Maranello firm offers a customization program, enabling you to make your Ferrari even more uniquely your own. If you're in a position to do this, you'll want to visit the dedicated atelier in Maranello in person to create your bespoke car. This gives you an opportunity to see firsthand the vast range of special content, and enables you to be assisted by specially trained Ferrari consultants.

As you might expect, one of the main areas of interest is exterior colors. Other options include custom wheel rim colors and leather finishes such as "maculatura" (a light leopard-skin speckling), "goffratura" (a rough embossed-type finish) and "sporcatura" (fine, dark speckling for a distressed look). Alcantara carpets and trunk trim are popular and the trunk can be trimmed entirely in leather, if preferred.

According to Ferrari representatives, historic and out-of-range colors, such as Grigio Ferro Met and Rosso Monza, have proved particularly popular. The new interior shades have been much sought after too, specifically the speckled matt finishes.

Of course, if you're like me, and you—well—can't afford one, Maranello hasn't forgotten you. At the Ferrari California Web site you'll find a custom configurator that will enable you to play around with a variety of interior and exterior colors. You can change the wheels as well as the color of the brake calipers too.The site also allows you to rotate the car so you can see it from all angles. It's remarkable to see how the lines of the car are enhanced by certain paint colors and subdued by others. You can view the California with the top up and down as well.

Hey, you might as well get started now. That way, when you do finally get there, you'll already know exactly how you want it set up.

I went Grigio Scuro with a Bordeaux interior, 20-inch Diamond wheels and red brake calipers.

Nice.