Spoiled Son Sets Fire To Ferrari In Order To Upgrade To New Model
In a bizarre case out of Europe, a 20-year-old Swiss man reportedly set fire to a Ferrari 458 Italia given to him by his father in a half-baked scheme to use the insurance money to upgrade to a new model. Incredibly, the spoiled brat is said to have had 14 other cars (including a Lamborghini) at his disposal in addition to a property portfolio worth close to $30 million and a monthly allowance that fluctuated between $5,000 and $10,000.
As Swiss publication 20 Minutes first reported, the 20-year-old in March of 2014 visited a dealership to get his car valued so that he could trade it in for a new model, possibly the 458 Speciale which went on sale about then. The quote he received was $193,500, which wasn’t enough to cover the cost of the new model.
It’s alleged the man was short of funds at the time so one of the dealers suggested he destroy his car in order to claim the insurance value, which presumably was higher than the quoted value. Three accomplices were recruited, including a person working at the dealership, and to avoid suspicion the group crossed the border into Germany to do the dirty deed.
Once they found a quiet area, the 20-year-old and one of the accomplices visited a massage parlor while the other two set fire to the car. However, security camera footage and telephone recordings led to a prompt arrest of those involved.
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https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/spoiled-son-sets-fire-gifted-ferrari-order-upgrade-125000810.html
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One of the greatest cars ever made, wasted on a kid who doesn't know that he doesn't know squat.
Going by what he's accused of doing, I don't believe he ever will.
...the ultimate, oops, the most magnificent automobile ever produced.
And if I burned up my Ferrari to turn a buck my father would personally boil me in its oil same day.
PS: I'm with you on the looks comparo, hifiguy. The Italia is sculpted from dreams.
simply boggle the mind.
i know a speaker manufacturer - highest of high end home audio - from my many years in the high-end press, a fellow named David Wilson. When my editor and I visited his factory a few years back, knowing I am a car guy that worships all things Ferrari, he took me out for a couple of hours in his hot-rodded F355, or maybe it was a 430 (he had three Fazazzes at the time and also has an "all access" passport for the factory - he's owned Ferraris for 40 years, even when, as both he and his wife, also a fancier, said "we had absolutely no business owning one"
. The next day his 550 Maranello was parked in the lot. I pointed this fact out and Dave said "Yup. Thought you might want to take a spin in it."
After putting myself back into my shoes I agreed. I'd traveled about a city block in that car when I realized I would have to dosomething so intentionally and monumentally STUPID to get myself into trouble in that magnificent machine that I loosened up and enjoyed my 25 or so minutes. From the passenger seat Dave egged me up to 100 mph and that Maranello felt at 100 the way a normal car does while creeping along at a stoplight.
I will remember that day and that drive until the day I shuffle off this mortal coil. I cannot imagine a more overwhelming and wonderful experience.
ETA - the Italia is, like Beethoven's greatest symphonies, a perfect expression of art and aesthetics. You couldn't change a line or a note without ruining the perfection.
ETA: Jeezus, just LOOK at it:
The only other Italian export of comparable beauty is Sophia Loren.
Montezemolo, at his recent induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, was swamped by media asking him about Ferrarri going public that same day. What most impressed me was his modesty and kindness towards others, especially including the press. He said a Ferrarri is an engine with an automobile wrapped around it.
The guy is more than all class, he is the real deal. He gave fellow inductee Raman Tata a kiss and hug.
You driving a Ferrarri, hifiguy...the car looks good on you.
that should be put to better use by endangered species.
After he gets out of jail, that is.
And put together with bailing wire and a few wishes.
The upholstery is little better than plastic webbing like a lawn lounge chair. Cheap!
Perfect.
Kenny was born in Missouri. After a visit to a neighbor, young Kenny grew very fond of the neighbor's donkey which was for sale as the neighbor had fallen on hard times. He spoke to his father. The father and the donkey's owner struck a deal and $500 was paid for the donkey with the neighbor due to deliver him the following weekend. Kenny was to work off the debt and pay back his father.
The neighbor showed up to make the appointed delivery and apologized. It seems that over the few days that passed the donkey fell ill and died. Kenny was very disappointed but said that the neighbor could just repay his dad with no hard feelings. The neighbor apologized again and said that he already spent the $500 using some of the money to pay the vet to care for the sick donkey and, assuming the donkey would recover, the balance on other expenses.
Kenny thought for a moment and, being a bright and creative boy, told the neighbor to bring donkey anyway. The neighbor asked why and Kenny said, "I'm going to raffle him off at the fair." The neighbor said, "You just can't do this!" Kenny said, "Watch me."
At the fair Kenny sold $2 raffle tickets for the donkey. Used the money to pay back his father and made a few dollars besides. A few weeks later the neighbor met Kenny again and asked about the raffle and the donkey. Kenny said that sold the dead donkey to a processing plant and went to the raffle winner and explained the donkey's death and refunded the man's $2.
Years later Kenny founded Enron. 
dropped into the densest, and hopfully most cannibal-infested, jungle on the planet with a pair of cargo shorts, a knife and nothing else, as a car guy this breaks my heart.
A Ferrari, ANY Ferrari, is a piece of art you can drive. None more than the 458 Italia.
For a car guy or gal this is an act of vandalism on the Laszlo Toth scale. 
