ALGAR FERRARI OPEN HOUSE

Word of an open house at the local Ferrari dealership reached the Slama Photography’s desktop. It was at that point where it was decided to share the news with the other members of the SLAMA and Autofocus families.

We gathered early that Saturday morning to being our day of basking in the holy light of the Italian motor-gods. We entered into the Cathedral of St Enzo and were greeted by the stunning 458 Italia. A steed worthy to carry Apollo through the heavens....sitting there taunting passers by...quietly muttering like Mike Tyson..I'm gonna eat your children! Every angle...every line leading you across the body like the bikini strings on a Victoria's Secret model. You just have to follow where they go.

So enough with the metaphors, lets get down to the nitty gritty. As expected the building was pure class and housed some really exceptional machines. The lobby held 3 cars, the aforementioned 458 Italia, a 430 and a FF. The walls adorned with a mural paying homage to the Formula 1 team. The apparel section had a nice assortment of gear to interest any proud owner or wannabe. On the far side of the showroom was the accessories or modification center. Displayed the back wall was a large assortment of steering wheels, seats, brake calipers and carbon fiber trim pieces. Next to the showroom is the waiting room well equipped with Ferrari literature with a view of a terrific line up of cars. The display garage next to the waiting room held a magnificent assortment including a special edition Fernando Alonso edition 599, some standard FF's and a red and a black 430 spyder. From there we took the stairs down a level to the shop and accessory area. We entered the accessory area and are greeted by a 430 scudiera and a beautiful red F40.

The first garage area housed a great assortment of customers cars including two Testarossas and a number of 430's in different levels of trim and colors. We spoke with one of the Testarossa owners who was a very nice guy who told us the story of how he recently bought the car. Across the way is the newly renovated garage area. The garage was spotless, tall ceilings, and plenty of natural light poring in from the high windows. One of the most striking things was an F 40 that was being worked on. The back sections and the interior of the car were removed and it offered us a great opportunity to see behind the wizards curtain. The engine and all of the components were there to see and it was shocking to see the headers were directly behind the seats. We the followed the stairs to the upper level of the building which is set up like an art gallery but it is an art gallery with an elevator large enough to carry cars to this upper level. On this floor are just three cars. A stunning blue matte finish Lamborghini a Ferrari 430 and a Ferrari FF. Each of them arranged in front of the windows like as if you were looking at jewelry in a display case.

It was a wonder opportunity to explore and photograph what must be the pinnacle of the car purchasing experience.

Come to our gallery to view the rest of the pictures .
http://slamapa.smugmug.com/Motorsports/Algar-Ferrari-Open-House/

CARS & COFFEE -FABSPEED MOTORSPORTS

It was 1988 when I was walking the Atlantic City boardwalk and saw a sign for a car show on the door of the convention center. I begged my parents to money give me money for a ticket and in I went to experience my first car show. I soon came face to slanted face with my first exotic  beauty. A red Lamborghini Countach sat there looking as if we're going to pounce on the next person to pass by. Honestly that is all I remember about that show....that red Italian piece of automotive art. Many many car shows and years later I found myself taking my five year old son to a grand opening of a local exotic car performance shop.
                                                                         
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for a fall morning, blue skies and a bright shining sun glistening off of some of the finest automotive bodies ever created. Every gear head with an appreciation for both foreign and domestic exotic automobiles would have to stand in awe over the wonderful collection of auto porn that has assembled on this stunning Saturday morning at Fabspeed Motorsports now located in Fort Washington Pennsylvania.
The first cars there to greet you were two stunning examples of craftsmanship, a beautiful white Bentley and a Black supercharged AC Cobra. It is at that point where you get overwhelmed by the type of cars in attendance. McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Bently, Lotus, Tesla, Ford (GT) and Maserati. How can you lose with a line-up like that?
The last time I was in this building it was a factory where my father had worked years ago. I can say it looks a hell of a lot better the way it has been transformed. It is now a clean, upscale almost sterile operating room for speed. The walls were adorned with various manufacturer shields, logos and posters. The lobby is upscale and decorated like a ski lodge but instead of the typical ski lodge things Fabspeed has two modified Porsches, some exquisite exhaust components and an engine on display.

The front desk isn't simply a fancy desk...oh no, instead they used a polished turbine housing to keep that manly atmosphere flowing throughout the room.

Behind the offices are the engineering department, warehouse and  work bays.
At the back of the shop is a four wheel dynamometer. A dynamometer is a device used to test engine performance in a controlled environment. This model is capable of testing AllWheel Drive cars. On the dyno this day was an Audi R8 which tested at over 600HP! Friendly people, beautiful building and absolutely stunning cars, the only way the event could have been better would be if they gave test rides..even a ride along would have been perfect. I sure hope Fab Speed Motorsports continues to hold events like this in the future.