So Speedy, So Exclusive, So Expensive, So Totaled(Ferrari Enzo...Mil $ car)

Los Angeles Times ^ | February 22, 2006 | Bob Pool

[kellynla]

A red Ferrari Enzo — one of only 400 ever made and worth more than $1 million — broke apart Tuesday when it crested a hill on Pacific Coast Highway going 120 mph and slammed into a power pole.

The driver jumped out of the wreckage and ran into the canyon above, evading a three-hour search by a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter and a mountain search-and-rescue team.

The crash did not result in serious injuries. But it sent shockwaves through both the tabloid and exotic car worlds as one group wondered if the driver was a celebrity and the other mourned the loss of a hand-built car revered by many as a work of art.

The car was certain to be owned by someone rich, if not famous. Actor Nicolas Cage owns one. And Malibu local Britney Spears has been chased in a Ferrari by the paparazzi.

But by day's end the tabloids were disappointed to learn that the demolished car had been owned by a Swedish millionaire without a Screen Actors Guild card.

Sheriff's investigators identified him as 44-year-old Stefan Eriksson, a Bel-Air resident. Officials are trying to determine whether he is the noted Swedish game designer whose firm, perhaps not surprisingly, was involved with car-racing themed video games.

[ArrogantBustard]

Buyers will be invited to the Ferrari factory to have the cockpit of their car tailored to their specific needs.

I would say there's about 0.9999999999999999999 probability that I will never own (or even drive) a car like this. Likewise any of the five-figure Italian shotguns, or a great many other "fine" things. Even so, I'm glad I live in a world where such things exist.

[Pukin Dog]

Not that car, but there are multiple places in California where you can rent an older Ferrari and live your fantasies for a day or just an hour.

[Hatteras]

I found two vehicles, one day, in a Hyatt parking garage in Baltimore. They had just been received off the boat by the owner (a prominent RV Dealer from Tampa) who was preparing, along with his mechanic, to drive them back to his home in Florida. The first vehicle was an Enzo, the second was a Maserati MC-12. Though I was surprised, I was also quite pleased to see one of these exotic car owners purchase them for what they were built to do. Although I doubt they were able to push 200 mph on I-95, it's the thought that counts.

...

[Lil'freeper]

And then there's Scooby Doo:

Authorities said Eriksson said he was a passenger in the Ferrari, which he said was being driven by a German acquaintance he knew only as Dietrich.

...

Eriksson told authorities that "Dietrich" ran up a hill toward the canyon road and disappeared. Brooks said detectives are far from convinced they have the whole story.

Eriksson "had a .09 blood-alcohol level, but if he's a passenger, that's OK," Brooks said. "But he had a bloody lip, and only the air bag on the driver's side had blood on it. The passenger-side air bag did not. My Scooby-Doo detectives are looking closely into that.

[goldstategop]

Its a boutique Italian car... for the money. The name says it all.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[kellynla]

"stud?"

I guess you've never buried a loved one who was killed in a auto accident...

I'm betting the owner/"passenger" was actually the driver.
And after they check the blood on the driver's side airbag;
they will be prosecuting this idiot.
New law in CA for street racing can get you up to 90 days in jail!

[goldstategop]

Exactly... the price tag is indicative of the quality of the design and build. A Ferrari is more like a beautiful work of art such that it transcends being a mere automobile. And if you can afford one, you'll see why you fall in love with it. Its the ultimate status symbol.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[ArrogantBustard]

Hmmm ... I don't get out to California much, but that certainly improves my odds.

Funny thing is, I actually do own and shoot an Italian shotgun. It's a $300 Benelli, though, not a $30,000 Perazzi.

[Cicero]

As I recall, the door and window openers were hand-crafted from aluminum-magnesium allow, which was unusual back then, hammered and polished. One purpose was to save weight without sacrificing strength wherever possible and then, presumably, put the center of gravity where it was wanted, down low.

It might seem foolish to spend hundreds or even thousands on the door handles, but the total effect is a beautiful car that is just a little bit better at all points than what you could mass produce.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I just tried to picture a 16 cylinder 1000hp car crashing at 250mph on PCH into a lightpole. Wonder if the owner would get out and run away?

[GSlob]

The car would slice right through the pole and would continue, in somewhat dented condition.

[Spktyr]

Great performing car from all reports but it's a little on the ugly side (unfortunately).

Here's the pinnacle of Ferrari design, IMHO:

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

That's true. I think I'll keep checking wreckedexotics.com to see if one ever shows up.

[goldstategop]

Some people don't appreciate beauty. A true Ferrari conoisseur would never dream of totaling the car. Its an unimaginable act of desecration!

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Publius6961]

Eriksson told authorities that "Dietrich" ran up a hill toward the canyon road and disappeared. Brooks said detectives are far from convinced they have the whole story.

Ya think?!!?

[Carry_Okie]

IMO, the F40 is a bit blocky by comparison. I actually prefer the lines on the Enzo, except for the grillework, which is really bad (but a relatively easy fix). More critically, the cab lines and duct inlets are far better on the Enzo.

[TSgt]

I suspect that Stefan had certain expectations from Dietrich which is why he handed his million dollar Ferrari over to a complete stranger.

Brokeback Malibu?

"Authorities said Eriksson said he was a passenger in the Ferrari, which he said was being driven by a German acquaintance he knew only as Dietrich."

[Carry_Okie]

Brokeback Malibu?

More like Bareback Canyon.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

You mean like my, and others better known, teacher Jim Fitzgerald? Your pathos is bathetic (use the dictionary, Luke, an old one).

[Mr. Mojo]

Hard to imagine where on PCH in Malibu he could've attained 120 mph during that time of day. As you know, it's often bumper-to-bumper over there.

And yep, why the hell didn't he and the McClaren driver buy some track time rather than risk the lives of innocents? They could then take their "supercars" close to the limit, have a lot more fun, and risk only their own lives.