Chapter 141: Ferrari’s Blacklist

The cocktail party began, and Ding Mengyao started greeting guests. Even a second-generation wealthy socialite needs to earn her own pocket money, especially when it involves a career she is passionate about.

Zhuang Chen left, drove home to retrieve his LaFerrari, and headed straight for the racetrack. There was a car enthusiast gathering that evening: the Ferrari Owners' Club.

"You are truly a busy person of high status!" Wang Kuan remarked with a helpless smile upon seeing Zhuang Chen. "If it weren't for the Ferrari club meet, I wouldn't have been able to catch a glimpse of your true self, would I?"

Zhuang Chen waved his hand with a smile and looked around. Good heavens, there were dozens of Ferraris, in every color and model imaginable, competing for attention.

Wang Kuan draped an arm over Zhuang Chen’s shoulder as they walked. "Impressive, isn't it? Eighty-eight of the finest 'Red Devils.' It's the biggest event in the country this year, with many top-tier collectors gathered here in Beijing."

He leaned in and whispered, "Don't let this so-called supercar club make you think we're just posturing. In front of the real titans, we're nothing."

"Later, I'll introduce you to Big Brother Li—Li Wenhui. The 'Father of Ferrari' in China, he once owned a hundred Ferraris. In 1993, he introduced the brand to the country, paving the way for Ferrari's journey here."

"Then there are Shan Zhonghui and Wu Hankai, both board members of the Ferrari Owners' Club. They’re a fun, talkative duo. In just five years, they've scoured the world for vintage Ferraris; they currently hold thirteen of them."

"Brother Shan, in particular—during last year's vintage car rally, he drove from Beijing to Shanghai, a 1,500-kilometer trek. His vintage Ferrari was quite temperamental. It broke down several times, and every time, he’d work on it until one or two in the morning, only to start driving again at eight o'clock. If it broke, he’d fix it; once fixed, he’d drive it again..."

"And there’s Uncle Zhou, a die-hard fan of old cars and vintage technology. Every vintage Ferrari he owns is a manual transmission. At every gathering, he shouts that manual cars are the only ones that truly represent the Ferrari classic and offer the most driving pleasure!"

They entered the hall, which was bustling with activity. Wang Kuan, being a leader in the Beijing supercar scene, took Zhuang Chen directly to the VIP lounge to meet these legendary collectors.

Upon hearing that Zhuang Chen owned a LaFerrari, everyone exchanged greetings. They were all true connoisseurs. To purchase a limited-edition Ferrari, one must own at least five models from different eras, with no record of ever having sold one—it is pure, obsessive collecting.

As they sat down to chat, the atmosphere was warm, with the conversation revolving entirely around their beloved cars. Zhuang Chen listened quietly; after all, he was a novice, and it is better to listen than to speak and risk saying the wrong thing.

"Back in my younger days, I saw a Dino. It was so beautiful; I fell in love at first sight," Li Wenhui said, his voice full of vigor. "Many people like to ask me: why collect classic Ferraris?"

"I don't understand that question. Just as some people like buying diamonds, houses, or rugs, we just like buying cars. A car is meant to be driven. Taking a trip in your beloved car is like traveling with your lover—isn't that romantic?"

As the group burst into laughter, he continued, "Some people also ask me which one is my favorite. Even though I’ve owned over a hundred cars, if you really asked me to name the best one, I wouldn't know!"

"Technology advances every day, faster and faster each year. It’s not about the speed, but about the classic that represents that era. For example, forty years ago, our parents were happy just to ride a bicycle. We are happy driving Ferraris today. Both are simply a way of life."

"You're showing off again, you always show off!" Old Shan complained from the side. "We can't compare to you. I remember traveling the world, begging and pleading just to collect these vintage cars; it was simply..."

"Many great cars don't appear on the public market. They are often kept by low-profile, wealthy collectors who perhaps have grown too old to drive them and finally sell them only because they want to find their beloved cars a good home."

"Money isn't the issue. They want to vet you to see if you truly love Ferrari, rather than buying them for business. Negotiating with such die-hard fans is more of a headache than taking exams in school!"

"You guys still don't get it. Only manual cars can truly represent the Ferrari classic. It’s a pity that since the 355 Berlinetta, we haven't seen them anymore!"

"You old bachelor, you’re the one who doesn't get it. The four-seater Mondial Cabriolet is the most dashing. On a sunny day, taking the whole family out—with your wife and kids—that is what you call enjoyment..."

Watching them argue so fiercely, Zhuang Chen suddenly had a realization: roaring engines, screeching tires, handsome celebrity drivers, and glamorous models are merely the side of luxury brands promoted by the media.

Facing these obsessed collectors, he suddenly understood that the other side of these luxury brands is still the most authentic life. There are successful businessmen who remain romantic, manual-transmission purists, devoted fathers who love both sports cars and their families, and ambitious youths who never forget their childhood dreams...

Classics remain timeless because of this group's persistence in what they love, working for it without fear of the passing years. That is the soul of a supercar!

Wang Kuan, the youngest in the group, couldn't help but whisper as he watched his elders boast, "They’re all just talk. Think of Paul Bailey—being blacklisted by Ferrari, now that’s what you call impressive!"

Zhuang Chen was stunned. A person like that existed?

"He’s a British telecom tycoon with over sixty supercars. Logically, a tycoon like that should be courted by every luxury car brand, right?"

"But because he supplied the SCD club with the 'Holy Trinity' of hypercars for testing, and did so without any staff from Ferrari, Porsche, or McLaren present, he recorded the first-ever speed test of the three cars globally. He offended Ferrari, and they immediately announced he was strictly forbidden from ever buying a new car from them again."

"And it's not just him. There’s Preston, that old gentleman who not only has a world-famous Ferrari collection in Florida but also became famous for suing Ferrari."

"In 2016, he sent the boss of Ferrari a $10 million check as a deposit. Who knew the check would be returned? Not only was the check returned, but they also declared the old man unqualified to buy a Ferrari."

"The official reason was: many of the cars he owned were bought at auctions or through second-hand channels. They suspected him of investment motives and wanting to profit again. In the end, he never managed to buy a convertible LaFerrari before he passed away..."

He stared at Zhuang Chen and said fiercely, "Get it now? Getting a LaFerrari is a stroke of fortune from several lifetimes; you must cherish it!"

Zhuang Chen was speechless. Good heavens, he was being threatened at a car club meet?

Seeing the others engaged in high-minded discussion, Wang Kuan felt dissatisfied. As the host, he hadn't even been able to get a word in.

"These people are all talk. Do you know who I admire most?"

"Phil Bachman, a General Motors dealer. He has thirty-seven Ferraris in his backyard—an average of one per year!"

"The most impressive thing isn't the quantity. His collection has two main characteristics: first, it must be the very last car produced of that series; second, the body must be yellow. The former is a hard requirement. Phil only buys the last car off the assembly line for every series. If the serial number isn't the highest, he won't take it even if you give it to him for free."

"I was lucky enough to visit his garage once... it was unbelievable... everywhere you looked, it was yellow. The shelves were filled with all kinds of parts. He spends his days in the garage studying the technology. To ensure his beloved cars are perfectly maintained, he even flies to the factory himself just to bring back a single part."

"The final LaFerrari appeared in Lexington, Kentucky, and headquarters held a grand ceremony just for it. A yellow body, the last one, and a flagship supercar—would you say Phil is the most impressive?"

Zhuang Chen gave a thumbs up, thoroughly convinced. He deserved to own that final yellow LaFerrari!

Suddenly, he recalled a line from a TV show: Can you really do whatever you want if you have money?

Let me tell you, that's not necessarily true!