Our Universal Classic is here! Cosmetic and mechanical restoration and repair. Call our service manager, Anthony Simone, today!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Universal Classic
Our Universal Classic is here! Cosmetic and mechanical restoration and repair. Call our service manager, Anthony Simone, today!
Our Universal Classic is here! Cosmetic and mechanical restoration and repair. Call our service manager, Anthony Simone, today!
Our Universal Classic is here! Cosmetic and mechanical restoration and repair. Call our service manager, Anthony Simone, today!
Friday, September 19, 2008
When You're Here ...You're Family
The story of how one man's legacy lives on through his friends
Back in the late 1990s, the Ferrari dealership in Great Neck on Long Island - the one that replaced the dealership in New York City - was to be closed down. Gianni Agnelli appointed Count Roffredo Gaetani D'Aragona Lovatelli to take it over and relocate it. Ferrari North America asked the then-parts manager Giacomo Ciaccia to take inventory in Great Neck. Giacomo - or Jack, as his friends call him - met Roffredo and they instantly hit it off.
Roffredo, born 4 March 1953, moved to America in the '80s and immediately began playing with cars. He was a thin man with a thick Italian accent; a charmer who backed down from no one but never talked down to anyone. He had style and charisma and taste - a former boxer who dated Ivana Trump for a while. Roffredo was the epitome of idolatry - the man who everyone else wanted to be and be like. He could often be seen in the dealership, a cigarette firmly wedged between his fingers, while he chatted away with some customer. There was no need for electricity because his smile lit up every room he entered
Gaetani moved the dealership to a new building in Glen Cove. He asked Jack to join him as the General Manager. With this new chapter in Ferrari history on Long Island, came a new level of customer focus. It had style and a familial air that let everyone know they were welcome at Ferrari of Long Island. Gaetani hired the best to join the team. He employed Luigi Scala – an unsurpassed technician from another Ferrari service center. From there, he built an unrivaled service department, all managed by Anthony Simone.
Ferrari of Long Island quickly grew to become an establishment that was known from coast to coast. The tractor trailers (not one, but two!) for the racing team showed up everywhere, and soon everyone knew the folks from FoLI. The showroom itself was packed with a constantly-refreshing rotation of cars. The service center, located just down the street, was always busy. The dealership was never empty. It was a hangout spot for owners and enthusiasts alike. Among other things, the cappuccino machine was a direct indication that Ferrari of Long Island was, for many, a home away from home.
Before long, Ferrari of Long Island's customer base spanned the country. Not only were customers flying in from out of town, out-of-staters who already had a Ferrari (or Ferraris) were shipping their cars to FoLI for service. Business was good and it only got better.
Then, nearly a decade after nurturing a once-stagnant business into a thriving hub for racers, owners and admirers across the country, tragedy struck without warning. On 23 December 2005, while in Italy to visit his family for the holidays, Roffredo Gaetani was killed in a car accident. The untimely demise of a friend and a legend was a harsh reality for all who knew him.
Without its patriarch, the Ferrari of Long Island family was grief-stricken. But Gaetani's efforts would not be in vain. Jack and the rest of the crew would carry on the traditions and values instilled by Roffredo. Customer service would not falter; the race team would not waver; and the enthusiasm and joy of Ferrari ownership would not be set aside. Roffredo's name and hard work would continue through Ciaccia and the rest of the Ferrari of Long Island team.
The following year, a new chapter in the life of Ferrari of Long Island began, and with that came a regime change. A new owner, attracted to Ferrari of Long Island’s roaring and continued success, stepped in and bought Ferrari of Long Island from Roffredo’s family. This changing of the guard also fostered an approach to business that differed from Roffredo's way of doing things. The tried and true old school methods passed on to Jack from Roffredo would not yield or conform to a cold new age of "moving metal". This impasse gave birth to a new era of automotive excellence in New York.
Jack left Ferrari of Long Island and, teamed up with his childhood friend Luke Vuksanaj, set out to maintain the level of perfection to which all of his clients were accustomed. Another Ferrari franchise on Long Island would've been superfluous - but there was certainly room for a different marque. At the same time, vying for a spot in the American super car market, Koenigsegg was looking for an east coast dealer and service center. A few phone calls and a prosperous relationship commenced. Jack and Luke met with Christian von Koenigsegg and Universal Autosports was born.
A condition of the purchase of Ferrari of Long Island was that
the showroom needed to be relocated. Fate intervened and once the dealership moved, Jack quickly bought the building in which he worked with his late friend for so many years. The ink was still wet on the purchase papers when renovations began. The showroom was completely redone, and the basement was converted to a full service center. Now customers only needed to go to one place for sales and service. A blank canvas soon shone the colors of Universal's aspirations. And with each brush stroke, an old friend and colleague was brought over from Ferrari of Long Island. One by one, brothers were called upon to fill different positions until the family was once again whole. Everyone – the service technicians Luigi Scala and Kent Woodworth, Creative Director Michael Lussos, Service Manager Anthony Simone, and the sales staff – moved from Ferrari of Long Island, and completed the old family.
With annual production of 25 units per year, Koenigsegg requires time to meet the needs of its customers.
With a yearly U.S. allocation of ten cars - and only three through Universal Autosports - the UAS team can't survive on Swedish sports cars alone. So the showroom is a veritable garden of European exotica: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche, Aston Martin and more. The service center is host to Ferraris from almost every decade. One bay is busy with a pontoon-fendered Testa Rossa while the next one over is the temporary home for an F50. The combined experience of the Ferrari-, Maserati- and Porsche-certified master technicians exceeds half a century.
Even when it's full of people, the showroom still feels a bit empty without Roffredo in it. No airy waft from his cigarette; no echo of his hearty laughter. The illuminated glass plaque that celebrates his memory is no substitute for the flesh and blood of a friend. But his passion and traditional values live on through everyone in the building, and through all of their efforts. The background of red and yellow Ferraris is a sharp contrast to the stout blue Koenigsegg CCX at the front of the showroom. And beyond its representation of the evolution of sports cars, it also bears with it a continuance of elevated customer dedication and satisfaction. Universal Autosports isn't the new kid on the block - it's the same kid you always knew, only all grown up.
Roffredo, born 4 March 1953, moved to America in the '80s and immediately began playing with cars. He was a thin man with a thick Italian accent; a charmer who backed down from no one but never talked down to anyone. He had style and charisma and taste - a former boxer who dated Ivana Trump for a while. Roffredo was the epitome of idolatry - the man who everyone else wanted to be and be like. He could often be seen in the dealership, a cigarette firmly wedged between his fingers, while he chatted away with some customer. There was no need for electricity because his smile lit up every room he enteredGaetani moved the dealership to a new building in Glen Cove. He asked Jack to join him as the General Manager. With this new chapter in Ferrari history on Long Island, came a new level of customer focus. It had style and a familial air that let everyone know they were welcome at Ferrari of Long Island. Gaetani hired the best to join the team. He employed Luigi Scala – an unsurpassed technician from another Ferrari service center. From there, he built an unrivaled service department, all managed by Anthony Simone.
Ferrari of Long Island quickly grew to become an establishment that was known from coast to coast. The tractor trailers (not one, but two!) for the racing team showed up everywhere, and soon everyone knew the folks from FoLI. The showroom itself was packed with a constantly-refreshing rotation of cars. The service center, located just down the street, was always busy. The dealership was never empty. It was a hangout spot for owners and enthusiasts alike. Among other things, the cappuccino machine was a direct indication that Ferrari of Long Island was, for many, a home away from home.
Before long, Ferrari of Long Island's customer base spanned the country. Not only were customers flying in from out of town, out-of-staters who already had a Ferrari (or Ferraris) were shipping their cars to FoLI for service. Business was good and it only got better.
Then, nearly a decade after nurturing a once-stagnant business into a thriving hub for racers, owners and admirers across the country, tragedy struck without warning. On 23 December 2005, while in Italy to visit his family for the holidays, Roffredo Gaetani was killed in a car accident. The untimely demise of a friend and a legend was a harsh reality for all who knew him.
Without its patriarch, the Ferrari of Long Island family was grief-stricken. But Gaetani's efforts would not be in vain. Jack and the rest of the crew would carry on the traditions and values instilled by Roffredo. Customer service would not falter; the race team would not waver; and the enthusiasm and joy of Ferrari ownership would not be set aside. Roffredo's name and hard work would continue through Ciaccia and the rest of the Ferrari of Long Island team.
The following year, a new chapter in the life of Ferrari of Long Island began, and with that came a regime change. A new owner, attracted to Ferrari of Long Island’s roaring and continued success, stepped in and bought Ferrari of Long Island from Roffredo’s family. This changing of the guard also fostered an approach to business that differed from Roffredo's way of doing things. The tried and true old school methods passed on to Jack from Roffredo would not yield or conform to a cold new age of "moving metal". This impasse gave birth to a new era of automotive excellence in New York.Jack left Ferrari of Long Island and, teamed up with his childhood friend Luke Vuksanaj, set out to maintain the level of perfection to which all of his clients were accustomed. Another Ferrari franchise on Long Island would've been superfluous - but there was certainly room for a different marque. At the same time, vying for a spot in the American super car market, Koenigsegg was looking for an east coast dealer and service center. A few phone calls and a prosperous relationship commenced. Jack and Luke met with Christian von Koenigsegg and Universal Autosports was born.
A condition of the purchase of Ferrari of Long Island was that
the showroom needed to be relocated. Fate intervened and once the dealership moved, Jack quickly bought the building in which he worked with his late friend for so many years. The ink was still wet on the purchase papers when renovations began. The showroom was completely redone, and the basement was converted to a full service center. Now customers only needed to go to one place for sales and service. A blank canvas soon shone the colors of Universal's aspirations. And with each brush stroke, an old friend and colleague was brought over from Ferrari of Long Island. One by one, brothers were called upon to fill different positions until the family was once again whole. Everyone – the service technicians Luigi Scala and Kent Woodworth, Creative Director Michael Lussos, Service Manager Anthony Simone, and the sales staff – moved from Ferrari of Long Island, and completed the old family.With annual production of 25 units per year, Koenigsegg requires time to meet the needs of its customers.
With a yearly U.S. allocation of ten cars - and only three through Universal Autosports - the UAS team can't survive on Swedish sports cars alone. So the showroom is a veritable garden of European exotica: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche, Aston Martin and more. The service center is host to Ferraris from almost every decade. One bay is busy with a pontoon-fendered Testa Rossa while the next one over is the temporary home for an F50. The combined experience of the Ferrari-, Maserati- and Porsche-certified master technicians exceeds half a century.Even when it's full of people, the showroom still feels a bit empty without Roffredo in it. No airy waft from his cigarette; no echo of his hearty laughter. The illuminated glass plaque that celebrates his memory is no substitute for the flesh and blood of a friend. But his passion and traditional values live on through everyone in the building, and through all of their efforts. The background of red and yellow Ferraris is a sharp contrast to the stout blue Koenigsegg CCX at the front of the showroom. And beyond its representation of the evolution of sports cars, it also bears with it a continuance of elevated customer dedication and satisfaction. Universal Autosports isn't the new kid on the block - it's the same kid you always knew, only all grown up.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fall Season Service Special
Have you had your belt service done? Does your car require attention? Now’s the time. With a $98/hour labor rate, our Fall Service Special is downright crazy. But we know that you’re crazy about your car and no one understands that better than us. So before you store your car for the winter, let us do any major work that it may need. From cosmetic and aesthetic repairs and enhancements to oil changes and engine rebuilds, we do it all. Our factory-certified master Ferrari and Maserati technicians are here for you. Stop by our facility, or call our service manager, Anthony Simone, to schedule an appointment today.
Friday, September 12, 2008
For sale: 2006 Ferrari F430 F1 Spider - SOLD...!!!...
Red/tan, red/tan, red/tan - that's all you see these days. Sure it's an iconic color combination - especially for Ferraris. But it's nice to break away from the pack once in a while. That's what the original owner of this '06 F430 F1 Spider did - and the end result is magnificent.
The Giallo Modena paint is contrasted by a black leather interior. Options include power Daytona seats with yellow stitching, a yellow tachometer, carbon fiber interior trim, black carpets, black mats with yellow prancing horses, shields, 3M paint protection, rear parking sensors, ball-polished wheels, and red calipers. Throw in a battery tender, books, tools, air pump, car and seat covers, extra keys, and you've got yourself a complete car, ready to go.
We encourage you to come by our facility and take this car for a test drive. You won't be disappointed with how it performs, how it looks, or how this stunning V8 Ferrari will stand the test of time. The convertible factor doesn't hurt either, and right now the weather is perfect for going topless.
The Giallo Modena paint is contrasted by a black leather interior. Options include power Daytona seats with yellow stitching, a yellow tachometer, carbon fiber interior trim, black carpets, black mats with yellow prancing horses, shields, 3M paint protection, rear parking sensors, ball-polished wheels, and red calipers. Throw in a battery tender, books, tools, air pump, car and seat covers, extra keys, and you've got yourself a complete car, ready to go.
We encourage you to come by our facility and take this car for a test drive. You won't be disappointed with how it performs, how it looks, or how this stunning V8 Ferrari will stand the test of time. The convertible factor doesn't hurt either, and right now the weather is perfect for going topless.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
For sale: 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - SOLD...!!!...
This car is candy apple red - and driving it is just as sweet as the color sounds. The interior is balanced out in plush black leather with red stitching and a light gray Alcantara headliner. The convertible soft top is dark gray and in great condition - with only 1,895 miles, it hasn't been used much! Gray calipers, a battery conditioner and rear parking sensors round it out.
The car has power everything and is ready to go. There's a plaque in the engine bay that says the car's final inspection was performed by Mick Moten - it doesn't get any more personal than that! This car is class and performance personified.
The Vantage gets its power from a 4.3 liter V8, manipulated via an F1-style transmission. It's as much fun to drive as any other sports car today, and at a fraction of the price. Come by and take a test drive, either by appointment or simply by stopping in.
The car has power everything and is ready to go. There's a plaque in the engine bay that says the car's final inspection was performed by Mick Moten - it doesn't get any more personal than that! This car is class and performance personified.
The Vantage gets its power from a 4.3 liter V8, manipulated via an F1-style transmission. It's as much fun to drive as any other sports car today, and at a fraction of the price. Come by and take a test drive, either by appointment or simply by stopping in.
For sale: 2008 Ferrari F430 Spider F1 - SOLD...!!!...
Strike while the iron is hot. That's the old saying I've always heard. And it makes sense, too. The iron on the F430 Spider can't get much hotter right now. Rumors of the F430 replacement are spreading - and when pictures and information are released, everyone's going to want it. But until they can get it, they'll settle for this - the F430 Spider. It's like clockwork, it happens with every model. So why not get in before the mad dash? Once people start clamoring for these things, the price will only go up.
This particular example is liveried in Ferrari's classic Rosso Corsa, and the interior is outfitted in tan leather. Power Daytona seats, carbon fiber interior trim and a yellow tachometer compliment the cockpit. On the outside, the she's adorned with shields, red calipers, rear parking sensors, a carbon fiber rear panel, a black top and 3M protection. This car also comes with a car cover, air pump and a battery tender.
The summer heat is waning, and so too is the need for air conditioning. Now is the perfect time to drop the top and go for a cruise. When the top is down, the sound of the engine right behind your head is intoxicating. When you pull back on that upshift paddle and push your foot to the floor, the world on either side of you becomes a blur, and everything in front of you isn't in front of you for long. Call to make an appointment or simply drop in unannounced, and take her for a test drive. But be careful. Open air motoring in a contemporary Ferrari is very addictive.
This particular example is liveried in Ferrari's classic Rosso Corsa, and the interior is outfitted in tan leather. Power Daytona seats, carbon fiber interior trim and a yellow tachometer compliment the cockpit. On the outside, the she's adorned with shields, red calipers, rear parking sensors, a carbon fiber rear panel, a black top and 3M protection. This car also comes with a car cover, air pump and a battery tender.
The summer heat is waning, and so too is the need for air conditioning. Now is the perfect time to drop the top and go for a cruise. When the top is down, the sound of the engine right behind your head is intoxicating. When you pull back on that upshift paddle and push your foot to the floor, the world on either side of you becomes a blur, and everything in front of you isn't in front of you for long. Call to make an appointment or simply drop in unannounced, and take her for a test drive. But be careful. Open air motoring in a contemporary Ferrari is very addictive.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Service Obligations - 1988 328 GTS
This GTS is here for a major service. We're also replacing the clutch disc and the pressure plate, the transmission pan gasket, the oil pan gasket and the rear main seal. To see the rest of the pictures of this service project, click here.
Service Obligations - F355 Berlinetta
This red/tan Berlinetta was here for a cylinder head overhaul and a compression and leakdown test. Click here to see more images from this service project.
Service Obligations - 360 Spider F1
This F1 Spider is here because the engine light came on. After running the code, it turned out to be the fuel tank rollover valve. We did a smoke test and the car failed, showing that the valves leak. So now we're replacing the valves. If you want to see the rest of the pictures from this service project, click here.
Service Obligations - F355 Berlinetta
This Swaters Blue Berlinetta is here so we can do the clutch, and do an oil change. As a courtesy, and with the owner's okay, we're swapping the air in the tires with nitrogen. Click here to see the rest of the pictures of this service project.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Service Obligations - F355 Spider
This Serie Fiorano is here for a major service. We're also doing the inner axle boots. Click here to see more pictures of this service project.
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