| Long before Miami Vice transformed the '80s television landscape into a pastel collage of linen trousers, Ferrari replicas, and phallic powerboats, the undisputed king of American cool-crime TV entertainment was Magnum P.I.. As portrayed by Tom Selleck, the famously mustachioed private investigator solved crimes, wore embarrassingly short shorts, and, more often than not, got the girl, all the while traversing the island in a genuine Ferrari 308. So popular was the show, the 308 and Mr. Magnum's Hawaiian environs would remain forever inextricably entwined with the collective psyche of a generation, although possibly nowhere more so than in the heart and mind of superfan Justin Berzon. Although the show was already in its fourth season at the time, then three-year-old Berzon's first exposure to the Ferrari occurred on the street in front of his Columbus, Ohio, home. Positively ID'ing the car as a Ferrari 308 and later making the connection with TV's favorite private dick only served to fuel Berzon's passion for the model to a level that would ultimately outlast Magnum's eight-season run. Twenty-nine years and a move to Chicago later, a marathon viewing session of retro Magnum episodes would rekindle Berzon's lust for the 308, spurring him on a search for a Ferrari to call his own. A few came close, but after an unsuccessful two-year search, Berzon finally arrived at the only logical conclusion: He must throw himself a Magnum-themed birthday party, complete with a Ferrari 308 GTS serving as the centerpiece. To ensure his soirée was infused with the appropriate panache, Justin decided but one place would do: Roy's Hawaiian Fusion in downtown Chicago. To his relief, the staff at Roy's shared his kooky enthusiasm, and eagerly signed on for the festivities. The plans included leis and mustaches for the guests, episodes of Magnum P.I. to be screened on the monitors, Ferrari 308 centerpieces for the tables, and one hell of a prop—an authentic Ferrari 308 parked inside the dining area. Leaving nothing to chance, Justin enlisted the help of an official Ferrari shop manual to peg the overall width of the 308 GTS at exactly 67.7 inches, just narrow enough to squeak though the 70-inch double-door opening to Roy's. But the girth-related giddiness was short-lived: Brenan Sharp, Justin's friend, unrepentant party-pooper, and the photographer responsible for the images seen here, questioned if the 308's stated width measurement included the side mirrors. "No, it doesn't," deadpanned Berzon, pausing for effect, "But they fold!" The party was on. A short search turned up a suitable Ferrari 308 GTSi at the Windy City Motorsports, and Justin turned on the charm, getting the Chicago dealership to agree to a short-term loan of the 308 for the evening. With the party plans in full swing, Windy City was later forced to rescind their offer due to a pending sale on the car in question. Undeterred, the intrepid Berzon reached out to the Ferrari community via FerrariChat.com; his post eventually received 4000 views and offers to supply a car if he would move the party closer to their homes. He resolved to keep the party in Chicago with or without a Ferrari 308.
In a turn of events worthy of a Magnum P.I. plot twist, Justin received a call from Windy City Motorsports the day before the party indicating that the sale fell through, and that they'd be glad to have the car transported to Chicago for the festivities. As Justin had already informed most of his friends that the car would be a no-show, the last minute switch-up restored an element of surprise for the revelers. Arriving fashionably late on the day of the party, the 308 created a mini-stir outside the restaurant as it was lowered from a flatbed truck and eased up the street, across the sidewalk, and into position for its grand entrance. When staged for entry, it became apparent that the hinges of Ray's front entrance were bulkier than first believed, narrowing the clearance to just one inch overall—possibly less. After much discussion and about five minutes of delicate maneuvering, the 308 GTSi squeaked through the opening and across the threshold, revving the dining room accompanied by a round of applause, not unlike if Magnum himself was at the wheel pursuing a rogue shrimp cocktail or some some bikini-clad babes on the deck at the King Kamehameha Club. After finding its spot for the night above a protective tarp, the engine was shut down and battery disconnected, lest an over-served party guest decide to re-enact the episode where a drunken party guest drives a Ferrari through a Hawaiian-themed restaurant. (We're guessing this plot device was featured in at least one of Magnum's 162 episodes.) Fully ensconced in Roy's and surrounded by guests-cum-Magnum characters—do names like Rick, T.C., and Higgins stir some memories?—appetizers were served while the initial seven minutes of the Magnum P.I. premiere episode rolled on the monitors. According to photographer Sharp, "There was a constant temptation to get up from your seat and caress this rolling sculpture, and, for once, it was perfectly okay for anyone in attendance to do so. Guests were just as amazed at the accomplishment as they were the car itself." After dinner, the party posed for a group photo with the car, and slowly returned to the reality of Ferrari-free day-to-day life. And, just like in the show, Magnum had to relinquish the Ferrari's keys at the end of the night. And yes, Higgy baby, a good time was had by all.  from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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