Ferrari. The prancing black horse on yellow background.
Bright, bold red paintwork. Classic italian design.
What is it about the Ferrari brand that enthusiasts are drawn to?The Ferrari Owners Club of New Zealand president Philip Horrocks, of Auckland, tried to put it into words during the club's annual meeting over the weekend.
''It's the history, it's the brand. That's part of it. The cars are fantastic, they are like nothing else to drive. They have the X-factor that makes the difference,''The most amazing experience to remember is just driving off for the first time. It is unreal.''
Many members of the 200-plus-strong club from across New Zealand had wanted a Ferrari since they were children, Mr Horrocks said.
Owning the yellow badge of Ferrari was an amazing feeling.
''If you went into the garage of a club member there would be a Ferrari, memorabilia, merchandise . . . it's a love for the marque and the brand, and being a part of that, owning a part of automotive history.''
Members of the club, which was about 28 years old, were in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago regions over the weekend, taking in the sights by car.
Many of the group had converged on the area from across New Zealand, as far away as Kerikeri. Just over 100 members and 50 cars were present.
Ranging in age from a 1948 model to a 2014 model, the vehicles spanned a price range of $40,000 to $4 million, Mr Horrocks said.
Some were brand new, others imported, and some handed down through generations.
Members of the club comprised a cross-section of society, and despite often being labelled as ''rich and stuck-up'' due to their cars, they were actually a down-to-earth bunch, Mr Horrocks said.
They were just people who had a love and passion for cars, he said.
How could one get to own a Ferrari?''You save every penny until you can do it. There is no easy answer.''
