Once upon a time, it was more than enough to own a supercar to prove your wealth. But what if your guests are in your apartment and can’t see what’s in your garage? In 2018, a Pagani Zonda R was used as wall art, and in 2023, a McLaren Senna GTR owner went viral for lifting his supercar 57 stories so it could be displayed in his apartment, and since then, there have been several others who have gone to similar lengths to display their love of exceptional cars. In some cases, luxury manufacturers themselves make it possible to display automotive art within arm’s reach of one’s living room with car lifts. But not all instances of mixing cars and architecture are caused by a need to preen, and not all such instances are acceptable to local authorities, as one man in Austria recently discovered.
Parking Dispute Leads to Ferrari Relocation, but Only Temporarily
According to German publication Bild, 28-year-old Amar Dezic, who owns and runs an auto parts and aftermarket tuning business in Vienna, Austria, was disappointed to be told by apartment management that they would not release a parking space for his Ferrari 296 GTB. The man reportedly owns several vehicles, including a Porsche Panamera, a BMW M2, and a Range Rover Sport, and he wanted one more garage space to safely store his supercar in for the winter. When his request was denied, he came up with another solution: crane the 819-horsepower supercar onto the terrace of his apartment. He also intended to house the 296 in an illuminated glass box “as a showcase for a work of art.” Unfortunately, the solution lasted all of one week: building inspectors ordered the Ferrari removed from his balcony, citing fire hazards as their main concern. Getting it up there cost him “in the four-figure range,” and he’ll presumably have spent a similar amount to undo the Ferrari’s placement.
The Ferrari’s Fate is a Dull but Sensible One
Dezic will now store the hybrid supercar in his company’s warehouse over the winter, but he’s frustrated, saying “only here” is housing a car in your apartment a problem. He’s referring, of course, to Dubai apartments that allow such extravagance, and perhaps, too, to the Melbourne-based Senna GTR owner we mentioned at the outset. The story is bound to divide opinion. On the one hand, it may seem like a harmless display of wealth, and a fire in the apartment building is probably unlikely, but on the other, it’s worth noting that the 296 GTB has been the subject of two recalls due to a fire risk, and even if it weren’t, anything can happen. What are your thoughts? Did authorities overreact, or are people like Dezic taking unnecessary risks to flaunt their wealth? Let us know in the comments below.
About the author
Sebastian Cenizo
Senior Editor, Autoblog