‘Bad boy’ Allie Ash

In a recent interview with Allie Ash at his Ferrari of Washington (FoW) dealership, we got the opportunity to take a closer look at the man behind the dream.

Allie Ash says he always wanted a Ferrari. So much so, he finally bought his first Ferrari in 1992 – his ideal car. And he liked it so much, he bought the Washington-area franchise in 1994, and moved its operations to Dulles, where the cars not only get their proper respect, but also thousands of wishful admirers passing by every day on Va. 28.

According to Ash, owning a Ferrari is more than owning a fast car, a dream car, “it’s a passion.” Is it the mystique, the essence or the personality of the lauded Ferrari brand? He just says it’s the commitment between man and machine. “To mishandle a Ferrari,” says Ash, is “sacrilege.”

“When you buy a Ferrari, you’re actually joining a club,” says Ash. Not only are there a number of manufacturer events, but also rallies, parties and more sponsored by local dealers like Ash. “You’re one a few,” he says. “... there’s only about 1,000 Ferraris registered in the area and we’re all [true] ‘car guys.’”

Ash goes on to explain that the “club” is comprised of people from all walks of life, where “members” don’t really know if the fellow they are sharing conversation with is a CEO or an insurance salesman who has saved nickels and dimes for 25 years to pursue his dream. “All we know is that all of us have the passion.”

Ash says when he drives one of the two Ferraris he owns, “it’s a knee-jerk reaction. I open he door, settle in, start the engine and I just start smiling.” He can’t help himself, it’s instantaneous – the indescribable feeling of massive horsepower about to be unleashed. His wife says these are “bad boy cars,” or cars for “boys with a streak for taking chances.”

Watching his face when he talks about “the feeling,” you almost feel it yourself. Heck, he smiles just talking about it.

The black prancing horse, the famous “Cavallo Rampante with it flowing tail and mane,” is recognized world over as the symbol of one of the greatest performance cars of all time. And as Ash said, the car is pretty rare – Ferrari only builds about 4,500 cars a year, and just a handful come to our region. Since only a handful are available each year, you’ve got to put your order in quickly. In fact, Ash says their list is full for the next six years.

Ash says he particularly likes it when he’s able to call a buyer and tell him that it’s time to choose his color. “He’s been waiting for that call,” says Ash. “It’s like Christmas and we’re delivering the presents.”

Not only does Ash drive a Ferrari, he races them as well. His office is full of photos of him driving and winning and others of the racing team Ferrari of Washington sponsors. The team consists of six cars, each driver-owned, and is managed by Arnie Poundstone of FoW.

Touring the service area at Ferrari of Washington is a treat in itself. Not a speck of dirt or a smudge of oil can be found on the sparkling floor, but what you do find is everyone smiling. Every technician, every employee ... they know they’re in rarified atmosphere. Ash says this is one service area where owners are not only allowed, but encouraged. Everywhere you look is another Ferrari, Maserati or Lamborghini (the dealership offers both cars as well), lovingly being tended to by certified technicians.

"A Ferrari owner is typically male, and more likely to ask who is working on his car before he'll ask who is sleeping with his wife," says Ash, explaining the relationship between man, machine and the machine's "caretaker." In fact, several of the technicians own their own Ferraris and are members of the racing team, so they more than understand this "very personal relationship that develops between the owner and the technician."

As to the typical (if you can ever say that) Ferrari buyer, Ash says they're very well educated about the car before walking into the Dulles showroom. "They know as much as we do before they buy the car," he says. "They know what they want, and they're willing to wait ... [for a dream come true]." Is Allie Ash really a "bad boy?" Certainly not in the truest sense of the word. But when it comes to Ferraris, there's no stopping this man when his eyes start shining and that smile slides across his face.

Ferrari of Washington is located at 45235 Towlern Place, Dulles; 866-217-2112.

– Susan L. Neer, Managing Editor