One of my weaknesses with cars tends to be the proverbial "last year" model of the production run. In many cases, these are the best looking, most developed vehicles in a series. Need proof? See the 1998 Porsche 993 (911), the 2001 E38 chassis BMW 7 series or this vehicle, the 1999 Ferrari F355 Spider. This car was the end of an era for the mid engined Ferrari. Styling touches such as the wedge shape, retractable headlights and large side scoops would be gone, replaced with the larger and more bulbous F360. The F360 was lighter and faster, but for me, it lost the magic that Ferraris of yore had. This particular F355 is in the lesser seen California Blue with dark blue leather.
Here is an absolutely stunning F355 Spider with a 6 speed manual. Finished in rare California Azzuro with dark blue interior. Only 19,925 miles with complete engine out major service and other work just completed (receipts present). Runs and drives excellent without any issues. Has an upgraded sound system and subwoofer and tinted windows. Has built in radar. Comes with all books, records, tools and tonneau cover and full Ferrari car cover. Has all keys and remotes. See picture of driver seat bolster; minor wear. This car was well taken care of and loved. This is the last year of production of 355 Spiders. Clean Carfax report available.
As always, recent servicing is a major selling point with Ferraris. It is nice that the seller included pictures of the service, as well. There is a bit more wear in the interior than I'm used to seeing with this kind of mileage, but overall not a bad example of the last of the breed. A breed which blended the sharp styling favored by enthusiasts with refinements like modern engine management systems and an electric convertible, making this F355 a more practical everyday proposition than its predecessors.
The Fiat 500, or Cinquecento, was Italy's answer to the people's car and had staying power. With a production run of twenty years, these cars still dominate Italy's roads, although the population has been waning a bit as of late. There were many variants of the 500, from the sporting Abarth, the canopy topped Jolly and the Multipla, which could be considered the progenitor of all small MPVs. There was also a longer, estate version of the 500, called the Giardiniera. This car had the engine laid under a flat boot floor and was the only 500 model to continue on with suicide doors into the 1970s. While not as well sorted as the 500 we featured last month, this example is complete and uncommon on these shores.
Specifications: FIAT/Autobianchi 500 'Giardiniera' Station Wagon.
Engine: Rear mounted, 2 horizontal in-line cylinders with overhead valve layout, air-cooled four-stroke of 499.5cc giving 17.5 bhp at 4,600 rpm.
Engine Lubrication: Pressure
Maximum Speed: 95 kph (59 mph)
Fuel Consumption: 5.2 litres per 100 km (54 mpg)
Gears: 4 speeds forward with 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears in constant mesh, plus reverse.
Final Drive Ratio: 5.125 to 1.
Brakes: Foot operated, manually adjusted hydraulic drum brakes to all four wheels with hand operated mechanical brake to rear wheels.
Note! the brakes of the 'Giardiniera' are larger than those used on the saloons.
Suspension: Front: Independent with transverse lower leaf spring and wishbones.
Rear: Independent with semi-trailing arms and large coil springs.
Note! Although the rear suspension layout is the same as the saloons, the trailing arms and coil springs are stronger to accomodate the weight of the longer body and extra cargo loads.
Telescopic shock absorbers to all four wheels, the rear ones being stronger than those fitted on the rear of the saloons.
12 Volt electrical system.
This car was remodeled approx 8 years ago, it has not been driven for about three years it would be wise to have the car serviced before taking out on the road! People will stop and look as you drive down the street, more then any other cars. Also the extras will go with car, two tires, seat covers, whatever is there I will included with the sale! I also believe that I have a copy of the manual, not the original but good enough.
I'm not sure how "only 327,000 produced" constitutes rare, but there's no telling how many of these little estates exist anymore, especially in the United States. With a bit of tidying up in the interior and a bit of polish, this could be a nice, unique urban runabout.
The 1960s were exciting times for Italian sports cars. The decade saw the birth of such icons as the Lamborghini Miura, Alfa Romeo Spider and Ferrari Daytona. We also saw the introduction of some fantastic touring vehicles, such as the Maserati Mexico. This car came about in a roundabout fashion. Upon crashing their 5000GT, a Mexican customer shipped their car back to Italy where it was given a special Vignale penned body, and was called the Mexico. Exhibited at the Turin Salon in 1965, the car was later seen coincidentally as a celebration of Maserati's Formula One victory at the Mexican Grand Prix the following season. Available with either a 4.2 liter or 4.9 liter V8, this four seater could reach over 150 mph. This Maserati also had the distinction of being their first car fitted with factory four wheel ventilated disc brakes, an amazing advancement for the time. This particular Mexico, for sale in the outskirts of Berlin, Germany, could be described as a driver with freshening throughout the years.
A highly elegant 4-seater GT coupe and should V8 engine to the upper class in the splendor of the Maserati brand shine even more. A total of 482 vehicles of this type were produced. The Maserati Mexico on offer is it is one of the vehicles that were equipped with the 4.2 liter engine. For years, the car has been lovingly cared for and maintained. In 1999 the vehicle got a new motor and in 2006 a further restoration. A few years ago the paint was renewed. The leather has a fine patina and still seems to be entirely original. Key to start the rotation, and a powerful V8? The car sounds perfect. Electric windows, classic vehicle.
The asking price of €59,750 (~ $75,800) is about in line with lesser known Italian classics from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati itself. I really admire this car because it has a nice patina, inviting a new owner to use this car as it was intended, rather than simply hide it away for investment purposes. Whether it is blasting down an Autobahn or going for a jaunt down Rt. 1 on the California coast, it would be nice to see such a nicely preserved, but used, example go to a loving home.
The Lamborghini Miura is the holy grail of classic Italian cars. Marcello Gandini took the world by storm when the P400 prototype debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in 1966. It popularized the "supercar" genre, as noted automotive journalist L.J.K. Setright used this term to describe the Miura upon reviewing it. To this day, the Miura is admired for its daring looks and innovative packaging. This car was a departure for Lamborghini, as they began by producing grand touring vehicles that were more comfortable and usable than comparable models from Ferrari. Not only was the car's looks revolutionary, but the drivetrain itself was rather advanced, as Lamborghini combined the engine and gearbox in one casting so transverse placement could be easily implemented. This concours example has around 13,000 miles and includes a certificate of authenticity from the factory.
This is the Supercar you have been waiting for – the rarely available Lamborghini Miura! Buy Now to get a jump start on this year's car show season. This 1968 Lamborghini Miura for sale is perfect for the discriminating auto enthusiast who knows that it is the original Miura P400 model that changed the sports car world forever (it wasn't the later S or SV models) when the first V-12 mid-engine production road car was shown at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show.
The Miura P400 model is the car that popularized the phrase "Supercar" when British motor journalist L. J. K. Setright wrote about the Lamborghini Miura in CAR magazine in the mid-1960s. It is the Miura P400 that established Lamborghini among the manufacturers of the world's highest performing and best looking sports cars. Ferrari didn't introduce its first V-12 mid-engine Boxer road car until 7 years after the Miura P400. Since it was introduced, the Miura is regularly noted as one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Even 45 years later, the Miura's design is timeless and holds its own against any sports car. The Miura P400 was the fastest production road car in the world in its time.
This specific Miura for sale is further distinguished by the fact that it is unrestored (with possible exception of some exterior paint) and properly maintained. A collector car can only be unmolested and original once, and most of the cars of this era have been modified in numerous ways (no longer as was produced by the factory). No expense has been spared to sort out the car and maintain it properly. All the normal maintenance items have been refreshed (lubricants, brakes, suspension, tires, etc.) at regular maintenance intervals to keep this a safe, high performing drive.
This specific Miura for sale was meticulously evaluated by the Lamborghini factory's Registro team (led by the factory's highly regarded test driver Valentino Balboni), and was given a certificate of originality (Certificato d'origine). This Miura is low mileage and regularly run to ensure it stays in good running condition. This car is well sorted and is very reliable. This car has been invited to numerous Concours d'Elegance events and is always among the people's favorites and has received numerous awards.
Given the age of the car it can never be certain what the true mileage is. When I bought the car in 2002, the Euro odometer read 12,427 KM (7,722 Miles). I had a US units speedometer installed (still have the original speedo) when I bought the car (to make measurements easier during road rallys), and the current odometer reads 5,385 Miles. Thus, the total known mileage of this Miura is 13,107 miles. The excellent original condition of the car would indicate this truly is a low mileage vehicle whatever the actual mileage is.
Quite simply, there never was a car like the Miura and we'll never see another one like it in the future. This car emerged at a time when regulations were lax and automotive designers played it fast and loose, limited only by their imaginations. I am quite glad that the Miura concept of 2006 didn't see the light of day, because this is one of those vehicles that deserves to be remembered as is. Any kind of tribute or revival would be sacriledge to the the original.
One of the Miura's most famous appearances on the silver screen was in the opening scene of the original Italian Job starring Micahel Caine and Noël Coward. As Matt Monro plays in the background, the character of Roger Beckermann casually hurdles the car around the tight roads of the Italian Alps. One surely isn't prepared for the disaster that hits a few scenes away.
Last month, we featured a Ferrari 412 which, from 1985 through 1989, continued the luxury 2+2 tradition for the marque. The 412 was never imported to the US, however, a few examples found their way stateside. In 1992, Ferrari brought back the idea of a front engined grand tourer in the form of the 456GT, which packed a 5.5 liter V12 engine derived from the Dino V6 which produced 436 horsepower. These coupes were offered with either a six speed manual or four speed automatic, which was an anomaly in the days when most Ferraris came with three pedals. Luckily our feature car has the manual gearbox to get the most enjoyment out of this sports coupe.
1995 Ferrari 456 GT, s/n ZFFSP44A5S0100212, Swaters Blue with Tan Leather
When it was introduced, Ferrari’s 456 attracted much positive attention. Since the early 70’s, the company’s 4-place cars were the only front-engined V12 cars, and their appearance was rather conservative and square-rigged. The 456’s dynamic stance and classical proportions caused enthusiasts and critics to make unsolicited comparisons to the legendary front-engined 12-cylinder Ferraris of the 1960’s and 1970’s, and with a 436hp 4-valve V12 and 6-speed gearbox, the 456 provided a level of performance that remains, even today, quite impressive. Indeed, with a top speed near 190mph, the car was the fastest 4-seat production car then available.
This particular example is a freshly serviced car with the desirable 6-speed option in wonderful swatters blue with tan leather. Exquisite exterior with excellent paint and virtually no road rash. Very nice interior with zero dash leather shrinkage. Major belt service just completed by Miller Motorcars. New tires just installed. Interior detailing and stickiness removal. Radiator serviced and window lifters updated. Records to support regular maintenance. Factory 10 disc CD Changer, 3M bra, Tubi Exhaust. Complete with owner’s manual, dealer directory, and pouch, records back to 2001, and the complete tool set. Clean CARFAX. Outstanding value in front engine V12 Ferraris plus seating for four!
Subtle, darker colors such as this hue work wonders for the 456's lines. While more expensive when new than the F550 Maranello, 456 prices have dipped a bit lower than the F550. While this car is roughly the price of a new Corvette, one should always go into Ferrari ownership with their eyes wide open, as maintenance costs for the less well heeled can be disastrous. Barring that, this is a nice example with recent service ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.
Since it's introduction in 2004, the fifth generation Maserati Quattroporte has been a great success for the company, blending the renowned 4.2 liter Ferrari sourced V8 in an executive sedan wrapper that has been the go to choice for those seeking more flair than what the average German executive sedan can offer. Previous generations of the Quattroporte were more obscure, mainly because their sales were paltry in comparison to the current model. Possibly the most well known out of the previous generations is the Quattroporte III, manufactured from 1979 through 1990. A little more than 2,100 were sold in total. While its Giugiaro penned lines were a bit sedate, the interior was classic Italian luxury, with copious amounts of well sewn, soft leather and polished wood. A 4.2 liter or 4.9 liter V8 engine could be had, most being teamed to a Chrysler Torqueflite automatic. A few models, however, were teamed with a ZF 5 speed manual. This particular Quattroporte is an early 1980 model with the 4.9 liter engine. Enthusiast owned, this car has had a lot of attention in the last several thousand miles.
This is the 1980 Maserati Quattroporte, "4porte" in Marrone Colorado Metallic Brown and Cognac Leather interior. It has Free and Clear Title, Current Registration, Original Window Sticker, Tool Kit, Manuals, Service Records and a clean Carfax report.
Recently passed the most stringent smog emissions test in the country; as a testament to how the 4.9 Liter 4 Cam V8 engine is operating, and I have had the transmission and rack & pinion steering fully rebuilt as a preventative measure for reliability. All original emissions equipment is intact. I believe I am the 3rd owner and have done the following things in the past 3,000 miles:
Rebuilt Transmission with rebuilt torque converter and New cooler lines.
Rebuilt Power Rack and Pinion Steering unit.
Upper front Ball Joints
Carburetors synced and tuned
New Sparkplugs.
All New Fluids and U-Joints Lubed
Remote Keyless Entry Installed
New fuel Filter
New exhaust gaskets
A/C converted to r134a Blows Cold
New Tires
New Rear Shock Absorber Bushings
Grease Fittings installed on Tie Rod Ends
Valve Cover Gaskets
New Battery
New Front Wheel Bearings
Rear Hub Bearings
New adjustable alternator voltage regulator
Completed in the last 10,000 miles:
New Water Pump
Valve Adjustment
Brake Pads
More items listed in available service records
Additional Items that will be included:
Original Tool Kit
Original Jack, Spare and Lug wrench
Original Window Sticker
Available Service Records
Owners, Parts, Service, Electrical and Radio Manuals
Spare Belt and Radiator Hose Set
Spare UFI Oil Filter
Lockable Car Cover
Sheepskin Front Lower Seat Covers
This is my 3rd Quattroporte and my 1st 1980 model. My previous were an 1982 and 1984 and they are very similar with very minor changes. One of the advantages of the 1980 model is that it has the simple European carb airbox that's easy to remove for access. I really like the Marrone color which suits the period and understated styling. This car has an amazingly preserved interior for it's age. The leather is still supple and wood in great condition. I covered the top wood dash panels with alacantra panels (like 1984 +) that are removable to protect from the sun. The rear deck area has some warp-age but since the rear window is tinted, it is not noticeable unless pointed out.
The Quattroporte III as she is known was officially imported to the USA as a 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985-6. Years were skipped to save money on federalization. The later models were the Royale versions. They are robust and straight forward cars to run and maintain as the engines are reliable and under-stressed. Parts are readily available through several sources. The automatic transmission suits this car well and is a Chrysler 727 torqueflite with the lock up converter. I have had it fully rebuilt and shifts very nicely. Much has been written about the Quattroporte III, some accurate, others just plain wrong. They drive much smaller than they appear and I enjoy it most cruising around with the windows down in town, listening to the V8 burble or blasting down the Highway at speed and comfort.
For a 31 year old, the car is in great overall condition. All instruments work as do the power accessories. The paint is nice and shiny with minor flaws that will not show in photographs except for some chips that occurred when my bicycle fell against the passenger side door (see photos). Other than a keyless entry system, the twin exhaust tips, and upgraded Carrera Front Shocks and Adjustable alternator voltage regulator, it has not been modified or personalized in anyway to take away from how she was born.
The car tracks down the freeway and brakes straight and true, starts right up hot or cold and sounds great! The mileage may go up a little as I believe these cars should be driven often as possible. Most of the 4portes that I have seen for sale lately have not been cared for very well and would take much effort and funds to duplicate this example. I have spent the last 6 months sorting her out for someone to enjoy as it's time for another motorcycle for me. In all, the Maserati Quattroporte is a great way to enjoy Italian exotic car ownership and represents a tremendous value for a car that sold in excess of $55,000 in 1980! If you have any questions please email or call 310-406-6767. Below are over 100 photos to document the cars condition. A youtube video can be seen by searching for 4porte and my ebay ID c20500.
Having owned three third generation Quattroportes, the seller is an obvious expert with regards to this executive sedan. With the amount of maintenance and repairs undertaken, this is the kind of car someone in the market for one of these would want, as these are not cheap vehicles to run if something goes wrong. All in all, a very nice example of Italy's interpretation of what a big luxury sedan should be.
Taking public transport to work everyday isn't a joy. Ask anyone. Attempting to zone out the misery, I was listening to one of my favorite albums on my iPod, "La Musica Italiana." It's a compilation of Italo-Disco and other pop classics that helps me ignore my miserable commute and transports me back to the Old World. Why is this pertinent to this post? On the cover of this album is a red Fiat 1500 Cabriolet, just like our feature car. The 1500 shared little with its sedan counterpart, other than the 1.5 liter, 72 horsepower four cylinder engine. While the 1500 is a tad overshadowed by its successor, the 124 Spider, for me the 1500 represents the classic Italian sports car.
History: Launched in 1960 the Fiat 1500 Cabriolet had similar styling to the Fiat-Oscar model, although minus the other cars bonnet bulge. With only a 1481cc engine the 1500 Cabriolet was also slower than the Oscar model although its performance was far from disappointing. Standard equipment for both the 1500 Cabriolet and Coupe included servo assisted front disc brakes and a generous level of interior trim. The body itself was styled by Pininfarina and was extremely elegant. These Cabriolets were also commonly known as Spiders. Production of the 1500 sports range lasted until 1967.
Details
Car Condition: High End Level
This beautiful 5 speed Fiat is red with tan interior and a black top. It features an aluminum engine, 155 SR 14 Z X tires with steel wheels, bucket seats, roll up windows and 91,850 miles showing. It is a 4 cyl, 9:1 compression engine and is rear wheel drive with a lever carburetor. It is a sporty, fun and economical car that would make a great addition to any Fiat collector’s garage.
While the seller doesn't list the price, my best guess is this car would realistically fetch around $20,000 to $25,000 on a good day, making it a more financially reasonable alternative to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. It looks to be a survivor with a bit of freshening up, but presents very well. And who couldn't love that white Veglia tachometer?
The Alfa Romeo 1900 was a series of firsts for Alfa Romeo. In addition to being the first all new postwar vehicle, it was also the first to be built on an assembly line and the first Alfa to employ unibody construction. Marketed as a family car with a racing heritage, the 1900 employed a 1.9 liter, twin cam four cylinder engine which produced 90 horsepower. An impressive figure, considering some American cars of the day were using engines two and three times larger that struggled to produce much more power.
This particular 1900 was bought new in South Africa and brought over to the United States only recently, in the hands of the original owner. This Alfa has an impressive story for such an ordinary car and would be a standout at almost any car show one could think of.
1958 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sedan, s/n AR1900*19202*, Engine no. AR1306*19685*
Silver Blue Metallic with Grey/Green Interior. The 1900 was Alfa Romeo’s first all new postwar model and featured a number of innovative features including unit chassis, and dual overhead cam inline-4 with hemispherical combustion chambers and an aluminum alloy cylinder head. The majority of 1900’s produced were sedan models as offered here, while a minority of the total production numbers were coachbuilt cars by Touring, Ghia, and Zagato.
This particular car is a charmingly undisturbed, exceptional tight example showing just 53,325 original miles. It was sold new to South Africa, and remained with its first owner until 2008, importing in to the United States (Arizona) when he immigrated. During 2010, in the hands of the current owner, the car successfully completed the California Mille Miglia.
Best described as a largely unrestored, ‘exceptionally nice driver’ example, this car will be particularly appealing to the Italian car enthusiast whom values the coherent feel of a low mileage, unrestored car. Unbelievably cool, and eligible for numerous premier events, this 1900 makes a wonderful diversification for any Italian car collection. $89,500
At first I did a double take over the price of this car. These are surely rare cars in the United States and to find an original, preserved example is near impossible. But closing in on $100,000 for a 1950s four cylinder Alfa Romeo sedan? Even with the most ardent Alfa enthusiasts, I have a hard time seeing a car like this break $40,000 to $50,000, with a price of around $30,000 as a more realistic, yet still optimistic value. Barring that issue, this is a really nice example of where it all started for Alfa-Romeo post World War II.
The Ferrari 308 and 328 were icons of the 1980s, made popular by the television series Magnum P.I. and by the sheer amount produced, which was a little over 18,000 units. The 308 was even campaigned in Group 4 Rally, racking up a number of wins from 1979 through 1984. When the last 328 rolled off the assembly line in Maranello in 1989, it's replacement, the 348, had big shoes to fill. Over six years, the 348 proved to be rather underwhelming. After owning one, Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo stating "with the exception of its good looks I was utterly disappointed. This was clearly the worst product Ferrari had developed for some time."
These were fairly strong words for what has proven to be a proud company with a storied history. Now these have become rather forgotten, as enthusiasts remember the 348's successor, the F355, as one of the last "classic" Ferraris, unburned with complex gearboxes and futuristic yet sometimes fussy styling.
This is without a question one of the most handsome and sensible Ferraris one could ever desire or find. It is finished in a flawless fly yellow with impeccable (and rare) tan leather interior and perfect headliner. It is powered by a 3.4L V8 fuel injected DOHC 32V engine and has a manual 5 speed gear change. No accidents, it has a clean Carfax and has been exquisitely kept both mechanically and cosmetically. Tools, books and extensive records included. The colors of fly yellow with a deep tan leather interior are one of the most beautiful combinations to emerge from Ferrari. It has gone only 54,601 certified miles and a finer example of the great marquise could not be found and is for the true connoisseur.
A Ferrari for under $40,000 is very tempting, especially as modern as this one. This one comes with a service history and presents well, but it goes without saying that one will have to account for future maintenance costs, which are more frequent and costlier than your daily driver. In Giallo, this 348 looks sharp and while well used in Ferrari terms, with care, it should provide plenty of enjoyment in the future, even if deemed a lesser Ferrari by the Chairman himself.
So far, we've featured cars from the United States, United Kingdom, France and Japan which have all been influenced by Italian design. Saving the best for last, here is a BMW styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro which represented year dot for the Motorsports badge on street BMWs: the M1. Lamborghini helped bring this car to market for BMW, via a homologation agreement resulting in the only mid-engined, mass-produced BMW. From 1978 through 1981, 455 examples were manufactured and featured an exotic 3.5 liter inline six with 24 valves and 273 horsepower. The engine would later be pressed into service in the E24 M6, E28 M5 and a special, low volume version of the E23 745i made especially for the South African market. With such low production numbers, the M1 is one of the priciest classic BMWs, with mint condition examples fetching well over $100,000 on a regular basis. This example in Florida is one of the last to be produced and could possibly be the lowest mileage example outside of BMW's own collection.
The 3rd or 4th from the end of the production. We got this car from a long time owner in California. It has to be one of the lowest mileage M1's available. Excellent condition condition inside and out. Mechanically perfect. EPA & DOT certified. We've sold over 20 M1's and this is one of the best we've had.
I have never seen many M1s in silver, but I did have a Matchbox model of the M1 painted silver growing up. A significant enough vehicle to garner its own racing series for two years, the M1 has never been forgotten by enthusiasts and there's been chatter over the years that BMW would revive the idea of building a low volume supercar, especially with the arrival of the Audi R8. This car is an amazing example of Italian flair and German practicality wrapped into one lust worthy package. Hopefully this example gets snapped up by a responsible collector who preserves it for future generations, while hopefully going over it and maybe giving it a little exercise in between.
