Monthly Archives: February 2012

Lancia

1962 Lancia Flaminia Berlina

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Named after Via Flaminia, the road from Rome to Rimini, the Lancia to bear this road's name was the brand's flagship for 13 years. The Berlina, or sedan, version was the only variant not to be built by an independent carrozzeria. With a V6 engine, double wishbone front suspension and rear mounted transaxle, these were very advanced sedans for their day. This was also the last Lancia to be built at the Borgo San Paolo factory. This example for sale is a bit rough around the edges, but with a bit of freshening up and a few fixes, would make for a usable classic and great conversational piece.

1962 Lancia Flaminia Berlina

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1962 Lancia Flaminia Berlina. First off I am selling the car for one of my customers. The car is in good running condition, the chassis is solid and the transmission and brakes are in good order. The body is solid but there is some minor but not insignificant rust in the bottoms of the two right side doors.

The good: All glass is good, trim other than the rear bumper is in good order. The center section of the rear bumper is in need as are the over riders of repair and re-chroming. The bottom of the car is very solid, and dry. The car runs very well and starts easily, and has a silky smooth engine. Driveshaft is in good order with good flex joints no vibration . Solid original battery tray, see the pics... when was the last time you saw that on a Flaminia?

The Bad: The clutch is slipping and will need replacing. Some rust in passenger side door bottoms (see pics)

More good: Interior seats were redone and very nice, headliner is original and in good condition, door panels are also original and in good serviceable condition. Same is true of the floor mats and trunk floor rubber mats which are in good condition. Front wheels are the correct 400 mm rims the rear wheels were modified at some point in the cars history, with 15 inch outer rims adapted to the original inner centers. Hub caps are all nice.

Some more bad: Paint is dead and needs to be stripped and re done. Tachometer not working. Wipers not working. Turn signals come on but do not flash, suspect most of these issues are easily remedied and are a function of the car having sat for some years. The clutch clearly needs replacing, as it slips under acceleration. There is a small area just behind the front most sub-frame mount on the body has some rust in it. Rear bumper center needs straightened and re-chromed.

The better: Includes, original factory Brochure, parts book service manual owners manual. Comes with 2 good spare windshields, and one back glass, spare steering box, misc other parts including and extra good distributor. With the clutch replaced, a set of tires and a major service I believe the car would be a great driver.

Car has a clear Washington State Title. it currently shows 38,038 KM, I can only surmise that is 98,038 KM. Chassis number is 81310 5294 engine number is 81310 5237, and not Lancia's did not have matching engine and chassis numbers. I have every reason to believe this is the original motor. The car is available for local sale and can be removed at any time. If your serious about the car I suggest you call. Not many of these in this kind of condition.

While this car isn't perfect, it has solid bones and make for a good restoration project. Some of the parts needed are included and if one is able to source a good specialist mechanic, this could be a great foreign alternative to your typical American iron at your local classic car show and a shining example of Lancia's engineering foresight.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1989 Ferrari 328GTS

It was fitting that production of the Ferrari 328 ceased production in 1989; as one of Ferrari’s most recognizable cars, it was an icon of 1980s pop culture. The 328’s styling was given styling tweaks and a bored out 3.2 liter V8 engine to bring it up with the times and freshen it up until the (often lamented) 348 arrived. While the 270 horsepower output is nothing to get excited in this day and age of stratospheric engine output, it was enough to catapult the 328 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. This particular 328 GTS Targa for sale in New York is one for the serious collector with under 9,000 miles and has the advantage of the seller offering a fresh service upon sale.

1989 Ferrari 328GTS

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This stunning 1989 GTS has covered only 8,707 miles and is likely one of the best and most original examples you are will find. Featured in Red with Black leather the car has never been damaged or had paintwork. The tires were recently replaced and the car includes service history along with the original books and tools. In my opinion the 328 is among the best Ferrari models to purchase and own now. The 328 is among the most reliable and usable mid-engine Ferraris and the most refined of the line that started with the 308. The subsequent models, like the 348 and 355, introduced more complicated electronics and require the engine to be removed for a major service, making them much more maintenance-intensive. Leonardo Fioravanti designed some of the most collectible Ferrari models including the famed Dino. You can see his design heritage in the iconic lines of the 328 and for that reason I personally feel the 328 to have a greater upside than other models of the period. I am not alone in that assessment because the market is already valuing the most pristine 328's higher than comparable condition 348 or 355 models, and the value of the very best examples is moving up on 360 territory. I would not be surprised to see the 328 follow in the Dino's footsteps with respect to future appreciation.

Among the photos posted with this auction are a copy of the Carfax report and a photo of a receipt from 2008 showing the most recent major service including timing belts. The belts were previously replaced in 2001. No expense was spared in maintaining this car to the highest standards.
Berlinetta Motorcars in Huntington, New York, specializes in service, repair and restoration of Enzo-Era Ferraris and I am offering this car through Berlinetta on behalf of a client. The car is available for inspection in Huntington, New York.

Berlinetta has been dedicated to Ferrari for over 30 years and takes great pride in accurately representing the cars we offer for sale. We want you to purchase with confidence and to that end we inspected this car thoroughly to identify any areas that might need attention. The one thing we found is that there is some leakage from the cam seals. This is something that happens from age, not from mileage, and we suggest that it is the only item that needs attention. Gaining access to the cam seals entails much of the work involved in changing the timing belt, so although the belt is only three years old, we would suggest that it be replaced at the same time. With the new belt and cam seals, the car will be fresh and up-to-date with regard to these time related issues.

So while you are bidding or negotiating a purchase price on this car, we propose to include a complete major service, with replacement of the timing belt and cam seals, which will be done at no cost for purchaser after closing on the sale. Alternatively, we are willing to negotiate a price without the service if you wish to defer the cam seal replacement until the next timing belt service is due. The car runs and drives properly without further attention at this time, and it is possible that someone inspecting this car could easily miss the cam seal issue. But Berlinetta could not offer the car without disclosing it. That said, the service we are offering is valued at about $5,000. We feel that having a documented service done by Berlinetta in the new owner's name will be a genuine addition to the value of the car.

The one advantage to the 328, over many Ferraris, is that much of the service can be carried out without having to drop the engine out of the car. Resale values for these 328 models typically hover in the $40,000 to $60,000 range depending on mileage and condition, but have been creeping up lately due to the desirability of this model and the fact that it is creeping closer to classic status.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1969 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

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The Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 is one of the greatest Italian sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s and this is reflected in recent market values. With a twin cam, 1779cc four cylinder engine, slick 5 speed gearbox and disc brakes at all four wheels wrapped in Bertone styling, what’s not to like? While you usually see these coupes in red, blue or silver, this particular GTV in Giallo Orca strikes a nice period look for one of Alfa Romeo’s most legendary sports cars.

1969 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

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This 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 in Giallo Ocra (Yellow Ocra) embodies the style and performance of the Italian car maker in the late 1960's. This is a rare opportunity to own and drive a classice piece of Alfa Romeo history. Everything about this classic is in working condition (all instruments, panels, switches, etc.)

After 42 years, this car is still running beautifully. The engine is in pristine condition and still rides wonderfully. The transmission works great and gear shifts are smooth. The transition to 2nd gear is free from the grinding that was common among several Alfa models. With the exception of some minor dents and dings (highlighted in the photos) the body looks great. The rare, and distinctive Giallo Ocra paint is completely original with the exception of the rocker panels which are coated in a black, texturized paint which was meant to protect from rocks and chipping. It is unfortunate that the paint was not applied to match the rest of the car, but it has served its purpose in protecting the rockers.

The car is protected with both a Ziebart undercoating as well as an additional rust-proofer. There is no traces of rust anywhere on the car including the normal trouble spots (ie. door jams, tire wells, jack points, etc.) Please note that in photo of spare tire well, there is an overspill of the Ziebart which is the black tar seen in the photo. The interior is like new and features the "flying buttress" seats made for both comfort and a sport-like feel. Brand new custom floor mats with golden emblems are a great compliment to the interior. As mentioned earlier, everything is in working condition. There is no need to ask if something works, everything functions properly.

Listed below are all of the updates and repairs that have been made recently.

New fuel pump and fuel filters; Fuel tank has been re-coated with Tephlon
1 New Brake Booster
Master cylinder has been rebuilt
New Straight Tailpipe
New Pads and Rotors
New U-joint, Center Supports and bearing
2 New Motor Mounts
New Trans Mount
All new Tie Rods
New Clutch Master and Clutch Slave, Flex Hose and Clutch Disc
New Custom Gold Emblem Floor Mats
2 New Rear quarter panel badges
New Caster Bushing
New Inner and Outer Shift Boot
New Battery
New Tires

With a starting bid of $18,000, we’re in the ball park in terms of value. With a no reserve, I would guess this example would fetch just shy of $25,000, given the cosmetic blemishes and non-original Ziebart rust proofing. These were not inexpensive cars in their day, as they cost significantly more than the Ford Lotus Cortina and BMW 2002 while costing just a tad less than the contemporary Jaguar E-Type. Parts are still relatively easy to find and servicing should not be as challenging as some Italian exotics, as long as you can source a mechanic with diversified experience in European motors. With Alfa Romeo’s imminent return to the US market, I would wager to say it’s a good time to buy one of these classic sports coupes, as they would be a more sound investment than common stock given current economic conditions.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1986 Alfa Romeo 90

The middle of the 1980s was an interesting time for Alfa Romeo. The company was on its last legs as an independent automobile manufacturer, as Fiat assumed control of the company in 1986. The lineup was a bit checkered, as the Alfa Romeo Arna, a joint venture vehicle between Nissan and Alfa Romeo, was offered until 1987. The evergreen Spider and GTV Coupe headed up the sports car offerings for the marque and the 90, featured here, was to be slotted in the range between the smaller Alfetta sedan and the flagship Alfa Romeo 6. Introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1984, the 90 was based on the Alfetta's front engine/rear drive chassis with a rear mounted gearbox. Six engines were offered in the 90; two four cylinder units, a 2.5 liter, five cylinder turbo diesel and two V6 engines, a 2.5 liter and smaller 2.0 liter variant. The smaller 2.0 liter V6 was offered mainly to escape Italian road tax, and that is the engine with which our feature car is equipped.

1986 Alfa Romeo 90

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I would imagine that this rare Bertone design Alfa 90 (Novanta in italian) would probably be the first one to make it to America. Have you ever seen one? It’s already extremely rare in Europe as the Alfa 75 (Milano) came along the next year and was cheaper and more successful back then.

56,428 Novanta were built between 1984 and 1987 and only 6,912 with the V6 engine from wich less than 1,000 came with the 2.0l V6 that was a special for the Italian market only. All other V6s were 2.5l. This true time capsule example can only be the best one in the world. Sold new in Milan to a man born in 1938 who’s been the only driver until last year when I bought it and imported it in Belgium.

25.603 kilometers from new, that’s 16.002 original Miles on a accident free car that is 110% original. Every details looks and feels absolutly new. From the original leather on the steering Wheel to the way the gear knob feels when you change gears. Even the spare Wheel is new/unused If there was a way to feel inside an Alfa show-room in 1986 this is the closest you’ll get. There is 2 scratches on the rear bumper that you can see on the pics, that’s it. Full service was done 3 mounth ago including timebelt.

Like the Alfa Romeo 6 we featured last week, this is one of those Alfa Romeo sedans that, even on the Continent, is becoming a rare sight. You are most certainly never going to find another one in this condition with this kind of mileage. The styling is truly love it or hate it, as it is rather boxy in a 1980s Volvo kind of way. One unique feature on this car is the adjustable chin spoiler which deployed above a certain speed, similar to certain Porsche 911 models. According to the website "How Many Left," there are but two Alfa Romeo 90s left on the road in the United Kingdom. That gives you an idea of how rare this car is. It may not be the most desirable Alfa Romeo, but hopefully it is snapped up by a collector so the breed does not see extinction in the near future.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1964 Iso Rivolta GT300

American engines combined with European chassis have made for some of the most interesting vehicles over the course of automotive history. The Jensen Interceptor we featured last month was an amazing combination of American muscle, British engineering and most importantly, Italian styling. The AC Ace and Sunbeam Alpine were transformed into automotive monsters when Carroll Shelby worked his magic on them with Ford’s V8 engines. A lesser known example of American and European collaboration was the Iso Rivolta. Developed by Italian engineer Renzo Rivolta, who was famous for bringing the Isetta microcar to market, this grand touring coupe combined the 327 cubic inch V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette and two door body shell designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro during his stint at Bertone. This was a stately machine, with a presence which rivaled Maseratis of the day. Over eight years, nearly 800 were sold and are sought after today by collectors seeking something just a bit more special than your “average” Ferrari or Maserati.

1964 Iso Rivolta GT300

With maniacal care, restored perfectly. 44,308 km (~ 27,500 mi).

While no price is listed, if I had to take a stab, I’d say a car like this, fully restored, could bring anywhere between $40,000 to $70,000 in today’s market. These are not well known stateside, but those who know this car recognize it for being one of the most subtle and desirable combinations of American power and Italian coach building to emerge from the 1960s.

-Paul

Fiat

1982 Fiat 2000 Spider

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Along with the Alfa Romeo Spider, the Fiat 124 and 2000 Spider were some of the most iconic Italian roadsters from the 20th century. Having enjoyed a long 19 year production run, these cars outlasted their parent brand in the United States. This 1982 model represents the final year Fiats were sold new in the United States until the brand returned last year with the Nuova 500. For the car's final three years on sale in the US, it would be called the Pininfarina Spider; essentially the same car minus the Fiat badge. It isn't hard to find good 124 and 2000 Spiders these days; the later models with the larger, federally mandated bumpers being more common.

1982 Fiat 2000 Spider

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Body restored and engine rebuilt in 2004. Approximately 9,000 miles on the rebuilt engine. Engine: new head, bearings, piston rings, timing belt, tensioning bearing, fuel pump, water pump. Transmission: New clutch and throwout bearing. Body: Paint base coat clear coat. New convertable top, rechromed bumpers, roll bars, original wheels have been painted. Interior: New carpet, original seats, steering wheel.

Clean, mint condition 124 and 2000 Spiders hover in the $10,000 to $15,000 range these days, with later fuel injected models with the 5 speed manual bringing the better money. This restoration looks very complete, as the paint, interior and wheels look top notch. There's even a nice roll bar installed, which had me thinking for a minute. My father owned a 1968 124 Spider and he autocrossed it on a regular basis with some success. For the brave new owner willing to fit a set of competition tires on a second set of rims, this would prove to be a very worthy and unique entry in a local parking lot course near you.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider

Another week, another Alfa Romeo Spider. I can't get enough of these Series 4 Spiders and here's another good example with low mileage, 5 speed manual transmission and desirable red over black interior. This is not the uplevel Veloce model like the last Spider we featured, but with power windows, leather and suede interior and alloy wheels.

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider

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1991 Alfa Romeo Spider finished in Rosso Corsa over black interior. This Alfa is in fantastic overall condition. Baby red has only 39,600 original miles (only 2,000 miles a year average). If you are looking for a true Italian sports car that looks and runs great this is the car for you. Alfa Spiders are amazing to drive and this little baby loves to rev and sounds fantastic. Runs through all gears smoothly (no second gear grind). Has good brakes, tight suspension and steering. The paint on the car is great, interior looks stellar, cloth top has been replaced recently. Tires are new.

This is a two owner car sold new in Canada. Original owner moved to California. Car has always been garaged. The odometer shows in kilometers. This Alfa is equipped with a Clarion radio, CD. Series 4 Alfas are the last and arguably the best built (Series 4 Alfas have power steering, Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection, twin cooling fans, revised styling with integrated bumpers and more). This car is ready to drive cross country dow to the beach or through winding country roads. Open top motoring joy awaits you. This is an opportunity to buy a classic Alfa with extremely low miles at a reasonable price point.

The price on this Alfa Spider is just about spot on at just under $14,000. I have a suspicion that these cars are about to take off in value, especially looked after examples such as these. If you ever wanted one of these classic roadsters, now is the time to act.

-Paul

Fiat

1967 Fiat Dino Spider

Introduced in 1966 at the Turin motor show, the exotic Fiat Dino Spider was an effort to homologate the Dino V6 engine for Formula 2 competition. The Dino Spider's 2.0 liter V6 produced 158 horsepower and was hooked up to a 5 speed manual. This made for a quick package in the day. The first Spiders were built at Fiat's Mirafiori plant, but by the time the larger engined 2.4 Spider arrived in 1969, assembly shifted to the Ferrari factory and these convertibles were built alongside the Ferrari Dino. Spiders are rather rare to find anywhere in the world these days; only 736 emerged from the factory in 1967. This example for sale in Bavaria is about the best Spider I've ever laid my eyes on.

1967 Fiat Dino Spider

This Fiat Dino Spider in the first series (AB) was prepared in June 1967 at Mirafiori and 1967 in Europe in the color "blu francia" delivered. The Fiat was bought by the current owners in 1993 imported from California to Holland. In the last 15 years numerous work was carried out on the car at Italo-Dutch specialists; verifiable restoration work:

The body was restored and repainted in 1999 by an Italian specialist in "azurro metallizato." In 2001, the interior was completely redone. The original 2.0 liter V-6 engine (135B000252) was rebuilt extensively in 1996. There were new pistons and camshafts, electronic ignition, bigger cooler (by 2.4 L engine), new oil pump and water pump installed. In 2002, the differential was rebuilt. The gearbox was rebuilt at 8000 km (2007) and new synchro rings were installed.

The condition of the Spider can be described as very good. The 12 year old restoration has minimal wear. The partly renewed chrome is in good condition. The body is fine, the interior is good with minor signs of wear. The technique, such as brakes and suspension are free from defect. Since the rebuild of the engine about 22,000 km have been done. The Dino has received an oil and brake service in 2010.

These Ferrari engined Fiats often command Ferrari level prices, and this Spider is no different at €62,000 (~ $81,000 USD). While the Fiat Dino Coupe had a sharp, fastback style to it, the Spider had more sensuous curves and metallic blue paintwork makes for one of the most beautiful Fiats ever made. With cars this rare, buy the best you can fine, as finding parts isn't always the easiest task. This partiuclar one certainly is certainly one of the better examples I've laid eyes on.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1976 De Tomaso Longchamp

Known best for the Pantera sports car with Ford's 351 Cleveland V8 mounted amidship, De Tomaso was also in the business of producing luxury cars in the 1970s and 1980s. Relegated to automotive obscurity these days, the Longchamp was a personal luxury coupe based off the Deauville, a sedan which carried the appearance of a squared off Jaguar XJ sedan. The Longchamp featured the same Ford 351 Cleveland motor as the Pantera and most of the 409 examples built had a Ford 3 speed automatic transmission. De Tomaso happened to own Maserati during most of the Longchamp's production run, and the Maserati Kyalami, built from 1977 through 1983, was based on this coupe. Named after the South African Grand Prix track, the Kyalami eschewed Ford's 351 Cleveland in favor of the 4.2 liter or 4.9 liter Maserati quad cam V8 engines. This example for sale has had the same owner for 15 years and looks sharp in red over tan leather.

1976 DeTomaso Longchamp

1976 De Tomaso Longchamp Red with tan interior 81,000 kilometers, or about 50,000 miles. The engine is a Ford 351 Cleveland engine that produces 330 horse power fitted with an automatic transmission. The Top speed is 149 miles per hour. Suspension is independent front and rear with coil spring and wishbone suspension. Steering is power assisted rack and pinion with vented disc brakes all around, the rear discs being positioned inboard. The interior of the car is quite luxurious and is almost fully covered with leather and this car has the original Nardi wood steering wheel.

Handsome exterior designed by Tom Tjaarda of Ghia. Only 409 examples of this car were made making this car very rare. This example has had the same owner for 15 years, he carefully cared for it doing such things as rebuilding the power steering rack and having the wheels redone. Except for some minor cosmetic flaws, the car is in very nice condition. The great thing about these cars is that you can own what is truly an exotic and rare grand touring car but because they used an American engine in the car, you don't have to worry about expensive service or engine rebuilt costs. These cars are a great value, especially at $32,500.

The first time I laid eyes on a Longchamp, it struck me as a scaled up version of a Mercedes-Benz R107 SL with the European market headlights. Coincidentally, these cars had similar production runs; both cars were produced from 1972 through 1989. While I wouldn't file this car under cheap thrills, $32,500 is a lot less coin than one would pay for a similar vintage Ferrari or Lamborghini. With its Ford engine, drivetrain maintenance would clearly be more reasonable than those aforementioned Italian exotics.

-Paul