Monthly Archives: July 2012

Ferrari, Modern Classic, Theme Week

Theme Week: A Tribute to Sergio Pininfarina: 1987 Ferrari Testarossa

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A high point in Sergio Pininfarina's career was the Ferrari Testarossa, introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1984. The car was a replacement for the Berlinetta Boxer and its name stood for red head in Italian, a reference to the car's red cam covers and a tribute to the Testa Rossa GT cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s. One of the most instantly recognizable Ferraris of all time, the trademark side strakes feeding the radiators and wide rear section made a dramatic styling statement in an era where such brash aesthetics were welcomed. This car is for sale in California and underwent a major service in early 2008.

1987 Ferrari Testarossa

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1987 Ferrari Testarossa, VIN: ZFFSG17A1H0069267, Rosso Corsa with Tan Leather

Upon its introduction in late 1984, the Testarossa stunned the world with its avant garde styling. Long low and wide, the Testarossa appeared even more so thanks to the extensive use of horizontal slatting, a feature that would be replicated both on other Ferraris and on many other lesser cars. Yet beneath these striking features was a surprisingly organic and handsome form that remains as arresting today as it was twenty years ago. Motivated by a new four valve version of Ferrari`s horizontally opposed twelve cylinder engine that made 390hp, the car was quick and made fantastic noises, but was also very plush with leather almost everywhere, including on the rear shelf, headliner, and visors. The trunk is reasonably sized and the car very comfortable and easy to drive, making it an ideal way to cover long distances at high speeds in comfort. Many Testarossa owners use them regularly and there are many owners with cars having covered over 125,000 miles, and even an example with over 200,000 miles!

This particular car has covered just 25,000 miles, and was sold new in California. In the hands of the present owner since 1992, it has enjoyed a single ownership period for nearly its entire life. In January of 2008, at 24,464 (just 1,100 miles ago), a major engine-out belt service was completed by Alfamilano Inc in Los Angeles, California, which totaled $8,610.90 including the replacement of the hood struts, recharging the air conditioning system, and replacing the shifter cover seal to the transaxle. It is current on its service at this time.

The car is in good mechanical order, and runs and drives well. Cosmetically, it is best described as a nice driver, as there are a handful of minor paint and body blemishes about the car, typical of 25 year old automobiles. The interior is very nice, benefiting from the car’s low mileage. The dash exhibits minimal shrinkage, which is common to Ferrari of this era. The front carpets have been replaced with lambs wool overlays. Both the carpeted front storage area, and the engine bay, are in beautiful condition. This car sits on factory wheels, which are in good condition. Included with the sale are the books, tools, jack, bulb set, and records for the Alfamilano Inc. major service.

This is a great opportunity to acquire one of these very neat and important cars. Their astonishing styling still carries tremendous impact, and they are modern, practical, and easy enough to drive to use on a regular basis. This car has been in California for most of its life and represents a great way to enjoy the Ferrari experience as often as possible for the new owner. Moreover, with values of these cars stabilized and are beginning to go up, lower mileage examples such as this one can be a rationally appealing proposition as well.

An average Testarossa of this vintage will usually bring around $55,000 to $60,000, with the best examples glancing the $70,000 mark. Given that one owner possessed this car for about 20 years, this would be a good car to buy. Even though it hasn't covered many miles since the service, time is not kind to any machine of this caliber. A service could be lurking in another few years, the price of which should be factored in to the purchase price.

-Paul

Ferrari, Theme Week

Theme Week: A Tribute to Sergio Pininfarina: 1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino

Last week, the world lost one of the automotive greats: Sergio Pininfarina. The son of Batista Farina, Sergio took over control of the design firm from his father in 1961, the same year he changed his last time from Farina to Pininfarina at the request of the Italian president, to match the name of the company. In 1966, Pininfarina became chairman of the company and in the same year, produced a prototype for a new mid engine Ferrari to bear the Dino name. Enzo Ferrari had originally been opposed to a mid engined vehicle, concerned that his customers would fall victim to tricky handling. But with the introduction of the Miura at his rival company Lamborghini, the temptation to move in a new direction was too great. These early mid engine Ferraris have been gaining steam in the collector market and this restored example for sale in California is a nice example of one of Sergio Pininfarina's earlier works.

1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino

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1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino, targa top red classic. Restored, highly sought after by collectors worldwide. This great example of the 246 was just released from a private collection where it has been lovingly maintained for the last 20 years. Car has had mechanical engine rebuild approximately 12k miles ago. The mechanical inspection just completed shows compression of 190 psi on all cylinders. This is a fine example of an older restoration with the cosmetics in impressive condition - dash is in excellent condition, daytona style seats are supple and well cared for, wood steering wheel is superb and more. Mechanically vehcile runs and drives great.

This rust free 246 is truly a fantastic find. Do not miss the opportunity to own what experts believe is among the fastest appreciating sports car investment pieces. The Dino is coveted by collectors worldwide. Its mid-placed engine was a Ferrari first for a street car, while the quad cam V6 is a superb engine that capitalized on Ferrari's racing experience gained from building racing V6's. Styling is by Pininfarina and, the Dino has long been a favorite among Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts thanks to its beautiful lines and proportions, exceptional engine, and balanced chassis.

From the odometer, it appears this Dino has a little over 50,000 miles on the clock. Given that this is a restored example and not original, the asking price of nearly $270,000 seems a bit over the top. A nice example like this might bring closer to $175,000 in this market, with examples fetching more than $200,000 being unrestored originals or those with a special history.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE

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For twelve years, the Alfa Romeo GTV carried the sport coupe torch for Alfa Romeo. Some liked the fastback looks, others thought the split rear window treatment was a bit odd. Whatever the styling case may be, this was a two door sports car in the Alfa tradition, first with a four cylinder engine which was joined by the 2.5 liter V6 in 1982. With a rear mounted gearbox and near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, these cars were track day stars which made any skeptics forget about the looks. In 1982, a special edition Balocco in the lineup, which was named for Alfa Romeo's test track. To find one of these limited edition models unmolested is near impossible, but a tidy example has surfaced in California with a scant 40,000 miles.

1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE

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1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE #218 of 350 (Original Black - Not Repainted - One of a Kind)
- 39,957 miles
- Vin Number:
(Euro) ZAR 11669000004204
(US) ZAR AA6693C1004204
- #218 of 350 made
- Black leather seats with Balocco red stiching - great condition
- Red Balocco carpeting
- Sunroof
- All the electrical and mechanical work fine
- Engine really clean (doesn't leak oil)
- 15 inch BBS Racing Wheels (spare tire is the original Balocco)
- Performance: Headers, Suspension (with yellow Koni shocks)
- No rust
- No accidents
- Previous work done to the car: headers, suspension, catalitics, timing belt, brakes, tune up, BBS racing wheels and stereo system worth over $5000
- AC needs charging
- Needs new tires

I spoke with Automobilismo Storico Centro Documentazione of Alfa Romeo to verify the VIN numbers. According to their records this car was manufactured on June 1, 1982. The pink slip is clear and in my name. I'm an Alfa Romeo mechanic and specialists with over 40 years experience and serviced this car in 1985-86. I've driven it the past couple days and it drives very fast and handles incredibly with it's performance suspension. This Balocco is originally black and a special order. The previous owner has passed away and didn't leave any records, but he told me he bought this Balocco at the Indianapolis race track in 1984. It was brought over from Italy, with the race car team, and was used on the Indy track as a pace car. After the race he bought it, as-is, and took it back to California.

The starting bid of $7,500 is close to the top of the range when it comes to the GTV6. While this one is a special edition with low mileage, this edition is mainly a trim package. The best example of a GTV6 may bring $10,000 to $12,000 tops. If this one can be snagged for under $10,000, it would be allow room for an AC recharge and would be a welcome addition at the next Alfa Romeo club meet.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale must have been an exquisite sight to behold in the 1960s. Designed by Bertone, the SS as it was called resembled Alfa's renowned B.A.T. aerodynamic studies. Powered by a 1.3 liter twin cam four cylinder engine and five speed manual from the 2000 Spider, this coach built coupe was originally targeted towards those seeking a competition coupe, but it proved to be a tad bit heavy for the job, even if the slippery dynamics allowed a top speed of 120 miles per hour. This SS for sale in Connecticut is a recent arrival to these shores and comes with an extensive history.

1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale

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Chassis number AR177276, Engine 10120 - 01477. This car was recently imported to the US with all correct import papers and duties paid. It had been in storage in Italy for about 7 years after being restored as a "nice driver" about 10 years ago. It has a super straight body, no known rust or corrosion, no heavy filler, floors are solid, paint and chrome are decent to good, all the chrome is original. The whole car is very honest, correct and original, including the dash knobs, door panels, carpets, and engine compartment, which even has the original air cleaner that is often missing and very hard to find. It starts and runs beautifully, the gearbox is fine, and the entire brake system is new, including the master cylinder and wheel cylinders, all redone with NOS parts. There are no known mechanical or electrical problems. The odometer reads 2,417 KM, which I assume is 102,417 KM or 63,500 miles. The car comes with it's "Libretto" registration book showing complete ownership history from 1967 to date, and even has it's ASI credentials (the book and badge) which are awarded by the Italian Historic Automobile Club to cars in Italy that they have certified to be correct and original.

Gooding sold a similar 1961 Giulietta Sprint Speciale in Monterey last August for $209,000 - Lot # 28. I've found 3 others that were offered since then between $160,000 and $200,000. Even if they were in a little nicer condition, I feel my car is a bargain in comparison since my reserve is roughly half those amounts.

With radical styling and just under 1,400 produced, the SS was never meant to be a volume seller for Alfa Romeo, but their relative obscurity hasn't kept values from creeping up. Well preserved originals and restored examples can bring anywhere between $150,000 to $200,000. With an older restoration and patina, the seller is probably looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of $125,000.

-Paul

Ferrari

1977 Ferrari 308 GTB

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Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1975, the Ferrari 308 GTB and targa roofed GTS was a replacement for the Dino 246. A departure from the more curvaceous Ferraris of the 1960s, the 308 was also a technical leap forward, with a four wheel double wishbone suspension, dry sump engine lubrication and, in the case of our feature car, a fiberglass body. Two years after its introduction in 1977, Ferrari eventually switched over to a steel body, after building 712 fiberglass examples. This fiberglass GTB for sale in Connecticut is noteworthy in that it is painted the same hue as the car that first debuted in Paris almost 40 years ago.

1977 Ferrari 308 GTB

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1977 Ferrari 308 GTB Fiberlgass drysump Blue with a black interior. 15,000 miles. Very nice and clean example of the most desirable of the Ferrari 308 Series cars. Car has a very good service history starting from about 1986 to the present time. The motor was rebuilt in the early 2000's and a major service was just performed on the car last year. The mileage is more than the odometer indicates, probably around 30,000 miles. The car runs very well and is very fast. The car is located in northwestern Connecticut about 75 miles north of New York City in the Northwestern corner of Connecticut. If you have questions you can contact me thru ebay or call 860-350-1140. I have a web page with many additional photos of the car forzamotorsports with the usual com ending. International buyers welcome.

At the high end, one could expect to pay $30,000 to $40,000 or so for a well preserved steel bodied 308 GTB. With the rarity factor of the fiberglass body and dry sump engine, one might expect to pay an additional $10,000 to $15,000. With the low mileage and significant color of this particular car, we may be looking at a $60,000 to $70,000 GTB. Anything more would be a bit ahead of the current market.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider

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While the world waits eagerly for the next Alfa Romeo Spider to arrive, around 50 years ago, sun worshippers were fortunate that not one, but two Spiders were on offer. Those seeking a bit more power and prestige than the smaller, four cylinder Giulietta Spider could opt for the 2600 Spider, with coach work by Carrozzeria Touring and a twin cam, six cylinder engine. Fewer than 3,000 2600 Spiders were ever produced. This example for sale in Pennsylvania is not concours ready, but certainly a solid driver.

1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider on eBay

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1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 "Touring of Milan" Spider, correct Alfa "rosso" red/tan leather, tan convertible top, tipo #10601, Superleggera Touring #15599, manual transmission, 6 cyl., triple Solex carbs, 71,701 miles, described as a "California survivor" by the previous seller, a three owner car, and the last owner had it in his possession for 25 years, also described by the previous seller as a "noted Italian sports car collector". Hyperbole aside, the body is very straight and the panels fit well, the paint is glossy with a few minor imperfections. The bumpers appear to have been rechromed and are excellent. The interior, leather seats, carpets, and convertible top are in excellent condition.

After purchasing this car last year the present owner spent close to $11,000 having the car gone over, redoing portions of the brake system, overhauling the carburettors, suspension, wiring, ignition and other misc. items (photos attached of invoice). Still, there is more to do on this car if one was to make it like new. The car is missing the "Touring of Milan" emblems, other than the bumpers, the remaining chrome, is pitted in many places, the dash was recovered in a newer vinyl and has a slight tear, the gauge faces could be improved and the clutch is a bit difficult to release smoothly.

2,257 Spiders produced and who knows how many have survived. These are some of the last Alfas from the coachbuilt era and naturally are increasing in value. This is a good, California, solid running car with a clean undercarriage and quite a bit of sorting out already with the remaining items not too difficult to correct. Two people have told me that this car has power steering which I guess was an option. Also someone commented about the "Superleggera"(super light) designation- I was describing the plate that says "Superleggera Touring" under the "tipo" plate in the engine compartment in one of the photos. I am not sure if this "Superleggera" plate is original or added by an "alfisiti" somewhere along the line.

The asking price of $55,000 is right on the mark with regards to an average example like this. Not too worn out and not too perfect, these cars can hover around $40,000 to $60,000, with stellar examples reaching beyond $70,000 in some cases. For the collector who wants to use the machine he or she just invested money into, a car like this would be a great place to start, without feeling guilty about diminishing its value.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1960 Vespa 400

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For a total of four short years, Piaggio built automobiles in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Vespa 400 was a two seat, rear engine car was about the size of contemporary microcars such as the BMW Isetta and Messerschmitt, which is to say, just a tad smaller than the Fiat Nuova 500. With a top speed of around 50 mph from its 400cc air cooled two cylinder engine, the 400 was intended to be more of a city runabout than a cruiser for the Autostrada. This 400 for sale in St. Louis has had a cosmetic refresh including new paint and upholstery.

1960 Vespa 400

In Italian Vespa means wasp, which couldnt be more appropriate for this bright yellow and black Vespa 400 coupe. Introduced in 1957 and engineered by Piaggio, the Italian manufacturer of the ubiquitous motor scooters which inspired a generation of La Dolce Vita, the Vespa automobile was built in Piaggios French factory. A rear-mounted 393cc 2-stroke twin produced 20 brake horsepower and drove through a 3-speed transmission to the rear wheels. Only one body style was offered, a 2-door coupe with folding fabric sunroof, but it weighed only 850 pounds at the curb. It was only 112 long; two could fit comfortably perpendicular to the curb in an average American parking space. Good performance encouraged weight loss by its occupants -- a couple of generous sized Americans could increase a Vespa 440s mass by 50%. In other word, a Vespa 400 is small. Finished, as mentioned, in yellow with a black folding roof, black upholstery and interior trim piped in yellow, this little wasp has been cosmetically redone recently with fresh paint, upholstery and a detailed engine compartment. It is much more unusual than Isettas, Jollys and Fiat 500s and will bring smiles and cheery waves from onlookers wherever it appears. It is ideal for running errands, weekend jaunts or as a shore tender for classic yachts. In a vehicle this small (and it is small) packaging is a challenge, so if youre looking for the battery, its on a tray that slides out from between the headlights.

Realistically, most of these Vespa microcars tend to sell in the $15,000 to $23,000 range. This 400 appears to be a very tidy example, but is priced quite a bit outside the normal range. There are those rare instances where cars, such as the Amphicar back at Barrett Jackson a few years ago, brought serious money. Perhaps a city dweller that is well to do and needs something small and efficient for around town driving would be willing to pay top dollar for the best example of a Vespa automobile that he can find. Time can only tell.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Commemorative Edition

It was a momentous occasion when the sun finally set on the Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider in 1994. Almost 30 years and four generations later, suspicions arose that the proposed front-drive replacement couldn't live up to the aura of joie de vie offered by the car that was originally introduced in 1966. Recently, on the Alfa Romeo forum Alfa BB a member was desperately seeking a 1994 CE Spider, so I thought given these are somewhat rare, it might be worth featuring another one, given the warm months here in the US are in full swing. This Verde Inglese example is for sale in Florida has a low 33,000 miles on the clock.

1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Commemorative Edition

1994 was the last year for the Duetto based Alfa Spider. In celebration of the car’s sucess, Alfa made 190 special cars called CE’s or Commemorative Editions. The CE Alfa Spyder has special badgeing, a special edition number plate, and a beautiful wood console and wood door caps. They also feature the ultra cool 15” telephone dial style wheels Our car is #178 of the 190 built. It came to us from a collector who traded it on a very special Bentley. It is in excellent condition with only minimal evidence of use. The paint and leather have been well kept after. The mechanicals are perfect with a recent valve adjustment service. Everything is working properly including the air conditioning. The car has fresh Goodyear Eagle tires. The original owner’s books accompanies the car as does a notebook of historical documents including the original window sticker and service records. The mileage shows 33,678 miles. It would be very difficult to find another Commemorative Edition Spider, finding another one like ours would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

The asking price of almost $25,000 is all the money for a Series 4 Alfa Romeo Spider. Even if you could find one with delivery miles, it would still be a steep price to pay, given that you can find nearly similar non-CE edition Spiders with similar mileage for under $15,000. To buy this particular car at this price, one would either have to be very nostalgic or out of touch with the market.

-Paul

Lancia

1967 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato 1.3

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The Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato is one of those rare instances where most enthusiasts would find the original car more attractive than the one designed by the coach builder. The original Fulvia was so delicately proportioned that it seemed hard to improve on, but that didn't stop Zagato, who had worked with Lancia on a number of vehicles in the past. Envisioned as a light weight competition model, the Fulvia Sport Zagato scored a class win at Daytona in 1969. This particular Fulvia Zagato Sport was restored in Europe in the 1990s and subsequently shipped to the US.

1967 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato 1.3

1967 Lancia Fulvia Zagato 1.3S. s/n 818650*001015* Eng. no. 818.410-2239540. Red with Black Interior. Always industry leaders in design innovation, Lancia’s Fulvia 1.3 Sport, with front wheel drive, and a narrow angle 1.3 liter V4 engine was no exception. Easy to control with their front wheel drive, and capable of 110 mph, Lancia campaigned Fulvia Sports in international rally and circuit events throughout Europe with great success. In total six different bodies were mounted to Fulvia chassis. The Zagato bodied are generally regarded as the most aesthetically pleasing of all variations.

This particular car has been the subject of a sympathetic restoration in the early 1990s by Lancia expert Franco De Piero in Italy. Best described today as a very nice driver, it has been tastefully fitted with fender and rocker panel flairs, more modern seats with additional side supports and headrests, charcoal carpets, and a more rigid, smaller diameter steering wheel. This gives the car a decidedly sporty feel and appears when compared to a stock Fulvia 1.3. Attesting to the mechanical condition, after the restoration was complete Mr. De Piero drove the car from Italy across mainland Europe to Amsterdam where it was exported to the US.

Cosmetically, the car presents very well. The car has seen a nice repaint in a deep shade of red over straight and solid panels. The interior was re-trimmed at the time of the restoration and also makes a strong impression. The dash top is free of cracks, and the original gauges, switchgear, and gear shift knob remain. The headliner is dyed black and in very good order. The car runs and drives well with good power, minimal smoke, and a nice transaxle. All the gauges appear to work, and the rear hatch opening and closing mechanism is operational. The suspension and steering are compliant, and the brakes effective. With prices now exceeding $650,000 for the 1600cc Alfa Romeo TZs, this is an opportune chance to acquire very presentable, exotic, Zagato bodied, small bore Italian GT before prices on these too soar out of sight in today’s fast moving market. $34,500

At the high end, Fulvia 1300 Sport Zagatos are glancing the $40,000 mark. This example is priced just about right given the restored condition. The modifications may put some purists off, but they aren't too offensive as to take away from the finished product that much. When you consider what other coach built Italian exotics go for, this could possibly be one of the least expensive ways into such a car, while enjoying the unique pleasure of owning a Lancia.

-Paul