We cannot even begin to do justice to the Qvale Mangusta's interesting history. So, we'll attempt to sum it up in a sentence. Former Maserati owner, Alejandro de Tomaso, upon soliciting a revival plan for De Tomaso from Maserati technical director Giorano Casarini, was given the suggestion to attempt an Italian TVR under the De Tomaso brandname.
The resulting creation featured a chassis fabricated from steel sheetmetal, which is visible in galvanized form when viewing the vehicle from underneath. Glass reinforced plastic, produced using the resign transfer molding process found in Alfa Romeo SZ bodywork, made up the bodywork. And the body itself was designed by none other than Marcello Gandini. Power came courtesy of a Ford SVT 32 valve V8 - the Ford connection a vestige of prior De Tomaso projects.
This car is Pristine Don't hesitate to ask questions
Mileage: only 13,168 at time of posting
Horsepower: 600
4.9 liter supercharged Ford V8 built with forged rotating assembly (just completed)
Tremec T56 6-speed Transmission
Borla Exhaust
Brembo brakes
18" Antera Wheels
Eaton 2.3 Liter Supercharger
Alpine Sound/Navigation system
Video of walk around can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/m2fCyruJ400
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Sorry, what was that about a supercharger? And 600hp? That should feel plenty spry in a 3,350lb roadster! And while the build was probably pretty expensive ($45k reported by the seller), it's not like Ford performance parts are all that hard to source. For some reason, we're more intrigued by this build than we are concerned. What could go wrong?
For $45,000, you get a (hopefully) reliable 600hp Gandini body with a chassis by a former Dallara engineer. Sounds like the formula for a Lamborghini, if you ask us. Taking the rarity into consideration as well, as we have to recommend that someone take the plunge with this example. And drive it across the desert, please.
There are few cars that combine so many of my favorite things quite like the Lancia Delta Integrale. Born to race, the Delta successfully combined elements of the E30 M3, Golf GTi and Audi Quattro to create its own legacy. The box flares, all wheel drive and turbocharged engine made nearly the perfect hot hatch. Though the Golf Rallye is sought after by the Volkswagen faithful, the reality is that the Delta Integrale was a better car - better proportioned, faster, and significantly more successful where it was intended to race - the World Rally Championship. The Integrale picked up where the legendary Quattro had started and swept to victory in nearly all of the races that it entered. As a result of its successes on the WRC circuit, the many different roadgoing versions of the Delta Integrale were very much welcomed by enthusiasts on the road:
THE ITALIAN LEGEND : LANCIA DELTA HF INTEGRALE 1989
VIN N. : ZLA831AB000449099
THE LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE WAS INTRODUCED IN THE RALLY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1988, AND IMMEDIATELY WAS THE ABSOLUTE RULER. THE SUPREMACY OF THE DELTA INTO RALLIES DROVE TO 6 CONSECUTIVE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lancia designed the HF Integrale to incorporate the advanced technical features of the Delta HF 4WD, and to address its shortcomings as a rally car. The result is a stylish, luxurious yet utterly practical five door hatchback with impeccable road manners, but capable of a blistering 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration in just 6.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 133 mph (214 km/h).
At the heart of the 8-valve HF Integrale is a 2-litre 4-cylinder fuel injected twin cam engine, fitted with contra-rotating balancing shafts. This version incorporated the following improvements over the HF 4WD: New valves, valve seats and water pump, larger water and oil radiators, more powerful cooling fan and bigger air cleaner. A larger capacity Garrett T3 turbocharger with improved air flow and bigger inter-cooler to aid volumetric efficiency, together with revised settings for the electronic injection/ignition control unit and a knock sensor, boost power output to 185 bhp (DIN) (136 kW) at 5300 rpm and maximum torque of 31 m·kgf (304 N·m, 224 lbf·ft) at 3500 rpm.
ROSSO MONZA
RECARO / MISSONI SEATS
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING CAR, Completely original example with all documentation.
125,000 Km.
OZ RANCING RIMS
5 SPEED
NO RUST NO DENT NO LEAK
LIKE NEW
FORIDA TITLE
RUNS PERFECT
FOR ANY QUESTION : PH 3054017469 VLADIMIR
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For me, while the Quattro is a desirable car and I do love my Audi very much, the Lancia has always been an object of desire for me. It flies a bit lower on the radar than some of the other Group A entrants, and being newer many of the examples are still affordable; though with the E30 M3 bringing homologated race cars of this generation up in value it remains to be seen how long these classic Italian super-hot hatches will stay affordable. My suggestion is to grab one while you can!
Back in the 1990s it took a special kind of person to buy an Alfa Romeo 164. With Alfa Romeo on its last legs in the US market, they started offering this new front-wheel drive sedan in 1991, just as Lexus and Infiniti were heating up with their smaller offerings, BMW was about to unleash a new 3 series sedan and Acura came up with a new five-cylinder luxury sedan, the Vigor. All of the above offered better reliability and a wider dealer network, but for those wanting the verve of an Italian car, only the 164 would do. And for those wanting just a bit more than the standard 164, the 164S was on tap for the sport minded individual. We featured this car back at the end of 2012 and it is back up for sale for Alfisti looking to sate their appetite until the new, promised offerings from Alfa Romeo make their way stateside once again.
The below post originally appeared on our site November 12, 2012:
Oftentimes a car manufacturer will come up with different names for the same vehicle based on the demographics of the market in which the car is being sold. Some examples include the Alfa Romeo Milano, which was known as the 75 in its home market and the Fiat Strada, which was called the Fiat Ritmo elsewhere. Alfa Romeo had a conundrum on their hands when they introduced the 164 sedan in 1990. As some may be aware, there are homophones in the Chinese language that denote certain sayings. In Chinese, the 164 meant "all the way to death." Fearing a PR disaster, Alfa Romeo changed the badge on the trunklid to 168, which roughly translated to "all the way to prosperity." A small, relatively painless change in order to avoid scaring off potential customers. There's no way of telling how this 168S got this badge here in the US market, but it appears from the Carfax report that this was a simply badge swap by the owner.
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Year: 1991 Model: 164S Engine: 3.0 liter V6 Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 137,753 mi Price: $9,888 Buy It Now
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TThe 164 Quadrifoglio Verde (badged as the 164 QV) was available from 1990-1992 as the top of the range model. It featured an extended front spoiler, deeper side-skirts and a deeper rear apron. Inside, the 164 QV featured sculpted sports seats and mechanically the car featured an up-rated 3.0 12V V6 and adjustable damper settings.
The story of the 168 in Hong Kong is unique in Alfa Romeo history, and has a lot to do with the Chinese belief in the significance of numerology and outright superstition. Even in modern Hong Kong society, these beliefs continue to thrive, and while not every Hong Kong resident may personally believe in unlucky numbers, they are almost universally known by nearly everyone.
As is illustrated by the 164, in some Asian societies, the relationship between certain groups of numbers can be highly complex and go unnoticed by most Westerners. In the simplest terms, for example, the number 4 in Chinese is nearly synonymous with the word for "death." Thus, different combinations of numbers can represent different things: some lucky, some prosperous, and, as Alfa Romeo soon discovered, some which could profoundly affect sales of their cars.
In the Cantonese dialect, which is prevalent in Hong Kong, 164, when pronounced as a phase, literally means "the more you go the more you die." This had immediate and obvious meaning when taken in the context of an automobile. Alfa's Hong Kong-savvy sales representatives made an unprecedented move and quickly cabled Fiat management for permission to substitute the much-maligned 164 emblem with one now marked 168. The number 8 is perhaps the luckiest in all of Hong Kong as it is similar to the word for prosperity and wealth.
Therefore, what was originally one of the worst rear insignias imaginable instantly became one of the best: 168 means "the more you go the wealthier you'll be." The Alfa 164 was always a great sports sedan to drive but the "S" version offers even more enjoyment. In all ranges the car offers excellent performance and pulls very strong and without hesitation.
Driving the Alfa is really a pleasure. There are no signs of mechanical issues and there is no noise in the drive-line. The clutch is excellent, the transmission shifts very well, the synchromesh gears are excellent (even at higher speeds) and the car is fitted with new set of Falken Ziex 195 65R 15 91H tires and original wheels. The car steers straight, stops straight and has excellent brakes. An inspection of the underside of the car is clean and free from rust and any signs of previous repair or accidents. We encourage a review of the photos as the old adage "A photo is worth a thousand words" clearly applies in this instance! All of the electrical components are fully functional.
The trunk and engine bay are very clean and consistent with the condition of the car's exterior and interior quality and the original Alfa insignia mat is in place and in very good condition. Under the mat are the properly secured spare tire, wheel and the cars original jack.
We often times receive questions that go something like: "Does the car really look as good as it does in the photographs"? The answer in this case is yes. This car is a very attractive example of the difficult to locate 164 S Alfa Romeo with most desirable 168 badge. Perhaps most important, this is an opportunity to own a truly unique and original Alfa 168 S that offers great handling, looks and performance at a very attractive price.
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It's nice that such a detailed history was given on the 164 by the seller, but little in the way of this particular vehicle's service and ownership history has been provided. Even though it has somewhat high mileage, it certainly looks to be a fairly honest 164. I was always a fan of these S models in red with the contrasting gray cladding and the tan leather has a rich look about it that few new cars these days can match.
The promise of a cheap Ferrari is an alluring one, especially when that Ferrari derives from some pretty special sources in the Maranello world. Take a Daytona-derived V12 and a mate it to a rear drive development of the 365 chassis, couple with a 5-speed manual and get Pininfarina to style it and it sounds like a perfect recipe. The results, though, were somewhat disappointing compared to some of the previous and subsequent offerings by the same formula; the styling was conservative and didn't capture the beauty of the 365 GTC/4 in my mind. But not judged against some of the more attractive Ferraris produced, it's still a handsome V12 coupe in its own right that - above all - is one of the few ways to get into the classic Ferrari V12 in front engine/rear drive configuration for well under $100,000 today. While most of these cars were optioned with an automatic, there are manual versions floating around and today's example is so equipped:
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Year: 1985 Model: 400i Engine: 4.8 liter V12 Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 51,112 mi Price: No Reserve Auction
The engine, based on the Daytona's 4,390 cc (4.39 L; 268 cu in), is a 4,823 cc (4.8 L; 294.3 cu in) V12 producing 340 HP; front mounted and driving the rear wheels. This car features the 5 Speed fully synchromesh Manual Transmission. The traditional GT car layout allowed Ferrari to fit four seats into the stylish coupé. 0-60 mph takes 7.1 seconds
This car has been Fully Serviced by noted Ferrari Specialist. It has been impeccably maintained since new. Every fluid was drained and replaced: Radiator, engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid. Everything works on this car as when new. It has a new stainless steel free flow exhaust. Brand new Michelin TRX tires at a cost of over $2,000. Complete inspection and any issues that were not working with the car were addressed. For example the rear self leveling system is working with a new shock placed in the rear and hydraulics fully functional. New power antenna in the rear was put in and connected to CD player. All work done at a cost of over $3,000.
Scuro Blue paint Tan Leather interior.
One of 442 produced.
52,112 miles.
Have all Books, Jack, and Tools.
See photos for VIN.
You will not find a nicer driving and looking Ferrari 400i.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Happy Bidding!
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I really like the look of this car - the color combination is just right, the miles aren't outrageous, service and tires are up to date, and the condition looks to be great. While this wouldn't be my first choice if I had an unlimited budget, I'd seriously consider this car in comparison to some other highly priced coupes - for example, you can get one of these cars for about the same money or less than a well-sorted BMW 3.0CS. While that may sound crazy, viewed in that light the Ferrari is a much more special car that I think will continue to appreciate as more people recognize that standing on its own, this too is a very special part of Ferrari's history.
When talking about classic Italian cars associated with the words Pininfarina and Turbo, Ferrari comes immediately to mind with the legendary 288 GTO and F40; but there was an earlier mating of those two words with a third outlier; Fiat, in this case. Originally badged the 124 Spider, Fiat and Pininfarina renamed the spider the "2000" in 1979, and in 1981 Fiat and Legend Industries made around 700 turbocharged models for the U.S. market. A well proportioned car with classic roadster styling and impressive heritage, the 2000 Spider none-the-less remains one of the cheapest ways to get into a neat and classic Italian ride:
If you would love to have a great little roadster for some top down, sun in your face, wind in your hair motoring then the Fiat Spider is an excellent choice! Produced almost exclusively for the North American market, although sold occasionally in some European Countries, the Fiat 124/Spider is becoming a very sought after roadster among car enthusiasts looking for an affordable collectible sports car that can be driven and enjoyed as well as make a great investment. Designed by Italian stylist and coachbuilder Pininfarina the Fiat 124/Spider rivaled the MGB and Alfa Spider as the world’s longest running sports car. Many collectors will tell you that the most desirable models are the fuel-injected models, which began in 1980.
'81 Fiat Spider 2000 Turbo — Overview: These little cars were never very powerful, but with the exception of the truly exotic cars, handling capabilities were far superior to most other sports cars of their time.. Fiat began to consider pulling out of the US. In an attempt to try to save the Fiat brand in the US, the importer, Fiat USA, Inc., worked with Legend Industries to install turbo chargers on several late '81 and early '82 cars, after they reached the United States. Boost was limited to only 6 psi to avoid damaging the engine, which was not designed to be used with a turbo. Even at a modest 6 psi, the turbo really awakened the little two liter four cylinder engine. Rarity: Only approximately 700 Spider 2000 Turbo models were made. These turbo models proved to be somewhat unreliable, and many of these cars were “de-trubo-ed”, leaving them as normal “Fuel Injected” cars. With the turbo failures, and the normal number of mechanical failures and accidents associated with a car nearly three decades old, there are very few of these still running and in their original mechanical condition. Handling: Truly amazing.. Acceleration: Pretty good... by 1981 standards. It's not a Ferrari, but with the turbo it easily outruns “stock” spiders.
Not only does this fuel injected ‘81 Spider look great but also it drives and handles as good as it looks!!! Everything works. The gauges all operate. The 5 speed manual transmission shifts nicely through the gears. The clutch was changed when the motor was rebuilt. The engine was rebuilt about 3000 miles ago. The entire car was restored over the last few years. Everything has been disassembled and any worn parts have been replaced. Brakes are new. Brake lines have been replaced. Suspension was rebuilt and modified for better handling. Upper and lower control arms have been replaced with new.
The interior of the car is original. There are some very small cracks in the seats. (See pictures)The original turbo was replaced with a new unit as the turbos on these cars were susceptible to premature ware. To combat this, a post oiler was added to keep the bearings on the turbo cool when spinning down. Every effort was made to make this a drivable car you could take around town or a nice trip. The engine runs nice and smooth while the operating temperature stays nice and cool. It’s got plenty of pep. The brakes feel good and the steering is accurate and fun.
This car has power windows and a/c. both work well. The A/C was retrofitted to 134a Freon.
Tires: 195/65/14 tire have less than 2000 miles
All turbo hoses were replaced with new silicone hose.
Brakes are new and have an adjustable brake bias valve installed.
A couple of small dings and paint blemishes could be easily repaired (see pictures)
The vinyl top has a slight cut in the welting and is barely noticeable. The rear window is clear.
The Pininfarina Hardtop comes with the car. These tops are VERY RARE!!!!!!
The top alone would go for about $3,000.00. These were used on the 124 rally cars and were designed by Pininfarina. This is not a knock off!
Pedigree: This car has won at concourse at the Fiat Lancia Unlimited national Fiat club meeting twice in class. It has trophied 3 times at Lime Rock Park concours d’Elegance. And has been invited 3 times and participated at the Greenwich CT. Concours D’elegance. It is a very presentable car.
Also included in the sale are extra motors and transmissions and all original parts and extra turbos/manifolds. Many of these parts can no longer be obtained.
Feel free to contact me to schedule a time to see it for yourself.
Worldwide Shipping at Buyers Expense Please, No con artists. I have seen this in the past and will not be negotiating with people I cannot speak to directly. Money talks…….
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As a car with potential to show, this is a neat example of a car that you can afford to buy, work on yourself and enjoy some classic Italian lines and soundtrack. Condition is far above average with some room for improvement and pricing is compelling at under $15,000. I personally love the color combination, and the addition of the factory hard top is quite cool. It will never be the car that draws a large crowd or snaps your neck with acceleration, but this is a solid package with some great roots in classic Italian motoring!
The Ferrari 308/328 stablemates were, for a long time, the bread and butter of Ferrari's sales. Great looks, an even better soundtrack, and big screen appeal made the Ferrari the natural choice if you wanted an exotic Italian sports car. They were also much more reasonably priced than the headline-grabbing Testarossa and F40, and much better looking than the Mondial and 400/412i. Was it the perfect Ferrari? A lot of people seem to think so; the counterpoint to Porsche's 911 model, the 308 and 328 are still some of the most popular Ferraris - and amazingly, still some of the cheapest to buy and own. While classic Porsche 911 prices have gone through the roof, as have Ferrari's own Dino 206/246 prices, the 308 and 328 remain cars that can be bought on a reasonable budget. What's the best one to own? Well, if you like the angular styling of the originals obviously they'll be top on your list - but if I was in the market, I'd look for the best example of the last of the run - the 328, just like today's ultra-low mileage example:
You are looking at a garage kept 1 owner collector car in PRISTINE condition. This is a 1989 Ferrari 328GTS with only 7900 miles. She's finished with its original Red paint with Black leather hides. The back leather is also original with no leather repair performed.
LOOK AT THE DASH AND PANEL PICTURES
THIS IS A COLLECTOR CAR
7900 ORIGINAL MILES AND ITS PRICED FOR A QUICK SALE THESE CARS ARE APPRECIATING RAPIDLY
WE GUARANTEE THIS VEHICLE TO BE IN SHOW AND ORIGINAL CONDITION OR YOUR MONEY BACK.
MAJOR SERVICE JUST DONE WITH TIMING BELT AND ENGINE RESEAL.
Call Nick on my cell direct 239 269 7713 call or text
Behold the holy grail of collector cars!!
WE ARE RANKED # 36 IN THE WORLD ON EBAYMOTORS. WE SELL EXCLUSIVE LUXURY AND EXOTIC CARS SHIPPING ALL OVER THE WORLD
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Perfect color combination, excellent condition, recent service; this car has it all. Truth be told, I'd rather have a Berlinetta than the GTS model, but for the right car I'd probably make an exception. Either way you're sure to turn heads, be able to show up at a car event and gather a crowd, and enjoy some classic V8 Ferrari motoring. 1989 was the swan song for the 308/328, as later in the year they were replaced by the mostly new 348. It was the end of an era, and one that produced some classic cars that are still on the rise in value. This car should fetch top dollar - around $65,000 in today's market. You can buy a cheaper one, but you're not likely to find a better one.
Just the other day I wrote up an Alfa Romeo 33, wondering aloud how and why such a car would have been chosen to import to the United States. Today we have another rarity on U.S. shores, but this time the candidate makes significantly more sense to me. The name "GTV" is legendary to Alfa fans, and in some ways you could argue that the 916 series GTV wasn't deserving of the name - it was, after all, a front wheel drive car. But discount that, and the GTV was a striking design that really stood apart from its contemporaries, combining classic Alfa design elements into a new and unique car that was if nothing else stunning. The GTV was offered with many different engines, from the twin-spark 2.0 16 valve right through the awesome 24 valve 3.2 V6. Today's GTV is from early in the production run but has one of the higher grade motors then offered, the 2.0 V6 turbo:
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Year: 1995 Model: GTV Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged V6 Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 84,000 mi Price: No Reserve Auction
Selling my 1995 Alfa Romeo GTV Coupe car Runs and Drives Very Smooth i imported the car from italy a while back.. Car is Fully Serviced timing belt was done last summer about 6,000 km ago car is ready to drive minor dents and scratches from city parking NO RUST Car is a 1995 not 2014 Car had currently 134377 km (84,000miles) will be high because i do drive the car …. Great Daily Driver Turns Heads Everyday car i located in bronxville NY please do not message me and ask how i REGISTERED it if you like the car and are a serious buyer i might be able to help … for more info John 914-804984Two
Car is Listed at 1980 because ebay will not accept Vin
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If you want a unique Italian daily driver that won't bankrupt you, has modern conveniences and a bit of sport, but will turn heads no matter where you go, this is probably the best way to do it. Unlike the quite overpriced Alfa 33 I wrote up, bidding on this GTV is quite low so far - hovering around the $6,000 mark as of writing. For that amount, I can't imagine buying more style for your dollar. Will it be absolutely reliable? Come now, it's an Alfa....but if you can discount that you'll be fixing it from time to time this car looks like a steal to me. I'd want to make sure all of the U.S. paperwork was properly sorted before purchasing but otherwise can't see any drawbacks. Sort some of the later GTV alloys and do a bit of detailing, and this car is a show stopper.
In the heady days of the 1980s, the FIA developed a new formula to dictate production-based race cars in both rally and sports car racing. It was the time of turbocharging in Formula 1, and that turbo technology had spilled over to the World Rally Championship in the form of the revolutionary Audi Quattro. Soon, it became evident that turbocharging would be the way forward, and it seemed that each few months a new iteration of a race car was being launched with even more power. The formula created was known as "Group B" - like its prototype "Group C" brothers, it would standardize a series across various manufacturers. What the rules produced were race cars that seemed unbounded by rules; indeed, you only needed to produce 200 examples of a loosely related road going car. As a result, we saw some unreal creations - most are associated with Rally, like the 13" shortened Audi Sport Quattro and mid-engined supercharged and turbocharged Lancia Delta S4; but few remember that the rules also dictated sports car racing. As a result, notable manufacturers Porsche and Ferrari jumped at the opportunity. From Porsche, we saw the development of the legendary 959, with its twin-turbo charged, watercooled flat six, all-wheel drive, active suspension and 6-speed transmission. It was technical, complicated and totally German. Ferrari decided to go another route; back to its routes, Ferrari produced a lightweight version of the 308 GTB with a new twin-turbocharged version of the V8. Dubbed the 288, it reintroduced the world to the legendary title "GTO" - Gran Turismo Omologato. It was little more than a race car for the road:
1984 Ferrari 288GTO, Ferrari factory Classiche certified with books, tools and service records. Car now in Yokohama, Japan, ex Switzerland and France. Swiss taxes paid. Superb example, extremely well cared for from day one. Power windows and working air conditioning. Accident-free example looks almost new with show quality repaint by Zanasi. Easily accessible to inspect. HISTORY: 2/1985, New to Crepaldi, authorized Ferrari dealer in Milano, Italy. 9/2001. To second owner in France and registered in France. 2012 Offered by Garage Zenith SA in Swiss. Classiche certified 9/2012, Sold and shipped to Japan. Prior to delivery, comprehensive maintenance performed with invoice 20,000+CF, plus new set of Michelin tires mounted. 10/2013. Registered road legal in Japan with the transportation authority. Car driven 2,000 km since major service. A superb example to show and enjoy, as it is one of the truly great driver's Ferraris.
Price: $1,895,000 obo
The E30 M3 crowd loves to pat themselves on the back with the incredible gain in value over the past year many have experienced. Frankly, they're small potatoes compared to these hot Ferraris. In the past year and a half, top value on 288 GTOs has more than doubled - from around $700,000 for a pristine example to around $1.7 million. That curve has flattened out slight in the past few months, but is still generally headed upwards. Although the GTO was ultimately eclipsed by the F40 in enthusiasts' minds, it's an important part of Ferrari history that is now recognized in value. This particular example is ahead of the curve, but not by much - and these 288s don't grow on trees. For most of us, we'll be lucky to see one in our lifetime, but the rest of the time we can dream about the awesome days of Group B and the wicked cars it spawned.
Earlier in the week, I wrote up a low-mileage 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce; it's one of the more affordable classic Italian Spiders you can pick up these days. Well, Ocean Drive Motors has an even more affordable version of nearly the same car; this time in more traditional red, they've got another 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce on offer:
If you're looking for a low mileage, pristine example, the first option is obviously better for you; however, at only 72,000 miles it's not exactly like this one has racked up an unreasonable amount of trips around the block. Condition overall appears to be nearly as good as the first example, and you get a 50% discount over the asking price of the white example. Personally, for a bit of classic Italian motoring that wasn't going to my primary transportation, I'd be willing to accept that discount. The higher miles will require more maintenance, sure, but I wouldn't be too afraid to add to the total by taking trips down by the seaside. There's a great drive along the seaside in Newport, Rhode Island called Ocean Drive; it's a winding relatively low speed road that I just see as the perfect fit for a little top down enjoyment of the seaside air - and this car fits the budget, too.
I'm guessing everyone who has seen the Ferrari F40 in person (and many that haven't) have their own personal F40 story; so, here's mine. When I was a younger lad, our local luxury dealership struck a deal with a patron to purchase two Ferrari F40s. If it sounds outrageous, it was even more outrageous how much the contract was for - at the time, several million dollars. You may remember that Ferrari lost their proverbial shirt on the 288 GTO; speculators bought up the limited production run, turned around and sold many of them at an outrageous profit - in some cases, up to 10 times the original purchase price. Determined not to have that happen again, Ferrari priced the F40 at a then outrageous $500,000 give or take, but many dealers demanded premiums up to a few million dollars. Presuming that - like the stock market - the supercar market would continue to rise to the heavens, many speculators signed up. It was a sure bet, afterall! Then the crash of 1989 occurred, and shortly thereafter the supercar market tanked. It killed many of the late 1980s and early 1990s cars entirely, and some supercar makers folded up entirely. That didn't happen to Ferrari, obviously, though it sure helped that Fiat held the checkbook at the time. In any event, the market on these cars came way back to reality, and this particular speculator - who had agreed to pay millions for the delivery of the second F40 - suddenly found said car to be worth only a fraction of his outstanding contract. He refused delivery, the dealership sued - and won. They retained the car and several million dollars, which they utilized to build a new addition to the dealership for some crazy upstart from Japan called "Lexus" - but who would be crazy enough to pay a premium for re-badged Toyotas?
Anyway, my part in the story. My father had a friend at said dealership who called him up to come see this F40. If they're not exactly commonplace now, they certainly weren't in 1989, either, yet here I was, confronted with one and being told I could sit in it. Of course, I had studied the F40 extensively, and knew the car like the back of my hand. In person, it was even more impressive than the magazines had related; it was like confronting a hurricane, tornado and tidal wave of force all wrapped in one pretty red package. The slats and vents reminded me of the 250 GTO, and like that car it was a thinly veiled race car that you could put number plates on. Glue leaked out of seams, it smelled like burnt plastic inside, the finish was horrible in places - it felt sort of cheap compared to the immaculately finished Porsches they also had at the dealer. There were no frills, and the carbon fiber doors were so wispy-thin that I got out and unintentionally slammed the door closed. Both my father and his friend gasped; the sticker price on the car, after all, was about 4 times what my father's house was worth at the time. Fast forward to today, and like the real estate market it turns out it would have been pretty smart to buy at the time, because today it's ask is about 3 times what it was when new once again - we've come full circle:
--Red with Red, 5,000 miles from new, 5-speed transmission, Tubi sport exhaust system.
This F40 is absolutely superb, fully serviced throughout and come complete with Ferrari Classiche Certification.
This F40 is immaculate in all respects, it is complete with all books, tools and records as originally delivered from the factory.
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Not much more needs to be said in the description; you're not likely to be able to afford one, but they sure are pretty to look at and amazing in person. Thanks to the internet, we've gotten to see more exposure on the F40 than ever over the past few years and if anything, the legend is even bigger than when it was new. The last great car produced under the leadership of Enzo, this car was and is a monster - both in performance and design. While the price may seem outrageous now and is certainly above market value - Hagerty puts a top F40 just over 1,000,000 - I'd guess that in a few decades we'll again look back and see it wasn't so outrageous, afterall - this car will undoubtedly stand alongside such greats as the 250GTO and Daytona as one of the best Ferraris ever made.
